NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE EXAMINATION FOR PRACTICAL NURSES (NCLEX-PN) EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2027 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment: Coordinated Care
2. Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control
3. Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. Psychosocial Integrity
5. Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
6. Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7. Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
8. Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
9. Regulatory, Legal, and Ethical Nursing Practice
10. Professional Standards, Communication, and Documentation
INTRODUCTION
The NCLEX-PN examination assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for safe and effective
entry-level practical nursing practice. It evaluates foundational theory, applied professional knowledge,
technical concepts, regulatory and legal compliance, ethics, and real-world workplace scenarios. The
exam emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, practical application,
interpretation, analysis, and professional judgment. Questions are presented in multiple-choice and
scenario-based formats requiring the candidate to apply nursing principles to realistic patient
situations. This comprehensive practice assessment contains 200 questions distributed across two
sections, with each question followed by the correct answer and a detailed rationale. The content
reflects current practical nursing standards and emphasizes safety, professional responsibility, and
evidence-based decision-making in diverse clinical settings.
SECTION ONE – QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery. Which action should the
nurse take first?
, A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Assess the surgical dressing for bleeding
C. Administer the prescribed pain medication
D. Document the client's level of consciousness
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Assessing the surgical dressing for bleeding is the priority because hemorrhage is a
life-threatening complication. Airway, breathing, and circulation concerns take precedence over pain
management and documentation.
2. A client with diabetes mellitus is scheduled for a fasting blood glucose test. The client asks the nurse
why fasting is required. Which response by the nurse is best?
A. "Fasting prevents dehydration during the test."
B. "Fasting ensures accurate baseline glucose measurement."
C. "Fasting reduces the risk of infection."
D. "Fasting improves kidney function."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Fasting ensures an accurate baseline blood glucose measurement by eliminating
the influence of recent food intake on glucose levels.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The apical pulse is 52 beats per minute. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
C. Administer half the prescribed dose
D. Recheck the pulse after 15 minutes and administer if above 50
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Digoxin should be withheld when the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute in
adults because of the risk of bradycardia and toxicity. The provider must be notified.
4. A client is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which position should the nurse place the client in?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Left lateral
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: High Fowler's position promotes maximum chest expansion and facilitates
breathing during an acute asthma attack.
,5. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the nurse instruct the client
to avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Grilled chicken
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Canned soup is high in sodium due to added salt during processing and should be
avoided on a low-sodium diet.
6. A client with a new colostomy asks the nurse how to care for the stoma. Which statement indicates
the client needs further teaching?
A. "I will clean the stoma with mild soap and water."
B. "I will avoid using alcohol on the stoma."
C. "I will apply a tight-fitting pouch over the stoma."
D. "I will inspect the stoma for changes in color."
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: The pouch opening should fit snugly but not tightly around the stoma to prevent
irritation and impairment of circulation.
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous heparin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time
C. Bleeding time
D. Platelet count
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the standard laboratory test used to
monitor heparin therapy.
8. A client is admitted with suspected tuberculosis. Which type of isolation should the nurse
implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
🟢 Correct answer: C
, 🔴 Explanation: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room and
N95 respirator, because it spreads through airborne droplet nuclei.
9. A nurse is assessing a client with dehydration. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Increased urine output
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign of dehydration due to decreased interstitial fluid.
10. A client is prescribed furosemide. Which food should the nurse encourage the client to eat?
A. Bananas
B. Cheese
C. Bread
D. Pasta
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Bananas are rich in
potassium and help prevent hypokalemia.
11. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action demonstrates proper technique?
A. Keeping the sterile field below waist level
B. Reaching across the sterile field
C. Using sterile gloves to handle sterile supplies
D. Allowing the sterile field to become wet
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: Sterile gloves must be used to handle sterile supplies to maintain sterility and
prevent contamination.
12. A client with heart failure is prescribed a fluid restriction. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Drink at least 3 liters of fluid daily."
B. "Limit fluids to the amount prescribed by your provider."
C. "Increase fluid intake during hot weather."
D. "Drink fluids only when thirsty."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Fluid restriction in heart failure is individualized and must be followed exactly as
prescribed to prevent fluid overload.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2027 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS |
PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
CORE DOMAINS
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment: Coordinated Care
2. Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control
3. Health Promotion and Maintenance
4. Psychosocial Integrity
5. Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort
6. Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7. Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
8. Physiological Integrity: Physiological Adaptation
9. Regulatory, Legal, and Ethical Nursing Practice
10. Professional Standards, Communication, and Documentation
INTRODUCTION
The NCLEX-PN examination assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for safe and effective
entry-level practical nursing practice. It evaluates foundational theory, applied professional knowledge,
technical concepts, regulatory and legal compliance, ethics, and real-world workplace scenarios. The
exam emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, practical application,
interpretation, analysis, and professional judgment. Questions are presented in multiple-choice and
scenario-based formats requiring the candidate to apply nursing principles to realistic patient
situations. This comprehensive practice assessment contains 200 questions distributed across two
sections, with each question followed by the correct answer and a detailed rationale. The content
reflects current practical nursing standards and emphasizes safety, professional responsibility, and
evidence-based decision-making in diverse clinical settings.
SECTION ONE – QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery. Which action should the
nurse take first?
, A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Assess the surgical dressing for bleeding
C. Administer the prescribed pain medication
D. Document the client's level of consciousness
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Assessing the surgical dressing for bleeding is the priority because hemorrhage is a
life-threatening complication. Airway, breathing, and circulation concerns take precedence over pain
management and documentation.
2. A client with diabetes mellitus is scheduled for a fasting blood glucose test. The client asks the nurse
why fasting is required. Which response by the nurse is best?
A. "Fasting prevents dehydration during the test."
B. "Fasting ensures accurate baseline glucose measurement."
C. "Fasting reduces the risk of infection."
D. "Fasting improves kidney function."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Fasting ensures an accurate baseline blood glucose measurement by eliminating
the influence of recent food intake on glucose levels.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The apical pulse is 52 beats per minute. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
C. Administer half the prescribed dose
D. Recheck the pulse after 15 minutes and administer if above 50
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Digoxin should be withheld when the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute in
adults because of the risk of bradycardia and toxicity. The provider must be notified.
4. A client is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which position should the nurse place the client in?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Left lateral
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: High Fowler's position promotes maximum chest expansion and facilitates
breathing during an acute asthma attack.
,5. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the nurse instruct the client
to avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Brown rice
D. Grilled chicken
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Canned soup is high in sodium due to added salt during processing and should be
avoided on a low-sodium diet.
6. A client with a new colostomy asks the nurse how to care for the stoma. Which statement indicates
the client needs further teaching?
A. "I will clean the stoma with mild soap and water."
B. "I will avoid using alcohol on the stoma."
C. "I will apply a tight-fitting pouch over the stoma."
D. "I will inspect the stoma for changes in color."
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: The pouch opening should fit snugly but not tightly around the stoma to prevent
irritation and impairment of circulation.
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous heparin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time
C. Bleeding time
D. Platelet count
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the standard laboratory test used to
monitor heparin therapy.
8. A client is admitted with suspected tuberculosis. Which type of isolation should the nurse
implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
🟢 Correct answer: C
, 🔴 Explanation: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room and
N95 respirator, because it spreads through airborne droplet nuclei.
9. A nurse is assessing a client with dehydration. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Increased urine output
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign of dehydration due to decreased interstitial fluid.
10. A client is prescribed furosemide. Which food should the nurse encourage the client to eat?
A. Bananas
B. Cheese
C. Bread
D. Pasta
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Bananas are rich in
potassium and help prevent hypokalemia.
11. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action demonstrates proper technique?
A. Keeping the sterile field below waist level
B. Reaching across the sterile field
C. Using sterile gloves to handle sterile supplies
D. Allowing the sterile field to become wet
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 Explanation: Sterile gloves must be used to handle sterile supplies to maintain sterility and
prevent contamination.
12. A client with heart failure is prescribed a fluid restriction. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Drink at least 3 liters of fluid daily."
B. "Limit fluids to the amount prescribed by your provider."
C. "Increase fluid intake during hot weather."
D. "Drink fluids only when thirsty."
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 Explanation: Fluid restriction in heart failure is individualized and must be followed exactly as
prescribed to prevent fluid overload.
