E XAM
NCLEXPN
2026
200 multiple-choice questions with answers and detailed
rationales covering all client needs categories for practical
nursing licensure exam preparation.
CONTENT
Coordinated Care, Safe & Effective Care, Health
Promotion, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological
Integrity
2 0 0 Q U E S T I O N S WI T H R AT I O N A L E S
,NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 200 Questions with Rationales
Question 1
Which of the following is the most important action to prevent the spread of
infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Hand hygiene
B. Wearing gloves at all times
C. Placing patients in private rooms
D. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-
associated infections (HAIs) and is the first standard precaution per the CDC.
Wearing gloves at all times is unnecessary and does not replace hand hygiene.
Private rooms and prophylactic antibiotics are not primary infection prevention
strategies and carry their own risks.
Question 2
A patient is ordered to receive 500 mg of amoxicillin orally. The available
medication is 250 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse divides the prescribed dose (500 mg) by the dose per capsule
(250 mg) to determine that 2 capsules are needed. One capsule would provide only
250 mg, which is an insufficient dose. Three or four capsules would result in an
overdose of 750 mg or 1000 mg respectively.
Question 3
Which vital sign should the nurse report immediately to the charge nurse?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B. Heartrate 88 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate 8 breaths per minute
NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 Page 1
,NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 200 Questions with Rationales
D. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute is below the normal adult
range of 12-20 breaths per minute and indicates possible respiratory depression,
which is a medical emergency. The blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature
listed are all within normal limits and do not require immediate notification.
Question 4
What is the correct position for a patient during a rectal temperature measurement?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. Fowler’s position
C. Sims (left lateral) position
NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 Page 2
, NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 200 Questions with Rationales
D. Prone position
Answer: C
Rationale: The Sims (left lateral) position exposes the rectal area and allows for
safe and comfortable insertion of the thermometer. Supine and prone positions do
not adequately expose the rectum. Fowler’s position is used for feeding, breathing,
and head-related assessments, not rectal procedures.
Question 5
Which stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development is a 3-year-old child typically
in?
A. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
B. Trust vs. mistrust
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: According to Erikson, children ages 1-3 years are in the autonomy vs.
shame and doubt stage, where they develop independence and self-control. Trust
vs. mistrust applies to infancy (0-1 year), initiative vs. guilt to preschool (3-6
years), and industry vs. inferiority to school age (6-12 years).
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which needle gauge
and length is most appropriate?
A. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
B. 18 gauge, 1.5 inches
C. 22 gauge, 3 inches
D. 14 gauge, 2 inches
Answer: A
Rationale: A 25 gauge, 5/8 inch needle is the standard for subcutaneous injections,
allowing medication to be delivered into the fatty tissue just below the skin. An 18
gauge is used for intravenous access, and longer needles (1.5-3 inches) are used
for intramuscular injections. A 14 gauge is inappropriate for routine injections.
NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 Page 3
NCLEXPN
2026
200 multiple-choice questions with answers and detailed
rationales covering all client needs categories for practical
nursing licensure exam preparation.
CONTENT
Coordinated Care, Safe & Effective Care, Health
Promotion, Psychosocial Integrity, Physiological
Integrity
2 0 0 Q U E S T I O N S WI T H R AT I O N A L E S
,NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 200 Questions with Rationales
Question 1
Which of the following is the most important action to prevent the spread of
infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Hand hygiene
B. Wearing gloves at all times
C. Placing patients in private rooms
D. Administering prophylactic antibiotics
Answer: A
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent healthcare-
associated infections (HAIs) and is the first standard precaution per the CDC.
Wearing gloves at all times is unnecessary and does not replace hand hygiene.
Private rooms and prophylactic antibiotics are not primary infection prevention
strategies and carry their own risks.
Question 2
A patient is ordered to receive 500 mg of amoxicillin orally. The available
medication is 250 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse divides the prescribed dose (500 mg) by the dose per capsule
(250 mg) to determine that 2 capsules are needed. One capsule would provide only
250 mg, which is an insufficient dose. Three or four capsules would result in an
overdose of 750 mg or 1000 mg respectively.
Question 3
Which vital sign should the nurse report immediately to the charge nurse?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B. Heartrate 88 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate 8 breaths per minute
NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 Page 1
,NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 200 Questions with Rationales
D. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
Answer: C
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute is below the normal adult
range of 12-20 breaths per minute and indicates possible respiratory depression,
which is a medical emergency. The blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature
listed are all within normal limits and do not require immediate notification.
Question 4
What is the correct position for a patient during a rectal temperature measurement?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. Fowler’s position
C. Sims (left lateral) position
NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 Page 2
, NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 200 Questions with Rationales
D. Prone position
Answer: C
Rationale: The Sims (left lateral) position exposes the rectal area and allows for
safe and comfortable insertion of the thermometer. Supine and prone positions do
not adequately expose the rectum. Fowler’s position is used for feeding, breathing,
and head-related assessments, not rectal procedures.
Question 5
Which stage of Erikson’s psychosocial development is a 3-year-old child typically
in?
A. Autonomy vs. shame and doubt
B. Trust vs. mistrust
C. Initiative vs. guilt
D. Industry vs. inferiority
Answer: A
Rationale: According to Erikson, children ages 1-3 years are in the autonomy vs.
shame and doubt stage, where they develop independence and self-control. Trust
vs. mistrust applies to infancy (0-1 year), initiative vs. guilt to preschool (3-6
years), and industry vs. inferiority to school age (6-12 years).
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which needle gauge
and length is most appropriate?
A. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
B. 18 gauge, 1.5 inches
C. 22 gauge, 3 inches
D. 14 gauge, 2 inches
Answer: A
Rationale: A 25 gauge, 5/8 inch needle is the standard for subcutaneous injections,
allowing medication to be delivered into the fatty tissue just below the skin. An 18
gauge is used for intravenous access, and longer needles (1.5-3 inches) are used
for intramuscular injections. A 14 gauge is inappropriate for routine injections.
NCLEX PN Practice Exam 2026 Page 3
