LPN/LVN Patient Safety Competency
Exam — Code: LPN-PS-COMP | 100-
Question Advanced Practice Exam 2026
| Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. The client states,
“This pill looks different from what I usually take.” What should the nurse
do first?
A. Administer the medication because it is listed on the MAR.
B. Ask the client to describe the usual medication.
C. Hold the medication and verify the order and medication with the
pharmacy/MAR.
D. Document that the client refused the medication.
Answer: C. Hold the medication and verify the order and medication with the
pharmacy/MAR.
,Rationale: The client’s concern may identify a medication discrepancy. The nurse
should stop and verify the medication before administration rather than
assuming the medication is correct.
2. An LPN/LVN discovers that a client received another client's medication.
What is the priority action?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Notify the charge nurse and assess the client.
C. Wait for symptoms to develop.
D. Document the error at the end of the shift.
Answer: B. Notify the charge nurse and assess the client.
Rationale: After a medication error, immediate assessment and appropriate
notification are priorities. The client’s safety takes precedence over completing
documentation.
3. A confused older adult repeatedly attempts to climb out of bed. Which
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Apply wrist restraints.
B. Raise all four side rails.
C. Move the client closer to the nurses’ station and initiate frequent observation.
D. Administer a sedative without an order.
Answer: C. Move the client closer to the nurses’ station and initiate frequent
observation.
Rationale: Least-restrictive interventions should be attempted before restraints.
Increased observation and environmental modification can reduce fall risk
without unnecessarily restricting the client.
4. A client receiving an opioid analgesic becomes difficult to arouse and has
respirations of 7/min. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the finding.
B. Administer the next scheduled dose later.
,C. Stimulate the client, assess airway and breathing, and initiate emergency
measures as indicated.
D. Offer oral fluids.
Answer: C. Stimulate the client, assess airway and breathing, and initiate
emergency measures as indicated.
Rationale: Severe respiratory depression is an immediate airway and breathing
emergency. The nurse must rapidly assess and support ventilation and obtain
emergency assistance.
5. Which action best demonstrates correct patient identification before
medication administration?
A. Ask the client, “Are you Mr. Jones?”
B. Use the room number and diagnosis.
C. Compare two approved identifiers with the MAR.
D. Ask another nurse whether the client is correct.
Answer: C. Compare two approved identifiers with the MAR.
Rationale: Two reliable identifiers, such as name and date of birth or name and
medical record number, reduce wrong-patient errors. Room numbers are not
acceptable identifiers.
6. A client reports dizziness when standing. Which intervention is most
appropriate to reduce fall risk?
A. Encourage the client to stand quickly.
B. Instruct the client to sit at the bedside before standing.
C. Keep the bed in the highest position.
D. Limit all mobility.
Answer: B. Instruct the client to sit at the bedside before standing.
Rationale: Gradual position changes allow the cardiovascular system to adjust
and can reduce orthostatic dizziness and falls.
, 7. A nurse finds a client lying on the floor beside the bed. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Move the client back into bed.
B. Assess the client for injury and level of consciousness.
C. Complete an incident report.
D. Call the family.
Answer: B. Assess the client for injury and level of consciousness.
Rationale: The client must be assessed immediately for potentially serious
injury. Unless there is an immediate environmental danger, the client should not
be moved until injury is evaluated.
8. Which action is most effective for preventing healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves for every interaction.
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times.
C. Using antibiotics prophylactically.
D. Keeping all clients in private rooms.
Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing
transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
9. A nurse sustains a needlestick injury. What should the nurse do first?
A. Finish the medication pass.
B. Wash the area promptly with soap and water and report the exposure.
C. Apply a tourniquet.
D. Cover the puncture site and ignore it if there is no bleeding.
Answer: B. Wash the area promptly with soap and water and report the
exposure.
Exam — Code: LPN-PS-COMP | 100-
Question Advanced Practice Exam 2026
| Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. The client states,
“This pill looks different from what I usually take.” What should the nurse
do first?
A. Administer the medication because it is listed on the MAR.
B. Ask the client to describe the usual medication.
C. Hold the medication and verify the order and medication with the
pharmacy/MAR.
D. Document that the client refused the medication.
Answer: C. Hold the medication and verify the order and medication with the
pharmacy/MAR.
,Rationale: The client’s concern may identify a medication discrepancy. The nurse
should stop and verify the medication before administration rather than
assuming the medication is correct.
2. An LPN/LVN discovers that a client received another client's medication.
What is the priority action?
A. Complete an incident report.
B. Notify the charge nurse and assess the client.
C. Wait for symptoms to develop.
D. Document the error at the end of the shift.
Answer: B. Notify the charge nurse and assess the client.
Rationale: After a medication error, immediate assessment and appropriate
notification are priorities. The client’s safety takes precedence over completing
documentation.
3. A confused older adult repeatedly attempts to climb out of bed. Which
intervention is most appropriate initially?
A. Apply wrist restraints.
B. Raise all four side rails.
C. Move the client closer to the nurses’ station and initiate frequent observation.
D. Administer a sedative without an order.
Answer: C. Move the client closer to the nurses’ station and initiate frequent
observation.
Rationale: Least-restrictive interventions should be attempted before restraints.
Increased observation and environmental modification can reduce fall risk
without unnecessarily restricting the client.
4. A client receiving an opioid analgesic becomes difficult to arouse and has
respirations of 7/min. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the finding.
B. Administer the next scheduled dose later.
,C. Stimulate the client, assess airway and breathing, and initiate emergency
measures as indicated.
D. Offer oral fluids.
Answer: C. Stimulate the client, assess airway and breathing, and initiate
emergency measures as indicated.
Rationale: Severe respiratory depression is an immediate airway and breathing
emergency. The nurse must rapidly assess and support ventilation and obtain
emergency assistance.
5. Which action best demonstrates correct patient identification before
medication administration?
A. Ask the client, “Are you Mr. Jones?”
B. Use the room number and diagnosis.
C. Compare two approved identifiers with the MAR.
D. Ask another nurse whether the client is correct.
Answer: C. Compare two approved identifiers with the MAR.
Rationale: Two reliable identifiers, such as name and date of birth or name and
medical record number, reduce wrong-patient errors. Room numbers are not
acceptable identifiers.
6. A client reports dizziness when standing. Which intervention is most
appropriate to reduce fall risk?
A. Encourage the client to stand quickly.
B. Instruct the client to sit at the bedside before standing.
C. Keep the bed in the highest position.
D. Limit all mobility.
Answer: B. Instruct the client to sit at the bedside before standing.
Rationale: Gradual position changes allow the cardiovascular system to adjust
and can reduce orthostatic dizziness and falls.
, 7. A nurse finds a client lying on the floor beside the bed. What should the
nurse do first?
A. Move the client back into bed.
B. Assess the client for injury and level of consciousness.
C. Complete an incident report.
D. Call the family.
Answer: B. Assess the client for injury and level of consciousness.
Rationale: The client must be assessed immediately for potentially serious
injury. Unless there is an immediate environmental danger, the client should not
be moved until injury is evaluated.
8. Which action is most effective for preventing healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves for every interaction.
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times.
C. Using antibiotics prophylactically.
D. Keeping all clients in private rooms.
Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most important measures for preventing
transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
9. A nurse sustains a needlestick injury. What should the nurse do first?
A. Finish the medication pass.
B. Wash the area promptly with soap and water and report the exposure.
C. Apply a tourniquet.
D. Cover the puncture site and ignore it if there is no bleeding.
Answer: B. Wash the area promptly with soap and water and report the
exposure.
