NCLEX-PN® Licensure Examination: Comprehensive
Practice Test for LPN/LVN Graduates 150
Advanced Multiple-Choice Questions with
Correct Answers and Rationales
Table of Contents
Section Content Area Questions
1 Safe and Effective Care Environment — Coordinated Care 1–20
2 Safe and Effective Care Environment — Safety and Infection Control 21–38
3 Health Promotion and Maintenance 39–54
4 Psychosocial Integrity 55–70
5 Basic Care and Comfort 71–86
6 Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 87–107
7 Reduction of Risk Potential 108–125
8 Physiological Adaptation 126–142
9 Licensure Process, NCLEX-PN Administration & Regulation 143–150
Section 1: Safe and Effective Care Environment — Coordinated Care (Q1–Q20)
🟢 1. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. The client asks the PN to
explain the surgical procedure in detail. Which action should the PN take?
A) Explain the procedure thoroughly using the surgical textbook
B) Notify the registered nurse (RN) or health care provider, as explaining the procedure is part of
informed consent
C) Give the client a hospital pamphlet about the surgery and document the education
D) Tell the client that knowing about the procedure is not necessary before surgery
,🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PN's scope of practice does not include obtaining informed consent or explaining surgical
procedures; that responsibility belongs to the health care provider. The PN should alert the RN or
provider so the client can receive accurate information. Providing details (A) exceeds PN scope, giving a
pamphlet without explanation (C) is insufficient, and dismissing the client (D) is unprofessional and
violates client rights. Source: NCLEX-PN Mock Licensure Examination (2026-2027)
🟢 2. A charge nurse is assigning tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate for the LPN to delegate to the UAP?
A) Administering oral medications to stable clients
B) Ambulating a client who had surgery two days ago
C) Performing a sterile dressing change on a surgical wound
D) Assessing a client's response to pain medication
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulating a stable postoperative client is within the UAP's scope of practice and can be
delegated. Medication administration (A), sterile dressing changes (C), and assessments (D) are nursing
responsibilities that require licensure and cannot be delegated to UAP. The LPN must understand
delegation principles and the five rights of delegation. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated
Care Activity Statements
🟢 3. The PN receives change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client should the PN assess FIRST?
A) A client with diabetes mellitus who is scheduled for discharge teaching
B) A client with heart failure who has bilateral crackles and an oxygen saturation of 88%
C) A client with a fractured hip who is requesting pain medication
D) A client with pneumonia who needs a sputum culture collected
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority-setting framework, the client with low
oxygen saturation and crackles is at risk for respiratory failure and should be assessed first. Discharge
teaching (A), pain medication requests (C), and sputum culture collection (D) are lower priorities based
on the ABC framework. Source: NCLEX-PN Mock Licensure Examination (2026-2027)
🟢 4. The PN is caring for a client who speaks limited English. An interpreter is not immediately available.
Which action by the PN is MOST appropriate?
A) Ask a bilingual family member to interpret medical information
B) Use gestures and pictures to communicate basic care needs
C) Proceed with discharge teaching using written materials in English
D) Delay all non-urgent communication until a professional interpreter is available
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using a professional medical interpreter is the standard of care for clients with limited English
proficiency. Family members should not be used as interpreters (A) due to confidentiality concerns and
,potential for misinterpretation. Using gestures (B) may suffice for basic needs but is inadequate for
medical communication. Proceeding with discharge teaching in English (C) is inappropriate and unsafe.
The PN should use facility-approved interpreter services. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated
Care; Culture and Spirituality
🟢 5. The PN is preparing to administer medications and notes that the client's name band is missing.
Which action should the PN take FIRST?
A) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
B) Administer the medication based on the room number
C) Obtain a new identification band before administering medications
D) Check with the charge nurse to confirm the client's identity
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Client identification is a critical safety measure. The PN must verify the client's identity using
two identifiers before any procedure or medication administration. If the identification band is missing,
the PN must obtain a new band before proceeding. Asking the client to state their name (A) alone is not
sufficient per The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals. Using the room number (B) is
unsafe. The charge nurse (D) cannot serve as a substitute for the required identification band. Source:
NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
🟢 6. A PN is caring for a client who has an advance directive stating "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR). The
client experiences cardiac arrest. Which action should the PN take?
A) Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately
B) Call for help and then initiate CPR
C) Honor the DNR and provide comfort measures
D) Ask the family what they want to do
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The PN must honor the client's advance directive. A DNR order means no CPR should be
initiated in the event of cardiac arrest. The PN should provide comfort measures and notify the health
care provider. Beginning CPR (A or B) violates the client's rights. Asking the family (D) places undue
burden on them and may violate the client's documented wishes. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan;
Coordinated Care; Advance Directives
🟢 7. The PN is reviewing a medication order and notices that the dose appears higher than the
recommended range. Which action should the PN take?
A) Administer the medication as ordered
B) Verify the order with the prescribing health care provider
C) Reduce the dose to the recommended range and administer
D) Ask another PN to administer the medication
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The PN has a legal and ethical responsibility to question any medication order that appears
unsafe. The PN should verify the order with the prescribing provider before administration.
Administering as ordered (A) could harm the client. Adjusting the dose independently (C) exceeds PN
scope of practice. Asking another PN (D) does not resolve the safety concern. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN
Test Plan; Coordinated Care; Verify and process health care provider orders
🟢 8. The PN is caring for a client who is being discharged to home with a new prescription for insulin
injections. Which action should the PN take to ensure safe transition of care?
A) Provide the client with a pamphlet about insulin
B) Verify the client understands how to draw up and administer insulin
C) Schedule a follow-up appointment with the health care provider
D) Document that discharge teaching was completed
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before discharge, the PN must verify the client's understanding of new medications and
procedures. A return demonstration of insulin administration ensures the client can safely manage the
medication at home. Providing a pamphlet (A) is insufficient. Scheduling a follow-up (C) is important but
does not ensure immediate safety. Documentation (D) alone does not verify competency. Source:
NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated Care; Participate in client discharge or transfer
🟢 9. The PN is working on a quality improvement committee. Which activity is MOST appropriate for the
PN to perform?
A) Developing a new hospital policy for medication administration
B) Collecting data on client fall rates and reporting findings
C) Conducting a root cause analysis of a sentinel event
D) Disciplining staff who fail to follow infection control protocols
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PN participates in quality improvement activities such as collecting data, serving on
committees, and reporting findings. Developing hospital policy (A) is typically the responsibility of
leadership. Root cause analysis (C) is a formal process usually led by risk management. Disciplining staff
(D) is an administrative function, not within PN scope. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated
Care; Participate in quality improvement activities
🟢 10. A PN is caring for a client who becomes angry and verbally abusive toward the staff. Which action
by the PN is MOST appropriate?
A) Tell the client that the behavior will not be tolerated
B) Set limits on the behavior and explore the client's feelings
C) Restrain the client to prevent escalation
D) Leave the room and refuse to provide care until the client calms down
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Practice Test for LPN/LVN Graduates 150
Advanced Multiple-Choice Questions with
Correct Answers and Rationales
Table of Contents
Section Content Area Questions
1 Safe and Effective Care Environment — Coordinated Care 1–20
2 Safe and Effective Care Environment — Safety and Infection Control 21–38
3 Health Promotion and Maintenance 39–54
4 Psychosocial Integrity 55–70
5 Basic Care and Comfort 71–86
6 Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 87–107
7 Reduction of Risk Potential 108–125
8 Physiological Adaptation 126–142
9 Licensure Process, NCLEX-PN Administration & Regulation 143–150
Section 1: Safe and Effective Care Environment — Coordinated Care (Q1–Q20)
🟢 1. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. The client asks the PN to
explain the surgical procedure in detail. Which action should the PN take?
A) Explain the procedure thoroughly using the surgical textbook
B) Notify the registered nurse (RN) or health care provider, as explaining the procedure is part of
informed consent
C) Give the client a hospital pamphlet about the surgery and document the education
D) Tell the client that knowing about the procedure is not necessary before surgery
,🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PN's scope of practice does not include obtaining informed consent or explaining surgical
procedures; that responsibility belongs to the health care provider. The PN should alert the RN or
provider so the client can receive accurate information. Providing details (A) exceeds PN scope, giving a
pamphlet without explanation (C) is insufficient, and dismissing the client (D) is unprofessional and
violates client rights. Source: NCLEX-PN Mock Licensure Examination (2026-2027)
🟢 2. A charge nurse is assigning tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is
appropriate for the LPN to delegate to the UAP?
A) Administering oral medications to stable clients
B) Ambulating a client who had surgery two days ago
C) Performing a sterile dressing change on a surgical wound
D) Assessing a client's response to pain medication
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ambulating a stable postoperative client is within the UAP's scope of practice and can be
delegated. Medication administration (A), sterile dressing changes (C), and assessments (D) are nursing
responsibilities that require licensure and cannot be delegated to UAP. The LPN must understand
delegation principles and the five rights of delegation. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated
Care Activity Statements
🟢 3. The PN receives change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client should the PN assess FIRST?
A) A client with diabetes mellitus who is scheduled for discharge teaching
B) A client with heart failure who has bilateral crackles and an oxygen saturation of 88%
C) A client with a fractured hip who is requesting pain medication
D) A client with pneumonia who needs a sputum culture collected
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority-setting framework, the client with low
oxygen saturation and crackles is at risk for respiratory failure and should be assessed first. Discharge
teaching (A), pain medication requests (C), and sputum culture collection (D) are lower priorities based
on the ABC framework. Source: NCLEX-PN Mock Licensure Examination (2026-2027)
🟢 4. The PN is caring for a client who speaks limited English. An interpreter is not immediately available.
Which action by the PN is MOST appropriate?
A) Ask a bilingual family member to interpret medical information
B) Use gestures and pictures to communicate basic care needs
C) Proceed with discharge teaching using written materials in English
D) Delay all non-urgent communication until a professional interpreter is available
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Using a professional medical interpreter is the standard of care for clients with limited English
proficiency. Family members should not be used as interpreters (A) due to confidentiality concerns and
,potential for misinterpretation. Using gestures (B) may suffice for basic needs but is inadequate for
medical communication. Proceeding with discharge teaching in English (C) is inappropriate and unsafe.
The PN should use facility-approved interpreter services. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated
Care; Culture and Spirituality
🟢 5. The PN is preparing to administer medications and notes that the client's name band is missing.
Which action should the PN take FIRST?
A) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
B) Administer the medication based on the room number
C) Obtain a new identification band before administering medications
D) Check with the charge nurse to confirm the client's identity
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Client identification is a critical safety measure. The PN must verify the client's identity using
two identifiers before any procedure or medication administration. If the identification band is missing,
the PN must obtain a new band before proceeding. Asking the client to state their name (A) alone is not
sufficient per The Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goals. Using the room number (B) is
unsafe. The charge nurse (D) cannot serve as a substitute for the required identification band. Source:
NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
🟢 6. A PN is caring for a client who has an advance directive stating "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR). The
client experiences cardiac arrest. Which action should the PN take?
A) Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately
B) Call for help and then initiate CPR
C) Honor the DNR and provide comfort measures
D) Ask the family what they want to do
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The PN must honor the client's advance directive. A DNR order means no CPR should be
initiated in the event of cardiac arrest. The PN should provide comfort measures and notify the health
care provider. Beginning CPR (A or B) violates the client's rights. Asking the family (D) places undue
burden on them and may violate the client's documented wishes. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan;
Coordinated Care; Advance Directives
🟢 7. The PN is reviewing a medication order and notices that the dose appears higher than the
recommended range. Which action should the PN take?
A) Administer the medication as ordered
B) Verify the order with the prescribing health care provider
C) Reduce the dose to the recommended range and administer
D) Ask another PN to administer the medication
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
, Rationale: The PN has a legal and ethical responsibility to question any medication order that appears
unsafe. The PN should verify the order with the prescribing provider before administration.
Administering as ordered (A) could harm the client. Adjusting the dose independently (C) exceeds PN
scope of practice. Asking another PN (D) does not resolve the safety concern. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN
Test Plan; Coordinated Care; Verify and process health care provider orders
🟢 8. The PN is caring for a client who is being discharged to home with a new prescription for insulin
injections. Which action should the PN take to ensure safe transition of care?
A) Provide the client with a pamphlet about insulin
B) Verify the client understands how to draw up and administer insulin
C) Schedule a follow-up appointment with the health care provider
D) Document that discharge teaching was completed
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Before discharge, the PN must verify the client's understanding of new medications and
procedures. A return demonstration of insulin administration ensures the client can safely manage the
medication at home. Providing a pamphlet (A) is insufficient. Scheduling a follow-up (C) is important but
does not ensure immediate safety. Documentation (D) alone does not verify competency. Source:
NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated Care; Participate in client discharge or transfer
🟢 9. The PN is working on a quality improvement committee. Which activity is MOST appropriate for the
PN to perform?
A) Developing a new hospital policy for medication administration
B) Collecting data on client fall rates and reporting findings
C) Conducting a root cause analysis of a sentinel event
D) Disciplining staff who fail to follow infection control protocols
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PN participates in quality improvement activities such as collecting data, serving on
committees, and reporting findings. Developing hospital policy (A) is typically the responsibility of
leadership. Root cause analysis (C) is a formal process usually led by risk management. Disciplining staff
(D) is an administrative function, not within PN scope. Source: NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan; Coordinated
Care; Participate in quality improvement activities
🟢 10. A PN is caring for a client who becomes angry and verbally abusive toward the staff. Which action
by the PN is MOST appropriate?
A) Tell the client that the behavior will not be tolerated
B) Set limits on the behavior and explore the client's feelings
C) Restrain the client to prevent escalation
D) Leave the room and refuse to provide care until the client calms down
🔴🔴 Correct Answer: B
