NCLEX-RN
®
Test Plan
Effective April 2023
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
ii
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Mission Statement
NCSBN empowers and supports nursing regulators in their mandate to protect the public.
Purpose and Functions
The purpose of NCSBN is to provide an organization through which nursing regulatory bodies act and counsel together on matters of common
interest and concern affecting the public health, safety and welfare, including the development of licensing examinations in nursing.
The major functions of NCSBN include developing the NCLEX-RN® and NCLEX-PN® Examinations, performing policy analysis and promoting
uniformity in relationship to the regulation of nursing practice, disseminating data related to NCSBN’s purpose and serving as a forum for
information exchange for NCSBN members.
© 2023 National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN)
All rights reserved. NCSBN®, NCLEX®, NCLEX-RN®, NCLEX-PN®, NNAAP®, ORBS®, MACE®, REx-PN®, TERCAP®, Nursys®, Nursys e-Notify®, Safe
Student Reports® and Transition to Practice® are registered trademarks of NCSBN and may not be used or reproduced without written permission
from NCSBN.
Permission is granted to boards of nursing to use or reproduce all or parts of this document for licensure-related purposes only. Nonprot education
programs have permission to use or reproduce all or parts of this document for educational purposes only. Use or reproduction of this document for
commercial or for-prot use is strictly prohibited. Any authorized reproduction of this document shall display the notice: “Copyright by the National
Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. All rights reserved.” Or, if a portion of the document is reproduced or incorporated in other materials, such
written materials shall include the following credit: “Portions copyrighted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. All rights reserved.”
Address inquiries in writing to NCSBN Permissions, 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60601-4277. Suggested Citation: National Council
of State Boards of Nursing. (2023). 2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan. Chicago: Author.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
iii
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
I. Background .......................................................................................1
II. 2023 NCLEX-RN®
Test Plan ....................................................................2
Introduction ....................................................................................2
Beliefs ..........................................................................................2
Classication of Cognitive Levels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Test Plan Structure .............................................................................3
Client Needs .............................................................................3
Integrated Processes ...................................................................4
Clinical Judgment .......................................................................4
Distribution of Content .........................................................................5
Overview of Content ...........................................................................6
Safe and Effective Care Environment .........................................................7
Management of Care ...................................................................7
Safety and Infection Control ............................................................8
Health Promotion and Maintenance ...........................................................9
Psychosocial Integrity ........................................................................ 10
Physiological Integrity .........................................................................11
Basic Care and Comfort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies ...........................................12
Reduction of Risk Potential ............................................................13
Physiological Adaptation ..............................................................14
III. Administration of the NCLEX-RN® .......................................................... 15
Examination Length .......................................................................... 15
The Passing Standard ........................................................................ 15
Similar Items .................................................................................. 16
Reviewing Answers and Guessing ........................................................... 16
Scoring the NCLEX® ......................................................................... 16
Computerized Adaptive Testing ...................................................... 16
Pretest Items ...........................................................................17
Passing and Failing .....................................................................17
Scoring Items ...........................................................................17
Types of Items on the NCLEX-RN® ................................................... 18
NCLEX® Terminology ................................................................. 18
Examination Security and Condentiality ........................................... 18
Tutorial ................................................................................. 18
Table of Contents
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
iv
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Appendix A
Sample Content .............................................................................. 19
Safe and Effective Care Environment ....................................................... 19
Management of Care ................................................................. 19
Safety and Infection Control ..........................................................24
Health Promotion and Maintenance .........................................................28
Psychosocial Integrity ........................................................................ 32
Physiological Integrity ........................................................................ 37
Basic Care and Comfort ..............................................................37
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies ..........................................41
Reduction of Risk Potential ...........................................................45
Physiological Adaptation .............................................................49
Appendix B
Item Writing Tips ............................................................................53
Appendix C
References ...................................................................................54
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
1
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
I. Background
The test plan for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) was
developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN®). The purpose of this document is
to provide detailed information about the content areas tested in the NCLEX-RN Examination.
This booklet contains:
The 2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan;
Information on testing requirements and sample examination questions (items);
Item writing tips; and
References.
About the NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
The test plan is reviewed and approved by the NCLEX® Examination Committee (NEC) every three years.
Multiple resources are used, including the recent practice analysis of registered nurses (RNs) and expert
opinions of the NEC, NCSBN staff and boards of nursing/regulatory bodies, to ensure that the test plan is
consistent with nurse practice acts. Following the endorsement of proposed revisions by the NEC, the test
plan document is presented for approval to the Delegate Assembly, which is the decision-making body
of NCSBN.
The test plan serves a variety of purposes. It is used to guide candidates preparing for the examination, to
direct item writers in the development of items and to facilitate the classication of examination items. This
document offers a comprehensive listing of content for each Client Needs category and subcategory outlined
in the test plan. Sample items are provided at the end of each category that are specic to the Client Needs
category in that section. There are item writing tips that provide nurse educators with guidelines on writing
well-designed test items.
For up-to-date information on the NCLEX-RN Examination, visit the NCSBN website at NCLEX.com.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
2
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
II. 2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Test Plan for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
(NCLEX-RN®)
Introduction
Entry into the practice of nursing is regulated by the licensing authorities within each of the National Council
of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®) member board jurisdictions (state, commonwealth, province and
territorial boards of nursing). To ensure public protection, each jurisdiction requires candidates for licensure
to meet set requirements that include passing an examination that measures the competencies needed
to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level registered nurse (RN). NCSBN develops
a licensure examination, the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®),
which is used by member board jurisdictions and most Canadian nursing regulatory bodies, to assist in making
licensure decisions.
Several steps occur in the development of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. The rst step is conducting a practice
analysis that is used to collect data on the current practice of the entry-level nurse (Report of Findings from
the 2021 RN Practice Analysis: Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice [NCSBN®, 2022]). Twenty-
four thousand newly licensed RNs are asked about the frequency, importance and clinical judgment relevancy
of performing nursing care activities. Nursing care activities are then analyzed in relation to the frequency of
performance, impact on maintaining client safety and client care settings where the activities are performed.
This analysis guides the development of a framework for entry-level nursing practice that incorporates
specic client needs as well as processes fundamental to the practice of nursing. Clinical judgment is one of
the fundamental processes found to possess a high level of relevance and importance in the delivery of safe,
effective nursing at the entry level.
Entry-level nurses are required to make increasingly complex decisions while delivering client care. These
increasingly complex decisions often require the use of clinical judgment to support client safety. It is
essential to note that clinical judgment applied in this dynamic supports the entry-level nurse to make
effective decisions inside the nursing scope of practice, which provides a foundation for client safety.
NCSBN has conducted several years of research and study to understand and isolate the individual factors
that contribute to the process of nursing clinical judgment. These isolated factors are represented in the
NCLEX-RN Test Plan and subsequently delivered as examination items. A more detailed description of
clinical judgment can be found in the Integrated Processes section.
The second step is the development of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan, which guides the selection of content and
behaviors to be tested. The NCLEX-RN Test Plan provides a concise summary of the content and scope of
the licensing examination. It serves as a guide for examination development as well as candidate preparation.
The NCLEX® assesses the knowledge, skills, abilities and clinical judgment that are essential for the entry-
level nurse to use in order to meet the needs of clients requiring the promotion, maintenance or restoration of
health. The following sections describe beliefs about people and nursing that are integral to the examination,
cognitive abilities that will be tested in the examination and specic components of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan.
Beliefs
Beliefs about people and nursing underlie the NCLEX-RN Test Plan. People are nite beings with varying
capacities to function in society. They are unique individuals who have dened systems of daily living
reecting their values, motives and lifestyles. People have the right to make decisions regarding their health
care needs and to participate in meeting those needs. The profession of nursing makes a unique contribution
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
3
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
in helping clients (individual, family or group) achieve an optimal level of health in a variety of settings. For the
purposes of the NCLEX, a client is dened as the individual, family, or group, which includes signicant others
and population.
Nursing is both an art and a science, founded on a professional body of knowledge that integrates concepts
from the liberal arts and the biological, physical, psychological and social sciences. It is a learned profession
based on knowledge of the human condition across the life span and the relationships of an individual with
others and within the environment. Nursing is a dynamic, continuously evolving discipline that employs critical
thinking and clinical judgment to integrate increasingly complex knowledge, skills, technologies and client
care activities into evidence-based nursing practice. The goal of nursing for client care is preventing illness
and potential complications; protecting, promoting, restoring and facilitating comfort; health; and dignity
in dying.
The RN provides a unique, comprehensive assessment of the health status of the client, applying principles
of ethics, client safety, health promotion and the nursing process. The RN then develops and implements an
explicit plan of care considering unique cultural and spiritual client preferences, the applicable standard of
care and legal considerations. The RN assists clients to promote health, cope with health problems, adapt
to and/or recover from the effects of disease or injury, and support the right to a dignied death. The RN is
accountable for abiding by all applicable member board jurisdiction statutes related to nursing practice.
Classication of Cognitive Levels
Bloom’s taxonomy for the cognitive domain is used as a basis for writing and coding items for the examination
(Bloom, et al., 1956; Anderson & Krathwohl, 2001). Since the practice of nursing requires application of
knowledge, skills, abilities and clinical judgment, the majority of items are written at the application or higher
levels of cognitive ability, which require more complex thought processing.
Test Plan Structure
The framework of Client Needs was selected for the examination because it provides a universal structure for
dening nursing actions and competencies and focuses on clients in all settings.
Client Needs
The content of the NCLEX-RN Test Plan is organized into four major Client Needs categories. Two of the
four categories are divided into subcategories.
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
4
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Integrated Processes
The following processes are fundamental to the practice of nursing and are integrated throughout the Client
Needs categories and subcategories.
Caring – interaction of the nurse and client in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. In this
collaborative environment, the nurse provides encouragement, hope, support and compassion to help
achieve desired outcomes.
Clinical judgment – the observed outcome of critical thinking and decision-making. It is an iterative
process with multiple steps that uses nursing knowledge to observe and assess presenting situations,
identify a prioritized client concern and generate the best possible evidence-based solutions in order to
deliver safe client care (detail description of the steps below).
Communication and documentation – verbal and nonverbal interactions between the nurse and the
client, the client’s signicant others and the other members of the health care team. Events and activities
associated with client care are recorded in written and/or electronic records that demonstrate adherence
to the standards of practice and accountability in the provision of care.
Culture and spirituality – interaction of the nurse and the client (individual, family or group, including
signicant others and populations) that recognizes and considers the client-reported, self-identied,
unique and individual preferences to client care, the applicable standard of care and legal considerations.
Nursing process – a scientic, clinical reasoning approach to client care that includes assessment,
analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation.
Teaching/learning – facilitation of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities promoting a change in
behavior.
Clinical Judgment
The nurse engages in this iterative multistep process that uses nursing knowledge to observe and assess
presenting situations, identify a prioritized client concern and generate the best possible evidence-based
solutions in order to deliver safe client care. Clinical judgment content may be represented as a case study
or as an individual stand-alone item. A case study contains six items that are associated with the same client
presentation, share unfolding client information and address the following steps in clinical judgment.
Recognize cues – identify relevant and important information from different sources (e.g., medical
history, vital signs).
Analyze cues – organize and connect the recognized cues to the client’s clinical presentation.
Prioritize hypotheses – evaluate and prioritize hypotheses (urgency, likelihood, risk, difculty, time
constraints, etc.).
Generate solutions – identify expected outcomes and use hypotheses to dene a set of interventions
for the expected outcomes.
Take action – implement the solution(s) that address the highest priority.
Evaluate outcomes – compare observed outcomes to expected outcomes.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
5
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Distribution of Content
The percentage of test questions assigned to each Client Needs category and subcategory of the NCLEX-
RN Test Plan is based on the results of the Report of Findings from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis: Linking
the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice (NCSBN, 2022) and expert judgment provided by members of the
NCLEX Examination Committee (NEC). In addition to the Client Needs categories and subcategories listed
below, clinical judgment processes are explicitly measured by 18 case study items (i.e., three item sets) and
approximately 10% stand-alone items, which will be selected depending on exam length.
Client Needs
Percentage of Items from Each
Category/Subcategory
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
15–21%
10–16%
Health Promotion and Maintenance 6–12%
Psychosocial Integrity 6–12%
Physiological Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
6–12%
13–19%
9–15%
11–17%
Safety and Infection
Control
13%
Psychosocial Integrity
9%
Basic Care and
Comfort
9%
Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
16%
Reduction of Risk
Potential
12%
Physiological
Adaptation
14%
DISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT FOR THE NCLEX-RN® TEST PLAN
Management of Care
18%
Health Promotion and
Maintenance
9%
NCLEX-RN Examinations are administered adaptively in variable-length format to target
candidate-specic ability. To accommodate possible variations in examination length, content
area distributions of the individual examinations may differ up to ±3% in each category.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
6
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Overview of Content
The activity statements used in the 2021 RN Practice Analysis: Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to
Practice (NCSBN, 2022) preface each of the eight content categories and are identied throughout the
test plan by an asterisk(*). NCSBN performs an analysis of those activities used frequently and identied
as important by entry-level nurses to ensure client safety. This is called a practice analysis; it provides
data to support the NCLEX as a reliable, valid measure of competent, entry-level nursing practice. The
practice analysis is conducted every three years. Due to COVID-19, the practice analysis was delayed from
2020 to 2021.
In addition to the practice analysis, NCSBN conducts a knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA) survey. The
primary purpose of this study is to identify the knowledge needed by newly licensed registered nurses (RNs)
in order to practice safe and effective care. Findings from both the 2021 RN Practice Analysis and the 2021
RN KSA survey can be found at: www.ncsbn.org/1235.htm. Both documents are used in the development of
the NCLEX-RN Test Plan as well as to inform item development.
All task statements in the 2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan require the nurse to apply the fundamental principles
of clinical decision-making and critical thinking to nursing practice. The test plan also assumes that the nurse
integrates concepts from the following bodies of knowledge:
Social sciences (psychology and sociology)
Biological sciences (anatomy, physiology, biology and microbiology)
Physical sciences (chemistry and physics)
In addition, the following concepts are applied throughout the four major Client Needs categories and
subcategories of the test plan:
Caring
Clinical judgment
Communication and documentation
Culture and spirituality
Nursing process
Teaching/learning
Appendix A of this document includes detailed examples of content for each NCLEX-RN Test Plan category.
Please note: There are certain inconsistencies throughout this document related to word usage and
punctuation. Sentences or phrases marked by an asterisk (*) are activity statements taken directly from
the 2021 RN Practice Analysis: Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice. In order to provide proper
attribution to the original survey, these statements have not been altered to t the overall grammatical
style of this document. In addition, the term ‘‘client” refers to the individual, family or group, which includes
signicant others and populations. ‘‘Clients” are the same as ‘‘residents” or ‘‘patients.” In general, if the age or
age category of the client is not stated in an item, it can be understood that the client is an adult. Any ethnicity
or cultural or spiritual belief attributed to a client should be considered self-reported by that client. NCLEX
items are developed based on a variety of practice settings such as acute care, long-term care/rehabilitation
care, outpatient care and community-based/home care settings.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
7
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Safe and Effective Care Environment
The nurse promotes achievement of client outcomes by providing and directing nursing care that enhances
the care delivery setting in order to protect clients and health care personnel.
Management of Care
Providing and directing nursing care that enhances the care delivery setting to protect the client
and health care personnel.
Management of Care
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Integrate advance directives into client plan of care
Delegate and supervise care of client provided by others (e.g., LPN/VN, assistive
personnel, other RNs)
Organize workload to manage time effectively
Practice and advocate for cost effective care
Initiate, evaluate and update client plan of care
Provide education to clients and staff about client rights and responsibilities
Advocate for client rights and needs
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members when providing client care
(e.g., physical therapist, nutritionist, social worker)
Manage conict among clients and health care staff
Maintain client condentiality and privacy
Provide and receive hand off of care (report) on assigned clients
Use approved terminology when documenting care
Perform procedures necessary to safely admit, transfer and/or discharge a client
Prioritize the delivery of client care based on acuity
Recognize and report ethical dilemmas
Practice in a manner consistent with the nurses’ code of ethics
Verify the client receives education and client consents for care and procedures
Receive, verify and implement health care provider orders
Utilize resources to promote quality client care (e.g., evidence-based research,
information technology, policies and procedures)
Recognize limitations of self and others and utilize resources
Report client conditions as required by law (e.g., abuse/neglect and communicable
diseases)
Provide care within the legal scope of practice
Participate in performance improvement projects and quality improvement processes
Assess the need for referrals and obtain necessary orders
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
8
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Safety and Infection Control
Protecting clients and health care personnel from health and environmental hazards.
Safety and Infection Control
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assess client for allergies and intervene as needed
Assess client care environment
Promote staff safety
Protect client from injury
Properly identify client when providing care
Verify appropriateness and accuracy of a treatment order
Participate in emergency planning and response
Use ergonomic principles when providing care
Follow procedures for handling biohazardous and hazardous materials
Educate client on safety issues
Acknowledge and document practice errors and near misses
Report, intervene, and/or escalate unsafe practice of health care personnel
(e.g., substance abuse, improper care, stafng practices)
Facilitate appropriate and safe use of equipment
Follow security plan and procedures (e.g., newborn security, violence,
controlled access)
Apply principles of infection prevention (e.g., hand hygiene, aseptic technique,
isolation, sterile technique, universal/standard enhanced barrier precautions)
Educate client and staff regarding infection prevention measures
Follow requirements when using restraints
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
9
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Health Promotion and Maintenance
The nurse provides and directs nursing care of the client that incorporates the knowledge of expected
growth and development principles, prevention and/or early detection of health problems, and strategies
to achieve optimal health.
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Provide care and education for the newborn, infant, and toddler client
from birth through 2 years
Provide care and education for the preschool, school age and adolescent
client ages 3 through 17 years
Provide care and education for the adult client ages 18 through 64 years
Provide care and education for the adult client ages 65 years and over
Provide prenatal care and education
Provide care and education to an antepartum client or a client in labor
Provide post-partum care and education
Assess and educate clients about health risks based on family, population,
and community
Assess client’s readiness to learn, learning preferences, and barriers to
learning
Plan and/or participate in community health education
Educate client about preventative care and health maintenance
recommendations
Provide resources to minimize communication barriers
Perform targeted screening assessments (e.g., vision, nutrition,
depression)
Educate client about prevention and treatment of high risk health
behaviors
Assess client ability to manage care in home environment and plan
care accordingly
Perform comprehensive health assessments
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
10
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Psychosocial Integrity
The nurse provides and directs nursing care that promotes and supports the emotional, mental and
social well-being of the client experiencing stressful events as well as clients with acute or chronic
mental illness.
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assess client for abuse or neglect and report, intervene, and/or escalate
Incorporate behavioral management techniques when caring for a client
Assess client for substance abuse and/or toxicities and intervene as appropriate
(e.g., dependency, withdrawal)
Assess client’s ability to cope with life changes and provide support
Assess the potential for violence and use safety precautions
Incorporate client cultural practices and beliefs when planning and
providing care
Provide end-of-life care and education to clients
Assess client support system to aid in plan of care
Provide care for a client experiencing grief or loss
Provide care and education for acute and chronic psychosocial health issues
(e.g., addictions/dependencies, depression, dementia, eating disorders)
Assess psychosocial factors inuencing care and plan interventions (e.g.,
occupational, spiritual, environmental, nancial)
Provide appropriate care for a client experiencing visual, auditory, and/or
cognitive alterations
Recognize non-verbal cues to physical and/or psychological stressors
Use therapeutic communication techniques
Promote a therapeutic environment
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
11
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
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
Providing comfort and assistance in the performance of activities of daily living.
Basic Care and Comfort
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assist client to compensate for a physical or sensory impairment (e.g., assistive
devices, positioning)
Assess and manage client with an alteration in bowel and bladder elimination
Perform irrigations (e.g., of bladder, ear, eye)
Perform skin assessment and implement measures to maintain skin integrity
Apply, maintain, or remove orthopedic devices
Implement measures to promote circulation (e.g., active or passive range of
motion, positioning and mobilization)
Assess client for pain and intervene as appropriate
Recognize complementary therapies and identify potential benets and
contraindications (e.g., aromatherapy, acupressure, supplements)
Provide non-pharmacological comfort measures
Evaluate the client’s nutritional status and intervene as needed
Provide client nutrition through tube feedings
Evaluate client intake and output and intervene as needed
Assess client performance of activities of daily living and assist when needed
Perform post-mortem care
Assess client sleep/rest pattern and intervene as needed
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
12
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Providing care related to the administration of medications and parenteral therapies.
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Administer blood products and evaluate client response
Access and/or maintain central venous access devices
Perform calculations needed for medication administration
Evaluate client response to medication
Educate client about medications
Prepare and administer medications using rights of medication administration
Review pertinent data prior to medication administration (e.g., contraindications,
lab results, allergies, potential interactions)
Participate in medication reconciliation process
Titrate dosage of medication based on assessment and ordered parameters
Dispose of medications safely
Handle and maintain medication in a safe and controlled environment
Evaluate appropriateness and accuracy of medication order for client
Handle and administer high-risk medications safely
Monitor intravenous infusion and maintain site
Administer medications for pain management
Handle and administer controlled substances within regulatory guidelines
Administer parenteral nutrition and evaluate client response
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
13
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Reduction of Risk Potential
Reducing the likelihood that clients will develop complications or health problems related to existing
conditions, treatments or procedures.
Reduction of Risk Potential
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assess and respond to changes and trends in client vital signs
Perform testing within scope of practice (e.g., electrocardiogram, glucose
monitoring)
Monitor the results of diagnostic testing and intervene as needed
Obtain blood specimens
Obtain specimens other than blood for diagnostic testing
Insert, maintain, or remove a nasal/oral gastrointestinal tube
Insert, maintain, or remove a urinary catheter
Insert, maintain, or remove a peripheral intravenous line
Maintain percutaneous feeding tube
Apply and/or maintain devices used to promote venous return (e.g., anti-embolic
stockings, sequential compression devices)
Use precautions to prevent injury and/or complications associated with a
procedure or diagnosis
Evaluate client responses to procedures and treatments
Recognize trends and changes in client condition and intervene as needed
Perform focused assessments
Educate client about treatments and procedures
Provide preoperative and postoperative education
Provide preoperative care
Manage client during a procedure with moderate sedation
Manage client following a procedure with moderate sedation
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
14
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Physiological Adaptation
Managing and providing care for clients with acute, chronic or life-threatening physical
health conditions.
Physiological Adaptation
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assist with invasive procedures (e.g., central line, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy)
Implement and monitor phototherapy
Maintain optimal temperature of client
Monitor and care for clients on a ventilator
Monitor and maintain devices and equipment used for drainage (e.g., surgical
wound drains, chest tube suction, negative pressure wound therapy)
Perform and manage care of client receiving peritoneal dialysis
Perform suctioning
Perform wound care and dressing change
Provide ostomy care and education (e.g., tracheal, enteral)
Provide pulmonary hygiene (e.g., chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry)
Provide postoperative care
Manage the care of the client with a uid and electrolyte imbalance
Monitor and maintain arterial lines
Manage the care of a client with a pacing device
Manage the care of a client on telemetry
Manage the care of a client receiving hemodialysis or continuous renal
replacement therapy
Manage the care of a client with alteration in hemodynamics, tissue perfusion,
and hemostasis
Educate client regarding an acute or chronic condition
Manage the care of a client with impaired ventilation/oxygenation
Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan for a client with an acute or
chronic diagnosis
Perform emergency care procedures
Identify pathophysiology related to an acute or chronic condition
Recognize signs and symptoms of client complications and intervene
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
15
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
III. Administration of the NCLEX-RN®
The NCLEX-RN® is administered to candidates by computerized adaptive testing (CAT). CAT is a method of
delivering examinations that uses computer technology and measurement theory. With CAT, each candidate’s
examination is unique because it is assembled interactively as the examination proceeds. Computer
technology selects items that match the candidate’s ability. The items, which are stored in a large item pool,
have been classied by test plan category and level of difculty as well as clinical judgment steps. After
the candidate answers an item, the computer calculates an ability estimate based on all of the candidate’s
previous answers. The next item administered is chosen based on that ability estimate and is selected from
an appropriate test plan category. This process is repeated for each item, creating an examination tailored to
the candidate’s knowledge and skills while fullling all NCLEX-RN Test Plan requirements. The examination
continues with items selected and administered in this way until a pass or fail decision is made.
Examination Length
All registered nurse (RN) candidates must answer a minimum of 85 items. The maximum number of items that
an RN candidate may answer is 150 during the allotted ve-hour period. Of the minimum-length examination,
52 of the items will come from the eight content areas listed above in the stated percentages. Eighteen of
the items will comprise three clinical judgment case studies. Case studies are item sets composed of six
items that measure each of the six domains of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM)
mentioned earlier: recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing hypotheses, generating solutions, taking
action and evaluating outcomes. Since clinical judgment is an integrated process, the case studies will span
any number of content areas and are therefore counted independently of the content-area-specic items.
The remaining 15 items will be unscored pretest items. The ve-hour limit to complete the examination
includes all breaks.
The length of the examination is determined by the candidate’s responses to the items. Depending upon the
particular pattern of correct and incorrect responses, candidates will receive different numbers of items and
therefore use varying amounts of time. The candidate should select and maintain a reasonable pace that will
allow them to complete the examination within the allotted time should the maximum number of items be
administered. In general, it is recommended that the candidate spend approximately one to two minutes per
item in order to maintain this pace.
Each candidate is given an examination that adheres to the test plan and is therefore given the opportunity to
demonstrate their ability. The length of the candidate’s examination is not an indication of a pass or fail result.
A candidate may pass or fail regardless of the length of the examination. Additional information on passing
and failing rules is included in further detail in this section.
The Passing Standard
The NCSBN® Board of Directors (BOD) reevaluates the passing standard once every three years. The criterion
that the BOD uses to set the standard is the minimum level of ability required for safe and effective entry-level
nursing practice. Due to COVID-19, the passing standard was reevaluated in 2022.
To assist the BOD in making this decision, they are provided information on:
1. The results of a standard-setting exercise performed by a panel of experts with the assistance of
psychometricians;
2. The historical record of the passing standard with summaries of the candidate performance
associated with those standards; and
3. Information describing the educational readiness of high school graduates who express an interest
in nursing.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
16
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Once the passing standard is set, it is applied uniformly to every examination according to the procedures laid
out in the Scoring the NCLEX section. To pass the NCLEX, a candidate must perform at or above the passing
standard. There is no xed percentage of candidates that pass or fail each examination.
Similar Items
Occasionally, a candidate may receive an item that seems to be very similar to an item received earlier in
the examination. This may happen for a variety of reasons. Items may contain content pertaining to similar
symptoms, diseases or disorders, yet address different phases of the nursing process. Alternatively, a pretest
(unscored) item may contain content similar to an operational (scored) item. Candidates should not assume
they received a second item similar in content to a previously administered item because the candidate
answered the rst item incorrectly. The candidate is instructed to always select the answer believed to be
correct for each item administered.
Reviewing Answers and Guessing
Examination items are presented to the candidate one at a time on a computer screen. There is no time limit
for a candidate to spend on each individual item. Once an answer to an item is selected, the candidate is able
to consider the answer and change it, if necessary. However, once the candidate conrms the answer and
proceeds to the next item by pressing the <NEXT> button, the candidate will no longer be able to return to
a previous item. Every item must be answered even if the candidate is not sure of the correct answer. If the
candidate is unsure of the correct answer, the candidate should consider all response options and provide
their best answer in order to proceed to the next item. The computer will not allow the candidate to proceed
to the next item without answering the current item on the screen. The best advice is to maintain a reasonable
pace (one item every minute or two) and carefully read and consider each item before answering.
Scoring the NCLEX®
Computerized Adaptive Testing
The NCLEX is different from a traditional xed-length examination, which administers the same items to
every candidate. Fixed-length examinations ensure that the difculty of the examination is constant for every
candidate; therefore, the percentage correct is the indicator of the candidate’s ability. This approach requires
high-ability candidates to answer all easy items on the examination and low-ability candidates to guess on
difcult items. This method provides less accurate information about the candidate’s true ability.
The NCLEX uses CAT to administer items. CAT is able to produce results that are more precise and efcient,
using fewer items by targeting items to the candidate’s ability. The computer (i.e., CAT scoring algorithm)
estimates the ability of the candidate in relation to the passing standard. Every time the candidate answers
an item, the computer re-estimates the candidate’s ability. With each additional answered item, the ability
estimate becomes more precise.
Each item that the candidate receives is selected from a large pool of items using three criteria.
1. The item is limited to the content area that will produce the best match to the test plan percentages.
CAT ensures that each candidate’s exam contains enough items from each content area to match
the required test plan percentages. Regarding clinical judgment items, three case study sets and
approximately 10% stand-alone items will be selected depending on the exam length.
2. An item is selected that the candidate is expected to nd challenging. The computer estimates the
candidate’s ability based on all previous answers and the difculty of those items and then selects an
item that the candidate should have a 50% chance of answering correctly. This ensures the next item
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
17
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
should not be too easy or too difcult and the examination can obtain maximum information about the
candidate’s ability from the item.
3. Items are excluded that a repeat candidate has seen in the current item pool.
For more information on CAT, visit NCLEX.com.
Pretest Items
For CAT to function properly, the difculty of each item must be known in advance. The degree of difculty
is determined by administering the items as pretest items to a large sample of NCLEX candidates. Since
the difculty of pretest items is unknown in advance, these items are not included when estimating the
candidate’s ability and subsequently making pass-fail decisions. When enough responses are collected,
the pretest items are statistically analyzed and calibrated. If the pretest items meet the NCLEX statistical
standards, they can be administered on future examinations as operational items. There are 15 pretest items
on every NCLEX-RN. Pretest items appear identical to operational items; therefore, it is recommended that
candidates give their best effort for every item.
Passing and Failing
The decision as to whether a candidate passes or fails the NCLEX is governed by three scenarios.
Scenario #1: The 95% Condence Interval Rule
This scenario is the most common for NCLEX candidates. The computer will stop administering items when it
is 95% certain that the candidate’s ability is either clearly above or clearly below the passing standard.
Scenario #2: Maximum-Length Exam
Some candidates’ ability levels will be very close to the passing standard. When this is the case, the computer
continues to administer items until the maximum number of items is reached. At this point, the computer
disregards the 95% condence interval rule and considers only the nal ability estimate.
If the nal ability estimate is at or above the passing standard, the candidate passes.
If the nal ability estimate is below the passing standard, the candidate fails.
Scenario #3: Run-Out-of-Time Rule (R.O.O.T.)
If a candidate runs out of time before reaching the maximum number of items and the computer has not
determined with 95% certainty whether the candidate has passed or failed, alternate criteria are used.
If the candidate has not answered the minimum number of required items, the candidate
automatically fails.
If at least the minimum number of required items were answered, then the nal ability estimate will
be based on all responses given before the exam time expired. If the score is at or above the passing
standard, the candidate will pass; otherwise, the candidate will fail.
Scoring Items
NCLEX items have multiple item formats. There is partial credit scoring for items for which more than
one key exists. There will be three methods for scoring items for partial credit: plus/minus, zero/one, and
rationale scoring.
For information on scoring NCLEX items, be sure to access NCSBN.org for newsletters and articles,
particularly the newsletter on Next Generation NCLEX: Scoring Models.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
18
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Types of Items on the NCLEX-RN®
Candidates may be administered stand-alone items and case studies as well as items written in alternate
formats. All item types may include multimedia such as charts, tables and graphics. All items undergo an
extensive review process before being used as items on the examination.
NCLEX® Terminology
Client: Individual, family or group, which includes signicant others and populations.
Order: Intervention, remedy or treatment as directed by an authorized primary health care provider.
Prescription: Intervention as it relates to medication specically as directed by an authorized primary
health care provider.
Primary Health Care Provider: Members of the health care team who are licensed and authorized to
formulate prescriptions and orders on behalf of the client, as well as receive notications of client status, are
referred as primary health care provider, medical physician (or other specialty, e.g., surgeon, nephrologist) or
an advanced practice nurse.
Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP): Any unlicensed personnel trained to function in a supportive role,
regardless of title, to whom a nursing responsibility may be delegated.
Please note: Order and Prescription terminology has been updated for the 2023 Test Plan.
Examination Security and Condentiality
Any candidate who violates test center regulations or rules or engages in irregular behavior, misconduct
and/or does not follow a test center administrator’s warning to discontinue inappropriate behavior may
be dismissed from the test center. Additionally, examination results may be withheld or canceled and
the licensing board may take other disciplinary action such as denial of a license and/or disqualifying the
candidate from future registrations for licensure. Refer to the current candidate bulletin at NCLEX.com.
Candidates should be aware and understand that the disclosure of examination items before, during or after
the examination is a violation of law. Violations of condentiality and/or candidates’ rules can result in criminal
prosecution or civil liability and/or disciplinary actions by the licensing agency including the denial of licensure.
Disclosure of examination materials includes but is not limited to discussing examination items with faculty,
friends, family, or others.
Tutorial
Each NCLEX-RN candidate is provided information on how to answer examination items. A tutorial is available
to all candidates prior to examination day. The tutorial explains the various item formats that candidates
may see on the examination. More detailed information about the NCLEX examination, including information
on the Next Generation NCLEX, CAT methodology, the candidate bulletin and tutorials, can be found at
the website NCLEX.com. A more detailed description of the item types can be found in the NCLEX Tutorial
section on the website.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
19
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Appendix A
Sample Content
This section includes sample content and items for each of the eight test plan categories. To view additional
sample items and item types, visit NCLEX.com.
Safe and Effective Care Environment
The nurse promotes achievement of client outcomes by providing and directing nursing care that enhances
the care delivery setting in order to protect clients and health care personnel.
Management of Care
Providing and directing nursing care that enhances the care delivery setting to protect the client and
health care personnel.
Management of Care
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Integrate advance directives into client plan of care
Delegate and supervise care of client provided by others (e.g., LPN/VN, assistive personnel,
other RNs)
Organize workload to manage time effectively
Practice and advocate for cost effective care
Initiate, evaluate and update client plan of care
Provide education to clients and staff about client rights and responsibilities
Advocate for client rights and needs
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members when providing client care (e.g., physical
therapist, nutritionist, social worker)
Manage conict among clients and health care staff
Maintain client condentiality and privacy
Provide and receive hand off of care (report) on assigned clients
Use approved terminology when documenting care
Perform procedures necessary to safely admit, transfer and/or discharge a client
Prioritize the delivery of client care based on acuity
Recognize and report ethical dilemmas
Practice in a manner consistent with the nurses’ code of ethics
Verify the client receives education and client consents for care and procedures
Receive, verify and implement health care provider orders
Utilize resources to promote quality client care (e.g., evidence-based research, information
technology, policies and procedures)
Recognize limitations of self and others and utilize resources
Report client conditions as required by law (e.g., abuse/neglect and communicable diseases)
Provide care within the legal scope of practice
Participate in performance improvement projects and quality improvement processes
Assess the need for referrals and obtain necessary orders
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
20
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
20
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Advance Directives/Self-Determination/Life Planning
Assess client and/or staff member knowledge of advance directives (e.g., living will,
health care agent/proxy, power of attorney for health care)
Integrate advance directives into client plan of care*
Provide client with information about advance directives, self-care determination, life planning
Advocacy
Discuss identied treatment options with client and respect their decisions
Provide information on advocacy to staff members
Act in the role of client advocate
Use advocacy resources appropriately (e.g., social worker, chain of command, interpreter)
Assignment, Delegation and Supervision
Identify tasks for assignment or delegation based on client needs
Delegate and assign appropriate tasks based on client needs to personnel with competency to
perform tasks
Delegate and supervise care of client provided by others (e.g., LPN/VN, assistive personnel, other RNs)*
Communicate tasks to be completed and report client concerns immediately
Organize workload to manage time effectively*
Utilize the rights of delegation (e.g., right task, right circumstances, right person, right direction/
communication, right supervision/evaluation)
Evaluate delegated tasks to ensure correct completion of activity
Evaluate ability of staff members to perform assigned tasks considering personnel’s allowable
tasks/duties, competency and ability to use sound judgment and decision-making
Evaluate effectiveness of staff members’ time management skills
Case Management
Explore resources available to assist client with achieving or maintaining independence
Assess client’s need for materials and equipment (e.g., oxygen, suction machine, wound care supplies)
Practice and advocate for cost effective care*
Plan individualized care for client based on need (e.g., client diagnosis, self-care ability, prescribed
treatments)
Provide client with information on discharge procedures to home or community setting
Initiate, evaluate and update client plan of care*
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
21
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
21
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Client Rights
Recognize client’s right to refuse treatment/procedures
Discuss treatment options/decisions with client
Provide education to clients and staff about client rights and responsibilities*
Evaluate client and staff understanding of client rights
Advocate for client rights and needs*
Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Team
Identify the need for interdisciplinary conferences
Identify signicant information to report to other disciplines (e.g., health care provider, pharmacist,
social worker, respiratory therapist)
Review plan of care to ensure continuity across disciplines
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary team members when providing client care (e.g., physical therapist,
nutritionist, social worker)*
Serve as resource person to other staff
Concepts of Management
Identify roles and responsibilities of health care team members
Plan overall strategies to address client problems
Act as liaison between client and others (e.g., coordinate or manage care)
Manage conict among clients and health care staff*
Evaluate management outcomes
Condentiality/Information Security
Assess staff member and client understanding of condentiality requirements
Maintain client condentiality and privacy*
Intervene appropriately when staff members have breached condentiality
Continuity of Care
Provide and receive hand off of care (report) on assigned clients*
Use documents to record and communicate client information (e.g., medical record,
referral/transfer form)
Use approved terminology when documenting care*
Perform procedures necessary to safely admit, transfer and/or discharge a client*
Follow up on unresolved issues regarding client care (e.g., laboratory results, client requests)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
22
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
22
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Establishing Priorities
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology when establishing priorities for interventions with multiple clients
Prioritize the delivery of client care based on acuity*
Evaluate plan of care for multiple clients and revise plan of care as needed
Ethical Practice
Recognize and report ethical dilemmas*
Inform client and staff members of ethical issues affecting client care
Practice in a manner consistent with the nurses’ code of ethics*
Evaluate outcomes of interventions to promote ethical practice
Informed Consent
Identify appropriate person to provide informed consent for client
Provide written materials in client’s spoken language, when possible
Describe components of informed consent
Participate in obtaining informed consent
Verify the client receives education and client consents for care and procedures*
Information Technology
Receive, verify and implement health care provider orders*
Apply knowledge of facility regulations when accessing client records
Access data for client through online databases and journals
Enter computer documentation accurately, completely and in a timely manner
Utilize resources to promote quality client care (e.g., evidence-based research, information technology,
policies and procedures)*
Legal Rights and Responsibilities
Identify legal issues affecting the client (e.g., refusing treatment)
Identify and manage client’s valuables according to facility/agency policy
Recognize limitations of self and others and utilize resources*
Review facility policy and legal considerations prior to agreeing to serve as an interpreter for staff or
primary health care provider
Educate client and staff on legal issues
Report client conditions as required by law (e.g., abuse/neglect and communicable diseases)*
Provide care within the legal scope of practice*
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
23
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
23
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Performance Improvement (Quality Improvement)
Dene performance improvement/quality assurance activities
Participate in performance improvement projects and quality improvement processes*
Report identied client care issues to appropriate personnel
Utilize research and other references for performance improvement actions
Evaluate the impact of performance improvement measures on client care and resource use
Referrals
Assess the need to refer clients for assistance with existing or potential problems (e.g., physical therapy,
speech therapy)
Assess the need for referrals and obtain necessary orders*
Identify community resources for the client (e.g., respite care, social services, shelters)
Identify which documents to include when referring a client (e.g., medical record, referral form)
The nurse has been made aware of the following client situations. The
nurse should rst assess the client
1. with diverticulitis who is reporting left lower quadrant (LLQ) pain
2. with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
reporting hemoptysis
3. who had an evacuation of a subdural hematoma 8 hours ago and
has become agitated (key)
4. who had a total knee replacement 8 hours ago and whose affected
extremity is internally rotated
Sample Item
(Key) is used throughout this document to denote the correct answer(s) for the exam item.
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
24
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
24
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Safety and Infection Control
Protecting clients and health care personnel from health and environmental hazards.
Safety and Infection Control
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assess client for allergies and intervene as needed
Assess client care environment
Promote staff safety
Protect client from injury
Properly identify client when providing care
Verify appropriateness and accuracy of a treatment order
Participate in emergency planning and response
Use ergonomic principles when providing care
Follow procedures for handling biohazardous and hazardous materials
Educate client on safety issues
Acknowledge and document practice errors and near misses
Report, intervene, and/or escalate unsafe practice of health care personnel
(e.g., substance abuse, improper care, stafng practices)
Facilitate appropriate and safe use of equipment
Follow security plan and procedures (e.g., newborn security, violence,
controlled access)
Apply principles of infection prevention (e.g., hand hygiene, aseptic technique,
isolation, sterile technique, universal/standard enhanced barrier precautions)
Educate client and staff regarding infection prevention measures
Follow requirements when using restraints
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Accident/Error/Injury Prevention
Assess client for allergies and intervene as needed*
Assess client care environment*
Determine client and staff member knowledge of safety procedures
Identify factors that inuence accident and injury prevention (e.g., age, developmental stage, lifestyle,
mental status)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
25
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
25
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Identify decits that may impede client safety (e.g., visual, hearing, sensory/perceptual)
Identify and verify orders for treatments that may contribute to an accident or injury (does not
include medication)
Identify and facilitate correct use of infant and child car seats
Promote staff safety*
Provide client with appropriate method to signal staff members
Protect client from injury*
Review necessary modications with client to reduce stress on specic muscle or skeletal groups
(e.g., frequent changing of position; routine stretching of the shoulders, neck, arms, hands, ngers)
Implement seizure precautions for at-risk clients
Make appropriate room assignments for cognitively impaired clients
Properly identify client when providing care*
Verify appropriateness and accuracy of a treatment order*
Emergency Response Plan
Determine which client(s) to recommend for discharge in a disaster situation
Identify nursing roles in disaster planning
Use clinical decision-making/critical thinking for emergency response plan
Participate in emergency planning and response*
Participate in disaster planning activities/drills
Ergonomic Principles
Assess client ability to balance, transfer and use assistive devices prior to planning care
(e.g., crutches, walker)
Provide instruction and information to client about body positions that eliminate potential for
repetitive stress injuries
Use ergonomic principles when providing care*
Handling Hazardous and Infectious Materials
Identify biohazardous, ammable and infectious materials
Follow procedures for handling biohazardous and hazardous materials*
Demonstrate safe handling techniques to staff and client
Ensure safe implementation of internal radiation therapy
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
26
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
26
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Home Safety
Assess need for client home modications (e.g., lighting, handrails, kitchen safety)
Apply knowledge of client pathophysiology to home safety interventions
Educate client on safety issues*
Encourage client to use protective equipment when using devices that can cause injury
Evaluate client care environment for re and environmental hazards
Reporting of Incident/Event/Irregular Occurrence/Variance
Identify need/situation where reporting of incident/event/irregular occurrence/variance is appropriate
Acknowledge and document practice errors and near misses*
Evaluate response to error/event/occurrence
Report, intervene, and/or escalate unsafe practice of health care personnel (e.g., substance abuse,
improper care, stafng practices)*
Safe Use of Equipment
Inspect equipment for safety hazards (e.g., frayed electrical cords, loose/missing parts)
Teach client about safe use of equipment needed for health care
Facilitate appropriate and safe use of equipment*
Remove malfunctioning equipment from client care area and report the problem to
appropriate personnel
Security Plan
Use clinical decision-making/critical thinking in situations related to security planning
Apply principles of triage and evacuation procedures and protocols
Follow security plan and procedures (e.g., newborn security, violence, controlled access)*
Standard Precautions/Transmission-Based Precautions/Surgical Asepsis
Assess client care area for sources of infection
Understand communicable diseases and the modes of organism transmission (e.g., airborne,
droplet, contact)
Apply principles of infection prevention (e.g., hand hygiene, aseptic technique, isolation, sterile
technique, universal/standard enhanced barrier precautions)*
Follow correct policy and procedures when reporting a client with a communicable disease
Educate client and staff regarding infection prevention measures*
Use appropriate precautions for immunocompromised clients
Use appropriate technique to set up a sterile eld/maintain asepsis
Evaluate infection control precautions implemented by staff members
Evaluate whether aseptic technique is performed correctly
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
27
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
27
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Use of Restraints/Safety Devices
Assess appropriateness of the type of restraint/safety device used
Follow requirements when using restraints*
Monitor/evaluate client response to restraints/safety device
The nurse is assigning unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to assist the
following clients to ambulate. It would be most important for the nurse to
review safety precautions with the UAP prior to ambulating the
1. 44-year-old client with Ménière’s disease (key)
2. 59-year-old client with a unilateral cataract
3. 62-year-old client with presbycusis
4. 65-year-old client with sinusitis
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
28
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
28
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Health Promotion and Maintenance
The nurse provides and directs nursing care of the client that incorporates the knowledge of expected
growth and development principles, prevention and/or early detection of health problems, and strategies
to achieve optimal health.
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Provide care and education for the newborn, infant, and toddler client
from birth through 2 years
Provide care and education for the preschool, school age and adolescent
client ages 3 through 17 years
Provide care and education for the adult client ages 18 through 64 years
Provide care and education for the adult client ages 65 years and over
Provide prenatal care and education
Provide care and education to an antepartum client or a client in labor
Provide post-partum care and education
Assess and educate clients about health risks based on family, population,
and community
Assess client’s readiness to learn, learning preferences, and barriers
to learning
Plan and/or participate in community health education
Educate client about preventative care and health maintenance
recommendations
Provide resources to minimize communication barriers
Perform targeted screening assessments (e.g., vision, nutrition,
depression)
Educate client about prevention and treatment of high risk health
behaviors
Assess client ability to manage care in home environment and plan
care accordingly
Perform comprehensive health assessments
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
29
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
29
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Aging Process
Assess client’s reactions to expected age-related changes
Provide care and education for the newborn, infant, and toddler client from birth through 2 years*
Provide care and education for the preschool, school age and adolescent client ages 3 through 17 years*
Provide care and education for the adult client ages 18 through 64 years*
Provide care and education for the adult client ages 65 years and over*
Ante-/Intra-/Postpartum and Newborn Care
Assess client’s psychosocial response to pregnancy (e.g., support systems, perception of pregnancy,
coping mechanisms)
Assess client for symptoms of postpartum complications (e.g., hemorrhage, infection)
Calculate expected delivery date
Check fetal heart rate during routine prenatal exams
Assist client with learning and performing newborn care (e.g., feeding)
Provide prenatal care and education*
Provide care and education to an antepartum client or a client in labor*
Provide post-partum care and education*
Provide discharge instructions (e.g., postpartum and newborn care)
Evaluate client’s ability to care for the newborn
Developmental Stages and Transitions
Identify expected physical, cognitive and psychosocial stages of development
Identify expected body image changes associated with client developmental age (e.g., aging, pregnancy)
Identify family structures and roles of family members (e.g., nuclear, blended, adoptive)
Compare client development to expected age/developmental stage and report any deviations
Assess impact of change on family system (e.g., one-parent family, divorce, ill family member)
Assist client to cope with life transitions (e.g., attachment to newborn, parenting, puberty, retirement)
Modify approaches to care in accordance with client developmental stage (use age-appropriate
explanations of procedures and treatments)
Provide education to client and staff members about expected age-related changes and age-specic
growth and development (e.g., developmental stages)
Evaluate client’s achievement of expected developmental level (e.g., developmental milestones)
Evaluate impact of expected body image changes on client and family
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
30
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
30
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
Assess and educate clients about health risks based on family, population, and community*
Assess client’s readiness to learn, learning preferences, and barriers to learning*
Plan and/or participate in community health education*
Educate client on actions to promote and maintain health and prevent disease (e.g., smoking cessation,
diet, weight loss)
Integrate complementary therapies into health promotion activities for the well client
Educate client about preventative care and health maintenance recommendations*
Provide follow-up to client following participation in health promotion program (e.g., diet counseling)
Provide resources to minimize communication barriers*
Assist client in maintaining an optimal level of health
Evaluate client understanding of health promotion behaviors/activities (e.g., weight control,
exercise actions)
Health Screening
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology to health screening
Perform health history/health and risk assessments (e.g., lifestyle, family and genetic history)
Perform targeted screening assessments (e.g., vision, nutrition, depression)*
Use appropriate procedures and interviewing techniques when taking client health history
High-Risk Behaviors
Assess client lifestyle practice risks that may impact health (e.g., excessive sun exposure,
lack of regular exercise)
Assist client to identify behaviors/risks that may impact health
Educate client about prevention and treatment of high risk health behaviors*
Lifestyle Choices
Assess client’s lifestyle choices
Assess client’s attitudes/perceptions on sexuality
Assess client’s need/desire for contraception
Identify contraindications to chosen contraceptive method (e.g., smoking, adherence,
medical conditions)
Identify expected outcomes for family planning methods
Recognize client who is socially or environmentally isolated
Educate client on sexuality issues (e.g., family planning, safer sex practices, menopause, impotence)
Evaluate client alternative or homeopathic health care practices (e.g., massage therapy,
acupuncture, herbal medicine and minerals)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
31
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
31
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Self-Care
Assess client ability to manage care in home environment and plan care accordingly*
Consider client self-care needs before developing or revising care plan
Assist primary caregivers working with the client to meet self-care goals
Techniques of Physical Assessment
Apply knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills to techniques of physical assessment
Choose physical assessment equipment and technique appropriate for the client (e.g., age of client,
measurement of vital signs)
Perform comprehensive health assessments*
The nurse is teaching clients at a community health fair about risk
factors for developing cancer. The nurse should recognize that at
highest risk is the
1. 30-year-old client who consumes a diet high in selenium and has
a history of an ovarian cyst
2. 49-year-old client who drinks 2 or 3 cups of coffee daily and has
a family history of brocystic breast conditions
3. 51-year-old client who has hypertension and teaches an aerobic
exercise program
4. 62-year-old client who consumes 5 or 6 alcoholic beverages
daily and is an opera singer (key)
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
32
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
32
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Psychosocial Integrity
The nurse provides and directs nursing care that promotes and supports the emotional, mental and
social well-being of the client experiencing stressful events as well as clients with acute or chronic
mental illness.
Psychosocial Integrity
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assess client for abuse or neglect and report, intervene, and/or escalate
Incorporate behavioral management techniques when caring for a client
Assess client for substance abuse and/or toxicities and intervene as appropriate
(e.g., dependency, withdrawal)
Assess client’s ability to cope with life changes and provide support
Assess the potential for violence and use safety precautions
Incorporate client cultural practices and beliefs when planning and
providing care
Provide end-of-life care and education to clients
Assess client support system to aid in plan of care
Provide care for a client experiencing grief or loss
Provide care and education for acute and chronic psychosocial health issues
(e.g., addictions/dependencies, depression, dementia, eating disorders)
Assess psychosocial factors inuencing care and plan interventions (e.g.,
occupational, spiritual, environmental, nancial)
Provide appropriate care for a client experiencing visual, auditory, and/or
cognitive alterations
Recognize non-verbal cues to physical and/or psychological stressors
Use therapeutic communication techniques
Promote a therapeutic environment
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Abuse or Neglect
Assess client for abuse or neglect and report, intervene and/or escalate*
Identify risk factors for domestic, child and elder abuse or neglect and sexual abuse
Plan interventions for victims/suspected victims of abuse
Counsel victims/suspected victims of abuse and their families on coping strategies
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
33
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
33
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Provide a safe environment for the abused or neglected client
Evaluate client response to interventions
Behavioral Interventions
Assess client’s appearance, mood and psychomotor behavior and identify/respond to
inappropriate/abnormal behavior
Assist client with achieving and maintaining self-control of behavior (e.g., behavior modication)
Assist client to develop and use strategies to decrease anxiety
Orient the client to reality
Participate in group sessions (e.g., support groups)
Incorporate behavioral management techniques when caring for a client*
Evaluate client’s response to treatment plan
Chemical and Other Dependencies/Substance Use Disorder
Assess client’s reactions to the diagnosis and treatment of substance-related disorder
Assess client for substance abuse and/or toxicities and intervene as appropriate
(e.g., dependency, withdrawal)*
Plan and provide care to clients experiencing substance-related withdrawal or toxicity
(e.g., nicotine, opioid, sedative)
Educate client on substance use diagnosis and treatment plan
Provide care and/or support for a client with non-substance-related dependencies
(e.g., gambling, sex addiction)
Provide symptom management for clients experiencing withdrawal or toxicity
Encourage client to participate in support groups
Evaluate client’s response to a treatment plan and revise as needed
Coping Mechanisms
Assess client’s support systems and available resources
Assess client’s ability to adapt to temporary and permanent role changes
Assess client’s reaction to a diagnosis of acute or chronic mental illness (e.g., rationalization,
hopefulness, anger)
Assess client’s ability to cope with life changes and provide support*
Identify situations that may necessitate role changes for a client (e.g., spouse with chronic illness,
death of parent)
Provide support to client with unexpected altered body image (e.g., alopecia, amputation, burns)
Evaluate client’s constructive use of defense mechanisms
Evaluate whether client has successfully adapted to situational role changes (e.g., accept dependency
on others)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
34
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
34
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Crisis Intervention
Assess the potential for violence and use safety precautions*
Identify the client in crisis
Use crisis intervention techniques to assist the client in coping
Apply knowledge of client psychopathology to crisis intervention
Guide the client to resources for recovery from crisis (e.g., social supports)
Cultural Awareness/Cultural Inuences on Health
Assess importance of client self-reported culture/ethnicity when planning/providing/evaluating care
Incorporate client cultural practices and beliefs when planning and providing care*
Respect client self-reported cultural background and practices
Evaluate and document how client language needs were met
End-of-Life Care
Assess client’s ability to cope with end-of-life interventions
Identify end-of-life needs of the client (e.g., nancial concerns, fear, loss of control, role changes)
Recognize the need for and provide psychosocial support to the family/caregiver
Assist client in resolution of end-of-life issues
Provide end-of-life care and education to clients*
Family Dynamics
Assess barriers and stressors that impact family functioning (e.g., meeting client care needs, divorce)
Assess client support system to aid in plan of care*
Assess parental techniques related to discipline
Encourage the client’s participation in group/family therapy
Assist client to integrate new members into family structure (e.g., new infant, blended family)
Evaluate resources available to assist family functioning
Grief and Loss
Provide care for a client experiencing grief or loss*
Support the client in anticipatory grieving
Inform the client of expected reactions to grief and loss (e.g., denial, fear)
Provide the client with resources to adjust to loss/bereavement (e.g., individual counseling,
support groups)
Evaluate the client’s coping and fears related to grief and loss
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
35
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
35
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Mental Health Concepts
Identify signs and symptoms of impaired cognition (e.g., memory loss, poor hygiene)
Recognize signs and symptoms of acute and chronic mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia,
depression, bipolar disorder)
Recognize client use of defense mechanisms
Assess client adherence to treatment plan
Assess client for alterations in mood, judgment, cognition and reasoning
Apply knowledge of client psychopathology to mental health concepts applied in
individual/group/family therapy
Provide care and education for acute and chronic psychosocial health issues
(e.g., addictions/dependencies, depression, dementia, eating disorders)*
Evaluate client’s ability to adhere to treatment plan
Evaluate client’s abnormal response to the aging process (e.g., depression)
Religious and Spiritual Inuences on Health
Identify the client emotional problems or needs that are related to self-reported religious/spiritual beliefs
(e.g., spiritual distress, conict between recommended treatment and beliefs)
Assess psychosocial factors inuencing care and plan interventions (e.g., occupational, spiritual,
environmental, nancial)*
Assess and plan interventions that meet client emotional and self-reported spiritual needs
Evaluate whether client’s self-reported religious/spiritual needs are met
Sensory/Perceptual Alterations
Identify time, place and stimuli surrounding the appearance of symptoms
Assist client to develop strategies for dealing with sensory and thought disturbances
Provide appropriate care for a client experiencing visual, auditory and/or cognitive alterations*
Provide care in a nonthreatening and nonjudgmental manner
Provide reality-based diversions
Stress Management
Recognize non-verbal cues to physical and/or psychological stressors*
Assess stressors, including environmental, that affect client care (e.g., noise, fear, uncertainty, change,
lack of knowledge)
Implement measures to reduce environmental stressors (e.g., noise, temperature)
Provide information to client on stress management techniques (e.g., relaxation techniques, exercise,
meditation)
Evaluate client’s use of stress management techniques
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
36
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
36
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Support Systems
Assist family to plan care for client with impaired cognition (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease)
Encourage client’s involvement in the health care decision-making process
Evaluate client’s feelings about the diagnosis and treatment plan
Therapeutic Communication
Assess verbal and nonverbal client communication needs
Respect the client’s personal values and beliefs
Allow time to communicate with the client
Use therapeutic communication techniques*
Encourage client to verbalize feelings (e.g., fear, discomfort)
Evaluate the effectiveness of communications with the client
Therapeutic Environment
Identify external factors that may interfere with client recovery (e.g., stressors, family dynamics)
Make client room assignments that support the therapeutic milieu
Promote a therapeutic environment*
The nurse is talking with a client who had a colostomy created 2 days ago.
Which of the following statements by the client would indicate ineffective
coping? Select all that apply.
1. “I am not touching that disgusting bag.” (key)
2. “I am glad I can still go to the gym just as I used to.”
3. “I really like raw vegetables, and it will be hard for me to limit them.”
4. “I understand the need for the colostomy, but I am afraid that the
bag will leak.”
5. “I do not understand why I cannot have a nurse perform the
colostomy bag changes for me.” (key)
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
37
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
37
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
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
Providing comfort and assistance in the performance of activities of daily living.
Basic Care and Comfort
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assist client to compensate for a physical or sensory impairment (e.g., assistive
devices, positioning)
Assess and manage client with an alteration in bowel and bladder elimination
Perform irrigations (e.g., of bladder, ear, eye)
Perform skin assessment and implement measures to maintain skin integrity
Apply, maintain, or remove orthopedic devices
Implement measures to promote circulation (e.g., active or passive range of
motion, positioning and mobilization)
Assess client for pain and intervene as appropriate
Recognize complementary therapies and identify potential benets and
contraindications (e.g., aromatherapy, acupressure, supplements)
Provide non-pharmacological comfort measures
Evaluate the client’s nutritional status and intervene as needed
Provide client nutrition through tube feedings
Evaluate client intake and output and intervene as needed
Assess client performance of activities of daily living and assist when needed
Perform post-mortem care
Assess client sleep/rest pattern and intervene as needed
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Assistive Devices
Assess client for actual/potential difculty with communication and speech/vision/hearing problems
Assess client’s use of assistive devices (e.g., prosthetic limbs, hearing aid)
Assist client to compensate for a physical or sensory impairment (e.g., assistive devices, positioning)*
Manage client who uses assistive devices or prostheses (e.g., eating utensils, telecommunication
devices, dentures)
Evaluate the correct use of assistive devices by client
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
38
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
38
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Elimination
Assess and manage client with an alteration in bowel and bladder elimination*
Perform irrigations (e.g., of bladder, ear, eye)*
Provide skin care to clients who are incontinent (e.g., wash frequently, barrier creams/ointments)
Use alternative methods to promote voiding
Evaluate whether client’s ability to eliminate is restored/maintained
Mobility/Immobility
Identify complications of immobility (e.g., skin breakdown, contractures)
Assess the client for mobility, gait, strength and motor skills
Perform skin assessment and implement measures to maintain skin integrity*
Apply knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when providing care to clients
with immobility
Apply, maintain, or remove orthopedic devices*
Educate immobilized client regarding proper methods used when being repositioned
Maintain client’s correct body alignment
Maintain/correct the adjustment of client’s traction device (e.g., external xation device, halo traction,
skeletal traction)
Implement measures to promote circulation (e.g., active or passive range of motion, positioning
and mobilization)*
Evaluate client’s response to interventions to prevent complications from immobility
Nonpharmacological Comfort Interventions
Assess client’s need for alternative and/or complementary therapy
Assess client’s need for palliative care/symptom management or noncurative treatments
Assess client for pain and intervene as appropriate*
Recognize differences in client perception and response to pain
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology to nonpharmacological comfort/palliative care interventions
Incorporate alternative/complementary therapies into client plan of care (e.g., music therapy,
relaxation therapy)
Recognize complementary therapies and identify potential benets and contraindications
(e.g., aromatherapy, acupressure, supplements)*
Counsel client regarding palliative care/symptom management and noncurative treatments
Respect client palliative care/symptom management or noncurative treatment choices
Assist client in receiving appropriate end-of-life physical symptom management
Plan measures to provide comfort interventions to client with anticipated or actual impaired comfort
Provide non-pharmacological comfort measures*
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
39
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
39
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Evaluate the client’s response to nonpharmacological interventions (e.g., pain rating scale,
verbal reports)
Evaluate outcomes of alternative and/or complementary therapy practices
Evaluate outcomes of palliative care/symptom management or noncurative treatments
Nutrition and Oral Hydration
Assess client ability to eat (e.g., chew, swallow)
Assess client for actual and potential specic food-medication interactions
Consider client choices regarding meeting nutritional requirements and/or maintaining dietary
restrictions, including mention of specic food items
Monitor client hydration status (e.g., edema, signs and symptoms of dehydration)
Initiate calorie counts for client
Apply knowledge of mathematics to client nutrition (e.g., body mass index)
Evaluate the client’s nutritional status and intervene as needed*
Promote client’s independence in eating
Provide and maintain special diets based on client diagnosis/nutritional needs and self-reported
cultural considerations (e.g., low sodium, high protein, calorie restrictions)
Provide nutritional supplements as needed (e.g., high-protein drinks)
Provide client nutrition through tube feedings*
Evaluate side effects of client tube feedings and intervene as needed (e.g., diarrhea, dehydration)
Evaluate client intake and output and intervene as needed*
Evaluate the impact of disease/illness on nutritional status of a client
Personal Hygiene
Assess client for personal hygiene habits/routine
Assess client performance of activities of daily living and assist when needed*
Provide information to client on required adaptations for performing activities of daily living
(e.g., shower chair, handrails)
Perform post-mortem care*
Rest and Sleep
Assess client sleep/rest pattern and intervene as needed*
Apply knowledge of client pathophysiology to rest and sleep interventions
Schedule client care activities to promote adequate rest
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
40
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
40
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
The nurse is teaching a client who had a subtotal gastrectomy about
ways to prevent dumping syndrome. Which of the following foods
would be appropriate for the nurse to recommend eliminating from the
client’s diet?
1. cheese
2. red meat
3. ice cream (key)
4. yellow vegetables
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
41
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
41
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Providing care related to the administration of medications and parenteral therapies.
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Administer blood products and evaluate client response
Access and/or maintain central venous access devices
Perform calculations needed for medication administration
Evaluate client response to medication
Educate client about medications
Prepare and administer medications using rights of medication administration
Review pertinent data prior to medication administration (e.g., contraindications,
lab results, allergies, potential interactions)
Participate in medication reconciliation process
Titrate dosage of medication based on assessment and ordered parameters
Dispose of medications safely
Handle and maintain medication in a safe and controlled environment
Evaluate appropriateness and accuracy of medication order for client
Handle and administer high-risk medications safely
Monitor intravenous infusion and maintain site
Administer medications for pain management
Handle and administer controlled substances within regulatory guidelines
Administer parenteral nutrition and evaluate client response
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Adverse Effects/Contraindications/Side Effects/Interactions
Identify a contraindication to the administration of a medication to a client
Identify actual and potential incompatibilities of prescribed client medications
Identify symptoms/evidence of an allergic reaction to medications
Assess client for actual and potential side effects and adverse effects of medications
(e.g., prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal supplements, preexisting condition)
Provide information to client on common side effects/adverse effects/potential interactions of
medications and inform client when to notify primary health care provider
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
42
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
42
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Notify primary health care provider of side effects, adverse effects and contraindications of
medications and parenteral therapy
Document side effects and adverse effects of medications and parenteral therapy
Monitor for anticipated interactions among client’s prescribed medications and uids (e.g., oral, topical,
subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous)
Evaluate and document client’s response to actions taken to counteract side effects and adverse
effects of medications and parenteral therapy
Blood and Blood Products
Identify client according to facility/agency policy prior to administration of red blood cells/blood products
(e.g., order for administration, correct type, correct client, crossmatching complete, consent obtained)
Check the client for appropriate venous access for red blood cell/blood product administration (e.g.,
correct needle gauge, integrity of access site)
Document necessary information on the administration of red blood cells/blood products
Administer blood products and evaluate client response*
Central Venous Access Devices
Educate client on the reason for and care of a venous access device
Access and/or maintain central venous access devices*
Provide care for client with a central venous access device
Dosage Calculations
Perform calculations needed for medication administration*
Use clinical decision-making/critical thinking when calculating dosages
Expected Actions/Outcomes
Obtain information on a client’s prescribed medications (e.g., review formulary, consult pharmacist)
Use clinical decision-making/critical thinking when addressing expected effects/outcomes of
medications (e.g., oral, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, topical)
Evaluate client’s use of medications over time (e.g., prescription, over-the-counter, home remedies)
Evaluate client response to medication*
Medication Administration
Educate client about medications*
Educate client on medication self-administration procedures
Prepare and administer medications using rights of medication administration*
Review pertinent data prior to medication administration (e.g., contraindications, lab results, allergies,
potential interactions)*
Mix medications from two vials when necessary
Administer and document medications given by common routes (e.g., oral, topical)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
43
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
43
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Administer and document medications given by parenteral routes (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular,
subcutaneous)
Participate in medication reconciliation process*
Titrate dosage of medication based on assessment and ordered parameters*
Dispose of medications safely*
Handle and maintain medication in a safe and controlled environment*
Evaluate appropriateness and accuracy of medication order for client*
Handle and administer high-risk medications safely*
Parenteral/Intravenous Therapies
Identify appropriate veins that should be accessed for various therapies
Educate client on the need for intermittent parenteral uid therapy
Apply knowledge and concepts of mathematics/nursing procedures/psychomotor skills when caring for
a client receiving intravenous therapy
Prepare client for intravenous catheter insertion
Monitor the use of an infusion pump (e.g., intravenous, patient-controlled analgesia device)
Monitor intravenous infusion and maintain site*
Evaluate the client’s response to intermittent parenteral uid therapy
Pharmacological Pain Management
Assess client need for administration of a PRN pain medication (e.g., oral, topical, subcutaneous,
intramuscular, intravenous)
Administer and document pharmacologic pain management appropriate for client age and diagnoses
(e.g., pregnancy, children, older adults)
Administer medications for pain management*
Handle and administer controlled substances within regulatory guidelines*
Evaluate and document client’s use and response to pain medications
Total Parenteral Nutrition
Identify side effects and adverse events related to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and intervene as
appropriate (e.g., hyperglycemia, uid imbalance, infection)
Educate client on the need for and use of TPN
Apply knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when caring for a client receiving TPN
Apply knowledge of client pathophysiology and mathematics to TPN interventions
Administer parenteral nutrition and evaluate client response*
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
44
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
44
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
The nurse is preparing to administer prescribed otic drops to a 1-year-old
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
1. Gently pull the pinna upward and straight back to straighten the
auditory canal.
2. Administer the drops immediately after removing them from the
refrigerator to minimize the risk of bacterial growth.
3. Direct the drops along the side of the ear canal to avoid instilling
the medication directly onto the eardrum. (key)
4. Gently massage the area immediately posterior to the ear after
instilling the drops to facilitate distribution of the medication.
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
45
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
45
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Reduction of Risk Potential
Reducing the likelihood that clients will develop complications or health problems related to existing
conditions, treatments or procedures.
Reduction of Risk Potential
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assess and respond to changes and trends in client vital signs
Perform testing within scope of practice (e.g., electrocardiogram, glucose monitoring)
Monitor the results of diagnostic testing and intervene as needed
Obtain blood specimens
Obtain specimens other than blood for diagnostic testing
Insert, maintain, or remove a nasal/oral gastrointestinal tube
Insert, maintain, or remove a urinary catheter
Insert, maintain, or remove a peripheral intravenous line
Maintain percutaneous feeding tube
Apply and/or maintain devices used to promote venous return (e.g., anti-embolic
stockings, sequential compression devices)
Use precautions to prevent injury and/or complications associated with a procedure
or diagnosis
Evaluate client responses to procedures and treatments
Recognize trends and changes in client condition and intervene as needed
Perform focused assessments
Educate client about treatments and procedures
Provide preoperative and postoperative education
Provide preoperative care
Manage client during a procedure with moderate sedation
Manage client following a procedure with moderate sedation
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Changes/Abnormalities in Vital Signs
Assess and respond to changes and trends in client vital signs*
Apply knowledge needed to perform related nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when
assessing vital signs
Apply knowledge of client pathophysiology when measuring vital signs
Evaluate invasive monitoring data (e.g., pulmonary artery pressure, intracranial pressure)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
46
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
46
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Diagnostic Tests
Apply knowledge of related nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when caring for clients
undergoing diagnostic testing
Compare client diagnostic ndings with pre-test results
Perform testing within scope of practice (e.g., electrocardiogram, glucose monitoring)*
Perform fetal heart monitoring
Monitor results of maternal and fetal diagnostic tests (e.g., nonstress test, amniocentesis, ultrasound)
Monitor the results of diagnostic testing and intervene as needed*
Laboratory Values
Compare client laboratory values to normal laboratory values
Educate client about the purpose and procedure of ordered laboratory tests
Obtain blood specimens*
Obtain specimens other than blood for diagnostic testing*
Monitor client laboratory values (e.g., glucose testing results for client with diabetes)
Notify primary health care provider about laboratory test results
Potential for Alterations in Body Systems
Identify client potential for aspiration (e.g., feeding tube, sedation, swallowing difculties)
Identify client potential for skin breakdown (e.g., immobility, nutritional status, incontinence)
Identify client with increased risk for insufcient vascular perfusion (e.g., immobilized limb,
postsurgery, diabetes)
Educate client on methods to prevent complications associated with activity level/diagnosed illness/
disease (e.g., contractures, foot care for client with diabetes)
Compare current client data to baseline client data (e.g., symptoms of illness/disease)
Monitor client output for changes from baseline (e.g., nasogastric tube, emesis, stool, urine)
Potential for Complications of Diagnostic Tests/Treatments/Procedures
Assess client for an abnormal response following a diagnostic test/procedure (e.g., dysrhythmia following
cardiac catheterization)
Apply knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when caring for a client with potential
for complications
Monitor client for signs of bleeding
Position client to prevent complications following tests/treatments/procedures (e.g., elevate head of
bed, immobilize extremity)
Insert, maintain, or remove a nasal/oral gastrointestinal tube*
Insert, maintain, or remove a urinary catheter*
Insert, maintain, or remove a peripheral intravenous line*
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
47
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
47
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Maintain tube patency (e.g., nasogastric tube for decompression, chest tubes)
Maintain percutaneous feeding tube*
Apply and/or maintain devices used to promote venous return (e.g., anti-embolic stockings, sequential
compression devices)*
Use precautions to prevent injury and/or complications associated with a procedure or diagnosis*
Provide care for client undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (e.g., monitor airway, assess for side effects,
teach client about procedure)
Intervene to manage potential circulatory complications (e.g., hemorrhage, embolus, shock)
Intervene to prevent aspiration (e.g., check nasogastric tube placement)
Intervene to prevent potential neurologic complications (e.g., foot drop, numbness, tingling)
Evaluate client responses to procedures and treatments*
Potential for Complications from Surgical Procedures and Health Alterations
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology to monitoring for complications (e.g., recognize signs of
thrombocytopenia)
Evaluate client’s response to postoperative interventions to prevent complications (e.g., prevent
aspiration, promote venous return, promote mobility)
System-Specic Assessments
Assess client for abnormal peripheral pulses after a procedure or treatment
Assess client for abnormal neurologic status (e.g., level of consciousness, muscle strength, mobility)
Assess client for peripheral edema
Assess client for signs of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia
Identify factors that result in delayed wound healing
Recognize trends and changes in client condition and intervene as needed*
Perform a risk assessment (e.g., sensory impairment, potential for falls, level of mobility, skin integrity)
Perform focused assessments*
Therapeutic Procedures
Assess client response to recovery from local, regional or general anesthesia
Apply knowledge of related nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when caring for clients
undergoing therapeutic procedures
Educate client about treatments and procedures*
Educate client about home management of care
Use precautions to prevent further injury when moving a client with a musculoskeletal condition (e.g.,
log-rolling, abduction pillow)
Monitor client before and after a procedure/surgery (e.g., casted extremity)
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
48
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
48
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Monitor effective functioning of therapeutic devices (e.g., chest tube, drainage tubes, wound drainage
devices, continuous bladder irrigation)
Provide preoperative and postoperative education*
Provide preoperative care*
Manage client during a procedure with moderate sedation*
Manage client following a procedure with moderate sedation*
The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a lumbar puncture. It
would be most important for the nurse to assess the client for
1. bowel and bladder function
2. presence of Trousseau’s sign
3. signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) (key)
4. circulation, movement, and sensation of the legs
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
49
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
49
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Physiological Adaptation
Managing and providing care for clients with acute, chronic or life-threatening physical health conditions.
Physiological Adaptation
Related Activity Statements from the 2021 RN Practice Analysis:
Linking the NCLEX-RN® Examination to Practice
Assist with invasive procedures (e.g., central line, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy)
Implement and monitor phototherapy
Maintain optimal temperature of client
Monitor and care for clients on a ventilator
Monitor and maintain devices and equipment used for drainage (e.g., surgical
wound drains, chest tube suction, negative pressure wound therapy)
Perform and manage care of client receiving peritoneal dialysis
Perform suctioning
Perform wound care and dressing change
Provide ostomy care and education (e.g., tracheal, enteral)
Provide pulmonary hygiene (e.g., chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry)
Provide postoperative care
Manage the care of the client with a uid and electrolyte imbalance
Monitor and maintain arterial lines
Manage the care of a client with a pacing device
Manage the care of a client on telemetry
Manage the care of a client receiving hemodialysis or continuous renal
replacement therapy
Manage the care of a client with alteration in hemodynamics, tissue perfusion,
and hemostasis
Educate client regarding an acute or chronic condition
Manage the care of a client with impaired ventilation/oxygenation
Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan for a client with an acute or
chronic diagnosis
Perform emergency care procedures
Identify pathophysiology related to an acute or chronic condition
Recognize signs and symptoms of client complications and intervene
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
50
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
50
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Related content includes but is not limited to:
Alterations in Body Systems
Assess adaptation of a client to health alteration, illness and/or disease
Assess tube drainage during the time client has an alteration in body systems (e.g., amount, color)
Assess client for signs and symptoms of adverse effects of radiation therapy
Identify signs of potential prenatal complications
Identify signs, symptoms and incubation periods of infectious diseases
Apply knowledge of nursing procedures, pathophysiology and psychomotor skills when caring for
a client with an alteration in body systems
Educate client about managing health problems (e.g., chronic illness)
Assist with invasive procedures (e.g., central line, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy)*
Implement and monitor phototherapy*
Implement interventions to address side/adverse effects of radiation therapy (e.g., dietary
modications, avoid sunlight)
Maintain optimal temperature of client*
Monitor and care for clients on a ventilator*
Monitor wounds for signs and symptoms of infection
Monitor and maintain devices and equipment used for drainage (e.g., surgical wound drains,
chest tube suction, negative pressure wound therapy)*
Perform and manage care of client receiving peritoneal dialysis*
Perform suctioning*
Perform wound care and dressing change*
Promote client progress toward recovery from an alteration in body systems
Provide ostomy care and education (e.g., tracheal, enteral)*
Provide care to client who has experienced a seizure
Provide care to client with an infectious disease
Provide pulmonary hygiene (e.g., chest physiotherapy, incentive spirometry)*
Provide care for client experiencing complications of pregnancy/labor and/or delivery (e.g., eclampsia,
precipitous labor, hemorrhage)
Provide care for client experiencing increased intracranial pressure
Provide postoperative care*
Remove sutures or staples
Evaluate client response to surgery
Evaluate achievement of client treatment goals
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
51
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
51
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Evaluate client response to treatment for an infectious disease (e.g., acquired immune deciency
syndrome [AIDS], tuberculosis [TB])
Evaluate and monitor client response to radiation therapy
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances
Identify signs and symptoms of client uid and/or electrolyte imbalance
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology when caring for the client with uid and electrolyte imbalances
Manage the care of the client with a uid and electrolyte imbalance*
Evaluate client’s response to interventions to correct uid or electrolyte imbalance
Hemodynamics
Assess client for decreased cardiac output (e.g., diminished peripheral pulses, hypotension)
Identify cardiac rhythm strip abnormalities (e.g., sinus bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions,
ventricular tachycardia, atrial brillation, ventricular brillation)
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology to interventions in response to client abnormal hemodynamics
Provide client with strategies to manage decreased cardiac output (e.g., frequent rest periods,
limit activities)
Intervene to improve client cardiovascular status (e.g., initiate protocol to manage cardiac arrhythmias,
monitor pacemaker functions)
Monitor and maintain arterial lines*
Manage the care of a client with a pacing device*
Manage the care of a client on telemetry*
Manage the care of a client receiving hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy*
Manage the care of a client with alteration in hemodynamics, tissue perfusion, and hemostasis*
Illness Management
Identify client data that needs to be reported immediately
Apply knowledge of client pathophysiology to illness management
Educate client regarding an acute or chronic condition*
Educate client about managing illness
Implement interventions to manage client’s recovery from an illness
Perform gastric lavage
Promote and provide continuity of care in illness management activities
Manage the care of a client with impaired ventilation/oxygenation*
Evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plan for a client with an acute or chronic diagnosis*
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
52
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
52
*Activity statement used in the 2021 RN practice analysis
Medical Emergencies
Apply knowledge of pathophysiology when caring for a client experiencing a medical emergency
Apply knowledge of nursing procedures and psychomotor skills when caring for a client experiencing
a medical emergency
Explain emergency interventions to a client
Notify primary health care provider about unexpected client response/emergency situation
Perform emergency care procedures*
Provide emergency care for wound disruption (e.g., dehiscence)
Evaluate and document client’s response to emergency interventions (e.g., restoration of
breathing, pulse)
Pathophysiology
Identify pathophysiology related to an acute or chronic condition*
Understand general principles of pathophysiology (e.g., injury and repair, immunity, cellular structure)
Unexpected Response to Therapies
Assess client for unexpected adverse response to therapy (e.g., increased intracranial pressure,
hemorrhage)
Recognize signs and symptoms of client complications and intervene*
Promote recovery of a client from unexpected response to therapy (e.g., urinary tract infection)
The nurse is assessing a client with viral meningitis. Which of the
following ndings would the nurse expect to observe? Select all that
apply.
1. nausea (key)
2. vomiting (key)
3. piloerection
4. bradycardia
5. photophobia (key)
Sample Item
Visit NCLEX.com for additional resources and sample items, including sample clinical judgment case studies
and stand-alone items.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
53
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Appendix B
Item Writing Tips
The following tips are designed to provide nurse educators with information on writing NCLEX-style items.
Refer to NCLEX.com for answers to frequently asked questions and for additional information on item formats
and sample items.
NCSBN has created a repository of resources related to Next Generation NCLEX development. For
information on developing clinical judgment items, be sure to access NCSBN.org for newsletters and articles,
particularly the newsletters on the NGN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model and Action Model, the NGN
Case Study and Stand-alone Items.
Steps to Item Writing
A well-designed item or case study consists of four main components: client data (clinical scenario/exhibits
such as vital signs), a stem (asks a question or poses a statement that requires completion), key(s) (the correct
answer/s) and distractors (incorrect options). The following steps are provided to assist in creating a well-
designed item or case study.
Step 1. Select a nursing concept for focus of the item or case study
(test plan category or integrated process).
Step 2. Use the concept to build the client data (clinical scenario/exhibits) and stem.
Step 3. Write a key or keys to represent important information the entry-level nurse should know.
Step 4. Identify common errors, misconceptions or irrelevant information.
Step 5. Use the previous information and write the distractors.
Step 6. Complete the item using the client data (clinical scenario/exhibits),
stem, key(s) and distractors.
Step 7. Write a rationale supporting the keys and distractors.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN) | 2023
54
2023 NCLEX-RN® Test Plan
Appendix C
References
American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on
Measurement in Education. (2014). Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Washington, D.C:
AERA
Anderson, L.W., Krathwohl, D.R. (eds). (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching and assessing. A revision of
Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Inc.
Bloom, B.S., Engelhart, M.D., Furst, E.J., Hill, W.H., & Krathwohl, D.R. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives:
The classication of educational goals. Handbook I. Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2021). NCSBN Model Act. Chicago: Author.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2022). 2021 RN Practice Analysis: Linking the NCLEX-RN®
Examination to Practice. Chicago: Author.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2022). NCSBN NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin.
Chicago: Author.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (2022). Report of Findings from the 2021 RN Nursing
Knowledge Survey. Chicago: Author.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900, Chicago, IL 60601-4277
312.525.3600 | www.ncsbn.org
