NCLEX-PN Practice Questions
Prepare for NCLEX-PN with more than an answer.
- Exam fee
- $200 USD
- Level
- Entry-Level Professional Licensure
Domains covered on the exam 4
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
- 1
A practical nurse is providing education at a community center. Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy for cardiovascular disease?
Show answer details
Correct answer: A
Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it ever occurs. Teaching a class on healthy cooking is a strategy to promote healthy lifestyle choices (a low-sodium diet) to prevent the development of conditions like hypertension and heart disease.
- 2
A client is prescribed spironolactone for management of hypertension. The practical nurse should reinforce teaching to avoid which food item?
Show answer details
Correct answer: B
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which can lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels). Many salt substitutes are made with potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride. Consuming these products while taking spironolactone can dangerously elevate potassium levels, leading to cardiac arrhythmias.
- 3
While assisting with a sterile dressing change, a practical nurse observes a student nurse reach across the sterile field. What is the LPN's most appropriate action?
Show answer details
Correct answer: C
Patient safety is the absolute priority. Once a sterile field is contaminated, it must be discarded and replaced to prevent surgical site infection. The LPN has a professional responsibility to intervene immediately to stop the procedure, identify the break in technique clearly and professionally, and ensure that patient safety is maintained by starting over with a new sterile field. Waiting until later compromises patient care.
- 4
A practical nurse is instructing a female client on how to collect a clean-catch midstream urine specimen. Which instruction is essential to ensure the specimen is not contaminated?
Show answer details
Correct answer: C
The purpose of a midstream collection is to flush away any microorganisms from the urethral meatus before collecting the sample. By urinating a small amount into the toilet first, the client clears the urethra of contaminants. The subsequent "midstream" urine is then collected in the sterile cup, providing a more accurate specimen for analysis.
- 5
The practical nurse is contributing to the care plan for a client in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which intervention is the priority?
Show answer details
Correct answer: B
Clients in a manic phase have high energy levels, poor judgment, and are easily agitated by external stimuli. A low-stimulation environment (e.g., reduced lighting, noise, and activity) is a priority to decrease agitation, prevent escalation of behavior, and promote safety for the client and others. Group activities can be too stimulating and overwhelming.
- 6
A practical nurse is reviewing the medication administration record for a client with heart failure. The client is prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg daily and furosemide 40 mg daily. The client's morning potassium level is 3.1 mEq/L. Which action is the priority for the LPN?
Show answer details
Correct answer: B
The priority action is to hold the digoxin and notify the RN. The client's potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that excretes potassium, which is the likely cause. Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, even with a therapeutic digoxin level. Administering the digoxin could lead to life-threatening arrhythmias.
- 7
When preparing a client for a colonoscopy, the practical nurse reinforces the importance of the prescribed polyethylene glycol bowel preparation. The client asks, "Why do I have to drink all of this?" What is the most accurate response by the LPN?
Show answer details
Correct answer: C
The primary purpose of the bowel preparation solution is to induce diarrhea to completely cleanse the colon of all fecal matter. This is essential for the physician to have a clear and unobstructed view of the entire mucosal lining of the colon during the colonoscopy, allowing for accurate detection of polyps or other abnormalities.
- 8
A practical nurse is reinforcing self-management education for an adolescent newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Which topics are most crucial to include to promote adherence and safety? (Select THREE)
Show answer details
Correct answer: A, C, E
Adolescents are highly focused on peer groups and social activities. Providing practical strategies for managing their diabetes in these settings is critical for adherence and psychosocial well-being.
Hypoglycemia is an acute, life-threatening complication of insulin therapy. The adolescent must be able to recognize the symptoms and know how to treat it immediately for their safety.
Adolescents have variable schedules, activity levels, and eating habits. Teaching them the basic principles of matching insulin to their lifestyle empowers them to manage their blood glucose effectively and safely.
- 9
A practical nurse in a long-term care facility is admitting a new resident from the hospital. The resident has a history of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and dementia. The admission packet includes a signed Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. What is the LPN's first action upon reviewing the admission orders and paperwork?
Show answer details
Correct answer: C
While all other actions are important parts of the admission process, the first priority is to ensure the resident's end-of-life wishes are respected. This involves verifying the DNR order, communicating this status to all staff (e.g., via the chart, wristband, room signage as per policy), and ensuring it is correctly entered into the facility's records. A delay in this critical step could lead to unwanted and invasive procedures in an emergency.
- 10
A client diagnosed with schizophrenia tells the practical nurse, "The voices are telling me that I am a bad person." Which response by the LPN is most therapeutic?
flowchart TD A[Client states "The voices are telling me I am a bad person."] --> B{Is the nurse's response therapeutic?} B -->|Yes| C[Focus on feelings, present reality, offer self] B -->|No| D[Argue with delusion, give false reassurance, ask 'why'] C --> E[Builds trust & reduces anxiety] D --> F[Increases anxiety & mistrust]Show answer details
Correct answer: C
This response is the most therapeutic. It validates the client's feelings (fear) without validating the hallucination itself. It gently presents reality ("I don't hear any voices") and then opens the door for communication and offers the nurse's presence for support. This approach helps build trust and reduces the client's anxiety.
