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NCLEX SATA Practice Questions

Free select-all-that-apply (SATA) practice questions with partial-credit scoring — the NCLEX question type students fear most, made drillable.

PharmacologyMed-SurgFundamentalsPediatricsPsychMaternity
Question 1Select all that applyMed-Surg

The nurse is teaching a client with heart failure about warning signs of fluid overload. Which findings should the client report immediately? Select all that apply.

  1. Weight gain of 3 lb in 24 hours
  2. Crackles heard in the lung bases
  3. Decreased urine output
  4. Pink, frothy sputum
  5. Increased appetite
  6. Visible neck vein distention when sitting upright
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Weight gain of 3 lb in 24 hours; Crackles heard in the lung bases; Decreased urine output; Pink, frothy sputum; Visible neck vein distention when sitting upright

Why: Heart failure exacerbation = fluid overload: rapid weight gain (2–3 lb in a day or 5 lb in a week), bibasilar crackles, oliguria, pink frothy sputum (pulmonary edema), and jugular vein distention. Increased appetite is the trap — these clients typically report anorexia and early satiety, not hunger. Memory aid: 2–3 lb overnight or 5 in a week — 'a few pounds means call the provider'.

📚 Basis: HF fluid-overload signs; daily weights — report 2–3 lb gain in 24 h or 5 lb in a week. · AHA/ACC/HFSA heart failure guidelines

Question 2Select all that applyPharmacology

A client receiving insulin is showing signs of hypoglycemia. Which findings does the nurse expect? Select all that apply.

  1. Shakiness and tremors
  2. Diaphoresis
  3. Confusion and irritability
  4. Tachycardia
  5. Flushed, dry skin
  6. Hunger
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Shakiness and tremors; Diaphoresis; Confusion and irritability; Tachycardia; Hunger

Why: Hypoglycemia triggers sympathetic activation (tremor, sweating, tachycardia, hunger) plus neuroglycopenia (confusion, irritability). Flushed, dry skin with fruity breath points to hyperglycemia/DKA — the opposite problem. Memory aid: cold and clammy, need some candy (hypoglycemia); hot and dry, sugar high (hyperglycemia).

📚 Basis: Hypoglycemia: adrenergic signs (tremor, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hunger) + neuroglycopenic signs (confusion); glucose <70 mg/dL. · ADA Standards of Care (hypoglycemia)

Question 3Select all that applyFundamentals

A client has a wound infected with MRSA. Which precautions does the nurse implement? Select all that apply.

  1. Gown and gloves on room entry
  2. Dedicated stethoscope and BP cuff kept in the room
  3. Fit-tested N95 respirator
  4. Private room or cohorting with another MRSA client
  5. Negative-pressure room
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Gown and gloves on room entry; Dedicated stethoscope and BP cuff kept in the room; Private room or cohorting with another MRSA client

Why: MRSA wound infection requires contact precautions: gown + gloves, dedicated equipment, private room or cohorting. Fit-tested N95s and negative-pressure rooms are for airborne infections (TB, measles, varicella) — not needed for MRSA. Memory aid: MRSA means contact — 'gown and gloves stop the spread'.

📚 Basis: CDC: contact precautions (gown, gloves, dedicated equipment, private room/cohort) for MRSA colonization/infection. · CDC transmission-based precautions

Question 4Select all that applyPharmacology

Which factors increase a client's risk of digoxin toxicity? Select all that apply.

  1. Hypokalemia
  2. Impaired renal function
  3. Advanced age
  4. Concurrent amiodarone therapy
  5. Hyperkalemia
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Hypokalemia; Impaired renal function; Advanced age; Concurrent amiodarone therapy

Why: Digoxin is renally cleared with a narrow therapeutic index: hypokalemia (more digoxin binds the Na⁺/K⁺ pump), renal impairment, advanced age, and P-glycoprotein inhibitors like amiodarone and verapamil all raise risk. Hyperkalemia appears in acute overdose from pump blockade — but chronic toxicity risk comes from hypokalemia. Memory aid: KARE — low K+, Advanced age, Renal impairment, Enzyme (P-gp) blockers raise digoxin risk.

📚 Basis: Digoxin: narrow therapeutic index, renal clearance; hypokalemia, renal impairment, age, and P-gp inhibitors (amiodarone, verapamil) raise toxicity risk. · AHA/ACC/HFSA heart failure guidelines

Question 5Select all that applyMed-Surg

The nurse is planning care to prevent deep vein thrombosis in a post-operative client. Which interventions are appropriate? Select all that apply.

  1. Early ambulation as tolerated
  2. Sequential compression devices while in bed
  3. Ankle pump and leg exercises
  4. Encouraging adequate fluid intake
  5. Keeping the client on strict bed rest
  6. Crossing the legs at the knees
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Early ambulation as tolerated; Sequential compression devices while in bed; Ankle pump and leg exercises; Encouraging adequate fluid intake

Why: Virchow's triad (stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury) drives DVT: ambulation, SCDs, leg exercises, and hydration all reduce stasis. Prolonged bed rest and crossing the legs promote venous stasis. Memory aid: Virchow's triad — stasis, sticky blood, scratched vessel.

📚 Basis: DVT prevention targets Virchow's triad (stasis, hypercoagulability, endothelial injury); mobility + mechanical measures reduce stasis. · CHEST VTE prevention guidelines

Question 6Select all that applyPsych

Which responses demonstrate therapeutic communication with an anxious client? Select all that apply.

  1. "Tell me more about what you're feeling."
  2. Sitting quietly with the client
  3. "It sounds like you're worried about the surgery."
  4. "What specifically concerns you most?"
  5. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
  6. "You should just try to relax."
Show answer & rationale

Correct: "Tell me more about what you're feeling."; Sitting quietly with the client; "It sounds like you're worried about the surgery."; "What specifically concerns you most?"

Why: Therapeutic techniques — open-ended questions, silence, reflection, clarifying — keep the focus on the client. False reassurance ('everything will be fine') and giving advice ('just relax') shut down communication and are non-therapeutic. Memory aid: 'open, silent, reflect' — open-ended questions, therapeutic silence, reflection.

📚 Basis: Therapeutic communication: open-ended questions, silence, reflection, clarifying vs. non-therapeutic blocks (false reassurance, advice-giving). · ANA psychiatric-mental health nursing standards

Question 7Select all that applySafety and Infection Prevention and Control

The PN is reinforcing fall-prevention teaching with an older adult at risk for falls. Which interventions should the PN include? (Select all that apply)

  1. Keep the bed in the lowest position
  2. Keep the call light within the client's reach
  3. Use a nightlight in the room and bathroom
  4. Apply wrist restraints when the client is restless
  5. Encourage non-skid footwear
  6. Keep the bedside table across the room to encourage walking
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Keep the bed in the lowest position; Keep the call light within the client's reach; Use a nightlight in the room and bathroom; Encourage non-skid footwear

Why: Evidence-based fall prevention: lowest bed position, call light within reach, adequate lighting, and non-skid footwear all reduce fall risk. Wrist restraints are wrong — restraints increase injury risk, are a last resort requiring a provider order, and are never a teaching point. Moving the bedside table across the room is wrong — needed items should be within reach so the client doesn't attempt risky unassisted walking. Memory aid: FALLS — Footwear, Access (call light), Lighting, Low bed, Supervision.

📚 Basis: Fall prevention bundle: low bed position, call light in reach, lighting, non-skid footwear; restraints are last resort with order only. · AHRQ Fall Prevention 2024

Question 8Select all that applyBasic Care and Comfort

The PN is caring for an immobile client. Which actions help prevent pressure injuries? (Select all that apply)

  1. Reposition the client at least every 2 hours
  2. Keep the skin clean and dry
  3. Massage reddened areas over bony prominences
  4. Ensure adequate protein and calorie intake
  5. Use a pressure-redistributing mattress surface
Show answer & rationale

Correct: Reposition the client at least every 2 hours; Keep the skin clean and dry; Ensure adequate protein and calorie intake; Use a pressure-redistributing mattress surface

Why: Pressure injury prevention: reposition at least every 2 hours, keep skin clean and dry (moisture management), ensure adequate protein and calories for tissue repair, and use pressure-redistributing surfaces. Massaging reddened areas is wrong and harmful — it damages fragile capillaries in already-compromised tissue. Memory aid: 2 hours, dry skin, protein in — never massage the red.

📚 Basis: Pressure injury prevention bundle: q2h repositioning, moisture management, nutrition support, pressure-redistributing surfaces; never massage non-blanchable erythema. · NPIAP 2025 Pressure Injury Prevention

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PharmacologyMed-SurgFundamentalsPediatricsPsychMaternity

NCLEX Drill offers practice questions for study purposes only — not medical advice, and not a substitute for professional judgment or official study materials. Question bank grows daily; last updated 2026-10-09.