NCLEX-PN Practical Nurse Licensure
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is assessing a patient with dehydration. Which finding is most
consistent with dehydration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Increased urine output
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of fluid volume
deficit due to decreased body hydration.
2. A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding requires holding the
medication?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
B. Heart rate 72 bpm
C. Heart rate 58 bpm
D. Heart rate 80 bpm
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60
bpm in adults to prevent toxicity.
3. Which action is the priority when a patient is having a seizure?
A. Restrain the patient
B. Insert a tongue depressor
, C. Protect the patient from injury
D. Give oral fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority during a seizure to prevent
injury.
4. A patient with diabetes shows signs of hypoglycemia. What is the first
action?
A. Give insulin
B. Administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Check blood pressure
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is treated immediately with fast-acting
glucose to prevent complications.
5. Which position is best for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C
Rationale: High Fowler’s position improves lung expansion and
oxygenation.
6. A nurse is teaching infection control. Which is the most effective
method to prevent infection?
A. Sterile gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Antibiotics
D. Isolation gowns
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent
infection transmission.
, 7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle cramps and
tetany?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Low calcium levels increase neuromuscular excitability
causing cramps and tetany.
8. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What
should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Anxiety
D. Atelectasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea after surgery strongly
suggest pulmonary embolism.
9. Which medication is used to treat pain?
A. Furosemide
B. Morphine
C. Metformin
D. Amoxicillin
Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic used for moderate to
severe pain.
10. A patient is receiving oxygen therapy. Which device delivers the
highest oxygen concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: C
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with dehydration. Which finding is most
consistent with dehydration?
A. Bradycardia
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Increased urine output
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of fluid volume
deficit due to decreased body hydration.
2. A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding requires holding the
medication?
A. Heart rate 88 bpm
B. Heart rate 72 bpm
C. Heart rate 58 bpm
D. Heart rate 80 bpm
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60
bpm in adults to prevent toxicity.
3. Which action is the priority when a patient is having a seizure?
A. Restrain the patient
B. Insert a tongue depressor
, C. Protect the patient from injury
D. Give oral fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority during a seizure to prevent
injury.
4. A patient with diabetes shows signs of hypoglycemia. What is the first
action?
A. Give insulin
B. Administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Check blood pressure
D. Encourage exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is treated immediately with fast-acting
glucose to prevent complications.
5. Which position is best for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: C
Rationale: High Fowler’s position improves lung expansion and
oxygenation.
6. A nurse is teaching infection control. Which is the most effective
method to prevent infection?
A. Sterile gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Antibiotics
D. Isolation gowns
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent
infection transmission.
, 7. Which electrolyte imbalance is associated with muscle cramps and
tetany?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Low calcium levels increase neuromuscular excitability
causing cramps and tetany.
8. A postoperative patient reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What
should the nurse suspect first?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Anxiety
D. Atelectasis
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea after surgery strongly
suggest pulmonary embolism.
9. Which medication is used to treat pain?
A. Furosemide
B. Morphine
C. Metformin
D. Amoxicillin
Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic used for moderate to
severe pain.
10. A patient is receiving oxygen therapy. Which device delivers the
highest oxygen concentration?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: C
