LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
(LPN) LICENSING EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate action when a
patient refuses medication?
A. Force the patient to take the medication
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Ignore the refusal
D. Give a double dose next time
Answer: B
Rationale: It is essential to respect patient autonomy, document
refusals, and notify the provider for further instructions.
2. The LPN is administering a subcutaneous injection. What is the
recommended angle of insertion?
,A. 15–30 degrees
B. 45–90 degrees
C. 90–120 degrees
D. 180 degrees
Answer: B
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are usually administered at a 45–90
degree angle depending on patient adipose tissue.
3. A patient develops a sudden drop in blood pressure and rapid pulse
after receiving medication. The LPN should first:
A. Call the patient’s family
B. Administer another dose
C. Assess the patient for anaphylaxis
D. Document the incident
Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden hypotension and tachycardia may indicate an allergic
reaction or anaphylaxis, which requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
4. Which vital sign change is most concerning in a postoperative
patient?
A. Mild increase in temperature
B. Slight increase in heart rate
C. Drop in blood pressure with altered mental status
D. Small elevation in respiratory rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension with mental status changes may indicate shock
or internal bleeding and requires urgent action.
5. The LPN is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube. How should
tube placement be confirmed before feeding?
,A. By auscultation of the stomach
B. By checking pH of aspirate
C. By measuring tube length
D. By observing for coughing
Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the pH of aspirated gastric contents is the safest
and most reliable method to verify NG tube placement.
6. Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing
pressure ulcers?
A. A mobile young adult
B. A bedridden elderly patient
C. A patient on a high-protein diet
D. A patient who exercises daily
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility, age, and poor skin integrity increase the risk of
pressure ulcer formation.
7. The LPN is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection.
Which site is preferred for a 2 mL injection in an adult?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Abdomen
Answer: C
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for larger volumes due to
low risk of nerve or vessel injury.
8. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 320 mg/dL. Which
symptom is most concerning?
A. Mild thirst
, B. Polyuria
C. Fruity breath odor and confusion
D. Slight headache
Answer: C
Rationale: Fruity breath and confusion indicate possible diabetic
ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency.
9. When performing hand hygiene, the LPN should:
A. Rinse hands only with water
B. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C. Use hand sanitizer only if gloves are available
D. Rub hands quickly and air dry
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper handwashing requires at least 20 seconds with soap
and water to effectively remove pathogens.
10. A patient with a chest tube is complaining of sudden shortness of
breath. The LPN should first:
A. Clamp the chest tube
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Encourage deep breathing
D. Increase IV fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath may indicate a pneumothorax or
tube malfunction; prompt notification is essential.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance is indicated by muscle weakness,
lethargy, and arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
(LPN) LICENSING EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate action when a
patient refuses medication?
A. Force the patient to take the medication
B. Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C. Ignore the refusal
D. Give a double dose next time
Answer: B
Rationale: It is essential to respect patient autonomy, document
refusals, and notify the provider for further instructions.
2. The LPN is administering a subcutaneous injection. What is the
recommended angle of insertion?
,A. 15–30 degrees
B. 45–90 degrees
C. 90–120 degrees
D. 180 degrees
Answer: B
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are usually administered at a 45–90
degree angle depending on patient adipose tissue.
3. A patient develops a sudden drop in blood pressure and rapid pulse
after receiving medication. The LPN should first:
A. Call the patient’s family
B. Administer another dose
C. Assess the patient for anaphylaxis
D. Document the incident
Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden hypotension and tachycardia may indicate an allergic
reaction or anaphylaxis, which requires immediate assessment and
intervention.
4. Which vital sign change is most concerning in a postoperative
patient?
A. Mild increase in temperature
B. Slight increase in heart rate
C. Drop in blood pressure with altered mental status
D. Small elevation in respiratory rate
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension with mental status changes may indicate shock
or internal bleeding and requires urgent action.
5. The LPN is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube. How should
tube placement be confirmed before feeding?
,A. By auscultation of the stomach
B. By checking pH of aspirate
C. By measuring tube length
D. By observing for coughing
Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the pH of aspirated gastric contents is the safest
and most reliable method to verify NG tube placement.
6. Which of the following patients is at highest risk for developing
pressure ulcers?
A. A mobile young adult
B. A bedridden elderly patient
C. A patient on a high-protein diet
D. A patient who exercises daily
Answer: B
Rationale: Immobility, age, and poor skin integrity increase the risk of
pressure ulcer formation.
7. The LPN is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection.
Which site is preferred for a 2 mL injection in an adult?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Abdomen
Answer: C
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for larger volumes due to
low risk of nerve or vessel injury.
8. A patient with diabetes has a blood glucose of 320 mg/dL. Which
symptom is most concerning?
A. Mild thirst
, B. Polyuria
C. Fruity breath odor and confusion
D. Slight headache
Answer: C
Rationale: Fruity breath and confusion indicate possible diabetic
ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency.
9. When performing hand hygiene, the LPN should:
A. Rinse hands only with water
B. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds
C. Use hand sanitizer only if gloves are available
D. Rub hands quickly and air dry
Answer: B
Rationale: Proper handwashing requires at least 20 seconds with soap
and water to effectively remove pathogens.
10. A patient with a chest tube is complaining of sudden shortness of
breath. The LPN should first:
A. Clamp the chest tube
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Encourage deep breathing
D. Increase IV fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath may indicate a pneumothorax or
tube malfunction; prompt notification is essential.
11. Which electrolyte imbalance is indicated by muscle weakness,
lethargy, and arrhythmias?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
