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Nursing Practice Questions

NCLEX-RN Practice Questions

NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination) — Practice with free NCLEX-RN questions covering all four client needs categories - from safe and effective care to physiological integrity. Each question comes with a detailed rationale so you actually understand the reasoning, not just the right answer.

150
Total Questions
Up to 5 hours
Time Limit
Pass/Fail (logit-based)
Passing Score
$200
Registration Fee

Free Sample Questions

Here are 5 free sample questions from our full bank of 320+ NCLEX-RN practice questions. Try them out below — click "Show Answer" to reveal the correct response and explanation.

1

A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG finding should the nurse anticipate when reviewing the cardiac monitor?

AA) Prolonged QT interval
BB) ST segment depression
CC) Tall, peaked T waves
DD) U waves following T waves
2

A public health nurse is planning a community health education program about colorectal cancer screening. Which age group should the nurse prioritize for initial outreach based on current screening guidelines?

AA) Adults aged 45 and older
BB) Adults aged 60 and older
CC) Adults aged 30 and older with family history only
DD) Adults aged 50 and older exclusively
3

A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder who states, 'I just don't see the point in going on anymore.' Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?

AA) 'Don't worry, things will get better with time.'
BB) 'Let's talk about something more positive to cheer you up.'
CC) 'I understand how you feel. I've been sad before too.'
DD) 'Are you thinking about hurting yourself or ending your life?'
4

A nurse is preparing to administer a unit of packed red blood cells to a client. After verifying the blood product with another nurse, the transfusion is started. Fifteen minutes later, the client develops chills, low back pain, and a temperature of 101.8 F (38.8 C). What should the nurse do first?

AA) Administer acetaminophen as prescribed
BB) Stop the transfusion immediately
CC) Slow the infusion rate and monitor closely
DD) Obtain a blood sample for repeat type and crossmatch
5

A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who underwent abdominal surgery 8 hours ago. The client has an NG tube connected to low intermittent suction, IV fluids running, and a Foley catheter in place. The output totals for the shift are: NG drainage 450 mL, urine output 180 mL, and wound drainage 75 mL. The IV intake was 900 mL and the client had no oral intake. What is the client's fluid balance for this shift?

AA) Positive 195 mL
BB) Negative 195 mL
CC) Positive 705 mL
DD) Negative 705 mL

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About the NCLEX-RN

Format & Structure

Total Questions
150
Time Limit
Up to 5 hours
Format
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)

Scoring & Cost

Passing Score
Pass/Fail (logit-based)
Registration Fee
$200

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCLEX-RN and how does the CAT format work?

The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the licensing assessment required to practice as a registered nurse in the United States and Canada. It uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT), which means the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance. When you answer correctly, the next question gets harder. When you answer incorrectly, the next question gets easier. The computer is continuously estimating your ability level and stops once it has enough statistical confidence that you're either above or below the passing standard.

How many questions will I get on the NCLEX-RN?

The NCLEX-RN has a minimum of 85 questions and a maximum of 150 questions. The number you receive depends on how consistently you perform. If the computer can determine with 95% confidence that you're above or below the passing standard early on, you may finish with fewer questions. Getting the minimum number of questions does not mean you passed or failed - it simply means the computer reached a confident decision quickly. There are also 15 pretest (unscored) questions mixed in that don't count toward your result.

What is the passing standard for the NCLEX-RN?

The NCLEX-RN uses a logit-based passing standard rather than a percentage score. As of 2026, the passing standard is set at 0.00 logits, which is re-evaluated every three years by the NCSBN. You won't receive a numerical score - your result is simply Pass or Fail. The passing standard is determined through studies that identify the minimum competency level needed to practice safely as an entry-level registered nurse.

What is the difference between the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN?

The NCLEX-RN is for registered nurse licensure, while the NCLEX-PN is for practical/vocational nurse licensure. The RN version covers a broader scope of practice including complex clinical decision-making, delegation, care coordination, and management concepts. The PN version focuses more on foundational nursing care under the direction of an RN or physician. The NCLEX-RN also has more questions (85-150) compared to the NCLEX-PN (85-150, though historically the PN had fewer). Both use the CAT format, but the RN content is generally considered more challenging.

How long should I study for the NCLEX-RN?

Most nursing graduates study for 4-8 weeks after completing their degree program. A good approach is to dedicate 3-4 hours daily to focused review. Start with content review of your weakest areas, then shift to practicing questions - aim for at least 75-150 practice questions per day in the final two weeks. Many successful candidates complete 2,000-3,000 practice questions total during their prep. Don't just memorize answers though. Focus on understanding the rationale behind each answer so you can apply critical thinking to unfamiliar scenarios.

What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate?

First-time pass rates for U.S.-educated nursing graduates typically range from 85-90%. Repeat test-takers have a significantly lower pass rate, usually around 40-50%. International nursing graduates have pass rates that vary widely depending on their country of education. The best predictor of success is thorough preparation with practice questions and content review. Programs with higher NCLEX pass rates tend to emphasize critical thinking and clinical judgment throughout their curriculum.

What happens if I fail the NCLEX-RN?

If you don't pass the NCLEX-RN, you must wait 45 days before retaking it. You'll receive a Candidate Performance Report (CPR) that breaks down your performance across the different content areas, which helps you focus your studying. There is no limit on the number of attempts in most states, though some states have restrictions. You will need to re-register and pay the $200 fee again for each attempt. Many candidates who don't pass on the first try succeed on their second attempt with a more targeted study plan.

What is the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format?

The Next Generation NCLEX, implemented in April 2023, introduced new question types designed to measure clinical judgment. In addition to traditional multiple-choice questions, you may encounter case studies with multiple questions based on a single patient scenario, drag-and-drop items, highlight-the-text questions, and matrix/grid questions. These items are scored using partial-credit models, meaning you can earn some credit for partially correct answers. The NGN framework is based on the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM), which evaluates your ability to recognize cues, analyze information, prioritize hypotheses, generate solutions, take action, and evaluate outcomes.

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