LPN/LVN Health Assessment
Competency Exam — Code: LPN-HA-
COMP | 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1.
An LPN/LVN is assessing a client who reports sudden, severe abdominal pain that
began 30 minutes ago. Which assessment finding requires the highest priority?
A. Pain rated 7/10
B. Nausea after eating
C. Rigid, board-like abdomen with guarding
D. Decreased appetite for 2 days
Answer: C. Rigid, board-like abdomen with guarding
,Rationale: A rigid abdomen with guarding can indicate peritoneal irritation,
perforation, or another acute abdominal emergency. This finding requires
immediate escalation and further evaluation.
2.
During a respiratory assessment, which finding most strongly suggests increased
work of breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Symmetric chest expansion
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Vesicular breath sounds
Answer: C. Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates that the client is working harder than
normal to ventilate. It may occur with respiratory distress and warrants prompt
evaluation.
3.
A client becomes dizzy when standing after lying in bed for several hours. Which
assessment is most appropriate?
A. Measure orthostatic vital signs
B. Obtain a single temperature
C. Assess visual acuity only
D. Measure abdominal girth
Answer: A. Measure orthostatic vital signs
Rationale: Orthostatic measurements compare blood pressure and pulse with
position changes and can help identify orthostatic hypotension as a cause of
dizziness.
4.
,While assessing a client's pupils, the LPN/LVN notes that one pupil is significantly
larger than the other and reacts poorly to light. What is the priority response?
A. Document the finding as expected
B. Reassess at the next scheduled assessment
C. Compare the finding with the client's baseline and promptly report an acute
change
D. Ask the client to close both eyes
Answer: C. Compare the finding with the client's baseline and promptly report
an acute change
Rationale: New anisocoria with an abnormal pupillary response can indicate
neurologic or ocular pathology. A sudden change requires prompt evaluation.
5.
Which technique provides the most accurate assessment of a peripheral pulse?
A. Counting for 5 seconds and multiplying by 12
B. Using the fingertips over the artery
C. Using the thumb over the artery
D. Compressing the artery firmly
Answer: B. Using the fingertips over the artery
Rationale: The fingertips are sensitive to pulse characteristics. The thumb should
not be used because it has its own palpable pulse.
6.
A client has a respiratory rate of 8/min and is difficult to arouse. Which
assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Oxygen saturation of 96%
B. Shallow respirations
C. Warm skin
D. Heart rate of 72/min
, Answer: B. Shallow respirations
Rationale: Bradypnea combined with shallow respirations and decreased
responsiveness may indicate respiratory depression and requires immediate
intervention.
7.
When assessing the abdomen, which sequence should the nurse use?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Percussion, inspection, palpation, auscultation
Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation because
manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds.
8.
Which assessment finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Poor skin turgor with dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor with dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit commonly produces dry mucous membranes,
decreased skin turgor, concentrated urine, tachycardia, and orthostatic changes.
9.
A client reports chest pressure during exertion that resolves with rest. Which
additional assessment is most important?
Competency Exam — Code: LPN-HA-
COMP | 100-Question Advanced
Practice Exam 2026 | Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1.
An LPN/LVN is assessing a client who reports sudden, severe abdominal pain that
began 30 minutes ago. Which assessment finding requires the highest priority?
A. Pain rated 7/10
B. Nausea after eating
C. Rigid, board-like abdomen with guarding
D. Decreased appetite for 2 days
Answer: C. Rigid, board-like abdomen with guarding
,Rationale: A rigid abdomen with guarding can indicate peritoneal irritation,
perforation, or another acute abdominal emergency. This finding requires
immediate escalation and further evaluation.
2.
During a respiratory assessment, which finding most strongly suggests increased
work of breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 18/min
B. Symmetric chest expansion
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Vesicular breath sounds
Answer: C. Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Accessory muscle use indicates that the client is working harder than
normal to ventilate. It may occur with respiratory distress and warrants prompt
evaluation.
3.
A client becomes dizzy when standing after lying in bed for several hours. Which
assessment is most appropriate?
A. Measure orthostatic vital signs
B. Obtain a single temperature
C. Assess visual acuity only
D. Measure abdominal girth
Answer: A. Measure orthostatic vital signs
Rationale: Orthostatic measurements compare blood pressure and pulse with
position changes and can help identify orthostatic hypotension as a cause of
dizziness.
4.
,While assessing a client's pupils, the LPN/LVN notes that one pupil is significantly
larger than the other and reacts poorly to light. What is the priority response?
A. Document the finding as expected
B. Reassess at the next scheduled assessment
C. Compare the finding with the client's baseline and promptly report an acute
change
D. Ask the client to close both eyes
Answer: C. Compare the finding with the client's baseline and promptly report
an acute change
Rationale: New anisocoria with an abnormal pupillary response can indicate
neurologic or ocular pathology. A sudden change requires prompt evaluation.
5.
Which technique provides the most accurate assessment of a peripheral pulse?
A. Counting for 5 seconds and multiplying by 12
B. Using the fingertips over the artery
C. Using the thumb over the artery
D. Compressing the artery firmly
Answer: B. Using the fingertips over the artery
Rationale: The fingertips are sensitive to pulse characteristics. The thumb should
not be used because it has its own palpable pulse.
6.
A client has a respiratory rate of 8/min and is difficult to arouse. Which
assessment finding is most concerning?
A. Oxygen saturation of 96%
B. Shallow respirations
C. Warm skin
D. Heart rate of 72/min
, Answer: B. Shallow respirations
Rationale: Bradypnea combined with shallow respirations and decreased
responsiveness may indicate respiratory depression and requires immediate
intervention.
7.
When assessing the abdomen, which sequence should the nurse use?
A. Palpation, percussion, inspection, auscultation
B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C. Auscultation, palpation, inspection, percussion
D. Percussion, inspection, palpation, auscultation
Answer: B. Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before percussion and palpation because
manipulating the abdomen can alter bowel sounds.
8.
Which assessment finding is most consistent with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Poor skin turgor with dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor with dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Fluid volume deficit commonly produces dry mucous membranes,
decreased skin turgor, concentrated urine, tachycardia, and orthostatic changes.
9.
A client reports chest pressure during exertion that resolves with rest. Which
additional assessment is most important?
