NCLEX-PN 200 Practice Questions with
Answers and Detailed Rationales
Table of Contents
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care (Questions 1–10)
1. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to a nursing
assistant. Which task is most appropriate to delegate?
A. Administering oral medications to a stable client
B. Ambulating a client who had surgery 2 days ago
C. Assessing a client’s wound for signs of infection
D. Teaching a client about a new prescription
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulating a stable postoperative client is a routine
task within the nursing assistant’s scope of practice. Option A
(medication administration) requires a licensed nurse. Option C
(assessment) is the responsibility of the registered nurse or
licensed practical nurse. Option D (teaching) requires a licensed
nurse’s knowledge and is not delegated to unlicensed assistive
personnel.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for
surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client’s informed consent is signed
B. Administer the preoperative antibiotic
,C. Teach the client about postoperative exercises
D. Obtain the client’s vital signs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ensuring informed consent is obtained before
surgery is a legal and ethical priority. The nurse must verify that
the consent is signed and that the client understands the
procedure. Administering antibiotics, teaching, and vital signs
are important but follow verification of consent.
3. A nurse is making client assignments. Which client
should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?
A. A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics
B. A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation
C. A client awaiting discharge after a knee replacement
D. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation is unstable
and requires close monitoring and interpretation of cardiac
rhythms. This assignment should go to the most experienced
nurse. The other clients are stable and have predictable needs.
4. A nurse is reviewing a client’s chart and notes an advance
directive. The nurse understands that an advance directive:
A. Allows the physician to make all decisions
B. Is a legal document that states a client’s wishes for end-of-
life care
C. Must be signed by a family member
D. Only applies to clients over age 65
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An advance directive is a legal document that
communicates a client’s preferences for medical treatment if
,they become unable to make decisions. It does not give the
physician total authority (A), does not require a family signature
(C), and is not limited by age (D).
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion.
Which action is the priority?
A. Obtain the client’s vital signs
B. Verify the blood type and client identification with another
nurse
C. Explain the procedure to the client
D. Start an IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority before a blood transfusion is to verify
the correct blood product and client identification with a
second licensed professional to prevent a transfusion reaction.
Vital signs, explanation, and IV access are essential but follow
verification.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who speaks a different
language. Which action should the nurse take to ensure
effective communication?
A. Ask a family member to interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Speak loudly and slowly
D. Provide written instructions in English
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using a certified medical interpreter ensures
accurate and confidential communication. Family members may
not be medically knowledgeable or may alter information.
Speaking loudly does not overcome language barriers. Written
instructions in English are not helpful if the client cannot read
English.
, 7. A nurse is reviewing a medication order and notes it is
illegible. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Ask another nurse to read the order
B. Call the prescriber to clarify the order
C. Administer the medication as written
D. Hold the medication until the next shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illegible orders must be clarified with the prescriber
before administration to prevent medication errors. Guessing or
having another nurse interpret is unsafe. Holding the
medication without clarification could delay necessary
treatment.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a do-not-resuscitate
(DNR) order. The client’s family requests that the nurse “do
everything” if the client stops breathing. What should the
nurse do?
A. Follow the family’s request
B. Explain that the DNR order must be honored
C. Call the physician to change the order
D. Begin CPR if the client arrests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A DNR order is a legal document that must be
honored unless the client or their legal surrogate changes it.
The nurse should explain the DNR order to the family and
involve the physician and ethics team if needed. The nurse
cannot override a DNR order based on family request.
9. A nurse is preparing to discharge a client. Which action is
essential for continuity of care?
A. Provide a list of medications
B. Ensure the client has a follow-up appointment
Answers and Detailed Rationales
Table of Contents
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care (Questions 1–10)
1. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to a nursing
assistant. Which task is most appropriate to delegate?
A. Administering oral medications to a stable client
B. Ambulating a client who had surgery 2 days ago
C. Assessing a client’s wound for signs of infection
D. Teaching a client about a new prescription
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulating a stable postoperative client is a routine
task within the nursing assistant’s scope of practice. Option A
(medication administration) requires a licensed nurse. Option C
(assessment) is the responsibility of the registered nurse or
licensed practical nurse. Option D (teaching) requires a licensed
nurse’s knowledge and is not delegated to unlicensed assistive
personnel.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for
surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client’s informed consent is signed
B. Administer the preoperative antibiotic
,C. Teach the client about postoperative exercises
D. Obtain the client’s vital signs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ensuring informed consent is obtained before
surgery is a legal and ethical priority. The nurse must verify that
the consent is signed and that the client understands the
procedure. Administering antibiotics, teaching, and vital signs
are important but follow verification of consent.
3. A nurse is making client assignments. Which client
should be assigned to the most experienced nurse?
A. A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics
B. A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation
C. A client awaiting discharge after a knee replacement
D. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation is unstable
and requires close monitoring and interpretation of cardiac
rhythms. This assignment should go to the most experienced
nurse. The other clients are stable and have predictable needs.
4. A nurse is reviewing a client’s chart and notes an advance
directive. The nurse understands that an advance directive:
A. Allows the physician to make all decisions
B. Is a legal document that states a client’s wishes for end-of-
life care
C. Must be signed by a family member
D. Only applies to clients over age 65
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An advance directive is a legal document that
communicates a client’s preferences for medical treatment if
,they become unable to make decisions. It does not give the
physician total authority (A), does not require a family signature
(C), and is not limited by age (D).
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion.
Which action is the priority?
A. Obtain the client’s vital signs
B. Verify the blood type and client identification with another
nurse
C. Explain the procedure to the client
D. Start an IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority before a blood transfusion is to verify
the correct blood product and client identification with a
second licensed professional to prevent a transfusion reaction.
Vital signs, explanation, and IV access are essential but follow
verification.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who speaks a different
language. Which action should the nurse take to ensure
effective communication?
A. Ask a family member to interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Speak loudly and slowly
D. Provide written instructions in English
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using a certified medical interpreter ensures
accurate and confidential communication. Family members may
not be medically knowledgeable or may alter information.
Speaking loudly does not overcome language barriers. Written
instructions in English are not helpful if the client cannot read
English.
, 7. A nurse is reviewing a medication order and notes it is
illegible. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Ask another nurse to read the order
B. Call the prescriber to clarify the order
C. Administer the medication as written
D. Hold the medication until the next shift
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illegible orders must be clarified with the prescriber
before administration to prevent medication errors. Guessing or
having another nurse interpret is unsafe. Holding the
medication without clarification could delay necessary
treatment.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a do-not-resuscitate
(DNR) order. The client’s family requests that the nurse “do
everything” if the client stops breathing. What should the
nurse do?
A. Follow the family’s request
B. Explain that the DNR order must be honored
C. Call the physician to change the order
D. Begin CPR if the client arrests
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A DNR order is a legal document that must be
honored unless the client or their legal surrogate changes it.
The nurse should explain the DNR order to the family and
involve the physician and ethics team if needed. The nurse
cannot override a DNR order based on family request.
9. A nurse is preparing to discharge a client. Which action is
essential for continuity of care?
A. Provide a list of medications
B. Ensure the client has a follow-up appointment
