A student nurse after she learned that she missed “easy” questions on her practice exam.

You think it’s the cardiac meds. Or the complex case studies. But for a surprising number of students, it’s the easy questions that lead to failing the NCLEX.

The ones you assume you’ve mastered.
The ones you brush past.
The ones that seem too “basic” to matter.

But those are the questions the NCLEX is quietly testing you on—and they’re harder than they look.

Let’s break down the top 3 fundamentals that are still tripping up smart, prepared students—and show you how to finally make them stick.

Let’s dive in!

Why “Basic” Doesn’t Mean “Easy”

There’s this quiet belief in NCLEX prep that once you’ve “moved on” to cardiac meds and crisis scenarios, you’ve evolved. But the NCLEX doesn’t care about complexity—it cares about safety and clinical reasoning. And those often start with the simplest questions.

The identity shift:
If you’re tempted to skip the basics, it’s probably because you’ve grown. You’re smarter. You’re deeper in your studies.
But now, you need to circle back—not because you’re behind, but because this time, you’ll see it with new eyes.

The 3 ‘Easy’ NCLEX Topics That Take Students Down

1. Infection Control & PPE Sequences

Gloves. Gown. Mask. Goggles. Or wait—was it goggles before gloves?

You’d be shocked how many fail here. Not because they don’t care—but because they assume they’ve got it.

Look in the mirror:
If you’ve ever said “I already know that,” this section is for you. Because it’s that question that could be your undoing on test day.

Quick tip: Visual mnemonics. Repetition. Verbal recall. Whatever works—don’t leave this to chance.

2. Delegation & Scope of Practice

Another “easy” one… until it isn’t. Especially under pressure.

Can the LPN assess?
Can the CNA take vitals?
Should you delegate to the new grad?

Most students mix up task with judgment. NCLEX loves to test this line.

Tip: Practice “who would I send into the room and why?”—not just what task to assign.

3. ABCs + Maslow in Prioritization

Here’s where good judgment meets test anxiety.
Yes, airway comes first—but what if it’s an anxiety attack vs. a post-op bleed? This is where you practice the patterns, not just memorize the order.

Slow down:
Break down a tricky ABC question that seems obvious, then reveal the trap. Learn to feel the nuance.

A new nurse reviewing and now feeling confident, with basics.

Study Smarter, Not Harder

Revisiting the basics isn’t about starting over—it’s about reinforcing your foundation with strategy.

Try this:

Foundations Friday: Review one basic category each week
Mini whiteboard drills: 5 mins, 5 facts—every day
Cheat sheets: Build your own, don’t just print and forget

The Fall Recommitment Challenge

This October, I’m challenging you to fall back into mastery.

4 weeks. 4 fundamentals. 1 new layer of confidence.

🗓️ Week 1: Infection Control
🗓️ Week 2: Delegation
🗓️ Week 3: ABCs & Prioritization
🗓️ Week 4: Review + Quiz Challenge

Put this in your calendar. Pick your rhythm. And recommit—not because you’re behind, but because you’re ready to see what you missed the first time around.

This Isn’t a Step Backward—It’s a Deeper Step In

The basics aren’t the baby stuff. They’re the blueprint.

And if you want to walk into test day steady, grounded, and sure?
You don’t need more content. You need deeper clarity.

Let’s fall back into that—together.

Here is a cheatsheet to help you with the “Three Easy Topics” we discussed in this blog, and a mini tracker to see how you did.

Click here for your document

💬 Now I’d love to hear from you:
👉 What “easy” or basic topic have you found yourself missing on practice tests?

Share it in the comments—you never know who your words might help.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Share your stories in the comments or reach out—I’d love to hear from you.

What “easy” or basic topic have you found yourself missing on practice tests?
Any NCLEX tips or stories you'd like to share with your fellow new nurses?

💙If you are not on our email list, click the contact link here.

💙Don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram account @nclex_one_on_one_tutoring and share it with your colleagues!

Want Mentorship?

If you’re a new nurse (or an experienced one) who wants help building communication skills, I’m here to support you.

Let’s imagine a nursing culture where we handle conflict with courage, professionalism, and care—not fear or silence.

Let’s build that together.

These ‘Easy’ NCLEX Questions Fail More Students Than You Think

Why “Basic” Doesn’t Mean “Easy”