NCLEX PN PRACTICE EXAM– QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Basic Care and Comfort
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare the practical
nursing candidate for the NCLEX-PN. It assesses the foundational knowledge and
critical thinking skills essential for entry-level nursing practice. The exam utilizes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to evaluate your ability to make
sound clinical judgments, prioritize patient care, and apply theoretical concepts to
real-world situations. Emphasis is placed on decision-making, ethical
considerations, and the practical application of nursing knowledge to ensure the
delivery of safe and effective patient care. This document serves as a vital tool to
help you gauge your readiness and identify areas for focused study.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
,1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a correct
understanding of the prescribed insulin regimen?
A. "I will rotate my insulin injection sites within the same anatomical region to
ensure consistent absorption."
B. "I should always inject my insulin into the same exact spot to prevent scar
tissue formation."
C. "I will administer my rapid-acting insulin 45 minutes before I eat my meals."
D. "If I am unable to eat, I should still take my full dose of NPH insulin to prevent
hyperglycemia."
🟢 Correct Answer: A. "I will rotate my insulin injection sites within the same
anatomical region to ensure consistent absorption."
🔴 Explanation: Rotating injection sites within the same anatomical region is the
recommended practice to ensure consistent absorption and prevent
lipodystrophy. Option B is incorrect because rotating within a region, not using
the same exact spot, prevents tissue changes. Rapid-acting insulin should be
given 15 minutes before a meal, not 45 minutes (Option C). Option D is incorrect
because administering NPH insulin without food can cause hypoglycemia.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed medication. Which action is
the priority to ensure medication safety?
A. Checking the client's identification using two identifiers.
B. Verifying the medication's expiration date.
C. Performing the six rights of medication administration.
D. Assessing the client's history of allergies.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Performing the six rights of medication administration.
,🔴 Explanation: The six rights (right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and
documentation) are the core principle of safe medication administration and
represent the priority action. While all actions are important components of
safety, the six rights serve as the foundational checklist to prevent errors.
Checking identification (A), expiration (B), and allergies (D) are all part of the
broader six rights process.
3. A client is admitted with dehydration. Which of the following is the most
accurate indicator of fluid balance?
A. Daily weight
B. Skin turgor
C. Intake and output
D. Blood pressure
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Daily weight
🔴 Explanation: Daily weight is the most accurate and reliable indicator of fluid
balance because a change of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) is equivalent to approximately 1 liter of
fluid. Skin turgor (B) and blood pressure (D) can be affected by other factors and
are less precise. Intake and output (C) is valuable but often subject to
measurement errors and inaccuracies.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is post-operative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings is a priority to report to the
healthcare provider?
A. Pain of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 at the surgical site.
B. Moderate serosanguineous drainage on the dressing.
, C. Shortness of breath and chest pain.
D. Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C).
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Shortness of breath and chest pain.
🔴 Explanation: Shortness of breath and chest pain are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication after orthopedic
surgery. These findings are the priority over other expected post-operative
findings. Pain (A), drainage (B), and a low-grade fever (D) are common post-
operative findings but are not as immediately life-threatening.
5. A nurse is providing care for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter.
Which of the following actions is appropriate to prevent a catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A. Empty the drainage bag by disconnecting it from the catheter.
B. Hang the drainage bag below the level of the bladder at all times.
C. Perform perineal care with antibacterial soap twice daily.
D. Irrigate the catheter with sterile normal saline every eight hours.
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Hang the drainage bag below the level of the bladder at all
times.
🔴 Explanation: Keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
prevents the backflow of urine, which is a primary cause of infection.
Disconnecting the bag (A) breaks the closed system and introduces bacteria.
Routine irrigation (D) is not standard practice and also increases infection risk.
Antibacterial soap is not required for routine care; warm water and mild soap are
sufficient (C).
DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST
EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Physiological Integrity
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Basic Care and Comfort
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare the practical
nursing candidate for the NCLEX-PN. It assesses the foundational knowledge and
critical thinking skills essential for entry-level nursing practice. The exam utilizes
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to evaluate your ability to make
sound clinical judgments, prioritize patient care, and apply theoretical concepts to
real-world situations. Emphasis is placed on decision-making, ethical
considerations, and the practical application of nursing knowledge to ensure the
delivery of safe and effective patient care. This document serves as a vital tool to
help you gauge your readiness and identify areas for focused study.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–50
,1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a correct
understanding of the prescribed insulin regimen?
A. "I will rotate my insulin injection sites within the same anatomical region to
ensure consistent absorption."
B. "I should always inject my insulin into the same exact spot to prevent scar
tissue formation."
C. "I will administer my rapid-acting insulin 45 minutes before I eat my meals."
D. "If I am unable to eat, I should still take my full dose of NPH insulin to prevent
hyperglycemia."
🟢 Correct Answer: A. "I will rotate my insulin injection sites within the same
anatomical region to ensure consistent absorption."
🔴 Explanation: Rotating injection sites within the same anatomical region is the
recommended practice to ensure consistent absorption and prevent
lipodystrophy. Option B is incorrect because rotating within a region, not using
the same exact spot, prevents tissue changes. Rapid-acting insulin should be
given 15 minutes before a meal, not 45 minutes (Option C). Option D is incorrect
because administering NPH insulin without food can cause hypoglycemia.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed medication. Which action is
the priority to ensure medication safety?
A. Checking the client's identification using two identifiers.
B. Verifying the medication's expiration date.
C. Performing the six rights of medication administration.
D. Assessing the client's history of allergies.
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Performing the six rights of medication administration.
,🔴 Explanation: The six rights (right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and
documentation) are the core principle of safe medication administration and
represent the priority action. While all actions are important components of
safety, the six rights serve as the foundational checklist to prevent errors.
Checking identification (A), expiration (B), and allergies (D) are all part of the
broader six rights process.
3. A client is admitted with dehydration. Which of the following is the most
accurate indicator of fluid balance?
A. Daily weight
B. Skin turgor
C. Intake and output
D. Blood pressure
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Daily weight
🔴 Explanation: Daily weight is the most accurate and reliable indicator of fluid
balance because a change of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) is equivalent to approximately 1 liter of
fluid. Skin turgor (B) and blood pressure (D) can be affected by other factors and
are less precise. Intake and output (C) is valuable but often subject to
measurement errors and inaccuracies.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who is post-operative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings is a priority to report to the
healthcare provider?
A. Pain of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 at the surgical site.
B. Moderate serosanguineous drainage on the dressing.
, C. Shortness of breath and chest pain.
D. Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C).
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Shortness of breath and chest pain.
🔴 Explanation: Shortness of breath and chest pain are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening complication after orthopedic
surgery. These findings are the priority over other expected post-operative
findings. Pain (A), drainage (B), and a low-grade fever (D) are common post-
operative findings but are not as immediately life-threatening.
5. A nurse is providing care for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter.
Which of the following actions is appropriate to prevent a catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A. Empty the drainage bag by disconnecting it from the catheter.
B. Hang the drainage bag below the level of the bladder at all times.
C. Perform perineal care with antibacterial soap twice daily.
D. Irrigate the catheter with sterile normal saline every eight hours.
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Hang the drainage bag below the level of the bladder at all
times.
🔴 Explanation: Keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
prevents the backflow of urine, which is a primary cause of infection.
Disconnecting the bag (A) breaks the closed system and introduces bacteria.
Routine irrigation (D) is not standard practice and also increases infection risk.
Antibacterial soap is not required for routine care; warm water and mild soap are
sufficient (C).
