WGU D455 Professional Role and Transition OA Study Guide | 100 Comprehensive NCLEX-Style
Practice Questions, Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
These are original practice questions designed around professional nursing practice, leadership,
delegation, clinical judgment, and NCLEX-RN preparation. They are not actual WGU
assessment items.
Question 1
A charge nurse is assigning care for four clients. Which client is most appropriate for the
licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
A. A client admitted 30 minutes ago with crushing chest pain
B. A client receiving the first unit of packed red blood cells
C. A stable client requiring a routine sterile dressing change
D. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis receiving an insulin infusion
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A stable client requiring a routine sterile dressing change is appropriate for an
LPN/LVN because the client’s condition is predictable and the procedure is within the practical
nurse’s typical scope of practice. The RN should retain responsibility for unstable clients, initial
assessments, blood transfusion initiation and monitoring, and titration of high-risk intravenous
medications.
Question 2
An RN delegates ambulation of a postoperative client to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which action remains the RN’s responsibility?
A. Explaining how to use the gait belt
B. Determining whether the client is stable enough to ambulate
C. Walking beside the client in the hallway
D. Recording the distance the client ambulated
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The RN must assess the client and determine whether delegation is appropriate. A
UAP may perform routine ambulation, use a gait belt after receiving instruction, and document
observations. Nursing assessment, clinical judgment, care planning, and evaluation cannot be
delegated.
,Question 3
Which task should the RN assign to the UAP?
A. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
B. Assessing pain after administration of an analgesic
C. Obtaining routine vital signs for a stable client
D. Determining whether restraints should be discontinued
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Obtaining routine vital signs from a stable client is a standard, predictable task that
can be delegated to a trained UAP. Teaching, assessment, evaluation, and decisions regarding
restraints require licensed nursing judgment.
Question 4
A UAP reports that a client’s blood pressure is 82/48 mm Hg. What should the RN do first?
A. Ask the UAP to repeat the measurement in one hour
B. Document the finding in the client’s record
C. Assess the client and verify the blood pressure
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The RN should first assess the client and validate the abnormal measurement.
Immediate assessment provides the information needed to determine urgency and guide
interventions. The provider may need to be notified after the RN gathers relevant assessment
findings.
Question 5
Which statement by an RN demonstrates correct understanding of delegation?
A. “Accountability transfers to the UAP when a task is delegated.”
B. “I can delegate the initial assessment if the client is stable.”
C. “I must consider the client, task, circumstances, staff member, and supervision.”
D. “Once I delegate a task, the staff member becomes responsible for evaluating it.”
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Safe delegation incorporates the five rights: right task, right circumstances, right
person, right directions and communication, and right supervision and evaluation. The RN
retains overall accountability. Assessment, nursing judgment, teaching, and evaluation are not
delegated to a UAP.
Question 6
The charge nurse receives reports about four clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A. A client with pneumonia whose temperature is 38.1°C (100.6°F)
B. A postoperative client reporting incisional pain of 7 out of 10
C. A client with asthma who has diminished breath sounds and increasing restlessness
D. A client with heart failure who has bilateral ankle edema
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Diminished breath sounds and increasing restlessness may indicate severe airway
obstruction and impending respiratory failure. Airway and breathing take priority. The other
findings require intervention but do not suggest the same immediate threat.
Question 7
A client four hours after thyroidectomy develops stridor. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Place the client in a supine position
B. Encourage the client to cough forcefully
C. Maintain the airway and summon emergency assistance
D. Check the client’s serum calcium level
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Stridor after thyroidectomy suggests acute airway obstruction, potentially caused by
edema or hematoma. The nurse must immediately support the airway and activate emergency
assistance. Hypocalcemia can occur after thyroid surgery, but airway compromise is the
immediate priority.
Question 8
Which client should the nurse see first at the beginning of the shift?
, A. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease whose oxygen saturation is 90% on
prescribed oxygen
B. A client with diabetes whose premeal blood glucose is 68 mg/dL and who is awake
C. A client with a new tracheostomy who has noisy respirations and visible secretions
D. A client scheduled for discharge who needs medication teaching
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Noisy respirations and visible secretions in a client with a new tracheostomy indicate
possible airway obstruction. Airway problems take priority. The conscious client with mild
hypoglycemia also needs prompt treatment but has no current indication of airway compromise.
Question 9
Which leadership approach is most appropriate during a cardiopulmonary arrest?
A. Laissez-faire leadership
B. Democratic leadership
C. Autocratic leadership
D. Servant leadership
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An autocratic or directive approach is appropriate during an emergency because rapid
decisions, clear instructions, and coordinated actions are required. Democratic participation is
helpful in nonurgent situations but could delay lifesaving interventions during a crisis.
Question 10
A nurse manager asks staff members to participate in revising the unit’s scheduling process.
Which leadership style is the manager demonstrating?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Transactional
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Democratic leadership encourages staff participation, shared decision-making, and
group input. This approach can increase engagement and acceptance of change. Autocratic
Practice Questions, Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
These are original practice questions designed around professional nursing practice, leadership,
delegation, clinical judgment, and NCLEX-RN preparation. They are not actual WGU
assessment items.
Question 1
A charge nurse is assigning care for four clients. Which client is most appropriate for the
licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
A. A client admitted 30 minutes ago with crushing chest pain
B. A client receiving the first unit of packed red blood cells
C. A stable client requiring a routine sterile dressing change
D. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis receiving an insulin infusion
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A stable client requiring a routine sterile dressing change is appropriate for an
LPN/LVN because the client’s condition is predictable and the procedure is within the practical
nurse’s typical scope of practice. The RN should retain responsibility for unstable clients, initial
assessments, blood transfusion initiation and monitoring, and titration of high-risk intravenous
medications.
Question 2
An RN delegates ambulation of a postoperative client to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which action remains the RN’s responsibility?
A. Explaining how to use the gait belt
B. Determining whether the client is stable enough to ambulate
C. Walking beside the client in the hallway
D. Recording the distance the client ambulated
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The RN must assess the client and determine whether delegation is appropriate. A
UAP may perform routine ambulation, use a gait belt after receiving instruction, and document
observations. Nursing assessment, clinical judgment, care planning, and evaluation cannot be
delegated.
,Question 3
Which task should the RN assign to the UAP?
A. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
B. Assessing pain after administration of an analgesic
C. Obtaining routine vital signs for a stable client
D. Determining whether restraints should be discontinued
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Obtaining routine vital signs from a stable client is a standard, predictable task that
can be delegated to a trained UAP. Teaching, assessment, evaluation, and decisions regarding
restraints require licensed nursing judgment.
Question 4
A UAP reports that a client’s blood pressure is 82/48 mm Hg. What should the RN do first?
A. Ask the UAP to repeat the measurement in one hour
B. Document the finding in the client’s record
C. Assess the client and verify the blood pressure
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The RN should first assess the client and validate the abnormal measurement.
Immediate assessment provides the information needed to determine urgency and guide
interventions. The provider may need to be notified after the RN gathers relevant assessment
findings.
Question 5
Which statement by an RN demonstrates correct understanding of delegation?
A. “Accountability transfers to the UAP when a task is delegated.”
B. “I can delegate the initial assessment if the client is stable.”
C. “I must consider the client, task, circumstances, staff member, and supervision.”
D. “Once I delegate a task, the staff member becomes responsible for evaluating it.”
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Safe delegation incorporates the five rights: right task, right circumstances, right
person, right directions and communication, and right supervision and evaluation. The RN
retains overall accountability. Assessment, nursing judgment, teaching, and evaluation are not
delegated to a UAP.
Question 6
The charge nurse receives reports about four clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A. A client with pneumonia whose temperature is 38.1°C (100.6°F)
B. A postoperative client reporting incisional pain of 7 out of 10
C. A client with asthma who has diminished breath sounds and increasing restlessness
D. A client with heart failure who has bilateral ankle edema
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Diminished breath sounds and increasing restlessness may indicate severe airway
obstruction and impending respiratory failure. Airway and breathing take priority. The other
findings require intervention but do not suggest the same immediate threat.
Question 7
A client four hours after thyroidectomy develops stridor. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Place the client in a supine position
B. Encourage the client to cough forcefully
C. Maintain the airway and summon emergency assistance
D. Check the client’s serum calcium level
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Stridor after thyroidectomy suggests acute airway obstruction, potentially caused by
edema or hematoma. The nurse must immediately support the airway and activate emergency
assistance. Hypocalcemia can occur after thyroid surgery, but airway compromise is the
immediate priority.
Question 8
Which client should the nurse see first at the beginning of the shift?
, A. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease whose oxygen saturation is 90% on
prescribed oxygen
B. A client with diabetes whose premeal blood glucose is 68 mg/dL and who is awake
C. A client with a new tracheostomy who has noisy respirations and visible secretions
D. A client scheduled for discharge who needs medication teaching
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Noisy respirations and visible secretions in a client with a new tracheostomy indicate
possible airway obstruction. Airway problems take priority. The conscious client with mild
hypoglycemia also needs prompt treatment but has no current indication of airway compromise.
Question 9
Which leadership approach is most appropriate during a cardiopulmonary arrest?
A. Laissez-faire leadership
B. Democratic leadership
C. Autocratic leadership
D. Servant leadership
Correct answer: C
Rationale: An autocratic or directive approach is appropriate during an emergency because rapid
decisions, clear instructions, and coordinated actions are required. Democratic participation is
helpful in nonurgent situations but could delay lifesaving interventions during a crisis.
Question 10
A nurse manager asks staff members to participate in revising the unit’s scheduling process.
Which leadership style is the manager demonstrating?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Transactional
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Democratic leadership encourages staff participation, shared decision-making, and
group input. This approach can increase engagement and acceptance of change. Autocratic
