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North Carolina RN Jurisprudence Exam
— Code: NC-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. Scope of Practice
A North Carolina RN is asked by a physician to independently diagnose a patient's
condition and prescribe a new medical treatment regimen. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. Accept the order because the physician assumes responsibility
B. Accept the order if the hospital policy permits it
C. Decline the activity because independent medical diagnosis and prescribing
are outside the RN scope of practice
D. Perform the activity only after documenting the physician's request
Answer: Decline the activity because independent medical diagnosis and
prescribing are outside the RN scope of practice
,Rationale: North Carolina law defines RN practice to include assessment,
planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching, delegation, supervision, and
collaboration. An RN does not independently make a medical diagnosis or
prescribe a medical treatment regimen merely because a physician requests it.
2. Nursing Assessment
An RN performs a comprehensive assessment and identifies a significant change
in a patient's neurological status. Which action is most consistent with the
statutory definition of RN practice?
A. Wait until the next shift to report the finding
B. Record and report the nursing assessment and initiate appropriate nursing
actions
C. Ask an unlicensed assistant to determine whether the change is clinically
significant
D. Document only the physician's subsequent diagnosis
Answer: Record and report the nursing assessment and initiate appropriate
nursing actions
Rationale: North Carolina's Nursing Practice Act expressly includes assessing
patients, recording and reporting assessment results, and planning, initiating,
delivering, and evaluating appropriate nursing acts within RN practice.
3. Delegation
An RN delegates a routine, repetitive task to a competent unlicensed person. The
task does not require nursing judgment. Which principle applies?
A. The RN is automatically legally responsible for every action of the delegatee
B. Delegation is prohibited to all unlicensed personnel
C. The task may be delegated when it is within the person's competence and the
RN determines that delegation is safe and appropriate
D. Delegation transfers the RN's license to the delegatee
,Answer: The task may be delegated when it is within the person's competence
and the RN determines that delegation is safe and appropriate
Rationale: North Carolina permits delegation of appropriate nursing activities to
qualified personnel. NCBON emphasizes that the nurse must consider the
patient's needs, the individual's competence, education, skills, agency policy,
and the nature of the task.
4. RN Accountability
Which statement best describes an RN's responsibility when assigning or
delegating nursing activities?
A. The RN may delegate any task if sufficiently busy
B. The delegatee becomes licensed for the delegated activity
C. The RN must determine whether the assignment or delegation is appropriate
and whether the individual is competent to perform it
D. Agency policy always overrides the Nursing Practice Act
Answer: The RN must determine whether the assignment or delegation is
appropriate and whether the individual is competent to perform it
Rationale: NCBON states that nurses must determine what activities can safely
be assigned or delegated based on the patient's needs, agency policies,
education, training, and validated competency of the person receiving the
assignment.
5. Physician Instructions
A physician tells an RN, "You can do anything I tell you to do." What is the best
legal interpretation?
A. The physician automatically expands the RN's scope
B. The physician may authorize any procedure
C. The RN must independently remain within the legal scope of RN practice
D. The RN's scope is determined entirely by the physician
, Answer: The RN must independently remain within the legal scope of RN
practice
Rationale: NCBON specifically advises that a physician's direction does not
eliminate the RN's independent obligation to practice within the RN's legal
scope.
6. Maintaining Safe Care
Which activity is specifically included in the statutory components of RN practice?
A. Diagnosing every disease affecting the patient
B. Independently prescribing medications
C. Providing for the maintenance of safe and effective nursing care
D. Issuing medical licenses
Answer: Providing for the maintenance of safe and effective nursing care
Rationale: North Carolina General Statute 90-171.20 includes maintaining safe
and effective nursing care among the components of RN practice.
7. Patient Teaching
Which activity falls within the RN's statutory scope?
A. Prescribing a new drug independently
B. Teaching and counseling patients concerning their nursing care and treatment
regimen
C. Issuing a medical diagnosis without supervision
D. Practicing medicine without a license
Answer: Teaching and counseling patients concerning their nursing care and
treatment regimen
Rationale: Teaching patients and counseling them regarding their care are
recognized components of nursing practice.
8. Nursing Plan
North Carolina RN Jurisprudence Exam
— Code: NC-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. Scope of Practice
A North Carolina RN is asked by a physician to independently diagnose a patient's
condition and prescribe a new medical treatment regimen. Which response is
most appropriate?
A. Accept the order because the physician assumes responsibility
B. Accept the order if the hospital policy permits it
C. Decline the activity because independent medical diagnosis and prescribing
are outside the RN scope of practice
D. Perform the activity only after documenting the physician's request
Answer: Decline the activity because independent medical diagnosis and
prescribing are outside the RN scope of practice
,Rationale: North Carolina law defines RN practice to include assessment,
planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching, delegation, supervision, and
collaboration. An RN does not independently make a medical diagnosis or
prescribe a medical treatment regimen merely because a physician requests it.
2. Nursing Assessment
An RN performs a comprehensive assessment and identifies a significant change
in a patient's neurological status. Which action is most consistent with the
statutory definition of RN practice?
A. Wait until the next shift to report the finding
B. Record and report the nursing assessment and initiate appropriate nursing
actions
C. Ask an unlicensed assistant to determine whether the change is clinically
significant
D. Document only the physician's subsequent diagnosis
Answer: Record and report the nursing assessment and initiate appropriate
nursing actions
Rationale: North Carolina's Nursing Practice Act expressly includes assessing
patients, recording and reporting assessment results, and planning, initiating,
delivering, and evaluating appropriate nursing acts within RN practice.
3. Delegation
An RN delegates a routine, repetitive task to a competent unlicensed person. The
task does not require nursing judgment. Which principle applies?
A. The RN is automatically legally responsible for every action of the delegatee
B. Delegation is prohibited to all unlicensed personnel
C. The task may be delegated when it is within the person's competence and the
RN determines that delegation is safe and appropriate
D. Delegation transfers the RN's license to the delegatee
,Answer: The task may be delegated when it is within the person's competence
and the RN determines that delegation is safe and appropriate
Rationale: North Carolina permits delegation of appropriate nursing activities to
qualified personnel. NCBON emphasizes that the nurse must consider the
patient's needs, the individual's competence, education, skills, agency policy,
and the nature of the task.
4. RN Accountability
Which statement best describes an RN's responsibility when assigning or
delegating nursing activities?
A. The RN may delegate any task if sufficiently busy
B. The delegatee becomes licensed for the delegated activity
C. The RN must determine whether the assignment or delegation is appropriate
and whether the individual is competent to perform it
D. Agency policy always overrides the Nursing Practice Act
Answer: The RN must determine whether the assignment or delegation is
appropriate and whether the individual is competent to perform it
Rationale: NCBON states that nurses must determine what activities can safely
be assigned or delegated based on the patient's needs, agency policies,
education, training, and validated competency of the person receiving the
assignment.
5. Physician Instructions
A physician tells an RN, "You can do anything I tell you to do." What is the best
legal interpretation?
A. The physician automatically expands the RN's scope
B. The physician may authorize any procedure
C. The RN must independently remain within the legal scope of RN practice
D. The RN's scope is determined entirely by the physician
, Answer: The RN must independently remain within the legal scope of RN
practice
Rationale: NCBON specifically advises that a physician's direction does not
eliminate the RN's independent obligation to practice within the RN's legal
scope.
6. Maintaining Safe Care
Which activity is specifically included in the statutory components of RN practice?
A. Diagnosing every disease affecting the patient
B. Independently prescribing medications
C. Providing for the maintenance of safe and effective nursing care
D. Issuing medical licenses
Answer: Providing for the maintenance of safe and effective nursing care
Rationale: North Carolina General Statute 90-171.20 includes maintaining safe
and effective nursing care among the components of RN practice.
7. Patient Teaching
Which activity falls within the RN's statutory scope?
A. Prescribing a new drug independently
B. Teaching and counseling patients concerning their nursing care and treatment
regimen
C. Issuing a medical diagnosis without supervision
D. Practicing medicine without a license
Answer: Teaching and counseling patients concerning their nursing care and
treatment regimen
Rationale: Teaching patients and counseling them regarding their care are
recognized components of nursing practice.
8. Nursing Plan
