California RN Jurisprudence Exam —
Code: CA-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1.
A California RN is asked to perform a procedure that is not specifically listed in the
Nursing Practice Act but is consistent with the RN's education, demonstrated
competency, and accepted standards of nursing practice. What is the most
appropriate consideration?
A. The procedure is prohibited unless specifically named in the Nursing Practice
Act.
B. The RN may perform it if it falls within the RN's lawful scope and applicable
institutional requirements.
C. The RN may perform it only if another RN has performed it previously.
D. The RN may perform it only after receiving a physician's written prescription.
,Answer: The RN may perform it if it falls within the RN's lawful scope and
applicable institutional requirements.
Rationale: California's scope of practice is not limited to an exhaustive list of
procedures. The RN must remain within statutory scope, competence, applicable
standards, and employer requirements.
2.
Which California statute primarily establishes the RN scope of practice?
A. Business and Professions Code §2750
B. Business and Professions Code §2725
C. Business and Professions Code §2837
D. Health and Safety Code §11165
Answer: Business and Professions Code §2725
Rationale: BPC §2725 describes registered nursing practice, including direct and
indirect patient care and other nursing functions.
3.
An RN receives an order that appears medically inappropriate and potentially
dangerous. What is the RN's best legal and professional response?
A. Carry out the order because the prescriber assumes all responsibility.
B. Refuse all future orders from the prescriber.
C. Clarify the order and use the chain of command if the safety concern remains
unresolved.
D. Alter the order to make it clinically appropriate.
Answer: Clarify the order and use the chain of command if the safety concern
remains unresolved.
,Rationale: An RN has an independent duty to protect the patient from
foreseeable harm. Questionable orders should be clarified, documented, and
escalated when necessary.
4.
Which activity most clearly represents an RN's independent nursing judgment?
A. Diagnosing a disease requiring medical treatment
B. Determining nursing interventions based on assessment findings
C. Prescribing a Schedule II medication independently
D. Performing surgery
Answer: Determining nursing interventions based on assessment findings
Rationale: Nursing assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and
nursing judgment are central components of RN practice.
5.
A nurse is asked to delegate a task to an unlicensed assistive person. Which factor
is most important before delegation?
A. Whether the task is convenient for the RN
B. Whether the UAP has worked at the facility for six months
C. Whether the task is legally delegable and the individual is competent to
perform it
D. Whether the patient verbally agrees
Answer: Whether the task is legally delegable and the individual is competent to
perform it
, Rationale: Delegation requires consideration of the nature of the task, patient
condition, applicable law and policy, competency, supervision, and
accountability.
6.
A stable patient requires routine vital signs. The RN delegates the task to a trained
UAP. The patient's condition then changes significantly. What should occur?
A. The UAP independently determines the treatment plan.
B. The UAP continues routine care without notifying anyone.
C. The RN reassesses the patient and determines appropriate nursing action.
D. The UAP contacts the patient's family and obtains treatment consent.
Answer: The RN reassesses the patient and determines appropriate nursing
action.
Rationale: Delegation of a task does not transfer the RN's responsibility for
nursing assessment and clinical judgment. A change in condition requires RN
assessment.
7.
Which statement about California standardized procedures is most accurate?
A. They are identical to physician standing orders.
B. They may establish protocols that authorize specified nursing functions within
legally permitted parameters.
C. They allow an RN to practice medicine independently.
D. They eliminate the need for RN competency.
Answer: They may establish protocols that authorize specified nursing functions
within legally permitted parameters.
Code: CA-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1.
A California RN is asked to perform a procedure that is not specifically listed in the
Nursing Practice Act but is consistent with the RN's education, demonstrated
competency, and accepted standards of nursing practice. What is the most
appropriate consideration?
A. The procedure is prohibited unless specifically named in the Nursing Practice
Act.
B. The RN may perform it if it falls within the RN's lawful scope and applicable
institutional requirements.
C. The RN may perform it only if another RN has performed it previously.
D. The RN may perform it only after receiving a physician's written prescription.
,Answer: The RN may perform it if it falls within the RN's lawful scope and
applicable institutional requirements.
Rationale: California's scope of practice is not limited to an exhaustive list of
procedures. The RN must remain within statutory scope, competence, applicable
standards, and employer requirements.
2.
Which California statute primarily establishes the RN scope of practice?
A. Business and Professions Code §2750
B. Business and Professions Code §2725
C. Business and Professions Code §2837
D. Health and Safety Code §11165
Answer: Business and Professions Code §2725
Rationale: BPC §2725 describes registered nursing practice, including direct and
indirect patient care and other nursing functions.
3.
An RN receives an order that appears medically inappropriate and potentially
dangerous. What is the RN's best legal and professional response?
A. Carry out the order because the prescriber assumes all responsibility.
B. Refuse all future orders from the prescriber.
C. Clarify the order and use the chain of command if the safety concern remains
unresolved.
D. Alter the order to make it clinically appropriate.
Answer: Clarify the order and use the chain of command if the safety concern
remains unresolved.
,Rationale: An RN has an independent duty to protect the patient from
foreseeable harm. Questionable orders should be clarified, documented, and
escalated when necessary.
4.
Which activity most clearly represents an RN's independent nursing judgment?
A. Diagnosing a disease requiring medical treatment
B. Determining nursing interventions based on assessment findings
C. Prescribing a Schedule II medication independently
D. Performing surgery
Answer: Determining nursing interventions based on assessment findings
Rationale: Nursing assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and
nursing judgment are central components of RN practice.
5.
A nurse is asked to delegate a task to an unlicensed assistive person. Which factor
is most important before delegation?
A. Whether the task is convenient for the RN
B. Whether the UAP has worked at the facility for six months
C. Whether the task is legally delegable and the individual is competent to
perform it
D. Whether the patient verbally agrees
Answer: Whether the task is legally delegable and the individual is competent to
perform it
, Rationale: Delegation requires consideration of the nature of the task, patient
condition, applicable law and policy, competency, supervision, and
accountability.
6.
A stable patient requires routine vital signs. The RN delegates the task to a trained
UAP. The patient's condition then changes significantly. What should occur?
A. The UAP independently determines the treatment plan.
B. The UAP continues routine care without notifying anyone.
C. The RN reassesses the patient and determines appropriate nursing action.
D. The UAP contacts the patient's family and obtains treatment consent.
Answer: The RN reassesses the patient and determines appropriate nursing
action.
Rationale: Delegation of a task does not transfer the RN's responsibility for
nursing assessment and clinical judgment. A change in condition requires RN
assessment.
7.
Which statement about California standardized procedures is most accurate?
A. They are identical to physician standing orders.
B. They may establish protocols that authorize specified nursing functions within
legally permitted parameters.
C. They allow an RN to practice medicine independently.
D. They eliminate the need for RN competency.
Answer: They may establish protocols that authorize specified nursing functions
within legally permitted parameters.
