NCLEX-PN Exam 2026 | Questions
and Answers
EXAM
1. A practical nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a nasogastric (NG)
tube attached to continuous suction. Which finding should the PN report to the
RN immediately?
A) The client reports a dry mouth.
B) The NG tube has greenish drainage.
C) The client’s bowel sounds are hypoactive.
D) The NG tube is draining bright red blood.
Answer: D
Rationale: Bright red blood in NG drainage indicates active bleeding and requires
immediate reporting. Dry mouth is expected with NPO status. Greenish drainage is
normal gastric contents. Hypoactive bowel sounds are common postoperatively or with
suction.
2. A client is on fall precautions. Which action by the PN best prevents falls?
A) Keep the bed in the highest position for ease of care.
B) Place the call light within reach at all times.
C) Apply wrist restraints at night.
D) Keep the room dimly lit to promote sleep.
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach allows the client to call for assistance,
,reducing fall risk. Bed should be in lowest position. Restraints require an order and are
not a fall prevention strategy. Adequate lighting is needed for safety.
3. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching about hand hygiene. Which statement
indicates the client understands?
A) “I should wash my hands for at least 10 seconds.”
B) “Hand sanitizer is effective even if my hands are visibly soiled.”
C) “I should wash my hands before and after changing my wound dressing.”
D) “I only need to wash my hands after using the bathroom.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene is required before and after wound care to prevent infection.
Handwashing should be at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly
soiled hands. Hand hygiene should be performed more frequently than just after
toileting.
4. A client is placed in isolation for Clostridium difficile. Which infection control
measure is most important?
A) Wear an N95 respirator.
B) Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after contact.
C) Wash hands with soap and water after contact.
D) Place the client in a negative pressure room.
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are not killed by alcohol-based sanitizers; soap and water are
required. Contact precautions (gown, gloves) are used, not airborne (N95). Negative
pressure is for airborne infections like TB.
5. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about using a cane. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A) “I will hold the cane on my weak side.”
, B) “I will hold the cane on my strong side.”
C) “I will move the cane at the same time as my weak leg.”
D) “I will advance the cane first, then my strong leg.”
Answer: B
Rationale: The cane is held on the strong side to provide support and distribute weight
away from the weak side. The cane moves with the weak leg: cane → weak leg → strong
leg.
6. A client has an advance directive that states “do not resuscitate” (DNR). The
client goes into cardiac arrest. What should the PN do?
A) Begin CPR immediately.
B) Call a code blue and start compressions.
C) Do not initiate CPR and notify the RN.
D) Ask the family if they want CPR performed.
Answer: C
Rationale: A valid DNR order means CPR should not be initiated. The PN should notify
the RN and provider. The family cannot override a valid DNR order.
7. A practical nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which action is correct?
A) Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement.
B) Tie restraints to the side rail for easy access.
C) Remove restraints every 2 hours for skin assessment.
D) Obtain verbal consent from the family before applying.
Answer: C
Rationale: Restraints must be removed every 2 hours for skin assessment, range of
motion, and toileting. Restraints should be tied to a movable part of the bed frame (not
side rails) with a quick-release knot, and should not be tight. A provider order is
required.
, 8. A client is receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding should the PN report
immediately?
A) Temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
B) Client reports mild itching at the IV site
C) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
D) Client reports low back pain
Answer: D
Rationale: Low back pain is a sign of a hemolytic transfusion reaction and requires
immediate intervention. Mild itching may indicate a mild allergic reaction but should still
be reported. Fever >100.4°F (38°C) is a sign of reaction.
9. A practical nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching for a client with a new
colostomy. Which statement indicates understanding?
A) “I will change the pouch every day.”
B) “I can take a shower with the pouch on.”
C) “I should avoid eating foods that cause gas.”
D) “The stoma should be dark purple in color.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients can shower with the pouch on. Pouches typically last 3–7 days unless
leaking. Gas-producing foods can be eaten in moderation. A healthy stoma is pink to
red; dark purple indicates ischemia.
10. A client is prescribed a clear liquid diet. Which item is allowed?
A) Milk
B) Orange juice with pulp
C) Chicken broth
D) Yogurt
and Answers
EXAM
1. A practical nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a nasogastric (NG)
tube attached to continuous suction. Which finding should the PN report to the
RN immediately?
A) The client reports a dry mouth.
B) The NG tube has greenish drainage.
C) The client’s bowel sounds are hypoactive.
D) The NG tube is draining bright red blood.
Answer: D
Rationale: Bright red blood in NG drainage indicates active bleeding and requires
immediate reporting. Dry mouth is expected with NPO status. Greenish drainage is
normal gastric contents. Hypoactive bowel sounds are common postoperatively or with
suction.
2. A client is on fall precautions. Which action by the PN best prevents falls?
A) Keep the bed in the highest position for ease of care.
B) Place the call light within reach at all times.
C) Apply wrist restraints at night.
D) Keep the room dimly lit to promote sleep.
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach allows the client to call for assistance,
,reducing fall risk. Bed should be in lowest position. Restraints require an order and are
not a fall prevention strategy. Adequate lighting is needed for safety.
3. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching about hand hygiene. Which statement
indicates the client understands?
A) “I should wash my hands for at least 10 seconds.”
B) “Hand sanitizer is effective even if my hands are visibly soiled.”
C) “I should wash my hands before and after changing my wound dressing.”
D) “I only need to wash my hands after using the bathroom.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene is required before and after wound care to prevent infection.
Handwashing should be at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer is not effective on visibly
soiled hands. Hand hygiene should be performed more frequently than just after
toileting.
4. A client is placed in isolation for Clostridium difficile. Which infection control
measure is most important?
A) Wear an N95 respirator.
B) Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer after contact.
C) Wash hands with soap and water after contact.
D) Place the client in a negative pressure room.
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are not killed by alcohol-based sanitizers; soap and water are
required. Contact precautions (gown, gloves) are used, not airborne (N95). Negative
pressure is for airborne infections like TB.
5. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about using a cane. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A) “I will hold the cane on my weak side.”
, B) “I will hold the cane on my strong side.”
C) “I will move the cane at the same time as my weak leg.”
D) “I will advance the cane first, then my strong leg.”
Answer: B
Rationale: The cane is held on the strong side to provide support and distribute weight
away from the weak side. The cane moves with the weak leg: cane → weak leg → strong
leg.
6. A client has an advance directive that states “do not resuscitate” (DNR). The
client goes into cardiac arrest. What should the PN do?
A) Begin CPR immediately.
B) Call a code blue and start compressions.
C) Do not initiate CPR and notify the RN.
D) Ask the family if they want CPR performed.
Answer: C
Rationale: A valid DNR order means CPR should not be initiated. The PN should notify
the RN and provider. The family cannot override a valid DNR order.
7. A practical nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which action is correct?
A) Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement.
B) Tie restraints to the side rail for easy access.
C) Remove restraints every 2 hours for skin assessment.
D) Obtain verbal consent from the family before applying.
Answer: C
Rationale: Restraints must be removed every 2 hours for skin assessment, range of
motion, and toileting. Restraints should be tied to a movable part of the bed frame (not
side rails) with a quick-release knot, and should not be tight. A provider order is
required.
, 8. A client is receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding should the PN report
immediately?
A) Temperature of 99.0°F (37.2°C)
B) Client reports mild itching at the IV site
C) Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
D) Client reports low back pain
Answer: D
Rationale: Low back pain is a sign of a hemolytic transfusion reaction and requires
immediate intervention. Mild itching may indicate a mild allergic reaction but should still
be reported. Fever >100.4°F (38°C) is a sign of reaction.
9. A practical nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching for a client with a new
colostomy. Which statement indicates understanding?
A) “I will change the pouch every day.”
B) “I can take a shower with the pouch on.”
C) “I should avoid eating foods that cause gas.”
D) “The stoma should be dark purple in color.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients can shower with the pouch on. Pouches typically last 3–7 days unless
leaking. Gas-producing foods can be eaten in moderation. A healthy stoma is pink to
red; dark purple indicates ischemia.
10. A client is prescribed a clear liquid diet. Which item is allowed?
A) Milk
B) Orange juice with pulp
C) Chicken broth
D) Yogurt
