NCLEX-PN Practical Nurse Licensure
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
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1. A 72-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is admitted with increasing shortness of breath and oxygen
saturation of 86% on room air. Which initial nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen at 6 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Encourage the patient to lie flat in bed
C. Initiate oxygen at 1–2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Give a high-carbohydrate meal immediately
Answer: C. Initiate oxygen at 1–2 L/min via nasal cannula
Rationale: In COPD patients, low-flow oxygen is initiated cautiously
to prevent suppressing hypoxic drive and worsening CO₂ retention
while still improving oxygenation.
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient receiving morphine via IV.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
B. Pain score of 6/10
C. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
D. Urine output of 30 mL/hour
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
, Rationale: Respiratory depression is a life-threatening adverse effect
of opioids and requires immediate action such as withholding
medication and administering naloxone.
3. A client with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness, sweating, and
confusion. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 10 units of insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Give 4 ounces of orange juice
D. Call the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: B. Check blood glucose level
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia; however, confirmation
with blood glucose is essential before intervention unless the patient
is unconscious.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. “I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables.”
B. “I will use a firm toothbrush and electric razor.”
C. “I will take aspirin for headaches.”
D. “I will double my dose if I miss one.”
Answer: B. “I will use a firm toothbrush and electric razor.”
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so injury prevention
strategies such as using an electric razor are appropriate.
5. A patient develops sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia. The
nurse suspects pulmonary embolism. What is the priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Administer oxygen immediately
C. Place patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Offer oral fluids
Answer: B. Administer oxygen immediately
Rationale: Oxygen improves tissue perfusion during suspected
pulmonary embolism, which is a medical emergency.
6. A newborn has a heart rate of 90 bpm, weak cry, and flexed
extremities. What Apgar score is expected?
A. 3
B. 5
, C. 7
D. 9
Answer: B. 5
Rationale: The findings indicate moderate distress, with partial
scoring in heart rate, respiration, and muscle tone.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperkalemia. Which ECG finding is
most expected?
A. ST elevation
B. Peaked T waves
C. Wide QRS with U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia commonly causes tall, peaked T waves due
to altered cardiac repolarization.
8. A client is receiving chemotherapy and reports mouth sores. What is
the best nursing intervention?
A. Encourage spicy foods to stimulate appetite
B. Use alcohol-based mouthwash
C. Rinse mouth with saline or baking soda solution
D. Avoid oral hygiene until lesions heal
Answer: C. Rinse mouth with saline or baking soda solution
Rationale: Gentle oral rinses reduce irritation and promote healing in
chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should it be
given?
A. 30 minutes before meals
B. At bedtime only
C. Immediately before eating
D. Two hours after meals
Answer: C. Immediately before eating
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin lispro is administered just before
meals to control postprandial glucose spikes.
10. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most concerning?
A. Hypernatremia
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant Download
1. A 72-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is admitted with increasing shortness of breath and oxygen
saturation of 86% on room air. Which initial nursing intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Administer oxygen at 6 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Encourage the patient to lie flat in bed
C. Initiate oxygen at 1–2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Give a high-carbohydrate meal immediately
Answer: C. Initiate oxygen at 1–2 L/min via nasal cannula
Rationale: In COPD patients, low-flow oxygen is initiated cautiously
to prevent suppressing hypoxic drive and worsening CO₂ retention
while still improving oxygenation.
2. A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient receiving morphine via IV.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
B. Pain score of 6/10
C. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
D. Urine output of 30 mL/hour
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
, Rationale: Respiratory depression is a life-threatening adverse effect
of opioids and requires immediate action such as withholding
medication and administering naloxone.
3. A client with diabetes mellitus reports shakiness, sweating, and
confusion. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 10 units of insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Give 4 ounces of orange juice
D. Call the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: B. Check blood glucose level
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia; however, confirmation
with blood glucose is essential before intervention unless the patient
is unconscious.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. “I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables.”
B. “I will use a firm toothbrush and electric razor.”
C. “I will take aspirin for headaches.”
D. “I will double my dose if I miss one.”
Answer: B. “I will use a firm toothbrush and electric razor.”
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, so injury prevention
strategies such as using an electric razor are appropriate.
5. A patient develops sudden chest pain, dyspnea, and tachycardia. The
nurse suspects pulmonary embolism. What is the priority action?
A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
B. Administer oxygen immediately
C. Place patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Offer oral fluids
Answer: B. Administer oxygen immediately
Rationale: Oxygen improves tissue perfusion during suspected
pulmonary embolism, which is a medical emergency.
6. A newborn has a heart rate of 90 bpm, weak cry, and flexed
extremities. What Apgar score is expected?
A. 3
B. 5
, C. 7
D. 9
Answer: B. 5
Rationale: The findings indicate moderate distress, with partial
scoring in heart rate, respiration, and muscle tone.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperkalemia. Which ECG finding is
most expected?
A. ST elevation
B. Peaked T waves
C. Wide QRS with U waves
D. Prolonged QT interval
Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale: Hyperkalemia commonly causes tall, peaked T waves due
to altered cardiac repolarization.
8. A client is receiving chemotherapy and reports mouth sores. What is
the best nursing intervention?
A. Encourage spicy foods to stimulate appetite
B. Use alcohol-based mouthwash
C. Rinse mouth with saline or baking soda solution
D. Avoid oral hygiene until lesions heal
Answer: C. Rinse mouth with saline or baking soda solution
Rationale: Gentle oral rinses reduce irritation and promote healing in
chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should it be
given?
A. 30 minutes before meals
B. At bedtime only
C. Immediately before eating
D. Two hours after meals
Answer: C. Immediately before eating
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin lispro is administered just before
meals to control postprandial glucose spikes.
10. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most concerning?
A. Hypernatremia
