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Wisconsin Nursing Jurisprudence Practice Exam — 100 Questions
Section 1: Nurse Practice Act and Board Structure (1–20)
1. The Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act is codified in which chapter of the Wisconsin Statutes?
A. Chapter 440
B. Chapter 441
C. Chapter 448
D. Chapter 450
Answer: B. The Nurse Practice Act is codified in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 441, which
defines the Board of Nursing, licensure requirements, scope of practice, and disciplinary
grounds .
2. What is the primary purpose of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act?
A. To outline hospital policies and procedures
B. To protect the public by regulating nursing practice
C. To provide nursing education standards only
D. To manage health insurance coverage for nurses
Answer: B. The primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act is to protect the public by
establishing legal standards for nursing practice, defining scope of practice, and ensuring
only qualified individuals practice nursing in Wisconsin .
3. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing operates under which larger governmental
department?
A. Wisconsin Department of Health Services
B. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
C. Wisconsin Department of Administration
D. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Answer: B. The Board of Nursing functions under DSPS, which oversees professional
licensing and disciplinary actions .
4. How many members serve on the Wisconsin Board of Nursing?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
Answer: C. The Board consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor: 4 registered
nurses, 2 licensed practical nurses, and 3 public members who are not licensed in any
profession regulated by DSPS .
5. How long is the term for a member of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing?
A. 2 years
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B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
Answer: C. Board members serve 4-year terms .
6. Which of the following is the primary mission of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing?
A. To provide legal representation for nurses
B. To protect the public by regulating nursing practice
C. To set nursing wages and benefits
D. To provide job placement for nurses
Answer: B. The Board's mission is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring
nurses practice safely and competently through regulation and oversight .
7. Under Wisconsin law, "nursing" when used without modification means:
A. Practical nursing
B. Professional nursing
C. Advanced practice nursing
D. Nursing assistance
Answer: B. Under Wis. Stat. § 441.001(2m), "nursing" when used without modification or
amplification means professional nursing .
8. The Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act defines the practice of professional nursing as:
A. Performing medical procedures under a physician's order only
B. The diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems
C. Providing custodial care in long-term facilities
D. Carrying out delegated medical functions
Answer: B. The Nurse Practice Act adopts the ANA's definition focusing on human responses
to health problems .
9. What must an applicant for initial RN licensure in Wisconsin provide?
A. Proof of employment in healthcare
B. Graduation from an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN
C. Two years of supervised practice
D. U.S. citizenship
Answer: B. Licensure requires completing an approved program and passing the national
exam .
10. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing has authority to issue which types of credentials?
A. Registered Nurse (RN) license only
B. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license only
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C. RN, LPN, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licenses
D. Only APRN licenses
Answer: C. The Board issues licenses to RNs, LPNs, and APRNs .
11. When does the Wisconsin Board of Nursing have authority to issue an emergency
suspension of a nursing license?
A. When the nurse requests a leave of absence
B. When the nurse is convicted of a felony
C. When the nurse's continued practice poses an imminent threat to the public health or
safety
D. When the nurse fails to pay the renewal fee
Answer: C. Under Wis. Stat. § 440.07, the Board may summarily suspend a license on an
emergency basis if the licensee's continued practice presents an imminent threat to public
health or safety .
12. According to Wisconsin law, the "practice of practical nursing" means:
A. Independent assessment and diagnosis
B. Performance of simple acts in the care of patients under specific direction
C. Prescribing medications
D. Performing surgery
Answer: B. Under Wis. Stat. § 441.001(3), practical nursing means the performance for
compensation of simple acts in the care of patients under specific direction .
13. What is the definition of "simple act" under Wisconsin practical nursing law?
A. Any act performed by an LPN
B. An act that does not require substantial nursing skill, knowledge, or training
C. An act requiring medical diagnosis
D. An act performed only in hospitals
Answer: B. A "simple act" does not require substantial nursing skill, knowledge, or training,
or the application of nursing principles .
14. Which of the following is included in the RN's scope of practice under Wisconsin law?
A. Execution of general nursing procedures and techniques
B. Supervision and direction of LPNs and less skilled assistants
C. Supervision of patients
D. All of the above
Answer: D. The RN scope includes execution of general nursing procedures, supervision of
patients, and supervision/direction of LPNs and less skilled assistants .
15. Under Wisconsin law, a nurse who practices without an active license is subject to:
A. No penalty if the lapse is less than 30 days
Wisconsin Nursing Jurisprudence Practice Exam — 100 Questions
Section 1: Nurse Practice Act and Board Structure (1–20)
1. The Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act is codified in which chapter of the Wisconsin Statutes?
A. Chapter 440
B. Chapter 441
C. Chapter 448
D. Chapter 450
Answer: B. The Nurse Practice Act is codified in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 441, which
defines the Board of Nursing, licensure requirements, scope of practice, and disciplinary
grounds .
2. What is the primary purpose of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act?
A. To outline hospital policies and procedures
B. To protect the public by regulating nursing practice
C. To provide nursing education standards only
D. To manage health insurance coverage for nurses
Answer: B. The primary purpose of the Nurse Practice Act is to protect the public by
establishing legal standards for nursing practice, defining scope of practice, and ensuring
only qualified individuals practice nursing in Wisconsin .
3. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing operates under which larger governmental
department?
A. Wisconsin Department of Health Services
B. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
C. Wisconsin Department of Administration
D. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Answer: B. The Board of Nursing functions under DSPS, which oversees professional
licensing and disciplinary actions .
4. How many members serve on the Wisconsin Board of Nursing?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 9
D. 11
Answer: C. The Board consists of 9 members appointed by the Governor: 4 registered
nurses, 2 licensed practical nurses, and 3 public members who are not licensed in any
profession regulated by DSPS .
5. How long is the term for a member of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing?
A. 2 years
, 2
B. 3 years
C. 4 years
D. 6 years
Answer: C. Board members serve 4-year terms .
6. Which of the following is the primary mission of the Wisconsin Board of Nursing?
A. To provide legal representation for nurses
B. To protect the public by regulating nursing practice
C. To set nursing wages and benefits
D. To provide job placement for nurses
Answer: B. The Board's mission is to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring
nurses practice safely and competently through regulation and oversight .
7. Under Wisconsin law, "nursing" when used without modification means:
A. Practical nursing
B. Professional nursing
C. Advanced practice nursing
D. Nursing assistance
Answer: B. Under Wis. Stat. § 441.001(2m), "nursing" when used without modification or
amplification means professional nursing .
8. The Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act defines the practice of professional nursing as:
A. Performing medical procedures under a physician's order only
B. The diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems
C. Providing custodial care in long-term facilities
D. Carrying out delegated medical functions
Answer: B. The Nurse Practice Act adopts the ANA's definition focusing on human responses
to health problems .
9. What must an applicant for initial RN licensure in Wisconsin provide?
A. Proof of employment in healthcare
B. Graduation from an approved nursing program and passing the NCLEX-RN
C. Two years of supervised practice
D. U.S. citizenship
Answer: B. Licensure requires completing an approved program and passing the national
exam .
10. The Wisconsin Board of Nursing has authority to issue which types of credentials?
A. Registered Nurse (RN) license only
B. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license only
, 3
C. RN, LPN, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licenses
D. Only APRN licenses
Answer: C. The Board issues licenses to RNs, LPNs, and APRNs .
11. When does the Wisconsin Board of Nursing have authority to issue an emergency
suspension of a nursing license?
A. When the nurse requests a leave of absence
B. When the nurse is convicted of a felony
C. When the nurse's continued practice poses an imminent threat to the public health or
safety
D. When the nurse fails to pay the renewal fee
Answer: C. Under Wis. Stat. § 440.07, the Board may summarily suspend a license on an
emergency basis if the licensee's continued practice presents an imminent threat to public
health or safety .
12. According to Wisconsin law, the "practice of practical nursing" means:
A. Independent assessment and diagnosis
B. Performance of simple acts in the care of patients under specific direction
C. Prescribing medications
D. Performing surgery
Answer: B. Under Wis. Stat. § 441.001(3), practical nursing means the performance for
compensation of simple acts in the care of patients under specific direction .
13. What is the definition of "simple act" under Wisconsin practical nursing law?
A. Any act performed by an LPN
B. An act that does not require substantial nursing skill, knowledge, or training
C. An act requiring medical diagnosis
D. An act performed only in hospitals
Answer: B. A "simple act" does not require substantial nursing skill, knowledge, or training,
or the application of nursing principles .
14. Which of the following is included in the RN's scope of practice under Wisconsin law?
A. Execution of general nursing procedures and techniques
B. Supervision and direction of LPNs and less skilled assistants
C. Supervision of patients
D. All of the above
Answer: D. The RN scope includes execution of general nursing procedures, supervision of
patients, and supervision/direction of LPNs and less skilled assistants .
15. Under Wisconsin law, a nurse who practices without an active license is subject to:
A. No penalty if the lapse is less than 30 days