California Nursing Jurisprudence Practice Exam
Questions and correct Answers (Verified Answers)
with Rationales 2026
1. Which agency is responsible for regulating nursing practice in California?
A) California Medical Board
B) California Department of Public Health
C) California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
D) California Nurses Association
Answer: C) California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
Rationale: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) is the regulatory
agency responsible for licensing and regulating registered nurses in California,
including enforcing nursing laws and regulations.
2. What is the minimum number of continuing education hours a Registered
Nurse must complete every two years to renew their license in California?
A) 10 hours
B) 15 hours
C) 30 hours
D) 50 hours
Answer: C) 30 hours
Rationale: California requires RNs to complete 30 contact hours of continuing
education every two years for license renewal.
,3. Which action is considered unprofessional conduct under the California Nursing
Practice Act?
A) Reporting a colleague suspected of impairment
B) Practicing nursing without a current valid license
C) Refusing to administer medication without a doctor’s order
D) Providing patient education
Answer: B) Practicing nursing without a current valid license
Rationale: Practicing without a valid license is illegal and considered
unprofessional conduct.
4. If a nurse suspects a patient is a victim of elder abuse, what is the nurse’s legal
responsibility?
A) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities immediately
B) Wait until the patient confirms abuse before reporting
C) Discuss concerns only with the patient’s family
D) Do nothing unless there is physical evidence
Answer: A) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities immediately
Rationale: California law mandates that healthcare providers report suspected
elder abuse immediately to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement.
5. When must a nurse renew their California RN license?
A) Every year on their birthday
B) Every two years on the last day of their birth month
C) Every three years on January 1st
D) Every five years on the anniversary of initial licensure
Answer: B) Every two years on the last day of their birth month
Rationale: RN licenses in California expire every two years on the last day of the
nurse’s birth month.
6. Which of the following tasks can a Registered Nurse legally delegate to a
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California?
, A) Performing an initial nursing assessment
B) Administering intravenous chemotherapy
C) Providing medication education to patients
D) Administering medications as ordered by a physician
Answer: D) Administering medications as ordered by a physician
Rationale: RNs may delegate certain tasks like medication administration to LVNs
but cannot delegate initial assessments or complex tasks like chemotherapy
administration.
7. A nurse is found guilty of gross negligence. What action can the California
Board of Registered Nursing take?
A) Issue a verbal warning
B) Suspend or revoke the nurse’s license
C) Recommend additional continuing education only
D) No action can be taken
Answer: B) Suspend or revoke the nurse’s license
Rationale: The Board can suspend, revoke, or place restrictions on a nurse’s
license for gross negligence or other violations.
8. Which statement best describes informed consent?
A) It is only necessary for surgical procedures
B) It involves explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient
C) It can be waived if the patient is unconscious
D) It is the nurse’s responsibility to obtain informed consent
Answer: B) It involves explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient
Rationale: Informed consent means the patient has been informed about the
risks, benefits, and alternatives before treatment, and it must be obtained by the
provider performing the procedure, not the nurse.
9. Under California law, what is the nurse’s role in maintaining patient
confidentiality?
Questions and correct Answers (Verified Answers)
with Rationales 2026
1. Which agency is responsible for regulating nursing practice in California?
A) California Medical Board
B) California Department of Public Health
C) California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
D) California Nurses Association
Answer: C) California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
Rationale: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) is the regulatory
agency responsible for licensing and regulating registered nurses in California,
including enforcing nursing laws and regulations.
2. What is the minimum number of continuing education hours a Registered
Nurse must complete every two years to renew their license in California?
A) 10 hours
B) 15 hours
C) 30 hours
D) 50 hours
Answer: C) 30 hours
Rationale: California requires RNs to complete 30 contact hours of continuing
education every two years for license renewal.
,3. Which action is considered unprofessional conduct under the California Nursing
Practice Act?
A) Reporting a colleague suspected of impairment
B) Practicing nursing without a current valid license
C) Refusing to administer medication without a doctor’s order
D) Providing patient education
Answer: B) Practicing nursing without a current valid license
Rationale: Practicing without a valid license is illegal and considered
unprofessional conduct.
4. If a nurse suspects a patient is a victim of elder abuse, what is the nurse’s legal
responsibility?
A) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities immediately
B) Wait until the patient confirms abuse before reporting
C) Discuss concerns only with the patient’s family
D) Do nothing unless there is physical evidence
Answer: A) Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities immediately
Rationale: California law mandates that healthcare providers report suspected
elder abuse immediately to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement.
5. When must a nurse renew their California RN license?
A) Every year on their birthday
B) Every two years on the last day of their birth month
C) Every three years on January 1st
D) Every five years on the anniversary of initial licensure
Answer: B) Every two years on the last day of their birth month
Rationale: RN licenses in California expire every two years on the last day of the
nurse’s birth month.
6. Which of the following tasks can a Registered Nurse legally delegate to a
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California?
, A) Performing an initial nursing assessment
B) Administering intravenous chemotherapy
C) Providing medication education to patients
D) Administering medications as ordered by a physician
Answer: D) Administering medications as ordered by a physician
Rationale: RNs may delegate certain tasks like medication administration to LVNs
but cannot delegate initial assessments or complex tasks like chemotherapy
administration.
7. A nurse is found guilty of gross negligence. What action can the California
Board of Registered Nursing take?
A) Issue a verbal warning
B) Suspend or revoke the nurse’s license
C) Recommend additional continuing education only
D) No action can be taken
Answer: B) Suspend or revoke the nurse’s license
Rationale: The Board can suspend, revoke, or place restrictions on a nurse’s
license for gross negligence or other violations.
8. Which statement best describes informed consent?
A) It is only necessary for surgical procedures
B) It involves explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient
C) It can be waived if the patient is unconscious
D) It is the nurse’s responsibility to obtain informed consent
Answer: B) It involves explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient
Rationale: Informed consent means the patient has been informed about the
risks, benefits, and alternatives before treatment, and it must be obtained by the
provider performing the procedure, not the nurse.
9. Under California law, what is the nurse’s role in maintaining patient
confidentiality?
