Study guide
About the NCLEX-RN Exam
NCLEX-RN Registered Nurse
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1 Introduction
About the NCLEX-RN Exam Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) How to Use This Course
2 Chapter 2: Management of Care
2.1 Legal Rights and Responsibilities 2.2 Advance Directives and Self-Determination 2.3 Informed Consent Protocols 2.4 Client Advocacy and Rights (HIPAA) 2.5 Assignment, Delegation, and Supervision 2.6 Five Rights of Delegation 2.7 Scope of Practice (RN vs LPN vs UAP) 2.8 Ethical Practice Principles
3 Chapter 3: Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
3.1 Standard Precautions and Hand Hygiene 3.2 Transmission-Based Precautions (Contact, Droplet, Airborne) 3.3 PPE Donning and Doffing Sequences 3.4 Fall Prevention and Restraints 3.5 Fire Safety (RACE/PASS) 3.6 Disaster Triage and Emergency Response
4 Chapter 4: Health Promotion and Maintenance
4.1 Growth and Development (Erikson/Piaget) 4.2 Developmental Stages: Infancy through Older Adult 4.3 Maternal and Newborn Care (Antepartum) 4.4 Intrapartum Care and Fetal Monitoring 4.5 Postpartum Care (BUBBLE-HE) 4.6 Health Screening Guidelines 4.7 Immunization Schedules
5 Chapter 5: Psychosocial Integrity
5.1 Therapeutic Communication Techniques 5.2 Non-Therapeutic Communication (What to Avoid) 5.3 Anxiety Disorders and Mental Health Concepts 5.4 Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions 5.5 Depression and Suicide Assessment 5.6 Substance Misuse and Withdrawal 5.7 Grief and End-of-Life Care
6 Chapter 6: Basic Care and Comfort
6.1 Mobility and Hazards of Immobility 6.2 Assistive Devices (Crutches, Canes, Walkers) 6.3 Nutrition and Diet Therapy 6.4 Enteral Nutrition (Tube Feeding) 6.5 Bowel Elimination and Ostomy Care 6.6 Urinary Elimination and Catheter Care
7 Chapter 7: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7.1 Medication Administration Rights 7.2 Medication Calculations 7.3 High-Alert Medications: Insulins 7.4 High-Alert Medications: Anticoagulants 7.5 High-Alert Medications: Opioids 7.6 High-Alert Medications: Digoxin and Electrolytes 7.7 IV Therapy and Complications 7.8 Blood Product Administration 7.9 Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
8 Chapter 8: Reduction of Risk Potential
8.1 Laboratory Values: Hematology (CBC) 8.2 Laboratory Values: Metabolic Panel (BMP) 8.3 Laboratory Values: Coagulation Studies 8.4 Vital Signs and Trend Recognition 8.5 Perioperative Care (Pre-Op and Post-Op) 8.6 Nasogastric Tubes and Therapeutic Procedures
9 Chapter 9: Physiological Adaptation
9.1 Fluid Imbalances (Hypovolemia and Hypervolemia) 9.2 Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs) and Acid-Base Balance 9.3 Medical Emergencies: Stroke (CVA) 9.4 Medical Emergencies: Myocardial Infarction (MONA) 9.5 Diabetic Emergencies (Hypoglycemia and DKA) 9.6 Respiratory Conditions (COPD, Pneumonia) 9.7 Cardiac Conditions (Heart Failure) 9.8 Neurological Conditions (Seizures)
About the NCLEX-RN Exam
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
The NCLEX-RN uses Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) with 85-150 questions and a 5-hour time limit
The 2026 test plan is effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2029
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) includes new item types like matrix, cloze, and bowtie questions
Clinical judgment is measured through the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM)
- The exam includes 15 unscored pretest items used for future exam development
- Last updated: October 2026
Quick Answer: The NCLEX-RN is a computerized adaptive test with 85-150 questions administered over 5 hours. The 2026 test plan features Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) item types that assess clinical judgment. Passing the examination is one requirement for licensure; the nursing regulatory body (NRB) determines whether all licensing requirements have been met.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the licensure examination for nursing school graduates seeking to practice as Registered Nurses in the United States and Canada. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops the examination, and Pearson delivers it for eligible candidates.
2026 Test Plan Overview
The 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan takes effect April 1, 2026 and remains valid through March 31, 2029 . This provides a three-year window of stability for nursing curricula and candidate preparation.
Exam Format
- Detail Information
- Testing Method Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
- Number of Questions 85-150 items
- Scored Questions 70-135 (15 are unscored pretest items)
Time Limit 5 hours (includes the introductory screen and all breaks; the tutorial is available before exam day)
Passing Standard 0.00 logits (ability-based, not percentage)
Results Official results come from the NRB within six weeks. Participating U.S. NRBs offer unofficial Quick Results after two business days; these do not authorize practice.
Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
Unlike traditional exams where everyone gets the same questions, the NCLEX-RN uses Computer Adaptive Testing . Here's how it works:
Ability Estimation : The computer updates its estimate using the candidate's responses and item difficulty across the examination.
Item Selection : It selects items suited to the estimated ability while meeting the test plan. One correct response does not guarantee that the next item will be harder.
Decision Rules : After the minimum number of items, testing can stop when the system is 95% certain that ability is above or below the passing standard. At the maximum length, the final ability estimate determines the result. If time expires before the minimum is completed, the candidate fails; after the minimum, the final ability estimate determines the result.
For maximum-length and eligible time-expired examinations, a final ability estimate at or above the passing standard passes. The number of questions alone does not identify a pass or fail. Candidates receive individualized examinations; preparation should cover the full test plan.
The Eight Client Needs Categories
The NCLEX-RN content is organized into four major Client Needs categories, with some divided into subcategories:
- Category Subcategory Weight
- Safe and Effective Care Environment Management of Care 15-21%
- Safety and Infection Prevention and Control 10-16%
- Health Promotion and Maintenance — 6-12%
- Psychosocial Integrity — 6-12%
- Physiological Integrity Basic Care and Comfort 6-12%
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 13-19%
- Reduction of Risk Potential 9-15%
- Physiological Adaptation 11-17%
- Integrated Processes
Throughout the exam, questions integrate six fundamental nursing processes:
- Nursing Process : Assessment, Analysis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
- Caring : Providing compassionate, individualized care
Clinical Judgment : Recognizing and analyzing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, and evaluating outcomes
Culture and Spirituality : Incorporating the client’s self-identified preferences within legal and professional care standards
- Communication and Documentation : Verbal, nonverbal, and written exchanges
- Teaching/Learning : Facilitating patient and family education
- Official Resources
For official information and exam registration: