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LPN TO RN TRANSITION / FUNDAMENTALS OF
NURSING COMPREHENSIVE ACTUAL PREP
EXAM 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. The licensed practical nurse (LPN) is transitioning to the registered
nurse (RN) role. Which of the following best describes the primary
difference in scope of practice between the LPN and the RN?
A. The RN performs more technical skills than the LPN.
B. The RN focuses on disease treatment while the LPN focuses on
prevention.
C. The RN has a broader scope of practice that includes
comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and leadership of the
nursing care team.
D. The RN works independently while the LPN always works
under direct supervision.
Rationale: The primary difference is the broader scope of practice for
the RN, which includes performing comprehensive health
assessments, analyzing data to formulate nursing diagnoses, and
leading and delegating to other members of the nursing team. While
RNs do perform complex skills, the distinction is more about the depth
of assessment, critical thinking, and management of care.
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2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is experiencing pain.
According to the nursing process, which step should the nurse perform
immediately before implementing a non-pharmacological pain relief
intervention?
A. Planning
B. Evaluation
C. Assessment
D. Diagnosis
Rationale: The nursing process follows a specific sequence:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Before implementing an intervention (Implementation), the nurse
must have a plan (Planning). Planning involves setting goals and
selecting appropriate interventions based on the assessment data and
nursing diagnoses.
3. A patient tells the nurse, "I'm not sure I want to take this new
medication. I've heard it can cause a lot of side effects." Which nursing
response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "Don't worry, your doctor wouldn't prescribe it if it wasn't safe."
B. "You have concerns about the side effects of this
medication. Tell me more about what you've heard."
C. "All medications have side effects, but the benefits usually
outweigh the risks."
D. "You should take it as prescribed; it's very important for your
condition."
Rationale: The correct response uses the therapeutic technique of
exploring and focusing. It acknowledges the patient's feelings and
encourages them to express their concerns, which is essential for
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building trust and ensuring informed consent. The other responses are
dismissive or provide false reassurance.
4. Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.
Her most significant contribution to nursing practice was:
A. Establishing the first nursing school in the United States.
B. Emphasizing the importance of a clean environment and
sanitation to reduce infection.
C. Developing the first nursing theory on self-care.
D. Creating the first standardized nursing curriculum.
Rationale: Nightingale's work during the Crimean War demonstrated
a direct link between a clean environment and reduced mortality rates.
Her emphasis on sanitation, fresh air, and clean water was
revolutionary and formed the basis for modern infection control
practices.
5. The licensed practical nurse is assigned to a patient who is 12 hours
post-operative from abdominal surgery. The patient complains of
nausea. The nurse notes the patient's vital signs are stable, the dressing is
dry and intact, and the patient has a nasogastric tube to intermittent
suction. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
A. Administer the prescribed antiemetic medication.
B. Notify the registered nurse of the patient's complaint.
C. Assess the patient's abdomen for distension and bowel
sounds.
D. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and relax.
Rationale: Before implementing an intervention (like administering an
antiemetic), the nurse must first assess. Abdominal distension and
absent or hypoactive bowel sounds are signs of a potential
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complication like an ileus, which requires further assessment and
intervention by the RN or physician. The LPN's role includes
collecting data as part of the assessment process.
6. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which of the following
patient needs should the nurse address first?
A. Self-esteem
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Social isolation
D. Lack of knowledge about a new diagnosis
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (air,
food, water, shelter) as the most basic and essential for survival. An
oxygen saturation of 88% indicates a problem with the physiological
need for air/oxygen and is a life-threatening priority. Self-esteem,
social interaction, and knowledge are higher-level needs.
7. A nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a
nursing assistant (CNA/NA). Which of the following tasks is most
appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the LPN?
A. Feeding a stable patient
B. Ambulating a patient with a new hip replacement
C. Administering a routine oral medication to a stable patient
D. Performing a comprehensive admission assessment
Rationale: LPNs are licensed to administer medications. The "Five
Rights" of medication administration are within their scope of practice
for stable patients. Comprehensive admission assessments must be
performed by the RN. Feeding a stable patient and ambulating are
tasks that can be delegated to a CNA/NA.
LPN TO RN TRANSITION / FUNDAMENTALS OF
NURSING COMPREHENSIVE ACTUAL PREP
EXAM 2026 ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
ALREADY A GRADED WITH EXPERT
FEEDBACK |NEW AND REVISED
1. The licensed practical nurse (LPN) is transitioning to the registered
nurse (RN) role. Which of the following best describes the primary
difference in scope of practice between the LPN and the RN?
A. The RN performs more technical skills than the LPN.
B. The RN focuses on disease treatment while the LPN focuses on
prevention.
C. The RN has a broader scope of practice that includes
comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, and leadership of the
nursing care team.
D. The RN works independently while the LPN always works
under direct supervision.
Rationale: The primary difference is the broader scope of practice for
the RN, which includes performing comprehensive health
assessments, analyzing data to formulate nursing diagnoses, and
leading and delegating to other members of the nursing team. While
RNs do perform complex skills, the distinction is more about the depth
of assessment, critical thinking, and management of care.
,2|Page
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who is experiencing pain.
According to the nursing process, which step should the nurse perform
immediately before implementing a non-pharmacological pain relief
intervention?
A. Planning
B. Evaluation
C. Assessment
D. Diagnosis
Rationale: The nursing process follows a specific sequence:
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation.
Before implementing an intervention (Implementation), the nurse
must have a plan (Planning). Planning involves setting goals and
selecting appropriate interventions based on the assessment data and
nursing diagnoses.
3. A patient tells the nurse, "I'm not sure I want to take this new
medication. I've heard it can cause a lot of side effects." Which nursing
response best demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "Don't worry, your doctor wouldn't prescribe it if it wasn't safe."
B. "You have concerns about the side effects of this
medication. Tell me more about what you've heard."
C. "All medications have side effects, but the benefits usually
outweigh the risks."
D. "You should take it as prescribed; it's very important for your
condition."
Rationale: The correct response uses the therapeutic technique of
exploring and focusing. It acknowledges the patient's feelings and
encourages them to express their concerns, which is essential for
,3|Page
building trust and ensuring informed consent. The other responses are
dismissive or provide false reassurance.
4. Florence Nightingale is considered the founder of modern nursing.
Her most significant contribution to nursing practice was:
A. Establishing the first nursing school in the United States.
B. Emphasizing the importance of a clean environment and
sanitation to reduce infection.
C. Developing the first nursing theory on self-care.
D. Creating the first standardized nursing curriculum.
Rationale: Nightingale's work during the Crimean War demonstrated
a direct link between a clean environment and reduced mortality rates.
Her emphasis on sanitation, fresh air, and clean water was
revolutionary and formed the basis for modern infection control
practices.
5. The licensed practical nurse is assigned to a patient who is 12 hours
post-operative from abdominal surgery. The patient complains of
nausea. The nurse notes the patient's vital signs are stable, the dressing is
dry and intact, and the patient has a nasogastric tube to intermittent
suction. What is the best action for the nurse to take?
A. Administer the prescribed antiemetic medication.
B. Notify the registered nurse of the patient's complaint.
C. Assess the patient's abdomen for distension and bowel
sounds.
D. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and relax.
Rationale: Before implementing an intervention (like administering an
antiemetic), the nurse must first assess. Abdominal distension and
absent or hypoactive bowel sounds are signs of a potential
, 4|Page
complication like an ileus, which requires further assessment and
intervention by the RN or physician. The LPN's role includes
collecting data as part of the assessment process.
6. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which of the following
patient needs should the nurse address first?
A. Self-esteem
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Social isolation
D. Lack of knowledge about a new diagnosis
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs (air,
food, water, shelter) as the most basic and essential for survival. An
oxygen saturation of 88% indicates a problem with the physiological
need for air/oxygen and is a life-threatening priority. Self-esteem,
social interaction, and knowledge are higher-level needs.
7. A nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a
nursing assistant (CNA/NA). Which of the following tasks is most
appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the LPN?
A. Feeding a stable patient
B. Ambulating a patient with a new hip replacement
C. Administering a routine oral medication to a stable patient
D. Performing a comprehensive admission assessment
Rationale: LPNs are licensed to administer medications. The "Five
Rights" of medication administration are within their scope of practice
for stable patients. Comprehensive admission assessments must be
performed by the RN. Feeding a stable patient and ambulating are
tasks that can be delegated to a CNA/NA.