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NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions: How to Approach Them

NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions: How to Approach Them


NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions How to Approach Them

More than just knowing and memorizing knowledge is required to pass the NCLEX; you have to think like a nurse. For this reason, some of the most challenging yet important questions on the NCLEX are critical thinking questions. These questions assess your ability to analyze clinical scenarios, prioritize care, and make safe, evidence-based decisions.

This tutorial will explain ways of approaching NCLEX critical thinking questions, take a closer look at how they relate to prioritizing techniques, and demonstrate how practice tests, in particular the Rhenis Nursing Q-bank, can build confidence and sharpen your clinical judgment.


🔍 What Are NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions?


The NCLEX's critical thinking questions go beyond simple memorization. They are designed to simulate real nursing scenarios, and ask you to:

  1. Analyze patient data
  2.  Prioritize nursing interventions
  3. Use the nursing process
  4. Make morally sound decisions.

 Even though these questions frequently include plausible distractions, there is only one response that meets nursing standards and ensures patient safety.


How to Approach NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions

Here is a step-by-step solution to these questions for better confidence:

1. Consider the query step by step


Look for the words priority, first, best, or most appropriate. These signal that critical thinking is required.

2. Clearly identify the main problem.

Does the patient show signs of instability? Is there a safety concern? Focus on the most important clinical need.

3. Rephrase the question 

Put it in your own words. This helps reduce ambiguity and makes the question clearer.

4. Utilize the Nursing Process 

Use ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation. Assessment usually precedes action when the question asks what should be done first.

5. Utilize Maslow's Hierarchy

Psychosocial issues are subordinated to physiological needs: airway, respiration, circulation.



6. Establish priorities Using ABCs

Always remember to think of breathing, circulation, and airway. These are the priorities during acute care.

7. Eliminate High-Risk Options 

Answers that are outside the scope of practice, delay care, or pose risks should be eliminated. 8. Put yourself in the nurse's shoes. What is safest, you ask? What works best? What is in line with nursing standards?



NCLEX Prioritization Questions: A Critical Thinking Subset


One specific type of critical thinking question is a prioritization question. They may ask you to prioritize work for your shift, decide which patient you will assess first, or identify the most important intervention.

Examples include:

Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?

The most important nursing intervention is

"What can be assigned to the UAP?"

In order to succeed, you need to incorporate:

Clinical judgment: Who is most vulnerable?

What are the delegation principles that are suitable for RN, LPN, and UAP? Time sensitivity: What can wait and what can't? Expert tip: Base decisions on frameworks like acute versus chronic, stable versus unstable, and expected versus unexpected.



 Practice Makes Perfect: Why NCLEX Practice Exams Matter

Like any talent, critical thinking improves with practice. NCLEX practice examinations can help with that.

Advantages of practice exams are that they simulate actual examination conditions.

Improve test-taking endurance and pinpoint knowledge gaps

Enhance your clinical thinking




But not all practice questions are created equal. You need a Q-bank that mirrors the complexity and nuance of the real NCLEX.

The Reasons Rhenis Nursing Q-bank Is Revolutionary 

The goal of the Rhenis Nursing Q-bank is the development of critical thinking and prioritization skills. It is a strategic learning tool and not just simple question lists.



 Key Features:


Scenarios for questions based on real NCLEX challenges

Adequate explanations for both correct and incorrect choices

Prioritization exercises to enhance decision-making

Adaptive education that focuses on your areas of weakness.

Personalized tests designed to prepare for GED, TEAS, HESI A2, and NCLEX

Whether you're struggling with clinical judgment, delegation, or triage, the Rhenis Nursing Q-bank lets you think like a nurse, not just test like one. "I passed with 75 questions after doing the Rhenis Q-bank every day for two weeks leading up to my NCLEX. The priority questions were great! —2025 Nursing Graduate



Sample NCLEX Critical Thinking Question Breakdown


Let's look at one illustration: Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who is restless and has pneumonia, with an oxygen saturation of 89%. The nurse's first action would be to

 Choices include

 A. notifying the provider 

B. administering a bronchodilator

C. reassessing oxygen saturation

D. elevating the head of the bed.

 Analyses: Oxygenation (Maslow: physiological need) is the issue. ABCs: Breathing becomes labored

 Therefore, elevating the head of the bed promotes lung expansion and oxygenation and is the safest initial step. D is the right answer. Elevate the head of the bed Rationale: This rapid, non-invasive method can improve oxygenation while further assessments or interventions are being planned.



Final Tips for Success

Practice daily; the regularity brings confidence.

Employ questions of several formats, including SATA, delegation, and priority.

Consider the justifications in detail; note each response.

Stay calm and focused; clarity begets critical thinking.




Take the Next Step with Rhenis Nursing

Don't just study for the NCLEX-pass it with a plan. The Rhenis Nursing Q-bank is your one-stop resource for developing clinical judgment, prioritization, and critical thinking skills.

Begin to cultivate a secure, confident nurse mindset by accessing the Rhenis Nursing Q-bank today.


NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions: How to Approach Them

NCLEX Critical Thinking Questions: How to Approach Them

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Published on Jan 28, 2026 Updated on Feb 03, 2026 17:50 Valid until Nov 20, 2026
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