REx-PN Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice Questions
With Answers & Detailed Rationales
|clinical Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly becomes short of
breath. What should the nurse do first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Administer prescribed medication
C. Assess airway and breathing
D. Notify the health-care provider
Answer: C. Assess airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities when a
client develops acute respiratory distress.
2. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Pulse of 82/min
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Significant bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression
and inadequate ventilation.
3. Which action best demonstrates standard precautions?
A. Wearing gloves for every client interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
,C. Using an N95 respirator for all clients
D. Placing every client in isolation
Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental component of standard
precautions.
4. A client is at high risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Keep the bed in the lowest position
C. Keep the room dark at night
D. Encourage the client to walk independently
Answer: B. Keep the bed in the lowest position
Rationale: A low bed reduces the distance a client could fall and is an
appropriate fall-prevention measure.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client receiving
opioid analgesia?
A. Mild nausea
B. Respiratory rate of 7/min
C. Pain rating of 3/10
D. Dry mouth
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 7/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression, which is
potentially life-threatening.
6. A client reports severe chest pressure radiating to the left arm.
What is the priority action?
,A. Ask the client to walk to the bathroom
B. Assess vital signs and initiate emergency assessment
C. Offer a snack
D. Document the complaint and reassess later
Answer: B. Assess vital signs and initiate emergency assessment
Rationale: New severe chest pressure with radiation may indicate
acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate assessment.
7. Which statement by a client demonstrates understanding of
infection prevention?
A. “I only need to wash my hands when they look dirty.”
B. “Hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't visibly soiled.”
C. “Gloves replace the need for hand hygiene.”
D. “Hand hygiene is unnecessary after removing gloves.”
Answer: B. “Hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't
visibly soiled.”
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is appropriate in many
situations when hands are not visibly contaminated.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a blanket
B. Client with chronic back pain rated 4/10
C. Client with new-onset confusion and difficulty speaking
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: C. Client with new-onset confusion and difficulty speaking
Rationale: Acute neurologic changes may indicate stroke or another
emergency requiring rapid assessment.
, 9. Which intervention helps prevent pressure injuries in an immobile
client?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Limit protein intake
D. Keep the skin continuously moist
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and
helps prevent tissue injury.
10. Which finding suggests impaired oxygenation?
A. Warm skin
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Pulse of 76/min
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% is below the expected range
for most adults and warrants assessment.
11. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline assessment?
A. To replace ongoing assessments
B. To provide a comparison for future findings
C. To determine the client's discharge date
D. To establish the client's insurance status
Answer: B. To provide a comparison for future findings
Rationale: Baseline findings provide a reference against which
changes in condition can be identified.
Complete Test Prep Practice Questions
With Answers & Detailed Rationales
|clinical Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly becomes short of
breath. What should the nurse do first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Administer prescribed medication
C. Assess airway and breathing
D. Notify the health-care provider
Answer: C. Assess airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities when a
client develops acute respiratory distress.
2. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Temperature of 37.2°C
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Pulse of 82/min
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Significant bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression
and inadequate ventilation.
3. Which action best demonstrates standard precautions?
A. Wearing gloves for every client interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
,C. Using an N95 respirator for all clients
D. Placing every client in isolation
Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental component of standard
precautions.
4. A client is at high risk for falls. Which intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Keep the bed in the lowest position
C. Keep the room dark at night
D. Encourage the client to walk independently
Answer: B. Keep the bed in the lowest position
Rationale: A low bed reduces the distance a client could fall and is an
appropriate fall-prevention measure.
5. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client receiving
opioid analgesia?
A. Mild nausea
B. Respiratory rate of 7/min
C. Pain rating of 3/10
D. Dry mouth
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 7/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression, which is
potentially life-threatening.
6. A client reports severe chest pressure radiating to the left arm.
What is the priority action?
,A. Ask the client to walk to the bathroom
B. Assess vital signs and initiate emergency assessment
C. Offer a snack
D. Document the complaint and reassess later
Answer: B. Assess vital signs and initiate emergency assessment
Rationale: New severe chest pressure with radiation may indicate
acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate assessment.
7. Which statement by a client demonstrates understanding of
infection prevention?
A. “I only need to wash my hands when they look dirty.”
B. “Hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't visibly soiled.”
C. “Gloves replace the need for hand hygiene.”
D. “Hand hygiene is unnecessary after removing gloves.”
Answer: B. “Hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't
visibly soiled.”
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is appropriate in many
situations when hands are not visibly contaminated.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a blanket
B. Client with chronic back pain rated 4/10
C. Client with new-onset confusion and difficulty speaking
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: C. Client with new-onset confusion and difficulty speaking
Rationale: Acute neurologic changes may indicate stroke or another
emergency requiring rapid assessment.
, 9. Which intervention helps prevent pressure injuries in an immobile
client?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Limit protein intake
D. Keep the skin continuously moist
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and
helps prevent tissue injury.
10. Which finding suggests impaired oxygenation?
A. Warm skin
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Pulse of 76/min
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% is below the expected range
for most adults and warrants assessment.
11. What is the primary purpose of obtaining a baseline assessment?
A. To replace ongoing assessments
B. To provide a comparison for future findings
C. To determine the client's discharge date
D. To establish the client's insurance status
Answer: B. To provide a comparison for future findings
Rationale: Baseline findings provide a reference against which
changes in condition can be identified.
