KAPLAN NCLEX-PN READINESS EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Patient Assessment and Clinical Judgment
*- Pharmacology and Medication Administration*
*- Pediatric Nursing Care*
*- Maternal-Child Health Nursing*
*- Safety and Infection Control*
*- Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice*
*- Health Promotion and Maintenance*
*- Psychosocial Integrity*
Introduction
This comprehensive readiness exam is designed to evaluate your preparation for the NCLEX-PN certification. The assessment measures essential
knowledge, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills required for entry-level practical nursing practice. Through multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions, you will demonstrate competency in patient assessment, medication administration, pediatric and maternal care,
infection control protocols, and ethical-legal standards. The exam emphasizes real-world application, prioritizing your ability to make safe,
effective decisions in diverse clinical situations while functioning within the practical nurse scope of practice. Success requires mastering both
foundational theory and applied professional knowledge across all major nursing domains.
### SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A 6-year-old child with asthma is admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse notes the child is experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, and
decreased oxygen saturation. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize first?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min
B. Obtain a complete allergy history from the parent
C. Administer the prescribed short-acting beta-agonist inhaler
D. Position the child in high Fowler's position
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: The short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhaler is the first-line treatment for acute asthma exacerbation as it directly addresses
bronchospasm and opens the airways. While oxygen and positioning are supportive measures, the priority is reversing the underlying
bronchoconstriction. Allergy history is important but not the immediate priority during an acute episode.
Question 2
A practical nurse is preparing to administer intravenous potassium chloride to a patient with hypokalemia. Which safety precaution is MOST critical
before administration?
A. Verify the patient's allergy status
B. Ensure the medication is given as a rapid infusion
C. Confirm the solution is diluted appropriately and infused slowly
D. Check the patient's blood pressure every 15 minutes
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Potassium chloride must always be diluted and infused slowly to prevent life-threatening complications such as cardiac
arrhythmias and vein irritation. Rapid infusion of potassium can cause fatal cardiac arrest. This is a high-alert medication requiring strict safety
protocols.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Contact precautions
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions because the bacteria are transmitted through small particles that remain suspended in
the air. Airborne precautions include a negative-pressure room and a fitted N95 respirator mask. Droplet precautions are used for larger particles
(e.g., influenza, COVID-19), while contact precautions are for direct contact transmission.
Question 4
A 28-year-old woman is in the third stage of labor. Which assessment finding indicates that the baby has been delivered successfully?
,A. The mother reports feeling extreme pressure
B. The placenta delivers spontaneously
C. The umbilical cord is visible extending from the vagina
D. The mother's blood pressure increases significantly
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The third stage of labor involves delivery of the placenta. Spontaneous delivery of the placenta confirms successful completion of
this stage. Extreme pressure is felt during the second stage (baby delivery), and visible cord is an earlier sign before delivery.
Question 5
A practical nurse is documenting care for a patient who underwent surgery. Which information is REQUIRED in the nursing documentation?
A. The surgeon's personal opinions about the patient
B. The patient's insurance information
C. Vital signs, wound appearance, and pain level
D. The family's dietary preferences
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Nursing documentation must include objective clinical data such as vital signs, wound assessment, and pain level to ensure
continuity of care and legal accountability. Surgeon opinions, insurance details, and family preferences are not part of required nursing
documentation.
Question 6
A 3-year-old child is admitted with suspected intussusception. Which clinical sign is MOST characteristic of this condition?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. "Currant jelly" stools
C. High fever
D. Bloody nasal discharge
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Intussusception (intestinal obstruction) in children is classically associated with "currant jelly" stools containing blood and mucus.
This is a hallmark sign requiring immediate surgical intervention. Projectile vomiting is more typical of pyloric stenosis.
Question 7
A nurse is administering medication through a PEG tube. Which action is MOST appropriate?
A. Crush all medications and mix with water
B. Flush the tube with 30 mL water before and after administration
C. Administer medications without flushing
D. Give medications while the patient is supine
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Flushing the PEG tube with water before and after medication administration prevents clogging and ensures proper delivery. Not
all medications can be crushed, and the patient should be positioned upright to prevent aspiration.
Question 8
A 45-year-old patient with diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which symptom should the nurse expect to observe FIRST?
A. Confusion
B. Tremors and sweating
C. Seizure
D. Coma
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Early signs of hypoglycemia include autonomic symptoms like tremors, sweating, and palpitations. Confusion, seizure, and coma
occur with severe or prolonged hypoglycemia. Recognizing early signs allows for prompt intervention.
Question 9
A practical nurse is caring for a patient who has refused a prescribed medication. Which action is MOST appropriate?
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
- Patient Assessment and Clinical Judgment
*- Pharmacology and Medication Administration*
*- Pediatric Nursing Care*
*- Maternal-Child Health Nursing*
*- Safety and Infection Control*
*- Legal and Ethical Nursing Practice*
*- Health Promotion and Maintenance*
*- Psychosocial Integrity*
Introduction
This comprehensive readiness exam is designed to evaluate your preparation for the NCLEX-PN certification. The assessment measures essential
knowledge, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills required for entry-level practical nursing practice. Through multiple-choice and
scenario-based questions, you will demonstrate competency in patient assessment, medication administration, pediatric and maternal care,
infection control protocols, and ethical-legal standards. The exam emphasizes real-world application, prioritizing your ability to make safe,
effective decisions in diverse clinical situations while functioning within the practical nurse scope of practice. Success requires mastering both
foundational theory and applied professional knowledge across all major nursing domains.
### SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A 6-year-old child with asthma is admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse notes the child is experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, and
decreased oxygen saturation. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize first?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen at 2 L/min
B. Obtain a complete allergy history from the parent
C. Administer the prescribed short-acting beta-agonist inhaler
D. Position the child in high Fowler's position
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: The short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) inhaler is the first-line treatment for acute asthma exacerbation as it directly addresses
bronchospasm and opens the airways. While oxygen and positioning are supportive measures, the priority is reversing the underlying
bronchoconstriction. Allergy history is important but not the immediate priority during an acute episode.
Question 2
A practical nurse is preparing to administer intravenous potassium chloride to a patient with hypokalemia. Which safety precaution is MOST critical
before administration?
A. Verify the patient's allergy status
B. Ensure the medication is given as a rapid infusion
C. Confirm the solution is diluted appropriately and infused slowly
D. Check the patient's blood pressure every 15 minutes
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Potassium chloride must always be diluted and infused slowly to prevent life-threatening complications such as cardiac
arrhythmias and vein irritation. Rapid infusion of potassium can cause fatal cardiac arrest. This is a high-alert medication requiring strict safety
protocols.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Contact precautions
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions because the bacteria are transmitted through small particles that remain suspended in
the air. Airborne precautions include a negative-pressure room and a fitted N95 respirator mask. Droplet precautions are used for larger particles
(e.g., influenza, COVID-19), while contact precautions are for direct contact transmission.
Question 4
A 28-year-old woman is in the third stage of labor. Which assessment finding indicates that the baby has been delivered successfully?
,A. The mother reports feeling extreme pressure
B. The placenta delivers spontaneously
C. The umbilical cord is visible extending from the vagina
D. The mother's blood pressure increases significantly
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The third stage of labor involves delivery of the placenta. Spontaneous delivery of the placenta confirms successful completion of
this stage. Extreme pressure is felt during the second stage (baby delivery), and visible cord is an earlier sign before delivery.
Question 5
A practical nurse is documenting care for a patient who underwent surgery. Which information is REQUIRED in the nursing documentation?
A. The surgeon's personal opinions about the patient
B. The patient's insurance information
C. Vital signs, wound appearance, and pain level
D. The family's dietary preferences
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Nursing documentation must include objective clinical data such as vital signs, wound assessment, and pain level to ensure
continuity of care and legal accountability. Surgeon opinions, insurance details, and family preferences are not part of required nursing
documentation.
Question 6
A 3-year-old child is admitted with suspected intussusception. Which clinical sign is MOST characteristic of this condition?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. "Currant jelly" stools
C. High fever
D. Bloody nasal discharge
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Intussusception (intestinal obstruction) in children is classically associated with "currant jelly" stools containing blood and mucus.
This is a hallmark sign requiring immediate surgical intervention. Projectile vomiting is more typical of pyloric stenosis.
Question 7
A nurse is administering medication through a PEG tube. Which action is MOST appropriate?
A. Crush all medications and mix with water
B. Flush the tube with 30 mL water before and after administration
C. Administer medications without flushing
D. Give medications while the patient is supine
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Flushing the PEG tube with water before and after medication administration prevents clogging and ensures proper delivery. Not
all medications can be crushed, and the patient should be positioned upright to prevent aspiration.
Question 8
A 45-year-old patient with diabetes is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which symptom should the nurse expect to observe FIRST?
A. Confusion
B. Tremors and sweating
C. Seizure
D. Coma
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Early signs of hypoglycemia include autonomic symptoms like tremors, sweating, and palpitations. Confusion, seizure, and coma
occur with severe or prolonged hypoglycemia. Recognizing early signs allows for prompt intervention.
Question 9
A practical nurse is caring for a patient who has refused a prescribed medication. Which action is MOST appropriate?
