1
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Discharge Planning and
Patient Education at the PN Level
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Principles of Safe and Effective Discharge Planning ....................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Discharge Education on Medication Management and Adherence ................ 10
Subtopic 3: Home Safety, Mobility, and Equipment Instructions after Discharge .............. 19
Subtopic 4: Discharge Planning for Chronic Illness Management (Diabetes, COPD, CHF,
etc.) ........................................................................................................................... 27
Subtopic 5: Pediatric Discharge Education and Family Teaching ..................................... 35
Subtopic 6: Postoperative Discharge Instructions and Patient Teaching .......................... 44
, 2
Subtopic 1: Principles of Safe and Effective Discharge
Planning
Question 1:
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient who is newly diagnosed with heart failure. Which
instruction is the most important to include?
A. Avoid salt completely in all meals
B. Monitor daily weight and report gain of more than 2 pounds in a day
C. Exercise for 60 minutes daily regardless of fatigue
D. Drink at least 3 liters of fluid per day
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Sudden weight gain may indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
Monitoring weight is essential for early intervention.
Question 2:
Before discharging a patient on warfarin therapy, the nurse should emphasize which critical
teaching point?
A. Increase intake of leafy greens
B. Avoid all protein supplements
C. Schedule regular INR level monitoring
D. Take medication only when experiencing symptoms
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Regular INR monitoring is essential to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent
bleeding or clotting complications.
Question 3:
, 3
A patient recovering from a total hip replacement is being discharged. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Use a raised toilet seat to avoid hip flexion beyond 90 degrees
B. Sleep on the operative side to improve circulation
C. Avoid using assistive devices to promote independence
D. Begin jogging within two weeks to regain strength
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Preventing hip flexion beyond 90 degrees helps reduce the risk of dislocation
postoperatively.
Question 4:
What is the most important step a practical nurse should take when preparing discharge
instructions for a non-English-speaking patient?
A. Use hand gestures and pictures only
B. Arrange for a trained medical interpreter to assist
C. Speak slowly and louder in English
D. Ask a bilingual family member to translate
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A trained interpreter ensures accuracy and avoids legal and safety risks
associated with using family members.
Question 5:
When providing discharge education to an elderly patient with poor vision, which approach
is most appropriate?
A. Provide large-print written instructions and verbal reinforcement
, 4
B. Give verbal instructions only
C. Tell the family and omit written materials
D. Assume understanding if the patient nods
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Using large-print materials with verbal education accommodates visual deficits
and promotes retention.
Question 6:
Which factor should the nurse consider first when planning discharge for a patient who
lives alone and had a stroke?
A. The patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
B. The hospital’s readmission policy
C. The distance from the hospital to the patient’s home
D. Whether the patient has a pet at home
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Evaluating ADLs determines the level of care or support needed at home,
ensuring safety and independence.
Question 7:
A patient is being discharged with a new colostomy. Which instruction is essential?
A. Change the appliance once per week
B. Inspect the stoma daily for color and integrity
C. Avoid all forms of physical activity
D. Flush the stoma with water daily
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Discharge Planning and
Patient Education at the PN Level
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Principles of Safe and Effective Discharge Planning ....................................... 2
Subtopic 2: Discharge Education on Medication Management and Adherence ................ 10
Subtopic 3: Home Safety, Mobility, and Equipment Instructions after Discharge .............. 19
Subtopic 4: Discharge Planning for Chronic Illness Management (Diabetes, COPD, CHF,
etc.) ........................................................................................................................... 27
Subtopic 5: Pediatric Discharge Education and Family Teaching ..................................... 35
Subtopic 6: Postoperative Discharge Instructions and Patient Teaching .......................... 44
, 2
Subtopic 1: Principles of Safe and Effective Discharge
Planning
Question 1:
A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient who is newly diagnosed with heart failure. Which
instruction is the most important to include?
A. Avoid salt completely in all meals
B. Monitor daily weight and report gain of more than 2 pounds in a day
C. Exercise for 60 minutes daily regardless of fatigue
D. Drink at least 3 liters of fluid per day
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Sudden weight gain may indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
Monitoring weight is essential for early intervention.
Question 2:
Before discharging a patient on warfarin therapy, the nurse should emphasize which critical
teaching point?
A. Increase intake of leafy greens
B. Avoid all protein supplements
C. Schedule regular INR level monitoring
D. Take medication only when experiencing symptoms
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Regular INR monitoring is essential to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent
bleeding or clotting complications.
Question 3:
, 3
A patient recovering from a total hip replacement is being discharged. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Use a raised toilet seat to avoid hip flexion beyond 90 degrees
B. Sleep on the operative side to improve circulation
C. Avoid using assistive devices to promote independence
D. Begin jogging within two weeks to regain strength
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Preventing hip flexion beyond 90 degrees helps reduce the risk of dislocation
postoperatively.
Question 4:
What is the most important step a practical nurse should take when preparing discharge
instructions for a non-English-speaking patient?
A. Use hand gestures and pictures only
B. Arrange for a trained medical interpreter to assist
C. Speak slowly and louder in English
D. Ask a bilingual family member to translate
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A trained interpreter ensures accuracy and avoids legal and safety risks
associated with using family members.
Question 5:
When providing discharge education to an elderly patient with poor vision, which approach
is most appropriate?
A. Provide large-print written instructions and verbal reinforcement
, 4
B. Give verbal instructions only
C. Tell the family and omit written materials
D. Assume understanding if the patient nods
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Using large-print materials with verbal education accommodates visual deficits
and promotes retention.
Question 6:
Which factor should the nurse consider first when planning discharge for a patient who
lives alone and had a stroke?
A. The patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
B. The hospital’s readmission policy
C. The distance from the hospital to the patient’s home
D. Whether the patient has a pet at home
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Evaluating ADLs determines the level of care or support needed at home,
ensuring safety and independence.
Question 7:
A patient is being discharged with a new colostomy. Which instruction is essential?
A. Change the appliance once per week
B. Inspect the stoma daily for color and integrity
C. Avoid all forms of physical activity
D. Flush the stoma with water daily
