NCLEX PN Exam Prep 2025/2026 | 200+ Verified
Practice Questions with Correct Answers |
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QUESTION 1:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing increased
shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a bronchodilator
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises
C) Assess the patient's oxygen saturation
D) Notify the healthcare provider
ANSWER: C - "Assess the patient's oxygen saturation."
Rationale: The priority is to assess the patient's oxygen saturation to determine the
severity of hypoxia. This information is essential for guiding further interventions, such
as administering oxygen or bronchodilators. While bronchodilators and deep breathing
exercises are important, they should follow the initial assessment to ensure effective
treatment.
QUESTION 2:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from a right-sided lobectomy. What
should the nurse monitor closely in the immediate postoperative period?
A) Blood pressure changes
B) Temperature fluctuations
C) Respiratory status
D) Urine output
ANSWER: C - "Respiratory status."
Rationale: Following a lobectomy, the patient's respiratory status is critical to monitor
due to the risk of complications such as atelectasis and pneumothorax. The nurse
should assess breath sounds, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation frequently. While
blood pressure and urine output are important, they are secondary to monitoring
respiratory function in this context.
QUESTION 3:
,A patient with diabetes mellitus is found to have a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL.
What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Reassess in 30 minutes
D) Call the healthcare provider
ANSWER: B - "Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate."
Rationale: In cases of hypoglycemia, the immediate action is to provide a fast-acting
carbohydrate to raise the blood glucose level. This could include juice or glucose
tablets. Administering insulin would be inappropriate as it could further lower blood
glucose. Reassessing in 30 minutes does not address the immediate need, and
contacting the healthcare provider can wait until the patient is stabilized.
QUESTION 4:
A nurse is educating a patient about the use of antihypertensive medication. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will check my blood pressure regularly."
B) "I can stop taking this medication when my blood pressure is normal."
C) "I should report any dizziness or lightheadedness."
D) "I need to avoid taking medications that can raise my blood pressure."
ANSWER: B - "I can stop taking this medication when my blood pressure is normal."
Rationale: This statement reflects a misunderstanding of the chronic nature of
hypertension and the need for ongoing medication adherence. Patients should be
educated that antihypertensives often must be taken long-term, even if blood pressure
appears controlled. The other statements reflect appropriate knowledge about
managing hypertension.
QUESTION 5:
A patient in the emergency department is presenting with chest pain. Which
assessment finding would be most concerning for the nurse?
A) Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
B) Heart rate of 98 beats per minute
C) ST elevation on the ECG
D) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
ANSWER: C - "ST elevation on the ECG."
Rationale: ST elevation is indicative of myocardial infarction and requires immediate
intervention. While the other findings may need to be addressed, ST elevation is the
,most critical and time-sensitive issue that can lead to significant complications if not
treated promptly.
QUESTION 6:
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who is receiving digoxin. Which
assessment finding would indicate the need to hold the medication?
A) Decreased appetite
B) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C) Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
D) Weight gain of 2 pounds in 2 days
ANSWER: C - "Heart rate of 52 beats per minute."
Rationale: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute is a contraindication for
administering digoxin, as it can increase the risk of toxicity and bradycardia. The other
findings may be concerning but do not warrant withholding the medication as directly
as a low heart rate does.
QUESTION 7:
A patient diagnosed with renal failure is on a potassium-restricted diet. Which food
choice should the nurse educate the patient to avoid?
A) Apples
B) Carrots
C) Bananas
D) Green beans
ANSWER: C - "Bananas."
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided by patients on a
potassium-restricted diet. Apples, carrots, and green beans are lower in potassium and
are generally considered safe options.
QUESTION 8:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of alcohol use disorder who is admitted with
confusion and tremors. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer thiamine
B) Provide a calm environment
C) Assess for signs of withdrawal
D) Encourage fluid intake
, ANSWER: C - "Assess for signs of withdrawal."
Rationale: Assessing for withdrawal symptoms is crucial in this scenario to determine
the severity and guide treatment. While administering thiamine and creating a calm
environment are important, the immediate focus should be on identifying withdrawal
signs to prevent complications such as delirium tremens.
QUESTION 9:
A nurse is administering an intramuscular injection to an adult patient. Which site is
preferred for this route of administration?
A) Dorsogluteal site
B) Ventrogluteal site
C) Deltoid site
D) Rectus femoris site
ANSWER: B - "Ventrogluteal site."
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for intramuscular injections in adults
because it is away from major nerves and blood vessels, making it safer and less
painful. The dorsogluteal site is less commonly used due to potential injury to the
sciatic nerve.
QUESTION 10:
A patient with asthma is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler. What is the most important
teaching point for the nurse to include?
A) Rinse the mouth after using the inhaler.
B) Use the inhaler only during an asthma attack
C) Avoid using a spacer with the inhaler
D) Store the inhaler in the bathroom
ANSWER: A - "Rinse the mouth after using the inhaler."
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using a corticosteroid inhaler helps prevent oral
thrush, a common side effect associated with inhaled steroids. The other options do
not provide appropriate guidance for safe and effective use of the inhaler.
QUESTION 11:
A patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. What laboratory value should
the nurse monitor closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Platelet count
Practice Questions with Correct Answers |
Practical Nursing Licensure Study Guide,
Comprehensive Test Bank & Guaranteed Success
Review
QUESTION 1:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing increased
shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a bronchodilator
B) Encourage deep breathing exercises
C) Assess the patient's oxygen saturation
D) Notify the healthcare provider
ANSWER: C - "Assess the patient's oxygen saturation."
Rationale: The priority is to assess the patient's oxygen saturation to determine the
severity of hypoxia. This information is essential for guiding further interventions, such
as administering oxygen or bronchodilators. While bronchodilators and deep breathing
exercises are important, they should follow the initial assessment to ensure effective
treatment.
QUESTION 2:
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from a right-sided lobectomy. What
should the nurse monitor closely in the immediate postoperative period?
A) Blood pressure changes
B) Temperature fluctuations
C) Respiratory status
D) Urine output
ANSWER: C - "Respiratory status."
Rationale: Following a lobectomy, the patient's respiratory status is critical to monitor
due to the risk of complications such as atelectasis and pneumothorax. The nurse
should assess breath sounds, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation frequently. While
blood pressure and urine output are important, they are secondary to monitoring
respiratory function in this context.
QUESTION 3:
,A patient with diabetes mellitus is found to have a blood glucose level of 45 mg/dL.
What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate
C) Reassess in 30 minutes
D) Call the healthcare provider
ANSWER: B - "Provide a fast-acting carbohydrate."
Rationale: In cases of hypoglycemia, the immediate action is to provide a fast-acting
carbohydrate to raise the blood glucose level. This could include juice or glucose
tablets. Administering insulin would be inappropriate as it could further lower blood
glucose. Reassessing in 30 minutes does not address the immediate need, and
contacting the healthcare provider can wait until the patient is stabilized.
QUESTION 4:
A nurse is educating a patient about the use of antihypertensive medication. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will check my blood pressure regularly."
B) "I can stop taking this medication when my blood pressure is normal."
C) "I should report any dizziness or lightheadedness."
D) "I need to avoid taking medications that can raise my blood pressure."
ANSWER: B - "I can stop taking this medication when my blood pressure is normal."
Rationale: This statement reflects a misunderstanding of the chronic nature of
hypertension and the need for ongoing medication adherence. Patients should be
educated that antihypertensives often must be taken long-term, even if blood pressure
appears controlled. The other statements reflect appropriate knowledge about
managing hypertension.
QUESTION 5:
A patient in the emergency department is presenting with chest pain. Which
assessment finding would be most concerning for the nurse?
A) Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
B) Heart rate of 98 beats per minute
C) ST elevation on the ECG
D) Respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute
ANSWER: C - "ST elevation on the ECG."
Rationale: ST elevation is indicative of myocardial infarction and requires immediate
intervention. While the other findings may need to be addressed, ST elevation is the
,most critical and time-sensitive issue that can lead to significant complications if not
treated promptly.
QUESTION 6:
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who is receiving digoxin. Which
assessment finding would indicate the need to hold the medication?
A) Decreased appetite
B) Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C) Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
D) Weight gain of 2 pounds in 2 days
ANSWER: C - "Heart rate of 52 beats per minute."
Rationale: A heart rate below 60 beats per minute is a contraindication for
administering digoxin, as it can increase the risk of toxicity and bradycardia. The other
findings may be concerning but do not warrant withholding the medication as directly
as a low heart rate does.
QUESTION 7:
A patient diagnosed with renal failure is on a potassium-restricted diet. Which food
choice should the nurse educate the patient to avoid?
A) Apples
B) Carrots
C) Bananas
D) Green beans
ANSWER: C - "Bananas."
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided by patients on a
potassium-restricted diet. Apples, carrots, and green beans are lower in potassium and
are generally considered safe options.
QUESTION 8:
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of alcohol use disorder who is admitted with
confusion and tremors. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer thiamine
B) Provide a calm environment
C) Assess for signs of withdrawal
D) Encourage fluid intake
, ANSWER: C - "Assess for signs of withdrawal."
Rationale: Assessing for withdrawal symptoms is crucial in this scenario to determine
the severity and guide treatment. While administering thiamine and creating a calm
environment are important, the immediate focus should be on identifying withdrawal
signs to prevent complications such as delirium tremens.
QUESTION 9:
A nurse is administering an intramuscular injection to an adult patient. Which site is
preferred for this route of administration?
A) Dorsogluteal site
B) Ventrogluteal site
C) Deltoid site
D) Rectus femoris site
ANSWER: B - "Ventrogluteal site."
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for intramuscular injections in adults
because it is away from major nerves and blood vessels, making it safer and less
painful. The dorsogluteal site is less commonly used due to potential injury to the
sciatic nerve.
QUESTION 10:
A patient with asthma is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler. What is the most important
teaching point for the nurse to include?
A) Rinse the mouth after using the inhaler.
B) Use the inhaler only during an asthma attack
C) Avoid using a spacer with the inhaler
D) Store the inhaler in the bathroom
ANSWER: A - "Rinse the mouth after using the inhaler."
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth after using a corticosteroid inhaler helps prevent oral
thrush, a common side effect associated with inhaled steroids. The other options do
not provide appropriate guidance for safe and effective use of the inhaler.
QUESTION 11:
A patient is receiving anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. What laboratory value should
the nurse monitor closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Platelet count
