NCLEX-PN Exam 2026/2027 | NCLEX-PN Practical
Nurse Licensure Exam Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Answers, Nursing Test Bank, Clinical
Judgment, Patient Safety, Pharmacology,
Fundamentals, Adult Health, Pediatrics, Maternity,
Mental Health & Detailed Rationales
NCLEX-PN Exam 2026/2027 comprehensive nursing exam-prep material for practical and
vocational nursing students preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination for
Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The resource is designed around major NCLEX-PN client-needs
areas, including safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance,
psychosocial integrity, physiological integrity, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk
potential, physiological adaptation, infection prevention, clinical judgment and prioritization,
with practice questions, answers and detailed rationales. The NCLEX-PN is the national
licensure examination used by U.S. nursing regulatory bodies to determine whether
candidates meet entry-level competency requirements for practical nursing licensure.
,Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should empty the pouch when it is one-third full."
B. "I can use a pouch with a filter to help with odor."
C. "I should avoid eating foods that cause gas."
D. "I will change the pouch every day to prevent infection."
CORRECT ANSWER: D. "I will change the pouch every day to prevent
infection."
Rationale: A colostomy pouch typically needs to be changed every 3 to 7
days, depending on the type of pouch and skin condition. Daily changes
can irritate the skin and are unnecessary. Emptying the pouch when it is
one-third full, using filtered pouches, and avoiding gas-producing foods are
appropriate measures.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client with suspected meningitis.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Positive Kernig's sign
B. Positive Homans' sign
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Positive Trousseau's sign
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Positive Kernig's sign
Rationale: Kernig's sign is a classic assessment finding in meningitis,
indicating meningeal irritation. Homans' sign is associated with deep vein
thrombosis. Babinski sign is a normal finding in infants but abnormal in
adults, indicating upper motor neuron lesions. Trousseau's sign is
associated with hypocalcemia.
Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which assessment finding should the nurse report before
administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
,Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats
per minute in adults, as it can further slow the heart rate and lead to
toxicity. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are not
contraindications for digoxin administration.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of major
depressive disorder. Which symptom indicates the client is at highest
risk for suicide?
A. Sleeping 12 hours per day
B. Expressing feelings of hopelessness
C. Having a sudden improvement in mood
D. Refusing to eat breakfast
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Having a sudden improvement in mood
Rationale: A sudden improvement in mood in a depressed client may
indicate that the client has made a decision to commit suicide and feels
relief. This is a critical warning sign. Hopelessness is also a risk factor, but
sudden mood improvement is more immediately concerning.
Question 5: A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which
food should the client avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Grilled chicken
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Canned soup
Rationale: Canned soups are typically high in sodium due to added salt as
a preservative. Fresh apples, brown rice, and grilled chicken are low-
sodium foods appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
Question 6: A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected urinary tract
infection (UTI). Which finding is most common?
A. Polyuria
B. Dysuria
C. Hematuria
D. Nocturia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dysuria
, Rationale: Dysuria (painful urination) is the most common symptom of a
UTI. Polyuria, hematuria, and nocturia can occur but are less specific and
less common as primary complaints.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous heparin.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT). PT/INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy.
Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but
aPTT is the primary monitoring parameter.
Question 8: A nurse is performing a newborn assessment. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mongolian spots on the buttocks
B. Milia on the nose
C. Cyanosis of the lips and tongue
D. Caput succedaneum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cyanosis of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Central cyanosis (lips and tongue) indicates inadequate
oxygenation and requires immediate intervention. Mongolian spots, milia,
and caput succedaneum are benign findings in newborns.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which oxygen delivery method is most
appropriate?
A. Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
B. Simple face mask at 8 L/min
C. Venturi mask at 2 L/min
D. Non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Venturi mask at 2 L/min
Nurse Licensure Exam Study Guide, Practice
Questions & Answers, Nursing Test Bank, Clinical
Judgment, Patient Safety, Pharmacology,
Fundamentals, Adult Health, Pediatrics, Maternity,
Mental Health & Detailed Rationales
NCLEX-PN Exam 2026/2027 comprehensive nursing exam-prep material for practical and
vocational nursing students preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination for
Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The resource is designed around major NCLEX-PN client-needs
areas, including safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance,
psychosocial integrity, physiological integrity, pharmacological therapies, reduction of risk
potential, physiological adaptation, infection prevention, clinical judgment and prioritization,
with practice questions, answers and detailed rationales. The NCLEX-PN is the national
licensure examination used by U.S. nursing regulatory bodies to determine whether
candidates meet entry-level competency requirements for practical nursing licensure.
,Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should empty the pouch when it is one-third full."
B. "I can use a pouch with a filter to help with odor."
C. "I should avoid eating foods that cause gas."
D. "I will change the pouch every day to prevent infection."
CORRECT ANSWER: D. "I will change the pouch every day to prevent
infection."
Rationale: A colostomy pouch typically needs to be changed every 3 to 7
days, depending on the type of pouch and skin condition. Daily changes
can irritate the skin and are unnecessary. Emptying the pouch when it is
one-third full, using filtered pouches, and avoiding gas-producing foods are
appropriate measures.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client with suspected meningitis.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Positive Kernig's sign
B. Positive Homans' sign
C. Positive Babinski sign
D. Positive Trousseau's sign
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Positive Kernig's sign
Rationale: Kernig's sign is a classic assessment finding in meningitis,
indicating meningeal irritation. Homans' sign is associated with deep vein
thrombosis. Babinski sign is a normal finding in infants but abnormal in
adults, indicating upper motor neuron lesions. Trousseau's sign is
associated with hypocalcemia.
Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which assessment finding should the nurse report before
administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
,Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 beats
per minute in adults, as it can further slow the heart rate and lead to
toxicity. Blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are not
contraindications for digoxin administration.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of major
depressive disorder. Which symptom indicates the client is at highest
risk for suicide?
A. Sleeping 12 hours per day
B. Expressing feelings of hopelessness
C. Having a sudden improvement in mood
D. Refusing to eat breakfast
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Having a sudden improvement in mood
Rationale: A sudden improvement in mood in a depressed client may
indicate that the client has made a decision to commit suicide and feels
relief. This is a critical warning sign. Hopelessness is also a risk factor, but
sudden mood improvement is more immediately concerning.
Question 5: A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which
food should the client avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Grilled chicken
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Canned soup
Rationale: Canned soups are typically high in sodium due to added salt as
a preservative. Fresh apples, brown rice, and grilled chicken are low-
sodium foods appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
Question 6: A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected urinary tract
infection (UTI). Which finding is most common?
A. Polyuria
B. Dysuria
C. Hematuria
D. Nocturia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Dysuria
, Rationale: Dysuria (painful urination) is the most common symptom of a
UTI. Polyuria, hematuria, and nocturia can occur but are less specific and
less common as primary complaints.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous heparin.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
CORRECT ANSWER: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT). PT/INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy.
Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but
aPTT is the primary monitoring parameter.
Question 8: A nurse is performing a newborn assessment. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mongolian spots on the buttocks
B. Milia on the nose
C. Cyanosis of the lips and tongue
D. Caput succedaneum
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Cyanosis of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Central cyanosis (lips and tongue) indicates inadequate
oxygenation and requires immediate intervention. Mongolian spots, milia,
and caput succedaneum are benign findings in newborns.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which oxygen delivery method is most
appropriate?
A. Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
B. Simple face mask at 8 L/min
C. Venturi mask at 2 L/min
D. Non-rebreather mask at 10 L/min
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Venturi mask at 2 L/min
