CNL CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025 100% COMPLETE PASS
Question 1
A new graduate nurse, Jenny, approaches you and states she needs help removing a peripherally
inserted central catheter (PICC). Which of the following is the best response when acting as a horizontal
leader?
A. Remove the PICC yourself
B. Tell Jenny to find the policy and then remove the PICC
C. Help Jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach Jenny while she removes the PICC and
provide feedback
D. Help Jenny find the policy and refer her to a nurse with 12 years of experience for assistance
—Rationale: The clinical nurse leader (CNL) acts as a horizontal leader by helping the new
graduate nurse to learn through sharing knowledge and coaching, rather than doing the task
for the nurse.
Question 2
What organizational theory is used with rapid, unpredictable, and constant change?
A. Systems theory
B. Chaos theory
C. Change theory
D. Traditional theory
,
, —Rationale: Chaos theory is used to understand rapidly changing, unpredictable health
care environments.
Question 3
A 65-year-old African American male was admitted to your microsystem with hyperglycemia. The
patient has a history of hypertension, gout, obesity, and smoking. The patient has a family history of
diabetes and hypertension. Which statement by the patient demonstrates his understanding of
modifiable risk factors for diabetes?
A. "As I get older, my risk for diabetes increases."
B. "I know that a family history of diabetes is a risk factor, so I will educate my children on diabetes
prevention."
C. "I will keep a record of all my blood sugars to take to my doctor's appointments."
D. "I will attend a smoking cessation class, because I know smoking increases my risk for diabetes."
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are lifestyle factors that a person can alter in order to
prevent disease. Smoking cessation class is an intervention for modifying the risk factor of
smoking.
Question 4
Your hospital is currently trialing the integration of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) role. At the', 'end of
the trial implementation period how can you, as the CNL, best illustrate the effectiveness of your role
during this trial?
A. Refer to increased patient satisfaction scores over the course of the trial
B. Present data that demonstrates the effect of the CNL and outcomes achieved over the course of the
trial
C. Present a list of projects and tasks completed over the course of the trial
D. Refer to your performance review over the course of the trial
Rationale: The CNL should present the effect and outcomes to illustrate the importance of
the integration of his or her role. Increased patient satisfaction is not necessarily directly
related to the CNL. Presentation of projects and tasks completed does not address
measurable outcomes. Performance review of the individual does not indicate outcomes
were affected.
, Question 5
You are a CNL on an oncology unit. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of catheter-
associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) on your unit. After shadowing nurses and aides you
observed a variety of practices, techniques, and expectations surrounding daily catheter care. Your
hospital does not have a current policy or procedure regarding catheter care. As the CNL, what should
you do next?
A. Review current evidence for catheter care practice and disseminate evidence to the staff
B. Form an interdisciplinary team meeting to evaluate current hospital catheter care policies
C. Create a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter care
D. Discuss with the unit manager the clinical issue and create a set of evidence-based unit
expectations and practices for the oncology unit. Evaluate the need to address this issue with a
hospital-wide policy or procedure
Rationale: CNLs should gather and disseminate evidence to solve clinical problems; however,
that should not be the initial step. Further review of hospital practices and policies may come
after this issue is addressed. Creation of a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter
care may come after reviewing evidence. The CNL should act to solve the clinical issue in the
short term, and evaluate the need for a larger policy to address gaps in practice hospital-wide.
Question 6
A 50-year-old woman with a history of stage 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents
to the emergency department (ED) with increased shortness of breath. Based on your lab results, what
is the acid-base disorder?
Labs as follows: pH 7.25 PaCO2 50 mmHg HCO3 22 mEq/L PO2 75 SpO2 88% Na + 136 BUN 18
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Based on the clinical scenario, the pH is decreased (less than 7.35); therefore, the
patient has acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated (more than 45 mmHg), which is also
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025 100% COMPLETE PASS
Question 1
A new graduate nurse, Jenny, approaches you and states she needs help removing a peripherally
inserted central catheter (PICC). Which of the following is the best response when acting as a horizontal
leader?
A. Remove the PICC yourself
B. Tell Jenny to find the policy and then remove the PICC
C. Help Jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach Jenny while she removes the PICC and
provide feedback
D. Help Jenny find the policy and refer her to a nurse with 12 years of experience for assistance
—Rationale: The clinical nurse leader (CNL) acts as a horizontal leader by helping the new
graduate nurse to learn through sharing knowledge and coaching, rather than doing the task
for the nurse.
Question 2
What organizational theory is used with rapid, unpredictable, and constant change?
A. Systems theory
B. Chaos theory
C. Change theory
D. Traditional theory
,
, —Rationale: Chaos theory is used to understand rapidly changing, unpredictable health
care environments.
Question 3
A 65-year-old African American male was admitted to your microsystem with hyperglycemia. The
patient has a history of hypertension, gout, obesity, and smoking. The patient has a family history of
diabetes and hypertension. Which statement by the patient demonstrates his understanding of
modifiable risk factors for diabetes?
A. "As I get older, my risk for diabetes increases."
B. "I know that a family history of diabetes is a risk factor, so I will educate my children on diabetes
prevention."
C. "I will keep a record of all my blood sugars to take to my doctor's appointments."
D. "I will attend a smoking cessation class, because I know smoking increases my risk for diabetes."
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are lifestyle factors that a person can alter in order to
prevent disease. Smoking cessation class is an intervention for modifying the risk factor of
smoking.
Question 4
Your hospital is currently trialing the integration of the clinical nurse leader (CNL) role. At the', 'end of
the trial implementation period how can you, as the CNL, best illustrate the effectiveness of your role
during this trial?
A. Refer to increased patient satisfaction scores over the course of the trial
B. Present data that demonstrates the effect of the CNL and outcomes achieved over the course of the
trial
C. Present a list of projects and tasks completed over the course of the trial
D. Refer to your performance review over the course of the trial
Rationale: The CNL should present the effect and outcomes to illustrate the importance of
the integration of his or her role. Increased patient satisfaction is not necessarily directly
related to the CNL. Presentation of projects and tasks completed does not address
measurable outcomes. Performance review of the individual does not indicate outcomes
were affected.
, Question 5
You are a CNL on an oncology unit. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of catheter-
associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) on your unit. After shadowing nurses and aides you
observed a variety of practices, techniques, and expectations surrounding daily catheter care. Your
hospital does not have a current policy or procedure regarding catheter care. As the CNL, what should
you do next?
A. Review current evidence for catheter care practice and disseminate evidence to the staff
B. Form an interdisciplinary team meeting to evaluate current hospital catheter care policies
C. Create a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter care
D. Discuss with the unit manager the clinical issue and create a set of evidence-based unit
expectations and practices for the oncology unit. Evaluate the need to address this issue with a
hospital-wide policy or procedure
Rationale: CNLs should gather and disseminate evidence to solve clinical problems; however,
that should not be the initial step. Further review of hospital practices and policies may come
after this issue is addressed. Creation of a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter
care may come after reviewing evidence. The CNL should act to solve the clinical issue in the
short term, and evaluate the need for a larger policy to address gaps in practice hospital-wide.
Question 6
A 50-year-old woman with a history of stage 3 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents
to the emergency department (ED) with increased shortness of breath. Based on your lab results, what
is the acid-base disorder?
Labs as follows: pH 7.25 PaCO2 50 mmHg HCO3 22 mEq/L PO2 75 SpO2 88% Na + 136 BUN 18
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Rationale: Based on the clinical scenario, the pH is decreased (less than 7.35); therefore, the
patient has acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated (more than 45 mmHg), which is also
