REx-PN Success Guide: Nursing & Exam
Strategies Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice Questions
With Answers & Detailed Rationales
|clinical Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1. A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 30/min, oxygen
saturation of 88%, and increasing confusion. Which action should the
practical nurse take first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Obtain a sputum specimen
D. Administer an antipyretic
Answer: B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
Rationale: Positioning the client upright improves lung expansion and
ventilation and is an immediate nursing intervention for hypoxemia.
2. Which finding in a postoperative client requires the most
immediate intervention?
A. Pain rated 6/10
B. Temperature of 37.8°C
C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia is an immediate threat to life and
takes priority over pain, mild temperature elevation, or adequate
urine output.
,3. A client taking furosemide reports muscle weakness and
palpitations. Which laboratory value should the nurse assess first?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss. Hypokalemia can
produce muscle weakness and potentially dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Increased thirst
Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Adrenergic manifestations of hypoglycemia include
sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
5. A client with diabetes is awake, able to swallow, and has a blood
glucose of 3.0 mmol/L. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer rapid-acting insulin
B. Give approximately 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the client to exercise
D. Administer long-acting insulin
Answer: B. Give approximately 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
,Rationale: A conscious client who can swallow should receive a rapid
source of glucose, followed by reassessment of blood glucose.
6. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine?
A. Constipation
B. Mild nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Drowsiness after administration
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a potentially life-threatening
adverse effect of opioids and requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
7. A client receiving warfarin should be taught to report which
finding immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Mild thirst
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: B. Black, tarry stools
Rationale: Melena may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious
complication of anticoagulant therapy.
8. Which food is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Applesauce
D. White bread
Answer: B. Banana
, Rationale: Bananas are a common potassium-rich food. Potassium
intake is particularly important when clients have conditions or
medications that affect potassium levels.
9. A client with heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea and
pink, frothy sputum. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Acute pulmonary edema can cause severe respiratory
distress and pink, frothy sputum due to fluid accumulation in the
alveoli.
10. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing a
seizure?
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Restrain the extremities
C. Protect the client from injury
D. Give oral fluids
Answer: C. Protect the client from injury
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is maintaining safety and
protecting the client from trauma. Nothing should be forced into the
mouth.
11. Which assessment finding suggests dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
Strategies Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice Questions
With Answers & Detailed Rationales
|clinical Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1. A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 30/min, oxygen
saturation of 88%, and increasing confusion. Which action should the
practical nurse take first?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Obtain a sputum specimen
D. Administer an antipyretic
Answer: B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
Rationale: Positioning the client upright improves lung expansion and
ventilation and is an immediate nursing intervention for hypoxemia.
2. Which finding in a postoperative client requires the most
immediate intervention?
A. Pain rated 6/10
B. Temperature of 37.8°C
C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia is an immediate threat to life and
takes priority over pain, mild temperature elevation, or adequate
urine output.
,3. A client taking furosemide reports muscle weakness and
palpitations. Which laboratory value should the nurse assess first?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide can cause potassium loss. Hypokalemia can
produce muscle weakness and potentially dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias.
4. Which assessment finding is most consistent with hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Increased thirst
Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Adrenergic manifestations of hypoglycemia include
sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
5. A client with diabetes is awake, able to swallow, and has a blood
glucose of 3.0 mmol/L. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer rapid-acting insulin
B. Give approximately 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the client to exercise
D. Administer long-acting insulin
Answer: B. Give approximately 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
,Rationale: A conscious client who can swallow should receive a rapid
source of glucose, followed by reassessment of blood glucose.
6. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving morphine?
A. Constipation
B. Mild nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Drowsiness after administration
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a potentially life-threatening
adverse effect of opioids and requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
7. A client receiving warfarin should be taught to report which
finding immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Black, tarry stools
C. Mild thirst
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: B. Black, tarry stools
Rationale: Melena may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a serious
complication of anticoagulant therapy.
8. Which food is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Applesauce
D. White bread
Answer: B. Banana
, Rationale: Bananas are a common potassium-rich food. Potassium
intake is particularly important when clients have conditions or
medications that affect potassium levels.
9. A client with heart failure suddenly develops severe dyspnea and
pink, frothy sputum. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: Acute pulmonary edema can cause severe respiratory
distress and pink, frothy sputum due to fluid accumulation in the
alveoli.
10. Which intervention is appropriate for a client experiencing a
seizure?
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Restrain the extremities
C. Protect the client from injury
D. Give oral fluids
Answer: C. Protect the client from injury
Rationale: During a seizure, the priority is maintaining safety and
protecting the client from trauma. Nothing should be forced into the
mouth.
11. Which assessment finding suggests dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
