Tennessee RN Jurisprudence Exam —
Code: TN-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. What is the primary purpose of Tennessee's Nursing Practice Act?
A. To establish hospital staffing ratios
B. To regulate nursing school tuition
C. To protect nurses from malpractice claims
D. To safeguard life and health by regulating persons who practice or offer to
practice nursing
Answer: To safeguard life and health by regulating persons who practice or offer
to practice nursing
,Rationale: T.C.A. § 63-7-101 identifies safeguarding life and health as the
purpose of the chapter and requires persons practicing or offering to practice
nursing to demonstrate qualification and obtain licensure as required.
2. Which entity is the primary regulatory body for nursing licensure in
Tennessee?
A. Tennessee Department of Labor
B. Tennessee Board of Nursing
C. Tennessee Hospital Association
D. Tennessee Medical Association
Answer: Tennessee Board of Nursing
Rationale: The Tennessee Board of Nursing is the regulatory body authorized to
enforce the Nursing Practice Act and administer nursing licensure requirements.
3. Which activity most clearly falls within the Tennessee statutory definition of
professional nursing?
A. Performing only clerical duties
B. Providing nursing care requiring substantial specialized judgment and skill
C. Selling medical equipment
D. Scheduling patient appointments
Answer: Providing nursing care requiring substantial specialized judgment and
skill
Rationale: Tennessee defines professional nursing in terms of acts requiring
substantial specialized judgment and skill based on nursing, natural, behavioral,
and related sciences and application of the nursing process.
4. An RN is asked to independently perform a procedure for which the nurse
lacks education, training, and competence. What is the most appropriate
response?
A. Perform it because the physician ordered it
B. Perform it if another nurse observes
,C. Decline the assignment until appropriate competency is established
D. Ask an unlicensed employee to perform it
Answer: Decline the assignment until appropriate competency is established
Rationale: A nursing license does not authorize every conceivable procedure.
The nurse must practice within professional competence and applicable law,
rules, employer policy, education, training, and experience.
5. Which action may constitute grounds for discipline by the Tennessee Board of
Nursing?
A. Asking for clarification of an unsafe order
B. Practicing competently
C. Fraud or deceit in obtaining a nursing license
D. Participating in continuing education
Answer: Fraud or deceit in obtaining a nursing license
Rationale: T.C.A. § 63-7-115 specifically identifies fraud or deceit in procuring or
attempting to procure a nursing license as grounds for Board action.
6. Which situation is specifically identified in Tennessee law as a potential
ground for discipline?
A. Working overtime voluntarily
B. Addiction to alcohol or drugs that interferes with nursing duties
C. Changing employers
D. Requesting additional orientation
Answer: Addiction to alcohol or drugs that interferes with nursing duties
Rationale: T.C.A. § 63-7-115 includes addiction to alcohol or drugs to a degree
that interferes with nursing duties among grounds for denial, suspension,
revocation, or other discipline.
7. A nurse knowingly violates a lawful order of the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Which statement is most accurate?
, A. The nurse cannot be disciplined unless a patient is injured
B. The conduct may constitute grounds for Board discipline
C. Only the employing hospital can respond
D. The conduct is protected if the nurse disagrees with the order
Answer: The conduct may constitute grounds for Board discipline
Rationale: Tennessee law identifies violating, attempting to violate, assisting in,
or conspiring to violate the Nursing Practice Act or a lawful Board order as
grounds for discipline.
8. Which action is within the Tennessee Board of Nursing's authority?
A. Establishing federal Medicare reimbursement rates
B. Conducting examinations to determine applicants' qualifications and fitness
C. Setting hospital insurance premiums
D. Licensing physicians
Answer: Conducting examinations to determine applicants' qualifications and
fitness
Rationale: The Board has statutory authority to conduct nursing examinations
and issue nursing licenses to qualified applicants.
9. What is one major function of the Tennessee Board of Nursing regarding
nursing education?
A. Setting college admission standards for all Tennessee students
B. Establishing minimum curricular and educational standards for nursing
programs
C. Determining individual student loan eligibility
D. Accrediting medical schools
Answer: Establishing minimum curricular and educational standards for nursing
programs
Rationale: The Board establishes minimum curricular and training standards for
schools and courses preparing individuals for nursing licensure.
Code: TN-RN-JP | 100-Question
Advanced Practice Exam 2026 |
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. What is the primary purpose of Tennessee's Nursing Practice Act?
A. To establish hospital staffing ratios
B. To regulate nursing school tuition
C. To protect nurses from malpractice claims
D. To safeguard life and health by regulating persons who practice or offer to
practice nursing
Answer: To safeguard life and health by regulating persons who practice or offer
to practice nursing
,Rationale: T.C.A. § 63-7-101 identifies safeguarding life and health as the
purpose of the chapter and requires persons practicing or offering to practice
nursing to demonstrate qualification and obtain licensure as required.
2. Which entity is the primary regulatory body for nursing licensure in
Tennessee?
A. Tennessee Department of Labor
B. Tennessee Board of Nursing
C. Tennessee Hospital Association
D. Tennessee Medical Association
Answer: Tennessee Board of Nursing
Rationale: The Tennessee Board of Nursing is the regulatory body authorized to
enforce the Nursing Practice Act and administer nursing licensure requirements.
3. Which activity most clearly falls within the Tennessee statutory definition of
professional nursing?
A. Performing only clerical duties
B. Providing nursing care requiring substantial specialized judgment and skill
C. Selling medical equipment
D. Scheduling patient appointments
Answer: Providing nursing care requiring substantial specialized judgment and
skill
Rationale: Tennessee defines professional nursing in terms of acts requiring
substantial specialized judgment and skill based on nursing, natural, behavioral,
and related sciences and application of the nursing process.
4. An RN is asked to independently perform a procedure for which the nurse
lacks education, training, and competence. What is the most appropriate
response?
A. Perform it because the physician ordered it
B. Perform it if another nurse observes
,C. Decline the assignment until appropriate competency is established
D. Ask an unlicensed employee to perform it
Answer: Decline the assignment until appropriate competency is established
Rationale: A nursing license does not authorize every conceivable procedure.
The nurse must practice within professional competence and applicable law,
rules, employer policy, education, training, and experience.
5. Which action may constitute grounds for discipline by the Tennessee Board of
Nursing?
A. Asking for clarification of an unsafe order
B. Practicing competently
C. Fraud or deceit in obtaining a nursing license
D. Participating in continuing education
Answer: Fraud or deceit in obtaining a nursing license
Rationale: T.C.A. § 63-7-115 specifically identifies fraud or deceit in procuring or
attempting to procure a nursing license as grounds for Board action.
6. Which situation is specifically identified in Tennessee law as a potential
ground for discipline?
A. Working overtime voluntarily
B. Addiction to alcohol or drugs that interferes with nursing duties
C. Changing employers
D. Requesting additional orientation
Answer: Addiction to alcohol or drugs that interferes with nursing duties
Rationale: T.C.A. § 63-7-115 includes addiction to alcohol or drugs to a degree
that interferes with nursing duties among grounds for denial, suspension,
revocation, or other discipline.
7. A nurse knowingly violates a lawful order of the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Which statement is most accurate?
, A. The nurse cannot be disciplined unless a patient is injured
B. The conduct may constitute grounds for Board discipline
C. Only the employing hospital can respond
D. The conduct is protected if the nurse disagrees with the order
Answer: The conduct may constitute grounds for Board discipline
Rationale: Tennessee law identifies violating, attempting to violate, assisting in,
or conspiring to violate the Nursing Practice Act or a lawful Board order as
grounds for discipline.
8. Which action is within the Tennessee Board of Nursing's authority?
A. Establishing federal Medicare reimbursement rates
B. Conducting examinations to determine applicants' qualifications and fitness
C. Setting hospital insurance premiums
D. Licensing physicians
Answer: Conducting examinations to determine applicants' qualifications and
fitness
Rationale: The Board has statutory authority to conduct nursing examinations
and issue nursing licenses to qualified applicants.
9. What is one major function of the Tennessee Board of Nursing regarding
nursing education?
A. Setting college admission standards for all Tennessee students
B. Establishing minimum curricular and educational standards for nursing
programs
C. Determining individual student loan eligibility
D. Accrediting medical schools
Answer: Establishing minimum curricular and educational standards for nursing
programs
Rationale: The Board establishes minimum curricular and training standards for
schools and courses preparing individuals for nursing licensure.
