Unfolding Case Studies
Realistic client stories that unfold part by part — recognize the cues, take action, then evaluate the outcome. Read the story here, then practice the full case in the quiz.
Heart Failure Exacerbation
A 72-year-old client with chronic heart failure presents to the emergency department.
Read the full storyCardiovascularAcute Heart Attack (STEMI)
A 58-year-old client reports crushing chest pain radiating to the left jaw.
Read the full storyCritical CarePostoperative Sepsis
A 58-year-old postoperative client develops fever and confusion on the medical-surgical unit.
Read the full storyCritical CareHemorrhagic Shock After a Crash
A 27-year-old client arrives after a motor vehicle crash with abdominal pain.
Read the full storyEndocrine & MetabolicDiabetic Ketoacidosis
A 19-year-old client with type 1 diabetes arrives with nausea, vomiting and rapid breathing.
Read the full storyEndocrine & MetabolicInsulin Hypoglycemia
A 55-year-old client on insulin becomes diaphoretic and confused before lunch.
Read the full storyGastrointestinal & RenalHyperkalemia in Kidney Disease
A 63-year-old client with chronic kidney disease misses dialysis and reports weakness.
Read the full storyGastrointestinal & RenalUpper GI Bleed
A 61-year-old client vomits bright red blood after weeks of taking ibuprofen.
Read the full storyHealth AssessmentSudden Confusion in an Older Adult
An 82-year-old client in a long-term care facility becomes confused overnight.
Read the full storyMaternal & NewbornPostpartum Hemorrhage
A client 30 minutes after a vaginal birth has heavy vaginal bleeding.
Read the full storyMaternal & NewbornSevere Preeclampsia
A 29-year-old client at 36 weeks gestation reports headache and blurred vision.
Read the full storyMental HealthSuicide Risk Assessment
A 34-year-old client is brought to the crisis unit after expressing thoughts of self-harm.
Read the full storyMental HealthAlcohol Withdrawal
A 48-year-old client admitted for surgery becomes tremulous and agitated on day two.
Read the full storyNeurologicalAcute Stroke
A 68-year-old client is brought in after sudden facial droop and slurred speech.
Read the full storyNeurologicalRising Intracranial Pressure
A 22-year-old client is admitted after a fall with a head injury.
Read the full storyPediatricsInfant Bronchiolitis
An 8-month-old infant is brought to the emergency department with respiratory distress.
Read the full storyPediatricsChild Dehydration
A 3-year-old child is brought in after two days of vomiting and diarrhea.
Read the full storyPharmacologyWarfarin Bleeding
A 70-year-old client on warfarin reports dark stools and new bruising.
Read the full storyRespiratorySevere Asthma Attack
A 24-year-old client with asthma arrives at the clinic with worsening wheezing.
Read the full storyRespiratoryCOPD Exacerbation
A 66-year-old client with COPD reports increasing shortness of breath and thicker sputum.
Read the full storySafety & InfectionTuberculosis Precautions
A 45-year-old client is admitted with a chronic cough and night sweats.
Read the full story21 case studies across all 12 NCLEX categories — every one is a three-part clinical judgment story.