NATIONAL COUNCIL LICENSURE
EXAMINATION FOR PRACTICAL NURSES
(NCLEX-PN) PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypoglycemia. Which is the priority
intervention?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Check blood pressure
Correct Answer: B. Give 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires immediate correction of low blood glucose
levels. Fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or juice rapidly increase
blood sugar and prevent neurological complications. Insulin would worsen
hypoglycemia.
Question 2:
Which position is best for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
,C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: High Fowler’s position allows maximum lung expansion by decreasing
pressure on the diaphragm, improving oxygenation and easing breathing
difficulty.
Question 3:
What is the normal adult heart rate range?
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–160 bpm
Correct Answer: B. 60–100 bpm
Rationale: A normal resting adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per
minute. Values outside this range may indicate bradycardia or tachycardia.
Question 4:
A patient is at risk for pressure ulcers. What is the best preventive measure?
A. Massage bony areas
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Keep patient in one position
D. Use hot compresses
Correct Answer: B. Reposition every 2 hours
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on bony
prominences, preventing tissue ischemia and breakdown. Massage over bony
areas is contraindicated.
,Question 5:
Which symptom indicates hypoxia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypertension
D. Warm skin
Correct Answer: B. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates decreased oxygen levels in the blood, commonly
seen in lips, nails, and skin during hypoxia.
Question 6:
What is the correct hand hygiene duration using soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 20 seconds
Rationale: Effective handwashing requires at least 20 seconds to remove
pathogens and reduce infection transmission.
Question 7:
Which electrolyte imbalance is life-threatening if severely elevated?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias by
disrupting electrical conduction in the heart.
, Question 8:
What is the first action in case of fire in a hospital?
A. Extinguish fire
B. Rescue patients
C. Activate alarm
D. Close doors
Correct Answer: B. Rescue patients
Rationale: The RACE protocol prioritizes removing patients from danger first
before alerting others and containing the fire.
Question 9:
Which vital sign changes first in hemorrhage?
A. Blood pressure increase
B. Heart rate increase
C. Temperature increase
D. Respiratory decrease
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate increase
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to blood loss to
maintain cardiac output.
Question 10:
What is a sign of infection?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fever
C. Hypotension
D. Dry skin
EXAMINATION FOR PRACTICAL NURSES
(NCLEX-PN) PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
| INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypoglycemia. Which is the priority
intervention?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Check blood pressure
Correct Answer: B. Give 15g of fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: Hypoglycemia requires immediate correction of low blood glucose
levels. Fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or juice rapidly increase
blood sugar and prevent neurological complications. Insulin would worsen
hypoglycemia.
Question 2:
Which position is best for a patient experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. Prone
,C. High Fowler’s
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: High Fowler’s position allows maximum lung expansion by decreasing
pressure on the diaphragm, improving oxygenation and easing breathing
difficulty.
Question 3:
What is the normal adult heart rate range?
A. 40–60 bpm
B. 60–100 bpm
C. 100–120 bpm
D. 120–160 bpm
Correct Answer: B. 60–100 bpm
Rationale: A normal resting adult heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per
minute. Values outside this range may indicate bradycardia or tachycardia.
Question 4:
A patient is at risk for pressure ulcers. What is the best preventive measure?
A. Massage bony areas
B. Reposition every 2 hours
C. Keep patient in one position
D. Use hot compresses
Correct Answer: B. Reposition every 2 hours
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on bony
prominences, preventing tissue ischemia and breakdown. Massage over bony
areas is contraindicated.
,Question 5:
Which symptom indicates hypoxia?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Hypertension
D. Warm skin
Correct Answer: B. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates decreased oxygen levels in the blood, commonly
seen in lips, nails, and skin during hypoxia.
Question 6:
What is the correct hand hygiene duration using soap and water?
A. 5 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 20 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Correct Answer: C. 20 seconds
Rationale: Effective handwashing requires at least 20 seconds to remove
pathogens and reduce infection transmission.
Question 7:
Which electrolyte imbalance is life-threatening if severely elevated?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias by
disrupting electrical conduction in the heart.
, Question 8:
What is the first action in case of fire in a hospital?
A. Extinguish fire
B. Rescue patients
C. Activate alarm
D. Close doors
Correct Answer: B. Rescue patients
Rationale: The RACE protocol prioritizes removing patients from danger first
before alerting others and containing the fire.
Question 9:
Which vital sign changes first in hemorrhage?
A. Blood pressure increase
B. Heart rate increase
C. Temperature increase
D. Respiratory decrease
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate increase
Rationale: Tachycardia is an early compensatory response to blood loss to
maintain cardiac output.
Question 10:
What is a sign of infection?
A. Bradycardia
B. Fever
C. Hypotension
D. Dry skin
