Accuplacer Reading 2026 Exam

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Sample questions from Accuplacer Reading 2026 Exam

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.At change of shift on a medical-surgical unit, the charge nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

   • A.A 73-year-old client with pneumonia whose temperature is 38.2 C and who is waiting for an antipyretic
   • B.A 68-year-old client with heart failure who gained 1 kg overnight and has bilateral ankle edema
   • C.A 54-year-old client 2 hours after thyroidectomy who reports increasing throat pressure and has new inspiratory stridor
   • D.A 42-year-old client with diabetes whose premeal glucose is 248 mg/dL and who is due for insulin

   Rationale: New stridor and increasing throat pressure after thyroid surgery may indicate airway obstruction from a hematoma, so immediate assessment and intervention are needed. The heart failure findings require follow-up but do not indicate an immediate airway threat. The fever and elevated glucose also need care, but neither takes priority over a potentially obstructed airway.

2. 2.During a home health visit, a 79-year-old client with Parkinson disease has a blood pressure of 128/72 mm Hg while seated and 94/58 mm Hg after standing for 1 minute, with dizziness. The client takes carbidopa-levodopa and lisinopril. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Teach the client to stand slowly and pause before walking
   • B.Ask the client to sit or lie down and assess for injury and symptoms
   • C.Arrange for the client's family to administer medications at bedtime
   • D.Recommend that the client omit the next lisinopril dose

   Rationale: The symptomatic blood pressure decrease creates an immediate fall risk, so the nurse should first help the client to a safe position and assess for injury or worsening symptoms. Teaching slow position changes is appropriate after immediate safety is addressed. The nurse should not independently change the lisinopril schedule or dose, and bedtime administration does not address the current episode.

3. 3.The parent of a 4-year-old admitted with dehydration asks whether the nurse can explain the proposed IV procedure before the parent signs the consent form. The child is alert, has dry mucous membranes, and has a heart rate of 126/min. Which response is best?

   • A.Ask the provider performing the procedure to discuss its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives with the parent
   • B.Ask the parent to sign now because treatment is urgent and explain the details afterward
   • C.Explain the procedure, its risks, and alternatives, then ask the parent to sign
   • D.Have another nurse witness the parent's signature and answer questions about the procedure

   Rationale: The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining its nature, risks, benefits, and alternatives so the parent can make an informed decision. The nurse may reinforce information and witness a signature but should not substitute for the provider's informed-consent discussion. The child's dehydration requires timely care, but the provided cues do not show an emergency that justifies bypassing informed consent.

4. 4.Refer to the client's chart. Which actions should the nurse take now to coordinate safe care for the client? Select all that apply.

   • A.Place the client on continuous cardiac monitoring
   • B.Notify the provider promptly and report the potassium result and ECG changes
   • C.Ask the nursing assistant to repeat the blood pressure in 30 minutes before notifying anyone
   • D.Administer the next scheduled dose of lisinopril before addressing the potassium result
   • E.Initiate the rapid response process according to facility policy

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.In a long-term care facility, an RN is assigning care for a 48-year-old resident who is 1 day after a stable hip replacement. The resident needs assistance with bathing and ambulation, has an intact surgical dressing, and reports pain of 3/10. Which task is appropriate to delegate to an experienced nursing assistant?

   • A.Assess the resident's pain before the next analgesic dose
   • B.Evaluate the surgical dressing for signs of infection
   • C.Teach the resident how to use the incentive spirometer
   • D.Assist the resident to ambulate with a walker after the RN verifies the prescribed mobility plan

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.