PNLE Practice Questions 2026–2027: 100 Practical
Nursing Licensure Examination Questions, Answers &
Rationales
1. Which assessment finding requires the PN to intervene first?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Pulse of 82/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and inadequate oxygenation.
Airway and breathing take priority.
2. What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Wearing a mask
B. Using sterile gloves
C. Hand hygiene
D. Wearing a gown
Answer: C. Hand hygiene
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is the primary method of preventing transmission of
microorganisms.
3. A client with diabetes is sweating, trembling, and confused. What should the PN
suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Sweating, tremors, confusion, weakness, and tachycardia are common signs
of low blood glucose.
,4. Which medication route generally produces the fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Answer: D. Intravenous
Rationale: IV medications enter the bloodstream directly and therefore generally have
the fastest onset.
5. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving oxygen therapy?
A. Dry nasal passages
B. Mild headache
C. Increasing difficulty breathing
D. Slight nasal irritation
Answer: C. Increasing difficulty breathing
Rationale: Worsening respiratory distress requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
6. What position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Elevating the head and chest promotes lung expansion and can improve
ventilation.
7. Which pulse site is commonly used to assess circulation in an adult?
A. Radial
B. Temporal
C. Apical only
, D. Carotid only
Answer: A. Radial
Rationale: The radial pulse is easily accessible and commonly used for routine adult
pulse assessment.
8. A client taking warfarin should be monitored most closely using which laboratory test?
A. INR
B. Serum sodium
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Serum amylase
Answer: A. INR
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin and help assess
bleeding risk.
9. Which food is a good source of potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Bread
D. Applesauce
Answer: B. Banana
Rationale: Bananas are a commonly recognized dietary source of potassium.
10. Which action is appropriate when caring for a client at risk for falls?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Keep the call bell within reach
C. Encourage the client to walk alone
D. Remove nonslip footwear
Answer: B. Keep the call bell within reach
Rationale: Easy access to the call bell allows the client to request assistance before
attempting to get out of bed.
11. Which finding may indicate an allergic reaction to a medication?
Nursing Licensure Examination Questions, Answers &
Rationales
1. Which assessment finding requires the PN to intervene first?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Pulse of 82/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and inadequate oxygenation.
Airway and breathing take priority.
2. What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Wearing a mask
B. Using sterile gloves
C. Hand hygiene
D. Wearing a gown
Answer: C. Hand hygiene
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is the primary method of preventing transmission of
microorganisms.
3. A client with diabetes is sweating, trembling, and confused. What should the PN
suspect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B. Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Sweating, tremors, confusion, weakness, and tachycardia are common signs
of low blood glucose.
,4. Which medication route generally produces the fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Answer: D. Intravenous
Rationale: IV medications enter the bloodstream directly and therefore generally have
the fastest onset.
5. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving oxygen therapy?
A. Dry nasal passages
B. Mild headache
C. Increasing difficulty breathing
D. Slight nasal irritation
Answer: C. Increasing difficulty breathing
Rationale: Worsening respiratory distress requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
6. What position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Elevating the head and chest promotes lung expansion and can improve
ventilation.
7. Which pulse site is commonly used to assess circulation in an adult?
A. Radial
B. Temporal
C. Apical only
, D. Carotid only
Answer: A. Radial
Rationale: The radial pulse is easily accessible and commonly used for routine adult
pulse assessment.
8. A client taking warfarin should be monitored most closely using which laboratory test?
A. INR
B. Serum sodium
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Serum amylase
Answer: A. INR
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin and help assess
bleeding risk.
9. Which food is a good source of potassium?
A. White rice
B. Banana
C. Bread
D. Applesauce
Answer: B. Banana
Rationale: Bananas are a commonly recognized dietary source of potassium.
10. Which action is appropriate when caring for a client at risk for falls?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Keep the call bell within reach
C. Encourage the client to walk alone
D. Remove nonslip footwear
Answer: B. Keep the call bell within reach
Rationale: Easy access to the call bell allows the client to request assistance before
attempting to get out of bed.
11. Which finding may indicate an allergic reaction to a medication?
