NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure
Examination for Practical Nurses) question
and correct answers (verified answers)
plus rationales 2026 Q&A instant pdf
download
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intravenous (IV)
therapy. Which of the following findings is most concerning?
• A) The IV site is warm and pink.
• B) The client reports pain at the IV site.
• C) The IV tubing is slightly kinked.
• D) The client’s blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg.
Answer: B) The client reports pain at the IV site.
Rationale: Pain at the IV site could indicate infiltration, phlebitis, or
an infection, which require prompt assessment and intervention. The
other findings are less concerning.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which of the
following indicates a complication?
• A) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
• B) Tidaling in the water seal chamber.
• C) Drainage in the collection chamber is 50 mL in the first hour.
• D) Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber.
,Answer: A) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber may
indicate an air leak, which needs to be addressed immediately.
Tidaling and intermittent bubbling are normal findings.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours post-laparotomy. The
nurse notes that the client has a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C).
Which action should the nurse take first?
• A) Administer acetaminophen as prescribed.
• B) Reassess the client’s temperature in 30 minutes.
• C) Notify the healthcare provider.
• D) Encourage the client to drink fluids.
Answer: C) Notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: A post-surgical fever of 102°F (38.9°C) could indicate a
complication such as infection, which requires immediate notification
of the healthcare provider.
4. Which of the following is the priority nursing action when caring
for a client who is experiencing an asthma attack?
• A) Assess the client’s oxygen saturation.
• B) Administer prescribed bronchodilator.
• C) Position the client in a high Fowler's position.
• D) Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths.
Answer: B) Administer prescribed bronchodilator.
Rationale: The priority action during an asthma attack is to
administer a bronchodilator to open the airways and relieve the
,bronchospasm. Oxygen assessment and positioning are also
important but secondary to medication.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. The client’s white
blood cell (WBC) count is elevated. Which of the following findings
would require the nurse’s immediate attention?
• A) The client is coughing up green sputum.
• B) The client has a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute.
• C) The client is restless and confused.
• D) The client has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C).
Answer: C) The client is restless and confused.
Rationale: Restlessness and confusion may indicate hypoxia or sepsis,
which requires immediate intervention. The other findings are
consistent with pneumonia but are not as urgent.
6. Which of the following instructions should a nurse give to a client
who is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler?
• A) "Use the inhaler only when you are feeling short of breath."
• B) "After using the inhaler, rinse your mouth to prevent thrush."
• C) "You can stop using the inhaler once your symptoms
improve."
• D) "Use the inhaler every 4 hours, regardless of symptoms."
Answer: B) "After using the inhaler, rinse your mouth to prevent
thrush."
Rationale: Corticosteroid inhalers can cause oral thrush; rinsing the
mouth after use helps reduce this risk. The inhaler should be used as
prescribed, not just when symptoms occur.
, 7. A nurse is preparing to administer a flu shot to a client. Which of
the following is the correct route for the flu vaccine?
• A) Intravenous (IV)
• B) Subcutaneous
• C) Intramuscular (IM)
• D) Oral
Answer: C) Intramuscular (IM).
Rationale: The flu vaccine is typically administered via the
intramuscular (IM) route. It is not given intravenously,
subcutaneously, or orally.
8. A nurse is providing education about heart failure to a client.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?
• A) "I should limit my fluid intake to 4-5 liters per day."
• B) "I will take my medications only when I feel short of breath."
• C) "I should weigh myself daily and report a gain of 2-3 pounds
in one day."
• D) "I can take over-the-counter decongestants if I have a cold."
Answer: C) "I should weigh myself daily and report a gain of 2-3
pounds in one day."
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring is essential for clients with heart
failure, and a weight gain of 2-3 pounds in a day can indicate fluid
retention, requiring intervention.
Examination for Practical Nurses) question
and correct answers (verified answers)
plus rationales 2026 Q&A instant pdf
download
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intravenous (IV)
therapy. Which of the following findings is most concerning?
• A) The IV site is warm and pink.
• B) The client reports pain at the IV site.
• C) The IV tubing is slightly kinked.
• D) The client’s blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg.
Answer: B) The client reports pain at the IV site.
Rationale: Pain at the IV site could indicate infiltration, phlebitis, or
an infection, which require prompt assessment and intervention. The
other findings are less concerning.
2. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which of the
following indicates a complication?
• A) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
• B) Tidaling in the water seal chamber.
• C) Drainage in the collection chamber is 50 mL in the first hour.
• D) Intermittent bubbling in the suction chamber.
,Answer: A) Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber may
indicate an air leak, which needs to be addressed immediately.
Tidaling and intermittent bubbling are normal findings.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours post-laparotomy. The
nurse notes that the client has a temperature of 102°F (38.9°C).
Which action should the nurse take first?
• A) Administer acetaminophen as prescribed.
• B) Reassess the client’s temperature in 30 minutes.
• C) Notify the healthcare provider.
• D) Encourage the client to drink fluids.
Answer: C) Notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: A post-surgical fever of 102°F (38.9°C) could indicate a
complication such as infection, which requires immediate notification
of the healthcare provider.
4. Which of the following is the priority nursing action when caring
for a client who is experiencing an asthma attack?
• A) Assess the client’s oxygen saturation.
• B) Administer prescribed bronchodilator.
• C) Position the client in a high Fowler's position.
• D) Encourage the client to take slow, deep breaths.
Answer: B) Administer prescribed bronchodilator.
Rationale: The priority action during an asthma attack is to
administer a bronchodilator to open the airways and relieve the
,bronchospasm. Oxygen assessment and positioning are also
important but secondary to medication.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. The client’s white
blood cell (WBC) count is elevated. Which of the following findings
would require the nurse’s immediate attention?
• A) The client is coughing up green sputum.
• B) The client has a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute.
• C) The client is restless and confused.
• D) The client has a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C).
Answer: C) The client is restless and confused.
Rationale: Restlessness and confusion may indicate hypoxia or sepsis,
which requires immediate intervention. The other findings are
consistent with pneumonia but are not as urgent.
6. Which of the following instructions should a nurse give to a client
who is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler?
• A) "Use the inhaler only when you are feeling short of breath."
• B) "After using the inhaler, rinse your mouth to prevent thrush."
• C) "You can stop using the inhaler once your symptoms
improve."
• D) "Use the inhaler every 4 hours, regardless of symptoms."
Answer: B) "After using the inhaler, rinse your mouth to prevent
thrush."
Rationale: Corticosteroid inhalers can cause oral thrush; rinsing the
mouth after use helps reduce this risk. The inhaler should be used as
prescribed, not just when symptoms occur.
, 7. A nurse is preparing to administer a flu shot to a client. Which of
the following is the correct route for the flu vaccine?
• A) Intravenous (IV)
• B) Subcutaneous
• C) Intramuscular (IM)
• D) Oral
Answer: C) Intramuscular (IM).
Rationale: The flu vaccine is typically administered via the
intramuscular (IM) route. It is not given intravenously,
subcutaneously, or orally.
8. A nurse is providing education about heart failure to a client.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding of the teaching?
• A) "I should limit my fluid intake to 4-5 liters per day."
• B) "I will take my medications only when I feel short of breath."
• C) "I should weigh myself daily and report a gain of 2-3 pounds
in one day."
• D) "I can take over-the-counter decongestants if I have a cold."
Answer: C) "I should weigh myself daily and report a gain of 2-3
pounds in one day."
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring is essential for clients with heart
failure, and a weight gain of 2-3 pounds in a day can indicate fluid
retention, requiring intervention.
