Exam Practice Test Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. The New Mexico Board of Nursing primarily exists to:
A. Provide funding for nursing schools
B. Enforce federal healthcare laws
C. Protect the public by regulating nursing practice
D. Approve hospital budgets
Rationale: The Board’s main role is to ensure nurses practice safely and
competently, prioritizing public safety.
2. Which of the following is required to practice as a licensed nurse in New
Mexico?
A. Certification in CPR only
B. A current license issued by the New Mexico Board of Nursing
C. Employment in a hospital
D. Membership in a nursing association
Rationale: A license issued by the NM Board of Nursing is legally required
to practice nursing.
3. Which action is considered unprofessional conduct under New Mexico
Nursing law?
A. Administering medication as ordered
B. Documenting patient care accurately
C. Practicing while impaired by drugs or alcohol
D. Attending continuing education courses
, Rationale: Practicing under the influence endangers patients and violates
professional standards.
4. How often must a registered nurse renew their license in New Mexico?
A. Every year
B. Every two years
C. Every three years
D. Every five years
Rationale: NM law requires RN licenses to be renewed biennially, often
with continuing education documentation.
5. Continuing education requirements for license renewal in New Mexico
include:
A. 5 hours per year
B. 30 hours every 2 years
C. 60 hours every 5 years
D. No requirement
Rationale: Nurses in NM must complete 30 hours of CE every two years to
maintain licensure.
6. A nurse is asked to perform a task outside their scope of practice. The nurse
should:
A. Attempt the task carefully
B. Delegate it to unlicensed personnel
C. Refuse and notify their supervisor
D. Ignore the order
Rationale: Performing tasks outside one’s scope is illegal and unsafe;
nurses must refuse and report.
7. Which of the following is an example of patient abandonment?
A. Leaving work 5 minutes early
B. Failing to provide care without arranging for another qualified nurse
C. Documenting patient care late
D. Taking a lunch break
Rationale: Abandonment occurs when a nurse leaves a patient without
proper coverage or notification.
, 8. Delegation by a registered nurse must consider:
A. Only the task itself
B. Only the experience of the delegatee
C. The task, the patient’s condition, and the delegatee’s competency
D. The supervisor’s preference
Rationale: Safe delegation requires evaluating all relevant factors to
protect patient safety.
9. Which statement about informed consent is correct?
A. Nurses are responsible for obtaining consent from patients for surgery
B. Consent is unnecessary for routine vital signs
C. Patients have the right to refuse treatment after receiving information
D. Minors can always provide consent for any medical procedure
Rationale: Informed consent requires that patients understand and
voluntarily agree to treatment.
10.A nurse witnesses a colleague falsifying patient records. The nurse should:
A. Confront the colleague privately only
B. Report the incident to the Board or appropriate authority
C. Ignore it if the patient is stable
D. Correct the records without reporting
Rationale: Falsifying records is illegal; nurses have a duty to report
violations.
11.Which principle governs patient confidentiality under New Mexico law?
A. Autonomy
B. HIPAA and state privacy regulations
C. Justice
D. Beneficence only
Rationale: HIPAA and NM regulations protect patient health information.
12.A nurse’s license may be revoked for:
A. Taking a vacation without notice
B. Failing a skills test once
C. Engaging in sexual misconduct with a patient
D. Reporting a medication error