Arizona Practical Nurse Licensure Exam
(NCLEX-PN) Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
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1. A 24-year-old patient is admitted with congestive heart failure. The
nurse notes bilateral lower extremity edema and shortness of breath.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Encourage the patient to ambulate frequently
B. Restrict fluid intake as ordered
C. Assess lung sounds and oxygen saturation
D. Elevate the head of the bed and lower extremities
Rationale: Assessing lung sounds and oxygen saturation is the priority to
determine the severity of fluid overload and potential pulmonary edema.
Interventions like fluid restriction and positioning are important but come
after assessment.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed digoxin. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate for digoxin
toxicity?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
, C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Rationale: Low potassium increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Monitoring
potassium levels is essential to prevent arrhythmias in patients taking
digoxin.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports nausea and abdominal
pain. The nurse notes fruity breath and rapid respirations. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oral insulin
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Check blood glucose and ketone levels
D. Give a carbohydrate snack
Rationale: These symptoms suggest diabetic ketoacidosis. Checking blood
glucose and ketones is essential to confirm diagnosis and guide immediate
treatment.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) about breathing techniques. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A. Take deep breaths and hold for 10 seconds
B. Use chest expansion exercises
C. Practice pursed-lip breathing during exhalation
D. Limit use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent airway collapse during
exhalation, improving oxygenation and reducing dyspnea in COPD patients.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube connected to
suction. Which finding indicates the need for immediate intervention?
A. Slight redness at the nostril
B. Abdominal distention and absent bowel sounds
, C. Small amounts of clear drainage in the tubing
D. Tube secured with tape to the nose
Rationale: Abdominal distention and absent bowel sounds indicate possible
obstruction or ileus, requiring immediate assessment to prevent
complications.
6. A patient is receiving morphine for post-operative pain. Which finding
requires immediate nursing action?
A. Pain score of 4/10
B. Mild nausea and vomiting
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute
D. Drowsiness but easily arousable
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 10 indicates respiratory depression, a
life-threatening side effect of opioids that requires immediate intervention,
such as withholding the dose and administering naloxone if needed.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which
site provides the most consistent absorption?
A. Upper arm
B. Abdomen
C. Thigh
D. Scapular area
Rationale: The abdomen provides the most consistent absorption for
subcutaneous injections, particularly for insulin, due to ample subcutaneous
tissue and fewer variations in blood flow.
8. A patient with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed warfarin.
Which teaching point is most important?
A. Take the medication with food
B. Monitor for signs of bleeding and bruising
, C. Avoid high-sodium foods
D. Exercise regularly
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk. Patients must be educated to
monitor for signs of bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bruising, or black stools,
to prevent serious complications.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease who has
hyperkalemia. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Restrict sodium intake
C. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate as ordered
D. Encourage high-potassium foods
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate binds potassium in the intestines,
lowering serum potassium levels. This is an appropriate intervention for
hyperkalemia in kidney disease patients.
10. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which finding is
most concerning?
A. Mild abdominal tenderness
B. Sudden drop in blood pressure and tachycardia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Mild fever
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia indicate possible hemorrhagic
pancreatitis or shock, requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
11. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which
intervention is most important during the first 24 hours?
A. Teach dietary modifications
B. Provide emotional support
C. Assess stoma color, size, and output
D. Encourage ambulation
(NCLEX-PN) Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. A 24-year-old patient is admitted with congestive heart failure. The
nurse notes bilateral lower extremity edema and shortness of breath.
Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Encourage the patient to ambulate frequently
B. Restrict fluid intake as ordered
C. Assess lung sounds and oxygen saturation
D. Elevate the head of the bed and lower extremities
Rationale: Assessing lung sounds and oxygen saturation is the priority to
determine the severity of fluid overload and potential pulmonary edema.
Interventions like fluid restriction and positioning are important but come
after assessment.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed digoxin. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate for digoxin
toxicity?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
, C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Rationale: Low potassium increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Monitoring
potassium levels is essential to prevent arrhythmias in patients taking
digoxin.
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports nausea and abdominal
pain. The nurse notes fruity breath and rapid respirations. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oral insulin
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Check blood glucose and ketone levels
D. Give a carbohydrate snack
Rationale: These symptoms suggest diabetic ketoacidosis. Checking blood
glucose and ketones is essential to confirm diagnosis and guide immediate
treatment.
4. The nurse is teaching a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) about breathing techniques. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A. Take deep breaths and hold for 10 seconds
B. Use chest expansion exercises
C. Practice pursed-lip breathing during exhalation
D. Limit use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent airway collapse during
exhalation, improving oxygenation and reducing dyspnea in COPD patients.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with a nasogastric tube connected to
suction. Which finding indicates the need for immediate intervention?
A. Slight redness at the nostril
B. Abdominal distention and absent bowel sounds
, C. Small amounts of clear drainage in the tubing
D. Tube secured with tape to the nose
Rationale: Abdominal distention and absent bowel sounds indicate possible
obstruction or ileus, requiring immediate assessment to prevent
complications.
6. A patient is receiving morphine for post-operative pain. Which finding
requires immediate nursing action?
A. Pain score of 4/10
B. Mild nausea and vomiting
C. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute
D. Drowsiness but easily arousable
Rationale: A respiratory rate below 10 indicates respiratory depression, a
life-threatening side effect of opioids that requires immediate intervention,
such as withholding the dose and administering naloxone if needed.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection. Which
site provides the most consistent absorption?
A. Upper arm
B. Abdomen
C. Thigh
D. Scapular area
Rationale: The abdomen provides the most consistent absorption for
subcutaneous injections, particularly for insulin, due to ample subcutaneous
tissue and fewer variations in blood flow.
8. A patient with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed warfarin.
Which teaching point is most important?
A. Take the medication with food
B. Monitor for signs of bleeding and bruising
, C. Avoid high-sodium foods
D. Exercise regularly
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk. Patients must be educated to
monitor for signs of bleeding, such as nosebleeds, bruising, or black stools,
to prevent serious complications.
9. A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease who has
hyperkalemia. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Restrict sodium intake
C. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate as ordered
D. Encourage high-potassium foods
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate binds potassium in the intestines,
lowering serum potassium levels. This is an appropriate intervention for
hyperkalemia in kidney disease patients.
10. A patient is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which finding is
most concerning?
A. Mild abdominal tenderness
B. Sudden drop in blood pressure and tachycardia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Mild fever
Rationale: Hypotension and tachycardia indicate possible hemorrhagic
pancreatitis or shock, requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
11. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. Which
intervention is most important during the first 24 hours?
A. Teach dietary modifications
B. Provide emotional support
C. Assess stoma color, size, and output
D. Encourage ambulation
