North Dakota RN Jurisprudence Exam —
Code: ND-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1.
A North Dakota RN is asked to perform a procedure that is not specifically named
in the Nurse Practice Act. The RN has completed appropriate education, has
demonstrated competence, and the procedure is consistent with professional
standards. Which factor is most important when determining whether the RN
may perform the procedure?
A. Whether another nurse in the facility performs it
B. Whether the procedure is specifically listed by name in statute
C. Whether the activity is within the RN's education, competence, legal scope, and
,applicable standards
D. Whether the physician is willing to accept responsibility
Answer: Whether the activity is within the RN's education, competence, legal
scope, and applicable standards
Rationale: North Dakota's scope-of-practice approach requires consideration of
education, licensure, competence, applicable law and rules, and professional
standards. A procedure does not have to be individually listed in statute to be
considered within nursing practice.
2.
Which statement best describes an RN's accountability in North Dakota?
A. The employer assumes responsibility for all nursing decisions.
B. The RN is accountable for individual nursing actions, judgments, competence,
decisions, and behavior.
C. The physician assumes responsibility whenever an order exists.
D. The charge nurse assumes responsibility for all delegated activities.
Answer: The RN is accountable for individual nursing actions, judgments,
competence, decisions, and behavior.
Rationale: The North Dakota Board of Nursing emphasizes that each licensed
nurse remains responsible and accountable for professional judgments,
individual actions, competence, decisions, and behavior.
3.
An RN realizes that she lacks the competence to safely perform a specialized
procedure. What is the most appropriate action?
,A. Perform it because the procedure is commonly performed by RNs
B. Perform it after watching another nurse once
C. Decline the activity and obtain appropriate education, training, or supervision
D. Ask a UAP to perform it
Answer: Decline the activity and obtain appropriate education, training, or
supervision
Rationale: North Dakota Board guidance explains that competence includes the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment necessary to meet standards. If the
nurse lacks personal competence, the activity is outside that nurse's scope.
4.
Which activity is generally considered part of professional nursing practice under
North Dakota law?
A. Medical diagnosis independent of nursing practice
B. Assessing and diagnosing human responses to actual or potential health
problems
C. Prescribing medications as an RN
D. Dispensing prescription medications as an RN
Answer: Assessing and diagnosing human responses to actual or potential
health problems
Rationale: North Dakota defines nursing to include assessing and diagnosing
human responses, supportive and restorative care, medication administration,
teaching, referral, supervision, delegation, and evaluation. RN prescribing and
dispensing are not included in RN scope.
5.
, An RN is asked by an employer to prescribe a medication for a patient because no
provider is immediately available. Which response is legally appropriate?
A. Prescribe because the RN has extensive experience
B. Prescribe if the medication is noncontrolled
C. Explain that RN licensure does not authorize prescribing
D. Prescribe if the patient signs a waiver
Answer: Explain that RN licensure does not authorize prescribing
Rationale: North Dakota Board guidance specifically states that prescribing is
not within LPN or RN standards or scope. Prescriptive authority is associated
with appropriately authorized APRN practice, not ordinary RN licensure.
6.
Which statement regarding RN delegation is most accurate?
A. Delegation transfers the RN's professional accountability to the delegatee.
B. Delegation eliminates the RN's obligation to supervise.
C. The RN retains professional accountability for the nursing care provided.
D. Any nursing intervention may be delegated if staffing is inadequate.
Answer: The RN retains professional accountability for the nursing care
provided.
Rationale: North Dakota rules require the licensed nurse to retain accountability
for delegation decisions, supervision, outcomes, and nursing care.
7.
Which intervention should generally not be delegated to an unlicensed assistive
person because it requires professional nursing judgment?
Code: ND-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1.
A North Dakota RN is asked to perform a procedure that is not specifically named
in the Nurse Practice Act. The RN has completed appropriate education, has
demonstrated competence, and the procedure is consistent with professional
standards. Which factor is most important when determining whether the RN
may perform the procedure?
A. Whether another nurse in the facility performs it
B. Whether the procedure is specifically listed by name in statute
C. Whether the activity is within the RN's education, competence, legal scope, and
,applicable standards
D. Whether the physician is willing to accept responsibility
Answer: Whether the activity is within the RN's education, competence, legal
scope, and applicable standards
Rationale: North Dakota's scope-of-practice approach requires consideration of
education, licensure, competence, applicable law and rules, and professional
standards. A procedure does not have to be individually listed in statute to be
considered within nursing practice.
2.
Which statement best describes an RN's accountability in North Dakota?
A. The employer assumes responsibility for all nursing decisions.
B. The RN is accountable for individual nursing actions, judgments, competence,
decisions, and behavior.
C. The physician assumes responsibility whenever an order exists.
D. The charge nurse assumes responsibility for all delegated activities.
Answer: The RN is accountable for individual nursing actions, judgments,
competence, decisions, and behavior.
Rationale: The North Dakota Board of Nursing emphasizes that each licensed
nurse remains responsible and accountable for professional judgments,
individual actions, competence, decisions, and behavior.
3.
An RN realizes that she lacks the competence to safely perform a specialized
procedure. What is the most appropriate action?
,A. Perform it because the procedure is commonly performed by RNs
B. Perform it after watching another nurse once
C. Decline the activity and obtain appropriate education, training, or supervision
D. Ask a UAP to perform it
Answer: Decline the activity and obtain appropriate education, training, or
supervision
Rationale: North Dakota Board guidance explains that competence includes the
knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment necessary to meet standards. If the
nurse lacks personal competence, the activity is outside that nurse's scope.
4.
Which activity is generally considered part of professional nursing practice under
North Dakota law?
A. Medical diagnosis independent of nursing practice
B. Assessing and diagnosing human responses to actual or potential health
problems
C. Prescribing medications as an RN
D. Dispensing prescription medications as an RN
Answer: Assessing and diagnosing human responses to actual or potential
health problems
Rationale: North Dakota defines nursing to include assessing and diagnosing
human responses, supportive and restorative care, medication administration,
teaching, referral, supervision, delegation, and evaluation. RN prescribing and
dispensing are not included in RN scope.
5.
, An RN is asked by an employer to prescribe a medication for a patient because no
provider is immediately available. Which response is legally appropriate?
A. Prescribe because the RN has extensive experience
B. Prescribe if the medication is noncontrolled
C. Explain that RN licensure does not authorize prescribing
D. Prescribe if the patient signs a waiver
Answer: Explain that RN licensure does not authorize prescribing
Rationale: North Dakota Board guidance specifically states that prescribing is
not within LPN or RN standards or scope. Prescriptive authority is associated
with appropriately authorized APRN practice, not ordinary RN licensure.
6.
Which statement regarding RN delegation is most accurate?
A. Delegation transfers the RN's professional accountability to the delegatee.
B. Delegation eliminates the RN's obligation to supervise.
C. The RN retains professional accountability for the nursing care provided.
D. Any nursing intervention may be delegated if staffing is inadequate.
Answer: The RN retains professional accountability for the nursing care
provided.
Rationale: North Dakota rules require the licensed nurse to retain accountability
for delegation decisions, supervision, outcomes, and nursing care.
7.
Which intervention should generally not be delegated to an unlicensed assistive
person because it requires professional nursing judgment?
