Both of these tests require the same basic understanding of nursing practice and knowledge. The NCLEX-RN questions and the NCLEX-PN questions are presented with four multiple choice answer scenarios. In some cases, the NCLEX is using a more difficult question format that requires multiple right answers to be selected. However, the material that is covered is the same but differs between the minimum and maximum number of questions.
| NCLEX-RN | NCLEX-PN | |
| Minimum Questions | 75 | 85 |
| Maximum Questions | 265 | 205 |
Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Manageme
nt of Care (16-22%) – providing and directing nursing care that enhances the care delivery setting to protect clients, family/significant others and health care personnel
- Advance Directives
- Advocacy
- Case Management
- Client Rights
- Collaboration with Interdisciplinary Team
- Concepts of Management
- Confidentiality/Information Security
- Consultation
- Continuity of Care
- Delegation
- Establishing Priorities
- Ethical Practice
- Informed Consent
- Information Technology
- Legal Rights and Responsibilities
- Performance Improvement (Quality Improvement)
- Referrals
- Supervision
- Safety and Infection Control (8-14%) – protecting clients, family/significant others and health care personnel from health and environmental hazards.
- Accident/Injury Prevention
- Emergency Response Plan
- Ergonomic Principles
- Error Prevention
- Handling Hazardous and
- Infectious Materials
- Home Safety
- Reporting of Incident/Event/Irregular Occurrence/Variance
- Safe Use of Equipment
- Security Plan
- Standard Precautions/Transmission-Based
- Precautions/Surgical Asepsis
- Use of Restraints/Safety Devices
Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12%) – The nurse provides and directs nursing care of the client and family/significant others that incorporates the knowledge of expected growth and development principles; prevention and/or early detection of health problems, and strategies to achieve optimal health.
- Aging Process
- Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care
- Developmental Stages and Transitions
- Health and Wellness
- Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
- Health Screening
- High Risk Behaviors
- Lifestyle Choices
- Principles of Teaching/Learning
- Self-Care
- Techniques of Physical Assessment
Psychosocial Integrity (6-12%)
- Abuse/Neglect
- Behavioral Interventions
- Chemical and Other Dependencies
- Coping Mechanisms
- Crisis Intervention
- Cultural Diversity
- End of Life Care
- Family Dynamics
- Grief and Loss
- Mental Health Concepts
- Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health
- Sensory/Perceptual Alterations
- Stress Management
- Support Systems
- Therapeutic Communication
- Therapeutic Environment
Physiological Integrity – The nurse promotes physical health and wellness by providing care and comfort, reducing client risk potential and managing health alterations.
- Basic Care and Comfort (6-12%) – providing comfort and assistance in the performance of activities of daily living.
- Assistive Devices
- Elimination
- Mobility/Immobility
- Non-Pharmacological Comfort Interventions
- Nutrition and Oral Hydration
- Personal Hygiene
- Rest and Sleep
- Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies (13-19%) – providing care related to the administration of medications and parenteral therapies.
- Adverse Effects/Contraindications/Side
- Effects/Interactions
- Blood and Blood Products Parenteral/Intravenous Therapies
- Central Venous Access Devices
- Dosage Calculation
- Expected Actions/Outcomes
- Medication Administration
- Pharmacological Pain Management
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- Reduction of Risk Potential (10-16%) – reducing the likelihood that clients will develop complications or health problems related to existing conditions, treatments or procedures.
- Changes/Abnormalities in Vital Signs
- Diagnostic Tests
- Laboratory Values
- Potential for Alterations in Body Systems
- Potential for Complications of Diagnostic
- Tests/Treatments/Procedures
- Potential for Complications from Surgical Procedures and Health Alterations
- System Specific Assessments
- Therapeutic Procedures
- Physiological Adaptation (11-17%) – managing and providing care for clients with acute, chronic or life threatening physical health conditions.
- Alterations in Body Systems
- Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
- Hemodynamics
- Illness Management
- Medical Emergencies
- Pathophysiology
- Unexpected Response to Therapies
