New Mexico Nursing Jurisprudence
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A registered nurse in New Mexico is considering accepting a position as a
travel nurse through a national staffing agency. The agency assigns the
nurse to work in a rural critical access hospital in the state. Which of the
following statements accurately reflects the nurse's obligations regarding
licensure for this assignment?
A. The nurse must hold a multistate license issued by New Mexico or
another compact state to practice in this setting.
B. The nurse is exempt from New Mexico Board of Nursing jurisdiction
because the agency is based outside the state.
C. The nurse must apply for a temporary permit from the New Mexico
Board of Nursing, regardless of current licensure status.
D. The nurse must hold a valid New Mexico license or a multistate license
issued by a compact state with privileges in New Mexico.
Answer: D
Rationale: New Mexico is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact
(NLC). Under the NLC, a nurse holding a multistate license issued by their
home compact state may practice in New Mexico without obtaining an
additional license. However, if the nurse holds a single-state license from a
non-compact state, they must obtain a New Mexico license. A temporary
permit is not automatically required, and the Board retains jurisdiction
over all nursing practice occurring within the state, regardless of the
agency's location.
,2. The New Mexico Board of Nursing has the authority to discipline a nurse's
license for various reasons. Which of the following actions falls within the
Board's explicit statutory authority?
A. Imposing a fine of up to ten thousand dollars per violation of the Nursing
Practice Act.
B. Requiring a nurse to complete a remedial education course as a condition
of license reinstatement.
C. Ordering a nurse to pay restitution to a patient for emotional distress
caused by negligence.
D. Filing criminal charges against a nurse for practicing without a valid
license.
Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Board of Nursing has the authority to
discipline licenses, which includes issuing reprimands, placing conditions
on a license, or requiring remediation such as continuing education or
competency evaluations. The Board is an administrative body and does
not have the power to impose criminal charges, which is reserved for the
judicial system, nor does it typically have the authority to order direct
financial restitution to a patient, which would be a civil matter. The
amount of fines is specifically set by statute and is not generally up to ten
thousand dollars per violation in this context.
3. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) in a New Mexico long-term care facility is
asked by a registered nurse (RN) to administer intravenous (IV) push
medications to a stable patient. The LPN has not received any formal IV
therapy education in their basic nursing program or through continuing
education. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action for
the LPN to take?
A. Administer the medication as directed, as IV push is within the LPN scope
of practice in New Mexico.
B. Refuse the assignment and immediately report the RN to the Board of
Nursing for unsafe delegation.
C. Request that the RN provide direct supervision during the administration
, to ensure patient safety.
D. Decline the assignment based on lack of education and training, and
discuss the concern with the RN.
Answer: D
Rationale: The New Mexico Nursing Practice Act and Board rules require
that a nurse practice within their scope of education, training, and
competence. While IV therapy may be within the LPN scope under certain
circumstances, it requires specific education and demonstrated
competency. An LPN who has not received this training cannot safely or
legally perform IV push administration. The most appropriate action is to
decline the assignment and discuss the educational and competency gap
with the RN. Reporting the RN to the Board is premature and not the
initial step.
4. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the New
Mexico Nursing Practice Act?
A. To establish a code of ethics for all healthcare professionals within the
state.
B. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating the
practice of nursing.
C. To define the scope of practice for physicians and their relationship with
nursing staff.
D. To ensure that all nurses are adequately compensated for their
professional services.
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary and overarching purpose of the Nursing Practice
Act in any jurisdiction, including New Mexico, is to protect the public. It
achieves this by defining the legal scope of nursing practice, setting
minimum standards for education and licensure, and establishing
mechanisms for discipline when those standards are not met. It does not
primarily focus on ethics for all healthcare professionals, physician scope,
or nurse compensation.
, 5. A nurse who holds a New Mexico nursing license is convicted of a felony in
another state. What is the nurse's obligation to the New Mexico Board of
Nursing?
A. The nurse is only required to report the conviction if it is related to
healthcare fraud.
B. The nurse must report the conviction to the Board within a specified
timeframe, as per Board rules.
C. The nurse is not required to report the conviction unless the Board
initiates an investigation.
D. The nurse must report the conviction only if it results in a prison
sentence of one year or more.
Answer: B
Rationale: New Mexico Board of Nursing rules require licensees to self-
report any criminal convictions, pleas of nolo contendere, or deferred
sentences for any felony, or any misdemeanor related to the practice of
nursing or involving moral turpitude, within a specific timeframe (often 30
days). This obligation exists regardless of whether the conviction is in New
Mexico or another jurisdiction. Failure to report is itself a violation of the
rules and can lead to disciplinary action.
6. A registered nurse is preparing to delegate a task to a certified nursing
assistant (CNA) in an acute care setting. According to New Mexico Board of
Nursing rules, which of the following tasks is generally considered
appropriate for delegation to a CNA?
A. Administering a scheduled oral medication to a patient with stable vital
signs.
B. Performing a sterile dressing change on a post-operative surgical wound.
C. Assisting a patient with ambulation and providing routine hygiene care.
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a newly implemented patient teaching
plan.
Answer: C
Rationale: The RN is responsible for the delegation process, which includes
assessing the patient, evaluating the competency of the delegatee, and
Examination Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A registered nurse in New Mexico is considering accepting a position as a
travel nurse through a national staffing agency. The agency assigns the
nurse to work in a rural critical access hospital in the state. Which of the
following statements accurately reflects the nurse's obligations regarding
licensure for this assignment?
A. The nurse must hold a multistate license issued by New Mexico or
another compact state to practice in this setting.
B. The nurse is exempt from New Mexico Board of Nursing jurisdiction
because the agency is based outside the state.
C. The nurse must apply for a temporary permit from the New Mexico
Board of Nursing, regardless of current licensure status.
D. The nurse must hold a valid New Mexico license or a multistate license
issued by a compact state with privileges in New Mexico.
Answer: D
Rationale: New Mexico is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact
(NLC). Under the NLC, a nurse holding a multistate license issued by their
home compact state may practice in New Mexico without obtaining an
additional license. However, if the nurse holds a single-state license from a
non-compact state, they must obtain a New Mexico license. A temporary
permit is not automatically required, and the Board retains jurisdiction
over all nursing practice occurring within the state, regardless of the
agency's location.
,2. The New Mexico Board of Nursing has the authority to discipline a nurse's
license for various reasons. Which of the following actions falls within the
Board's explicit statutory authority?
A. Imposing a fine of up to ten thousand dollars per violation of the Nursing
Practice Act.
B. Requiring a nurse to complete a remedial education course as a condition
of license reinstatement.
C. Ordering a nurse to pay restitution to a patient for emotional distress
caused by negligence.
D. Filing criminal charges against a nurse for practicing without a valid
license.
Answer: B
Rationale: The New Mexico Board of Nursing has the authority to
discipline licenses, which includes issuing reprimands, placing conditions
on a license, or requiring remediation such as continuing education or
competency evaluations. The Board is an administrative body and does
not have the power to impose criminal charges, which is reserved for the
judicial system, nor does it typically have the authority to order direct
financial restitution to a patient, which would be a civil matter. The
amount of fines is specifically set by statute and is not generally up to ten
thousand dollars per violation in this context.
3. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) in a New Mexico long-term care facility is
asked by a registered nurse (RN) to administer intravenous (IV) push
medications to a stable patient. The LPN has not received any formal IV
therapy education in their basic nursing program or through continuing
education. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action for
the LPN to take?
A. Administer the medication as directed, as IV push is within the LPN scope
of practice in New Mexico.
B. Refuse the assignment and immediately report the RN to the Board of
Nursing for unsafe delegation.
C. Request that the RN provide direct supervision during the administration
, to ensure patient safety.
D. Decline the assignment based on lack of education and training, and
discuss the concern with the RN.
Answer: D
Rationale: The New Mexico Nursing Practice Act and Board rules require
that a nurse practice within their scope of education, training, and
competence. While IV therapy may be within the LPN scope under certain
circumstances, it requires specific education and demonstrated
competency. An LPN who has not received this training cannot safely or
legally perform IV push administration. The most appropriate action is to
decline the assignment and discuss the educational and competency gap
with the RN. Reporting the RN to the Board is premature and not the
initial step.
4. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the New
Mexico Nursing Practice Act?
A. To establish a code of ethics for all healthcare professionals within the
state.
B. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating the
practice of nursing.
C. To define the scope of practice for physicians and their relationship with
nursing staff.
D. To ensure that all nurses are adequately compensated for their
professional services.
Answer: B
Rationale: The primary and overarching purpose of the Nursing Practice
Act in any jurisdiction, including New Mexico, is to protect the public. It
achieves this by defining the legal scope of nursing practice, setting
minimum standards for education and licensure, and establishing
mechanisms for discipline when those standards are not met. It does not
primarily focus on ethics for all healthcare professionals, physician scope,
or nurse compensation.
, 5. A nurse who holds a New Mexico nursing license is convicted of a felony in
another state. What is the nurse's obligation to the New Mexico Board of
Nursing?
A. The nurse is only required to report the conviction if it is related to
healthcare fraud.
B. The nurse must report the conviction to the Board within a specified
timeframe, as per Board rules.
C. The nurse is not required to report the conviction unless the Board
initiates an investigation.
D. The nurse must report the conviction only if it results in a prison
sentence of one year or more.
Answer: B
Rationale: New Mexico Board of Nursing rules require licensees to self-
report any criminal convictions, pleas of nolo contendere, or deferred
sentences for any felony, or any misdemeanor related to the practice of
nursing or involving moral turpitude, within a specific timeframe (often 30
days). This obligation exists regardless of whether the conviction is in New
Mexico or another jurisdiction. Failure to report is itself a violation of the
rules and can lead to disciplinary action.
6. A registered nurse is preparing to delegate a task to a certified nursing
assistant (CNA) in an acute care setting. According to New Mexico Board of
Nursing rules, which of the following tasks is generally considered
appropriate for delegation to a CNA?
A. Administering a scheduled oral medication to a patient with stable vital
signs.
B. Performing a sterile dressing change on a post-operative surgical wound.
C. Assisting a patient with ambulation and providing routine hygiene care.
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a newly implemented patient teaching
plan.
Answer: C
Rationale: The RN is responsible for the delegation process, which includes
assessing the patient, evaluating the competency of the delegatee, and
