REx-PN Practice Exam 2026–
2027| Complete Test Prep
Practice Questions With
Answers & Detailed
Rationales |clinical Judgment
&Safety |A+ Rated
1. A client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pressure.
Which action should the practical nurse take first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Ask the client to rate the pain
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Offer oral fluids
Rationale: ABC assessment identifies immediately life-threatening
problems and takes priority over obtaining a complete history.
2. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Temperature of 37.8°C
B. Heart rate of 104/min
C. Oxygen saturation of 84%
D. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
Rationale: Severe hypoxemia threatens tissue oxygenation and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
,3. A nurse enters a room and finds a client lying on the floor. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Move the client back to bed
B. Complete an incident report
C. Assess the client for injury
D. Notify the family
Rationale: The client's immediate condition and possible injuries must
be assessed before other actions.
4. Which action is most effective for preventing healthcare-
associated infections?
A. Wearing a mask for every client
B. Using sterile gloves routinely
C. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
D. Keeping clients isolated
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures
for preventing transmission of infection.
5. A client receiving oxygen by nasal cannula becomes increasingly
restless. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer a sedative
B. Document the behavior
C. Assess oxygenation and respiratory status
D. Ask the family to remain with the client
Rationale: Restlessness can be an early sign of hypoxemia.
6. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a blanket
B. Client with chronic arthritis reporting pain
C. Client with new-onset confusion and an oxygen saturation of
88%
D. Client waiting for discharge instructions
,Rationale: New confusion with hypoxemia indicates a potentially
acute deterioration.
7. A client has a pulse of 48/min and reports dizziness. Which action
is appropriate?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Reassess tomorrow
C. Assess the client immediately and notify the appropriate
healthcare provider
D. Administer the scheduled antihypertensive
Rationale: Symptomatic bradycardia can compromise cardiac output
and requires prompt assessment.
8. Which position generally promotes lung expansion in a client
experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Rationale: Upright positioning facilitates diaphragmatic expansion
and ventilation.
9. A client says, “I don't understand what the doctor just told me.”
What is the nurse's best response?
A. “You should ask the doctor again.”
B. “Your family can explain it later.”
C. “Tell me what you understand so far.”
D. “The treatment is routine.”
Rationale: Teach-back assesses understanding without assuming
what the client knows.
10. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a postoperative
client?
, A. Incisional discomfort
B. Mild fatigue
C. Sudden unilateral leg swelling and pain
D. Decreased appetite
Rationale: Unilateral swelling and pain may indicate deep-vein
thrombosis.
11. Which intervention best reduces the risk of pressure injury?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Limit fluids
C. Reposition the client regularly and reduce pressure over bony
prominences
D. Keep the client completely immobile
Rationale: Repositioning and pressure redistribution reduce tissue
ischemia.
12. A client is at high risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call bell out of reach
C. Keep the bed low and call bell within reach
D. Encourage independent toileting
Rationale: Environmental safety and easy access to assistance reduce
fall risk.
13. Which finding indicates that a nursing intervention has been
effective for a client with impaired gas exchange?
A. Increased restlessness
B. Cyanosis
C. Improved oxygen saturation
D. Increased respiratory effort
2027| Complete Test Prep
Practice Questions With
Answers & Detailed
Rationales |clinical Judgment
&Safety |A+ Rated
1. A client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pressure.
Which action should the practical nurse take first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Ask the client to rate the pain
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
D. Offer oral fluids
Rationale: ABC assessment identifies immediately life-threatening
problems and takes priority over obtaining a complete history.
2. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Temperature of 37.8°C
B. Heart rate of 104/min
C. Oxygen saturation of 84%
D. Blood pressure of 142/88 mm Hg
Rationale: Severe hypoxemia threatens tissue oxygenation and
requires prompt assessment and intervention.
,3. A nurse enters a room and finds a client lying on the floor. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Move the client back to bed
B. Complete an incident report
C. Assess the client for injury
D. Notify the family
Rationale: The client's immediate condition and possible injuries must
be assessed before other actions.
4. Which action is most effective for preventing healthcare-
associated infections?
A. Wearing a mask for every client
B. Using sterile gloves routinely
C. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
D. Keeping clients isolated
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures
for preventing transmission of infection.
5. A client receiving oxygen by nasal cannula becomes increasingly
restless. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer a sedative
B. Document the behavior
C. Assess oxygenation and respiratory status
D. Ask the family to remain with the client
Rationale: Restlessness can be an early sign of hypoxemia.
6. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a blanket
B. Client with chronic arthritis reporting pain
C. Client with new-onset confusion and an oxygen saturation of
88%
D. Client waiting for discharge instructions
,Rationale: New confusion with hypoxemia indicates a potentially
acute deterioration.
7. A client has a pulse of 48/min and reports dizziness. Which action
is appropriate?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Reassess tomorrow
C. Assess the client immediately and notify the appropriate
healthcare provider
D. Administer the scheduled antihypertensive
Rationale: Symptomatic bradycardia can compromise cardiac output
and requires prompt assessment.
8. Which position generally promotes lung expansion in a client
experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. High-Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
Rationale: Upright positioning facilitates diaphragmatic expansion
and ventilation.
9. A client says, “I don't understand what the doctor just told me.”
What is the nurse's best response?
A. “You should ask the doctor again.”
B. “Your family can explain it later.”
C. “Tell me what you understand so far.”
D. “The treatment is routine.”
Rationale: Teach-back assesses understanding without assuming
what the client knows.
10. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a postoperative
client?
, A. Incisional discomfort
B. Mild fatigue
C. Sudden unilateral leg swelling and pain
D. Decreased appetite
Rationale: Unilateral swelling and pain may indicate deep-vein
thrombosis.
11. Which intervention best reduces the risk of pressure injury?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Limit fluids
C. Reposition the client regularly and reduce pressure over bony
prominences
D. Keep the client completely immobile
Rationale: Repositioning and pressure redistribution reduce tissue
ischemia.
12. A client is at high risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call bell out of reach
C. Keep the bed low and call bell within reach
D. Encourage independent toileting
Rationale: Environmental safety and easy access to assistance reduce
fall risk.
13. Which finding indicates that a nursing intervention has been
effective for a client with impaired gas exchange?
A. Increased restlessness
B. Cyanosis
C. Improved oxygen saturation
D. Increased respiratory effort
