Canadian REX-PN Practice Question Bank
Original practice questions authored for exam preparation, organized by content area with answer key and
rationale. Not affiliated with the official CPNRE/REX-PN exam.
1. Safe & Ethical Practice / Professional Responsibility
Q1. A practical nurse is assigned to care for a client who is a close family friend. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Provide care as usual since the nurse knows the client well
B. Disclose the relationship to the charge nurse and request a different assignment
C. Refuse to care for the client without explanation
D. Ask the client to keep the relationship confidential
Answer: B Rationale: The nurse should disclose the dual relationship and request reassignment to
maintain professional boundaries and objectivity.
Q2. A client refuses a prescribed medication. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Administer the medication anyway to ensure client safety
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Hide the medication in the client's food
D. Ask a family member to persuade the client
Answer: B Rationale: A competent client has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse documents the
refusal and informs the provider.
Q3. Which action demonstrates the principle of informed consent?
A. The nurse obtains consent after the provider explains risks and benefits
B. The nurse explains the procedure and obtains the signature
C. A family member signs for a competent adult client
D. Consent is obtained just before sedation takes effect
Answer: A Rationale: Informed consent is obtained by the provider who explains the procedure, risks,
benefits, and alternatives to the client.
Q4. A nurse observes a colleague documenting care that was not provided. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
B. Report the concern to the charge nurse or manager
C. Document the care themselves to correct the record
D. Confront the colleague publicly
Answer: B Rationale: Falsifying documentation is a serious breach. The nurse should report the
concern through the proper chain of command.
Q5. Which situation represents a breach of client confidentiality?
, A. Discussing a client's care with the oncoming nurse at handover
B. Sharing client information with a colleague in the cafeteria
C. Documenting care in the client's health record
D. Reporting a client's status to the provider during rounds
Answer: B Rationale: Discussing client information in a public area where others can overhear
breaches confidentiality.
Q6. A practical nurse is asked to perform a skill they have not been trained to do. What is the appropriate
action?
A. Perform the skill since the provider ordered it
B. Refuse and inform the supervisor that they lack the competency
C. Attempt the skill and ask for help if needed
D. Delegate the skill to a colleague
Answer: B Rationale: The nurse must work within their scope and level of competency and should not
perform skills they are not trained for.
Q7. What is the primary purpose of the Code of Ethics for practical nurses?
A. To set fees for nursing services
B. To guide ethical decision-making and professional conduct
C. To replace legislation governing nursing
D. To determine staffing levels in facilities
Answer: B Rationale: The Code of Ethics guides nurses' ethical decision-making and professional
responsibilities.
Q8. A client's healthcare provider orders a treatment the nurse believes is unsafe. What should the nurse
do?
A. Carry out the order without question
B. Question the order and clarify with the provider
C. Refuse all care for the client
D. Document the order and proceed
Answer: B Rationale: The nurse has a duty to question unclear or potentially unsafe orders and clarify
them with the provider.
Q9. A practical nurse is asked by a client to hold their pain medication and instead give it to the client's
spouse. What should the nurse do?
A. Refuse and explain that medications are prescribed for the client only
B. Give the medication to the spouse as requested
C. Give half the dose to each person
D. Ignore the request and give the full dose to the client anyway
Answer: A Rationale: Medications are prescribed for the identified client only; diverting them is unsafe
and unethical.
, Q10. A client's family member asks the nurse for details about the client's diagnosis. The client has not
given consent. What is the best response?
A. Explain that client information is confidential and cannot be shared without consent
B. Provide the details since it is family
C. Share only the diagnosis but not treatment
D. Ask the family member to guess
Answer: A Rationale: Confidentiality requires client consent before sharing health information, even
with family.
Q11. Which action best reflects the principle of client autonomy?
A. Supporting the client's right to make their own care decisions
B. Making all decisions for the client
C. Withholding information to protect the client
D. Following family wishes over the client's wishes
Answer: A Rationale: Autonomy respects the client's right to make informed decisions about their own
care.
Q12. A nurse realizes they made a medication error. What is the appropriate action?
A. Report the error promptly and document it accurately
B. Hide the error to avoid consequences
C. Blame another staff member
D. Wait to see if the client has symptoms
Answer: A Rationale: Errors must be reported promptly and documented accurately to ensure client
safety and follow-up.
Q13. A client who is cognitively impaired cannot give consent for a procedure. Who is authorized to
consent?
A. The substitute decision-maker or legal guardian
B. Any family member present
C. The nurse caring for the client
D. The client's roommate
Answer: A Rationale: When a client lacks capacity, the substitute decision-maker or legal guardian
provides consent.
2. Client Assessment & Care Planning
Q14. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report immediately?
A. Temperature 37.0 C
B. Sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath
C. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
D. Mild headache that resolves with rest
Original practice questions authored for exam preparation, organized by content area with answer key and
rationale. Not affiliated with the official CPNRE/REX-PN exam.
1. Safe & Ethical Practice / Professional Responsibility
Q1. A practical nurse is assigned to care for a client who is a close family friend. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Provide care as usual since the nurse knows the client well
B. Disclose the relationship to the charge nurse and request a different assignment
C. Refuse to care for the client without explanation
D. Ask the client to keep the relationship confidential
Answer: B Rationale: The nurse should disclose the dual relationship and request reassignment to
maintain professional boundaries and objectivity.
Q2. A client refuses a prescribed medication. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Administer the medication anyway to ensure client safety
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Hide the medication in the client's food
D. Ask a family member to persuade the client
Answer: B Rationale: A competent client has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse documents the
refusal and informs the provider.
Q3. Which action demonstrates the principle of informed consent?
A. The nurse obtains consent after the provider explains risks and benefits
B. The nurse explains the procedure and obtains the signature
C. A family member signs for a competent adult client
D. Consent is obtained just before sedation takes effect
Answer: A Rationale: Informed consent is obtained by the provider who explains the procedure, risks,
benefits, and alternatives to the client.
Q4. A nurse observes a colleague documenting care that was not provided. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
B. Report the concern to the charge nurse or manager
C. Document the care themselves to correct the record
D. Confront the colleague publicly
Answer: B Rationale: Falsifying documentation is a serious breach. The nurse should report the
concern through the proper chain of command.
Q5. Which situation represents a breach of client confidentiality?
, A. Discussing a client's care with the oncoming nurse at handover
B. Sharing client information with a colleague in the cafeteria
C. Documenting care in the client's health record
D. Reporting a client's status to the provider during rounds
Answer: B Rationale: Discussing client information in a public area where others can overhear
breaches confidentiality.
Q6. A practical nurse is asked to perform a skill they have not been trained to do. What is the appropriate
action?
A. Perform the skill since the provider ordered it
B. Refuse and inform the supervisor that they lack the competency
C. Attempt the skill and ask for help if needed
D. Delegate the skill to a colleague
Answer: B Rationale: The nurse must work within their scope and level of competency and should not
perform skills they are not trained for.
Q7. What is the primary purpose of the Code of Ethics for practical nurses?
A. To set fees for nursing services
B. To guide ethical decision-making and professional conduct
C. To replace legislation governing nursing
D. To determine staffing levels in facilities
Answer: B Rationale: The Code of Ethics guides nurses' ethical decision-making and professional
responsibilities.
Q8. A client's healthcare provider orders a treatment the nurse believes is unsafe. What should the nurse
do?
A. Carry out the order without question
B. Question the order and clarify with the provider
C. Refuse all care for the client
D. Document the order and proceed
Answer: B Rationale: The nurse has a duty to question unclear or potentially unsafe orders and clarify
them with the provider.
Q9. A practical nurse is asked by a client to hold their pain medication and instead give it to the client's
spouse. What should the nurse do?
A. Refuse and explain that medications are prescribed for the client only
B. Give the medication to the spouse as requested
C. Give half the dose to each person
D. Ignore the request and give the full dose to the client anyway
Answer: A Rationale: Medications are prescribed for the identified client only; diverting them is unsafe
and unethical.
, Q10. A client's family member asks the nurse for details about the client's diagnosis. The client has not
given consent. What is the best response?
A. Explain that client information is confidential and cannot be shared without consent
B. Provide the details since it is family
C. Share only the diagnosis but not treatment
D. Ask the family member to guess
Answer: A Rationale: Confidentiality requires client consent before sharing health information, even
with family.
Q11. Which action best reflects the principle of client autonomy?
A. Supporting the client's right to make their own care decisions
B. Making all decisions for the client
C. Withholding information to protect the client
D. Following family wishes over the client's wishes
Answer: A Rationale: Autonomy respects the client's right to make informed decisions about their own
care.
Q12. A nurse realizes they made a medication error. What is the appropriate action?
A. Report the error promptly and document it accurately
B. Hide the error to avoid consequences
C. Blame another staff member
D. Wait to see if the client has symptoms
Answer: A Rationale: Errors must be reported promptly and documented accurately to ensure client
safety and follow-up.
Q13. A client who is cognitively impaired cannot give consent for a procedure. Who is authorized to
consent?
A. The substitute decision-maker or legal guardian
B. Any family member present
C. The nurse caring for the client
D. The client's roommate
Answer: A Rationale: When a client lacks capacity, the substitute decision-maker or legal guardian
provides consent.
2. Client Assessment & Care Planning
Q14. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report immediately?
A. Temperature 37.0 C
B. Sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath
C. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
D. Mild headache that resolves with rest
