NCLEX Question Types
Know what to expect on exam day.
Multiple Choice (MCQ)
Traditional single-answer questions testing knowledge and application.
Select All That Apply (SATA)
Multiple correct answers — treat each option as independent True/False.
Drag & Drop / Ordering
Arrange nursing interventions or steps in correct priority order.
Hot Spot / Exhibit
Identify areas on images or interpret clinical exhibits (EKG, labs, charts).
Fill in the Blank
Calculate medication doses, IV drip rates, or other clinical math.
NGN (Next Generation)
New format: case studies with multiple question types testing clinical judgment.
Priority Frameworks
ABCs First
Airway → Breathing → Circulation. Always address life-threatening issues first.
Maslow's Hierarchy
Physiological needs (food, air, water) before safety, love, esteem, self-actualization.
Acute vs. Chronic
Prioritize acute/new symptoms over chronic, stable conditions.
Delegation Rules
RN cannot delegate: Assessment, Teaching, Evaluation, Unstable patients.
NCLEX Test Blueprint
Safe & Effective Care Environment
26–32%Health Promotion & Maintenance
6–12%Psychosocial Integrity
6–12%Physiological Integrity
38–62%Test-Taking Strategies
Read the question stem carefully — identify the KEY word (FIRST, BEST, MOST, PRIORITY).
Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then choose between remaining options.
For SATA: each option is independent — don't let one correct answer influence another.
When two answers seem correct, choose the one that addresses the ROOT CAUSE.
Delegation: RNs can delegate to LPNs/LVNs for stable patients with predictable outcomes.
Assessment always comes BEFORE intervention in the nursing process.
When in doubt, choose the SAFEST option — avoid anything that could harm the patient.
NGN questions test clinical judgment: recognize cues → analyze → prioritize → take action.