NCLEX Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NCLEX facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A practical nurse is assisting with the admission of a client diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type of isolation precautions should be implemented? → Airborne precautions
2. Which measure best prevents surgical site wrong-procedure errors? → Performing a preprocedure time-out and site marking
3. Which task can the RN delegate to a licensed practical nurse (LPN/LVN)? → Administering routine oral medications to a stable client
4. A client with a new colostomy asks the nurse how to care for the stoma. Which response is most accurate? → The stoma should look moist and pink to red in color.
5. A postoperative client reports increasing incisional pain. What should the nurse do first? → Inspect the surgical incision.
6. A patient is admitted at 32 weeks with preterm labor. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to promote fetal lung maturity? → Betamethasone (corticosteroids) to accelerate fetal lung maturity
7. A nurse is administering blood to a patient who has a low hemoglobin count. The patient asks how long to RBC’s last in my body? The correct response is. → The life span of RBC is 120 days
8. A nurse notes that a Foley catheter drainage bag is resting on the floor. What is the priority action? → Replace the entire catheter system immediately
9. Examples of: Repositioning a patient, giving cleanliness, and active listening → Independent nursing interventions
10. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about osteoporosis prevention with a postmenopausal client. Which recommendation is most appropriate? → Take calcium and vitamin D supplements as prescribed and perform weight-bearing exercises
11. Which action should the nurse take to promote optimal comfort during wound care? → Use appropriate pain management before, during, and after the procedure
12. Thyroid storm is suspected in a postoperative thyroidectomy client. Which finding supports this? → Temperature 104°F (40°C), tachycardia, and agitation
13. A leukemia patient has a relative who wants to donate blood for transfusion. Which of the following donor medical conditions would prevent this? → A history of hepatitis C five years previously.
14. A client with celiac disease asks what foods must be permanently eliminated from their diet. Which food group must be strictly avoided? → Foods containing gluten: wheat, barley, and rye
15. Which fine motor skill is expected of a typical 3-year-old? → Copying a circle
16. All of the following are one of the five rights of delegation EXCEPT the → right department
17. A postoperative client reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse do first? → Assess the surgical incision.
18. A client with borderline personality disorder splits staff into 'good' and 'bad.' The best nursing approach is to: → Maintain consistent limits and communicate among the team
19. A client has a thyroid storm. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering? → Propylthiouracil (PTU) and propranolol
20. A nurse is caring for a client with burns covering 35% of the total body surface area. During the first 24 hours, which finding should the nurse expect? → Significant fluid shift from intravascular to interstitial spaces
21. A nurse is caring for a client receiving peritoneal dialysis. The nurse notes that the dialysate drainage is cloudy. Which action should the nurse take first? → Stop the dialysis and notify the provider immediately
22. A nurse monitors a client with SIADH for which neurologic complication of severe hyponatremia? → Seizures and altered mental status
23. Which finding indicates worsening status in a client with an acute asthma attack? → A suddenly quiet chest with absent wheezing
24. A client with a fractured hip is being taught correct use of the walker. The nurse is aware that the correct use of the walker is achieved if the: → Palms rest lightly on the handles
25. A newborn receives an injection of vitamin K after birth. What is the purpose? → Prevent hemorrhagic disease
26. Which of the following is an effective method to promote mental health in adolescents? → Fostering open communication and emotional support
27. A client with asthma begins to wheeze after activity. What is the nurse’s priority action? → Administer the prescribed rescue inhaler.
28. Which of the following claims qualifies as objective data? (Check every box that applies.) → "Lung sounds clear bilaterally, diminished in right lower lobe."
29. A nurse is caring for patients in the oncology unit. Which of the following is the most important nursing action when caring for a neutropenic patient? → Change gloves immediately after use.
30. An 8-year-old admitted with an upper-respiratory infection has an order for O2 saturation via pulse oximeter. To ensure an accurate reading, the nurse should: → Place the probe on the child’s finger