KENTUCKY NCLEX-PN EXAMINATION PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT
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CORE DOMAINS
- Coordinated Care
- Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
- Clinical Judgment
INTRODUCTION
This assessment is designed to measure practical nursing knowledge, decision-making, and safe entry-level
clinical judgment for NCLEX-PN preparation. It includes multiple-choice and scenario-based items that
reflect real nursing priorities, patient safety, medication administration, infection control, psychosocial
support, and physiologic stability. The questions emphasize application of nursing principles in realistic
situations rather than simple recall. Each item is written to help strengthen exam readiness by requiring
careful analysis, prioritization, and selection of the best nursing action. The format mirrors the structure and
demands of professional licensing preparation.
. A client with diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and confusion. What is the nurse’s priority action?
, A. Give the client a full meal
B. Check the blood glucose level
C. Administer regular insulin
D. Obtain a urine specimen
🟢 Correct answer: B. Check the blood glucose level
🔴 RATIONALE: These are classic signs of hypoglycemia, and the first priority is to confirm the glucose level
before acting.
. Which instruction should the nurse include for a client taking oral ferrous sulfate?
A. Take it with milk
B. Take it on an empty stomach if tolerated
C. Stop if stools become dark
D. Take it only at bedtime
🟢 Correct answer: B. Take it on an empty stomach if tolerated
🔴 RATIONALE: Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, although food may be used if gastric upset
occurs.
. A postoperative client suddenly reports shortness of breath and chest pain. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Reassess in 15 minutes
C. Notify the provider after documenting
D. Check vital signs and oxygen saturation
, 🟢 Correct answer: D. Check vital signs and oxygen saturation
🔴 RATIONALE: Immediate assessment is needed to evaluate for possible complications such as pulmonary
embolism or hypoxia.
. Which finding requires the nurse’s immediate attention?
A. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 28/min in an anxious client
C. Temperature of 99.1 F
D. Client reports pain rated 3/10
🟢 Correct answer: B. Respiratory rate of 28/min in an anxious client
🔴 RATIONALE: Tachypnea may signal respiratory compromise and should be assessed promptly.
. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice is appropriate?
A. Canned soup
B. Processed deli meat
C. Fresh apple slices
D. Pickles
🟢 Correct answer: C. Fresh apple slices
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh fruit is naturally low in sodium, unlike processed or preserved foods.
, . Which action best reduces the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for all client contact
B. Using hand hygiene before and after client care
C. Reusing disposable masks
D. Placing all clients on contact precautions
🟢 Correct answer: B. Using hand hygiene before and after client care
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent transmission of infection.
. A client receiving morphine becomes increasingly drowsy and has a respiratory rate of 8/min. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Give naloxone as prescribed
B. Encourage the client to cough
C. Elevate the head of the bed only
D. Offer oral fluids
🟢 Correct answer: A. Give naloxone as prescribed
🔴 RATIONALE: Respiratory depression is a serious opioid adverse effect, and naloxone reverses opioid
toxicity.
. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with heart failure?
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |STUDY GUIDE| INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
- Coordinated Care
- Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Basic Care and Comfort
- Pharmacological Therapies
- Reduction of Risk Potential
- Physiological Adaptation
- Clinical Judgment
INTRODUCTION
This assessment is designed to measure practical nursing knowledge, decision-making, and safe entry-level
clinical judgment for NCLEX-PN preparation. It includes multiple-choice and scenario-based items that
reflect real nursing priorities, patient safety, medication administration, infection control, psychosocial
support, and physiologic stability. The questions emphasize application of nursing principles in realistic
situations rather than simple recall. Each item is written to help strengthen exam readiness by requiring
careful analysis, prioritization, and selection of the best nursing action. The format mirrors the structure and
demands of professional licensing preparation.
. A client with diabetes reports shakiness, sweating, and confusion. What is the nurse’s priority action?
, A. Give the client a full meal
B. Check the blood glucose level
C. Administer regular insulin
D. Obtain a urine specimen
🟢 Correct answer: B. Check the blood glucose level
🔴 RATIONALE: These are classic signs of hypoglycemia, and the first priority is to confirm the glucose level
before acting.
. Which instruction should the nurse include for a client taking oral ferrous sulfate?
A. Take it with milk
B. Take it on an empty stomach if tolerated
C. Stop if stools become dark
D. Take it only at bedtime
🟢 Correct answer: B. Take it on an empty stomach if tolerated
🔴 RATIONALE: Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, although food may be used if gastric upset
occurs.
. A postoperative client suddenly reports shortness of breath and chest pain. What should the nurse do first?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Reassess in 15 minutes
C. Notify the provider after documenting
D. Check vital signs and oxygen saturation
, 🟢 Correct answer: D. Check vital signs and oxygen saturation
🔴 RATIONALE: Immediate assessment is needed to evaluate for possible complications such as pulmonary
embolism or hypoxia.
. Which finding requires the nurse’s immediate attention?
A. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 28/min in an anxious client
C. Temperature of 99.1 F
D. Client reports pain rated 3/10
🟢 Correct answer: B. Respiratory rate of 28/min in an anxious client
🔴 RATIONALE: Tachypnea may signal respiratory compromise and should be assessed promptly.
. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice is appropriate?
A. Canned soup
B. Processed deli meat
C. Fresh apple slices
D. Pickles
🟢 Correct answer: C. Fresh apple slices
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh fruit is naturally low in sodium, unlike processed or preserved foods.
, . Which action best reduces the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for all client contact
B. Using hand hygiene before and after client care
C. Reusing disposable masks
D. Placing all clients on contact precautions
🟢 Correct answer: B. Using hand hygiene before and after client care
🔴 RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent transmission of infection.
. A client receiving morphine becomes increasingly drowsy and has a respiratory rate of 8/min. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Give naloxone as prescribed
B. Encourage the client to cough
C. Elevate the head of the bed only
D. Offer oral fluids
🟢 Correct answer: A. Give naloxone as prescribed
🔴 RATIONALE: Respiratory depression is a serious opioid adverse effect, and naloxone reverses opioid
toxicity.
. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client with heart failure?
