100+ Free NCLEX-RN Practice Questions

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During a disaster with multiple casualties, which client should receive care first using triage principles?

Client with an open fracture and active arterial bleeding

Client with burns over 90% of body who is alert

Client with a minor laceration who is crying

Client who is unconscious and not breathing despite airway repositioning

to track

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Comparisons

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500+ FREE NCLEX-RN Practice Questions 2026 (NGN Format)9 min read 7 Proven Study Methods for Certification Exams (2026)14 min read FREE NCLEX-RN Exam Guide 2026: Pass Your Nursing Board Exam on the First Try12 min read How to Overcome Test Anxiety on Professional Certification Exams: A Science-Backed Guide (2026)12 min read

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NCLEX-RN Exam

87.1%

First-Time Pass Rate

NCSBN 2025

85-150

Questions (CAT)

Adaptive testing

$93,600

RN Median Salary

BLS 2024

189,100

Annual Job Openings

BLS

5.6M+

Active RN Licenses

NCSBN

46%

Clinical Judgment Tasks

NCSBN research

The NCLEX-RN has an 87.1% first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates (NCSBN 2025). The exam uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) with 85-150 questions. The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) measures clinical judgment, which is linked to 46% of entry-level nursing tasks. With 5.6+ million active RN licenses and 189,100 annual job openings (BLS), nursing offers excellent career prospects with median salary of $93,600.

Sample NCLEX-RN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NCLEX-RN exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?

A.Administering oral medications

B.Measuring and recording vital signs

C.Developing a care plan

D.Assessing a patient's wound

Explanation: Measuring and recording vital signs is within the UAP's scope of practice. Administering medications, developing care plans, and assessing patients are nursing responsibilities that require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to UAPs.

2A client refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. The nurse should:

A.Administer the transfusion as ordered

B.Contact the client's family to make the decision

C.Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider

D.Explain that the refusal could be life-threatening and proceed

Explanation: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, even if life-threatening. The nurse must respect this autonomy, document the refusal, and notify the healthcare provider. Administering treatment against the client's wishes violates their rights.

3A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

A.A client 1 day post-appendectomy with pain level of 4/10

B.A client with diabetes mellitus who has a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL

C.A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 88%

D.A client with a urinary tract infection who has a temperature of 100.2°F

Explanation: The client with pneumonia and oxygen saturation of 88% should be assessed first. This is below normal (normal is 95-100%) and indicates respiratory compromise. Use the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) for prioritization. Breathing problems take priority.

4The nurse is preparing to delegate tasks for the shift. Which of the 'Five Rights of Delegation' should the nurse consider?

A.Right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction, right supervision

B.Right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right patient

C.Right diagnosis, right treatment, right outcome, right documentation, right billing

D.Right privacy, right access, right disclosure, right amendment, right accounting

Explanation: The Five Rights of Delegation are: Right Task, Right Circumstance, Right Person, Right Direction/Communication, and Right Supervision/Evaluation. These guide nurses in safely delegating tasks to appropriate personnel.

5A nurse witnesses a colleague remove controlled substances from the medication dispensing system without documenting administration. The nurse should:

A.Confront the colleague directly

B.Wait to see if it happens again

C.Report the incident to the nurse manager

D.Document the observation in the client's chart

Explanation: The nurse has an ethical and legal obligation to report suspected drug diversion to the appropriate authority (nurse manager or supervisor). This protects patients, maintains drug security, and may help the colleague get needed assistance. Confronting alone is inappropriate, and waiting enables continued diversion.

6A client is scheduled for surgery but tells the nurse they don't understand what the surgeon explained. The nurse should:

A.Explain the surgery to the client

B.Have the client sign the consent form anyway

C.Notify the surgeon to clarify the procedure

D.Tell the client their questions aren't important

Explanation: Informed consent requires that the client understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Since the surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent, the nurse should notify the surgeon to provide additional clarification. The nurse cannot obtain surgical consent.

7The charge nurse is making shift assignments. Which client should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?

A.A client who is 2 days post-hip replacement and ambulating with a walker

B.A client with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes requiring teaching

C.A client who is 4 hours post-cardiac catheterization via femoral approach

D.A client with chronic kidney disease scheduled for routine dialysis

Explanation: The client 4 hours post-cardiac catheterization via femoral approach needs close monitoring for complications such as bleeding, hematoma, or circulation problems. This requires an experienced nurse who can quickly recognize and respond to potential complications.

8A client with a terminal illness tells the nurse they want to stop all treatment. The client is alert and oriented. The nurse should:

A.Encourage the client to continue treatment

B.Contact the family to change the client's mind

C.Support the client's right to make this decision

D.Tell the client this is not a good decision

Explanation: The principle of autonomy means competent adults have the right to make decisions about their own care, including stopping treatment. The nurse should support this right while ensuring the client understands the implications and has received palliative care options.

9Which task can the RN delegate to an LPN/LVN?

A.Perform initial client assessment

B.Administer IV push medications

C.Administer oral medications

D.Develop the nursing care plan

Explanation: LPNs/LVNs can administer oral medications. Initial assessments and care plan development must be done by RNs. IV push medications are typically not within LPN scope in most states (varies by state).

10A nurse receives a verbal order from a physician over the phone. The most appropriate action is to:

A.Write the order and sign the physician's name

B.Read back the order and document it with date, time, and signature

C.Wait until the physician arrives to write the order

D.Ask another nurse to listen to the order

Explanation: The nurse should use 'read-back' verification: write the order, read it back to the physician, obtain verification, then document with date, time, 'verbal order by Dr. [name],' and the nurse's signature. This is a patient safety standard.

About the NCLEX-RN Exam

The NCLEX-RN is required to become a licensed registered nurse. It uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) with 85-150 questions. The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) includes clinical judgment questions. Pass rates for US-educated, first-time test-takers are approximately 87-89%.

Questions

85 scored questions

Time Limit

5 hours maximum

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (Logit)

Exam Fee

$200 (NCSBN)

NCLEX-RN Exam Content Outline

18%

Management of Care

Delegation, advocacy, case management, ethics, legal rights, informed consent

16%

Pharmacological Therapies

Medication administration, adverse effects, dosage calculations, expected outcomes

14%

Physiological Adaptation

Alterations in body systems, fluid/electrolyte imbalances, medical emergencies

13%

Safety & Infection Control

Accident prevention, emergency response, standard precautions, sterile technique

12%

Reduction of Risk Potential

Lab values, diagnostic tests, potential complications, vital signs

Health Promotion & Maintenance

Aging, developmental stages, disease prevention, health screening

Psychosocial Integrity

Coping mechanisms, crisis intervention, mental health, therapeutic communication

Basic Care & Comfort

Mobility, nutrition, elimination, rest, non-pharmacological pain management

How to Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/Fail (Logit)
Exam length: 85 questions
Time limit: 5 hours maximum
Exam fee: $200

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NCLEX-RN Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master delegation rules - know what RNs can delegate to LPNs and UAPs

2Learn lab value normal ranges and critical values requiring immediate action

3Practice SATA (select all that apply) questions - they're heavily tested

4Understand priority-setting frameworks: ABCs, Maslow's hierarchy, nursing process

5Focus on pharmacology - know drug classes, side effects, and nursing interventions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate?

The NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time, US-educated candidates is approximately 87-89%. International candidates have lower pass rates around 50%. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing, adjusting difficulty based on your responses.

How many questions are on the NCLEX-RN?

The NCLEX-RN has a minimum of 85 questions and maximum of 150. The computer stops when it determines with 95% confidence whether you passed or failed. Most candidates finish between 85-130 questions.

How long should I study for NCLEX-RN?

Plan for 200-400 hours of study over 6-12 weeks after graduation. Complete at least 2,000-3,000 practice questions. Focus on understanding rationales, not memorization. Use our AI tutor to master difficult concepts.

What is the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)?

The NGN includes new question types testing clinical judgment: extended multiple response, cloze/dropdown, matrix/grid, and highlight questions. These assess your ability to analyze data, prioritize, and make clinical decisions.