MockExam Space

Free NCLEX-RN practice questions with rationales

Nine sample questions from our 1,000+ item NCLEX-RN bank, spanning pharmacology, prioritization, maternal-newborn, mental health, and an NGN Select All That Apply. Work through them here, then take a full-length timed mock with instant scoring and a weak-area study plan.

Sample NCLEX-RN questions

Answer each question before revealing the rationale. Every question in the full bank carries the same level of explanation.

Question 1 路 Pharmacology

A client with heart failure has been taking furosemide and digoxin for two weeks. The client now reports nausea, blurred yellow-tinged vision, and a sensation of a racing then slow heartbeat. Which action should the nurse take first?

  1. A.Administer the next scheduled dose of digoxin with food
  2. B.Obtain a serum potassium and digoxin level
  3. C.Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
  4. D.Document the findings and reassess in one hour
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

Furosemide-induced hypokalemia potentiates digoxin toxicity, whose hallmarks include nausea, yellow-tinged vision, and dysrhythmias. Assessing potassium and digoxin levels drives the next decision. Giving more digoxin (A) worsens toxicity; fluids (C) and delayed reassessment (D) do not address the emergent cause.

Question 2 路 Cardiac & Critical Care

A client admitted with chest pain suddenly becomes unresponsive. The monitor shows a chaotic, irregular waveform with no identifiable QRS complexes and no pulse is palpable. What is the nurse's priority action?

  1. A.Administer IV amiodarone
  2. B.Begin chest compressions and prepare for defibrillation
  3. C.Perform synchronized cardioversion
  4. D.Obtain a 12-lead ECG to confirm the rhythm
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

A pulseless, chaotic rhythm is ventricular fibrillation; the priority is immediate CPR and rapid defibrillation. Amiodarone (A) is given after initial shocks. Cardioversion (C) is synchronized and cannot be used in VF (there is no organized QRS to sync to). Obtaining an ECG (D) delays lifesaving care.

Question 3 路 Respiratory

A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% and is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. A new nurse suggests increasing the oxygen to 6 L/min. What is the experienced nurse's best response?

  1. A."Good idea, higher oxygen will correct the saturation faster."
  2. B."In COPD we titrate to a target of about 88 to 92% to avoid suppressing the drive to breathe."
  3. C."We should switch the client to a non-rebreather mask instead."
  4. D."Oxygen is not needed; encourage pursed-lip breathing alone."
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

For clients with chronic CO2 retention, a saturation of 88-92% is the accepted target; aggressive oxygen can blunt the hypoxic respiratory drive and cause hypercapnia. A saturation of 88% on 2 L is within target. High-flow oxygen (A, C) risks CO2 narcosis, and withholding oxygen (D) is inappropriate.

Question 4 路 Maternal-Newborn

A laboring client's membranes rupture spontaneously. The fetal heart rate immediately drops to 90 beats/min and the nurse palpates a pulsating cord at the introitus. What is the nurse's priority action?

  1. A.Place the client in a knee-chest position and lift the presenting part off the cord
  2. B.Document the finding and continue to monitor the fetal heart rate
  3. C.Attempt to reinsert the cord into the vagina
  4. D.Increase the oxytocin infusion to speed delivery
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A

A prolapsed cord with fetal bradycardia is an emergency; the nurse relieves cord compression by positioning (knee-chest or Trendelenburg) and using a gloved hand to lift the presenting part while calling for help. Documenting and waiting (B) delays care. The cord is never reinserted (C). Oxytocin (D) increases contractions and compression.

Question 5 路 Mental Health

A client on an inpatient unit says to the nurse, "I just want you to know you have been the only one who really understood me. I won't be a burden much longer." What is the nurse's best response?

  1. A."That's kind of you to say. You're doing so much better."
  2. B."Are you thinking about harming or killing yourself?"
  3. C."You should focus on the positives in your recovery."
  4. D."I'll let the day shift know you're feeling grateful."
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

The statement is a possible veiled suicidal message (giving thanks, implying they will be gone). The nurse must ask directly about suicidal ideation; asking does not increase risk and allows safety planning. False reassurance (A), minimizing (C), and deflecting (D) miss a potential crisis.

Question 6 路 Safety & Infection Control

A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which action is essential to prevent transmission?

  1. A.Use alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves
  2. B.Wash hands with soap and water and use contact precautions
  3. C.Place the client on droplet precautions
  4. D.Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol; hand hygiene must be soap-and-water, with contact precautions (gown and gloves) and dedicated equipment. Alcohol rub (A) is inadequate. Droplet (C) and airborne/N95 (D) precautions do not match this contact-spread, spore-forming organism.

Question 7 路 Prioritization & Delegation

A nurse receives shift report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

  1. A.A client scheduled for discharge who needs teaching
  2. B.A client with new-onset shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 89%
  3. C.A client requesting pain medication for chronic back pain
  4. D.A client who needs assistance with morning hygiene
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B

Airway and breathing take priority; new dyspnea with hypoxemia is potentially unstable and is assessed first. Discharge teaching (A), routine pain medication for chronic pain (C), and hygiene assistance (D) are important but not immediately life-threatening.

Question 8 路 Fluids, Electrolytes & Labs

A client's morning labs show a serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is the nurse's greatest concern?

  1. A.Peaked T waves and a widening QRS on the cardiac monitor
  2. B.Hyperactive bowel sounds and abdominal cramping
  3. C.Muscle weakness in the lower extremities
  4. D.Numbness and tingling of the fingers
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A

Severe hyperkalemia is life-threatening because of cardiac effects: peaked T waves progressing to a widened QRS and potential ventricular fibrillation or asystole. GI symptoms (B), muscle weakness (C), and paresthesias (D) occur but the cardiac conduction changes are the immediate danger requiring urgent treatment.

Question 9 路 NGN Select All That Apply 路 select all that apply

A nurse is monitoring a client taking digoxin. Which findings suggest digoxin toxicity? Select all that apply.

  1. A.Nausea and vomiting
  2. B.Yellow-green visual halos
  3. C.Bradycardia
  4. D.Increased appetite
  5. E.Hypertension
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A, B, C

Classic digoxin toxicity findings are GI upset (nausea/vomiting, anorexia), visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos, and bradycardia/dysrhythmias. Appetite decreases rather than increases, and blood pressure changes are not a hallmark of toxicity.

How the full mock exam works

  • Full-length timed simulations paced like the real 5-hour adaptive exam, or untimed practice by topic when you are drilling one area.
  • Questions organized by the official Client Needs framework, so your per-category results map directly onto the NCLEX test plan.
  • After submitting you get your score, a category breakdown, the rationale for every missed question, and a study plan. The AI tutor can explain any rationale in more depth.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are on the NCLEX-RN?

Under the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), the RN exam is computerized adaptive: a minimum of 85 scored-plus-pretest items and a maximum of 150, with a 5-hour time limit. Our full-length mocks mirror that pacing so you practice under realistic time pressure.

Are these practice questions really free?

Yes. The 9 sample questions on this page need no account, and during launch a free account unlocks unlimited full-length timed mocks, topic-wise practice, per-category score breakdowns, and the AI tutor.

Do the mock exams include Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) question types?

The bank includes NGN-style Select All That Apply items alongside standard multiple choice, organized by the official Client Needs framework: Physiological Integrity, Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, and Psychosocial Integrity.

Can I prepare for the NCLEX from Nepal or outside the US?

Yes. The platform was built with internationally educated nurses in mind, including candidates preparing from Nepal. Everything runs in the browser, works on mobile data, and the AI tutor can explain rationales step by step.

What do I get after finishing a mock exam?

Your score, a category-by-category breakdown against the Client Needs framework, the rationale behind every question you missed, and a personalized study plan pointing at your weakest areas.

Ready for the full 1,000+ question bank?

Unlimited timed NCLEX-RN mocks, per-category analysis, and the AI tutor. Free during launch, no credit card needed.