NCLEX-RN + NEW YORK RN LICENSURE: PATIENT
SAFETY PRACTICE EXAM (100 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES)
1. A nurse identifies a client using two identifiers before administering
medication. Which principle of patient safety is being followed?
A. Infection prevention
B. Safe patient identification
C. Fall prevention
D. Medication reconciliation
Answer: B. Safe patient identification
Rationale: Using two approved identifiers, such as the client's name and date of
birth, helps prevent wrong-patient errors.
2. Which patient is at the highest risk for falls?
A. A 25-year-old recovering from appendectomy
B. A 40-year-old with controlled hypertension
C. A 78-year-old receiving opioid pain medication
D. A 35-year-old with seasonal allergies
Answer: C. A 78-year-old receiving opioid pain medication
Rationale: Advanced age and opioid use significantly increase the risk of falls.
3. Which action should the nurse perform before administering blood
products?
A. Verify the blood with another licensed nurse
B. Warm the blood in hot water
C. Shake the blood bag vigorously
D. Administer antibiotics first
Answer: A. Verify the blood with another licensed nurse
Rationale: Independent verification reduces the risk of transfusion errors.
, 4. A nurse discovers a medication error occurred but the client is unharmed.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Hide the error to avoid discipline
B. Assess the client and notify the provider according to policy
C. Discard the medication record
D. Wait until the next shift reports it
Answer: B. Assess the client and notify the provider according to policy
Rationale: Patient assessment and prompt reporting are essential for safety.
5. Which intervention is most effective in preventing healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves for every task only
B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Wearing a mask at all times
D. Cleaning equipment weekly
Answer: B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection prevention measure.
6. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting pain medication
B. Client with a blood glucose of 120 mg/dL
C. Client with new-onset confusion after surgery
D. Client asking for discharge instructions
Answer: C. Client with new-onset confusion after surgery
Rationale: Sudden confusion may indicate hypoxia, stroke, or another serious
complication.
7. Which action promotes safe medication administration?
A. Administer medications prepared by another nurse without checking
B. Follow the rights of medication administration
, C. Leave medications at the bedside for later use
D. Skip patient education to save time
Answer: B. Follow the rights of medication administration
Rationale: Adhering to medication administration rights reduces medication
errors.
8. A nurse enters a client's room and notices smoke coming from an electrical
outlet. What is the priority action?
A. Continue providing care
B. Activate the fire response procedure according to facility policy
C. Open all windows
D. Ignore the smoke if no flames are present
Answer: B. Activate the fire response procedure according to facility policy
Rationale: Immediate fire response protects patients, staff, and visitors.
9. Which restraint practice is appropriate?
A. Apply restraints without an order
B. Use restraints only after less restrictive measures fail
C. Tie restraints to side rails
D. Leave restrained clients unattended for several hours
Answer: B. Use restraints only after less restrictive measures fail
Rationale: Restraints are a last resort and require ongoing assessment.
10.Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Bed in lowest position
B. Call light within reach
C. Oxygen tubing creating a tripping hazard
D. Nonskid footwear in place
Answer: C. Oxygen tubing creating a tripping hazard
Rationale: Environmental hazards increase the risk of falls.
SAFETY PRACTICE EXAM (100 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES)
1. A nurse identifies a client using two identifiers before administering
medication. Which principle of patient safety is being followed?
A. Infection prevention
B. Safe patient identification
C. Fall prevention
D. Medication reconciliation
Answer: B. Safe patient identification
Rationale: Using two approved identifiers, such as the client's name and date of
birth, helps prevent wrong-patient errors.
2. Which patient is at the highest risk for falls?
A. A 25-year-old recovering from appendectomy
B. A 40-year-old with controlled hypertension
C. A 78-year-old receiving opioid pain medication
D. A 35-year-old with seasonal allergies
Answer: C. A 78-year-old receiving opioid pain medication
Rationale: Advanced age and opioid use significantly increase the risk of falls.
3. Which action should the nurse perform before administering blood
products?
A. Verify the blood with another licensed nurse
B. Warm the blood in hot water
C. Shake the blood bag vigorously
D. Administer antibiotics first
Answer: A. Verify the blood with another licensed nurse
Rationale: Independent verification reduces the risk of transfusion errors.
, 4. A nurse discovers a medication error occurred but the client is unharmed.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Hide the error to avoid discipline
B. Assess the client and notify the provider according to policy
C. Discard the medication record
D. Wait until the next shift reports it
Answer: B. Assess the client and notify the provider according to policy
Rationale: Patient assessment and prompt reporting are essential for safety.
5. Which intervention is most effective in preventing healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves for every task only
B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
C. Wearing a mask at all times
D. Cleaning equipment weekly
Answer: B. Hand hygiene before and after patient contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection prevention measure.
6. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting pain medication
B. Client with a blood glucose of 120 mg/dL
C. Client with new-onset confusion after surgery
D. Client asking for discharge instructions
Answer: C. Client with new-onset confusion after surgery
Rationale: Sudden confusion may indicate hypoxia, stroke, or another serious
complication.
7. Which action promotes safe medication administration?
A. Administer medications prepared by another nurse without checking
B. Follow the rights of medication administration
, C. Leave medications at the bedside for later use
D. Skip patient education to save time
Answer: B. Follow the rights of medication administration
Rationale: Adhering to medication administration rights reduces medication
errors.
8. A nurse enters a client's room and notices smoke coming from an electrical
outlet. What is the priority action?
A. Continue providing care
B. Activate the fire response procedure according to facility policy
C. Open all windows
D. Ignore the smoke if no flames are present
Answer: B. Activate the fire response procedure according to facility policy
Rationale: Immediate fire response protects patients, staff, and visitors.
9. Which restraint practice is appropriate?
A. Apply restraints without an order
B. Use restraints only after less restrictive measures fail
C. Tie restraints to side rails
D. Leave restrained clients unattended for several hours
Answer: B. Use restraints only after less restrictive measures fail
Rationale: Restraints are a last resort and require ongoing assessment.
10.Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Bed in lowest position
B. Call light within reach
C. Oxygen tubing creating a tripping hazard
D. Nonskid footwear in place
Answer: C. Oxygen tubing creating a tripping hazard
Rationale: Environmental hazards increase the risk of falls.
