CNL Practice Questions.
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Answers.
GRADED A+. Latest 2026/2027
Update.
1. A new graduate nurse, Jenny, approaches you and states she needs help
removing a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Which of the following
is the best response when acting as a horizontal leader?
A. Remove the PICC yourself
B. Tell Jenny to find the policy and then remove the PICC
C. Help Jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach Jenny while she
removes the PICC and provide feedback
D. Help Jenny find the policy and refer her to a nurse with 12 years of
experience for assistance
Answer C—Rationale: The clinical nurse leader (CNL) acts as a horizontal leader
by helping the new graduate nurse to learn through sharing knowledge and
coaching, rather than doing the task for the nurse.
2. What organizational theory is used with rapid, unpredictable, and constant
change?
A. Systems theory
,B. Chaos theory
C. Change theory
D. Traditional theory
Answer B—Rationale: Chaos theory is used to understand rapidly changing,
unpredictable health care environments.
3. A 65-year-old African American male was admitted to your microsystem with
hyperglycemia. The patient has a history of hypertension, gout, obesity, and
smoking. The patient has a family history of diabetes and hypertension. Which
statement by the patient demonstrates his understanding of modifiable risk
factors for diabetes?
A. "As I get older, my risk for diabetes increases."
B. "I know that a family history of diabetes is a risk factor, so I will educate my
children on diabetes prevention."
C. "I will keep a record of all my blood sugars to take to my doctor's
appointments."
D. "I will attend a smoking cessation class, because I know smoking increases
my risk for diabetes."
Answer D—Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are lifestyle factors that a person
can alter in order to prevent disease. Smoking cessation class is an intervention
for modifying the risk factor of smoking.
4. Your hospital is currently trialing the integration of the clinical nurse leader
(CNL) role. At the', 'end of the trial implementation period how can you, as the
CNL, best illustrate the effectiveness of your role during this trial?
A. Refer to increased patient satisfaction scores over the course of the trial
B. Present data that demonstrates the effect of the CNL and outcomes
achieved over the course of the trial
C. Present a list of projects and tasks completed over the course of the trial
D. Refer to your performance review over the course of the trial
Answer B—Rationale: The CNL should present the effect and outcomes to
illustrate the importance of the integration of his or her role. Increased patient
satisfaction is not necessarily directly related to the CNL. Presentation of
,projects and tasks completed does not address measurable outcomes.
Performance review of the individual does not indicate outcomes were
affected.
5. You are a CNL on an oncology unit. Recently, there has been an increase in
the number of catheter- associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) on your
unit. After shadowing nurses and aides you observed a variety of practices,
techniques, and expectations surrounding daily catheter care. Your hospital
does not have a current policy or procedure regarding catheter care. As the
CNL, what should you do next?
A. Review current evidence for catheter care practice and disseminate evidence
to the staff
B. Form an interdisciplinary team meeting to evaluate current hospital catheter
care policies
C. Create a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter care
D. Discuss with the unit manager the clinical issue and create a set of evidence-
based unit expectations and practices for the oncology unit. Evaluate the need
to address this issue with a hospital-wide policy or procedure
Answer D—Rationale: CNLs should gather and disseminate evidence to solve
clinical problems; however, that should not be the initial step. Further review
of hospital practices and policies may come after this issue is addressed.
Creation of a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter care may come
after reviewing evidence. The CNL should act to solve the clinical issue in the
short term, and evaluate the need for a larger policy to address gaps in practice
hospital-wide.
6. A 50-year-old woman with a history of stage 3 chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) presents to the emergency department (ED) with
increased shortness of breath. Based on your lab results, what is the acid-base
disorder?
Labs as follows: pH 7.25 PaCO2 50 mmHg HCO3 22 mEq/L PO2 75 SpO2 88% Na
+ 136 BUN 18
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
, C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer A—Rationale: Based on the clinical scenario, the pH is decreased (less
than 7.35); therefore, the patient has acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated (more
than 45 mmHg), which is also consistent with the pH.', 'The HCO3 is within
normal limits, which suggests the kidneys are not compensating. COPD is
commonly associated with respiratory acidosis.
7. A CNL evaluates a 17-year-old patient who has been a victim of rape. The
patient has visible bruising and a head laceration. After the CNL's assessment,
law enforcement officials have contacted the CNL requesting information
regarding the attack and the visible injuries seen during the visit. The CNL
knows she must first:
A. Take pictures and complete the rape kit
B. Provide law enforcement with a record as requested
C. Call the patient's parents first
D. Explain to the patient in order to obtain consent for release of records
Answer D—Rationale: Legally, there must be consent from the patient to share
information with law enforcement and to abide by Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
8. A CNL in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is collecting data on the
hours worked weekly by the staff nurses. The CNL wants to see if there is a
normal distribution of hours worked. What technique is the best to display the
distribution of the data collected?
A. Run chart
B. Fishbone chart
C. Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) chart
D. Histogram chart
Answer D—Rationale: Histogram is a graphical representation, showing a visual
impression of the distribution of data.
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Answers.
GRADED A+. Latest 2026/2027
Update.
1. A new graduate nurse, Jenny, approaches you and states she needs help
removing a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Which of the following
is the best response when acting as a horizontal leader?
A. Remove the PICC yourself
B. Tell Jenny to find the policy and then remove the PICC
C. Help Jenny find the policy and review it with her. Coach Jenny while she
removes the PICC and provide feedback
D. Help Jenny find the policy and refer her to a nurse with 12 years of
experience for assistance
Answer C—Rationale: The clinical nurse leader (CNL) acts as a horizontal leader
by helping the new graduate nurse to learn through sharing knowledge and
coaching, rather than doing the task for the nurse.
2. What organizational theory is used with rapid, unpredictable, and constant
change?
A. Systems theory
,B. Chaos theory
C. Change theory
D. Traditional theory
Answer B—Rationale: Chaos theory is used to understand rapidly changing,
unpredictable health care environments.
3. A 65-year-old African American male was admitted to your microsystem with
hyperglycemia. The patient has a history of hypertension, gout, obesity, and
smoking. The patient has a family history of diabetes and hypertension. Which
statement by the patient demonstrates his understanding of modifiable risk
factors for diabetes?
A. "As I get older, my risk for diabetes increases."
B. "I know that a family history of diabetes is a risk factor, so I will educate my
children on diabetes prevention."
C. "I will keep a record of all my blood sugars to take to my doctor's
appointments."
D. "I will attend a smoking cessation class, because I know smoking increases
my risk for diabetes."
Answer D—Rationale: Modifiable risk factors are lifestyle factors that a person
can alter in order to prevent disease. Smoking cessation class is an intervention
for modifying the risk factor of smoking.
4. Your hospital is currently trialing the integration of the clinical nurse leader
(CNL) role. At the', 'end of the trial implementation period how can you, as the
CNL, best illustrate the effectiveness of your role during this trial?
A. Refer to increased patient satisfaction scores over the course of the trial
B. Present data that demonstrates the effect of the CNL and outcomes
achieved over the course of the trial
C. Present a list of projects and tasks completed over the course of the trial
D. Refer to your performance review over the course of the trial
Answer B—Rationale: The CNL should present the effect and outcomes to
illustrate the importance of the integration of his or her role. Increased patient
satisfaction is not necessarily directly related to the CNL. Presentation of
,projects and tasks completed does not address measurable outcomes.
Performance review of the individual does not indicate outcomes were
affected.
5. You are a CNL on an oncology unit. Recently, there has been an increase in
the number of catheter- associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) on your
unit. After shadowing nurses and aides you observed a variety of practices,
techniques, and expectations surrounding daily catheter care. Your hospital
does not have a current policy or procedure regarding catheter care. As the
CNL, what should you do next?
A. Review current evidence for catheter care practice and disseminate evidence
to the staff
B. Form an interdisciplinary team meeting to evaluate current hospital catheter
care policies
C. Create a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter care
D. Discuss with the unit manager the clinical issue and create a set of evidence-
based unit expectations and practices for the oncology unit. Evaluate the need
to address this issue with a hospital-wide policy or procedure
Answer D—Rationale: CNLs should gather and disseminate evidence to solve
clinical problems; however, that should not be the initial step. Further review
of hospital practices and policies may come after this issue is addressed.
Creation of a rubric for educating patients and staff on catheter care may come
after reviewing evidence. The CNL should act to solve the clinical issue in the
short term, and evaluate the need for a larger policy to address gaps in practice
hospital-wide.
6. A 50-year-old woman with a history of stage 3 chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) presents to the emergency department (ED) with
increased shortness of breath. Based on your lab results, what is the acid-base
disorder?
Labs as follows: pH 7.25 PaCO2 50 mmHg HCO3 22 mEq/L PO2 75 SpO2 88% Na
+ 136 BUN 18
A. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
, C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer A—Rationale: Based on the clinical scenario, the pH is decreased (less
than 7.35); therefore, the patient has acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated (more
than 45 mmHg), which is also consistent with the pH.', 'The HCO3 is within
normal limits, which suggests the kidneys are not compensating. COPD is
commonly associated with respiratory acidosis.
7. A CNL evaluates a 17-year-old patient who has been a victim of rape. The
patient has visible bruising and a head laceration. After the CNL's assessment,
law enforcement officials have contacted the CNL requesting information
regarding the attack and the visible injuries seen during the visit. The CNL
knows she must first:
A. Take pictures and complete the rape kit
B. Provide law enforcement with a record as requested
C. Call the patient's parents first
D. Explain to the patient in order to obtain consent for release of records
Answer D—Rationale: Legally, there must be consent from the patient to share
information with law enforcement and to abide by Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.
8. A CNL in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is collecting data on the
hours worked weekly by the staff nurses. The CNL wants to see if there is a
normal distribution of hours worked. What technique is the best to display the
distribution of the data collected?
A. Run chart
B. Fishbone chart
C. Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) chart
D. Histogram chart
Answer D—Rationale: Histogram is a graphical representation, showing a visual
impression of the distribution of data.
