PROFESSIONAL LICENSING EXAMINATION
CPNRE EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 Official Exam Style
Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination — Complete Practice Assessment
A+ QUESTIONS 6 SECTIONS 100% RATIONALES
VERIFIED COMPREHENSIVE INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
■ 1. Professional, Ethical and Legal Practice
■ 2. Foundations of Practice — Assessment and Care Planning
■ 3. Foundations of Practice — Medication Administration and Safety
■ 4. Foundations of Practice — Clinical Interventions and Evaluation
■ 5. Collaborative Practice
■ 6. Client Populations Across the Lifespan
Passing Score: 75% | Marks: 1 per question | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
Aligned to public CPNRE Blueprint competency categories (Professional/Ethical/Legal, Foundations of Practice,
Collaborative Practice)
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, SECTION 1: Professional, Ethical and Legal Practice
Q1.
A practical nurse is caring for an older adult client who has mild cognitive impairment. The client's adult child
arrives and demands to see the client's complete medical record, stating "I have a right to know everything." The
client has not designated a substitute decision-maker. The practical nurse's most appropriate first action is to
A. Provide the full chart because family members have automatic access rights.
B. Explain confidentiality obligations and offer to discuss information the client has authorized.
C. Refuse all information and ask the family member to leave the unit.
D. Photocopy selected pages and hand them over without documentation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Confidentiality is a core professional obligation. Without a designated substitute decision-maker or client
authorization, the nurse must protect privacy while remaining collaborative. Offering authorized information maintains the
therapeutic relationship and legal compliance.
Q2.
During a night shift, a practical nurse notices that a colleague has administered a medication to the wrong client.
The colleague asks the practical nurse not to report the incident because "no harm occurred and reporting will
only create trouble." The practical nurse should
A. Agree to remain silent to preserve the working relationship.
B. Document the event and report it according to organizational policy and professional standards.
C. Wait until the end of the shift and then discuss it privately with the charge nurse only.
D. Confront the colleague publicly at the nursing station.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Professional accountability and client safety require timely, accurate reporting of medication incidents
regardless of perceived harm. Failure to report violates standards of practice and places future clients at risk.
Q3.
A practical nurse is assigned to a client who consistently refuses prescribed oral antibiotics. After exploring the
client's concerns and providing education, the client continues to decline the medication. The most ethical next
step is to
A. Crush the tablets and mix them into the client's food without disclosure.
B. Document the refusal, notify the most responsible practitioner, and respect the decision.
C. Threaten to discharge the client if the medication is not taken.
D. Administer the medication intramuscularly without an order.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment. After ensuring informed decision-making, the nurse
documents the refusal, communicates with the team, and continues supportive care. Covert administration violates
autonomy and professional ethics.
CPNRE EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Page 2
, Q4.
A newly graduated practical nurse is asked by a physician to perform a procedure that is outside the legislated
scope of practice for practical nurses in that jurisdiction. The practical nurse should
A. Perform the procedure carefully because the physician has requested it.
B. Decline the request, explain the scope limitation, and seek appropriate guidance.
C. Ask a registered nurse colleague to supervise while performing it.
D. Complete a self-directed learning module and then proceed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Practising within the legislated scope of practice is a fundamental professional and legal requirement. The
nurse must decline and escalate appropriately rather than expand scope unilaterally.
Q5.
While reviewing a client's electronic health record, a practical nurse notices that a previous nurse documented an
assessment that was never performed. The practical nurse's professional responsibility is to
A. Ignore the entry because it was not made by the current nurse.
B. Report the documentation discrepancy according to organizational and regulatory requirements.
C. Edit the previous entry directly to correct it.
D. Discuss the issue only with the previous nurse and take no further action.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falsified or inaccurate documentation compromises client safety and legal integrity of the record. Professional
standards require reporting such discrepancies through proper channels.
Q6.
A practical nurse is asked by a client's family to withhold information about a new diagnosis of advanced cancer
because "it will only upset the client." The client has capacity and has previously expressed a desire to know all
health information. The practical nurse should
A. Agree with the family and withhold the diagnosis.
B. Support open, honest communication consistent with the client's previously expressed wishes and capacity.
C. Ask the physician to speak only to the family.
D. Provide incomplete information to both parties.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respect for autonomy and truth-telling are foundational ethical principles. When a capable client has indicated
a preference for full disclosure, the nurse advocates for transparent communication.
Q7.
A practical nurse receives a telephone order for a high-alert medication. After reading the order back, the nurse
still has uncertainty about the dose. The safest action is to
A. Administer the dose as understood and document the read-back.
B. Clarify the order with the prescriber before administration and document the clarification.
C. Ask a colleague what the usual dose is and proceed.
D. Delay the medication until the next scheduled shift change.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: High-alert medications require zero tolerance for ambiguity. Clarification with the prescriber protects the client
and fulfills professional accountability for safe medication practice.
CPNRE EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Page 3
CPNRE EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 Official Exam Style
Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination — Complete Practice Assessment
A+ QUESTIONS 6 SECTIONS 100% RATIONALES
VERIFIED COMPREHENSIVE INCLUDED
CATEGORIES
■ 1. Professional, Ethical and Legal Practice
■ 2. Foundations of Practice — Assessment and Care Planning
■ 3. Foundations of Practice — Medication Administration and Safety
■ 4. Foundations of Practice — Clinical Interventions and Evaluation
■ 5. Collaborative Practice
■ 6. Client Populations Across the Lifespan
Passing Score: 75% | Marks: 1 per question | Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
Aligned to public CPNRE Blueprint competency categories (Professional/Ethical/Legal, Foundations of Practice,
Collaborative Practice)
STUVIAACTUALEXAM
, SECTION 1: Professional, Ethical and Legal Practice
Q1.
A practical nurse is caring for an older adult client who has mild cognitive impairment. The client's adult child
arrives and demands to see the client's complete medical record, stating "I have a right to know everything." The
client has not designated a substitute decision-maker. The practical nurse's most appropriate first action is to
A. Provide the full chart because family members have automatic access rights.
B. Explain confidentiality obligations and offer to discuss information the client has authorized.
C. Refuse all information and ask the family member to leave the unit.
D. Photocopy selected pages and hand them over without documentation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Confidentiality is a core professional obligation. Without a designated substitute decision-maker or client
authorization, the nurse must protect privacy while remaining collaborative. Offering authorized information maintains the
therapeutic relationship and legal compliance.
Q2.
During a night shift, a practical nurse notices that a colleague has administered a medication to the wrong client.
The colleague asks the practical nurse not to report the incident because "no harm occurred and reporting will
only create trouble." The practical nurse should
A. Agree to remain silent to preserve the working relationship.
B. Document the event and report it according to organizational policy and professional standards.
C. Wait until the end of the shift and then discuss it privately with the charge nurse only.
D. Confront the colleague publicly at the nursing station.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Professional accountability and client safety require timely, accurate reporting of medication incidents
regardless of perceived harm. Failure to report violates standards of practice and places future clients at risk.
Q3.
A practical nurse is assigned to a client who consistently refuses prescribed oral antibiotics. After exploring the
client's concerns and providing education, the client continues to decline the medication. The most ethical next
step is to
A. Crush the tablets and mix them into the client's food without disclosure.
B. Document the refusal, notify the most responsible practitioner, and respect the decision.
C. Threaten to discharge the client if the medication is not taken.
D. Administer the medication intramuscularly without an order.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment. After ensuring informed decision-making, the nurse
documents the refusal, communicates with the team, and continues supportive care. Covert administration violates
autonomy and professional ethics.
CPNRE EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Page 2
, Q4.
A newly graduated practical nurse is asked by a physician to perform a procedure that is outside the legislated
scope of practice for practical nurses in that jurisdiction. The practical nurse should
A. Perform the procedure carefully because the physician has requested it.
B. Decline the request, explain the scope limitation, and seek appropriate guidance.
C. Ask a registered nurse colleague to supervise while performing it.
D. Complete a self-directed learning module and then proceed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Practising within the legislated scope of practice is a fundamental professional and legal requirement. The
nurse must decline and escalate appropriately rather than expand scope unilaterally.
Q5.
While reviewing a client's electronic health record, a practical nurse notices that a previous nurse documented an
assessment that was never performed. The practical nurse's professional responsibility is to
A. Ignore the entry because it was not made by the current nurse.
B. Report the documentation discrepancy according to organizational and regulatory requirements.
C. Edit the previous entry directly to correct it.
D. Discuss the issue only with the previous nurse and take no further action.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falsified or inaccurate documentation compromises client safety and legal integrity of the record. Professional
standards require reporting such discrepancies through proper channels.
Q6.
A practical nurse is asked by a client's family to withhold information about a new diagnosis of advanced cancer
because "it will only upset the client." The client has capacity and has previously expressed a desire to know all
health information. The practical nurse should
A. Agree with the family and withhold the diagnosis.
B. Support open, honest communication consistent with the client's previously expressed wishes and capacity.
C. Ask the physician to speak only to the family.
D. Provide incomplete information to both parties.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Respect for autonomy and truth-telling are foundational ethical principles. When a capable client has indicated
a preference for full disclosure, the nurse advocates for transparent communication.
Q7.
A practical nurse receives a telephone order for a high-alert medication. After reading the order back, the nurse
still has uncertainty about the dose. The safest action is to
A. Administer the dose as understood and document the read-back.
B. Clarify the order with the prescriber before administration and document the clarification.
C. Ask a colleague what the usual dose is and proceed.
D. Delay the medication until the next scheduled shift change.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: High-alert medications require zero tolerance for ambiguity. Clarification with the prescriber protects the client
and fulfills professional accountability for safe medication practice.
CPNRE EXAM AND PRACTICE EXAM 2026/2027 | Page 3
