and Verified Answers | Complete NCLEX PN
Study Guide for Nursing Licensure Success
LPN NCLEX Practice Exam 2026
Questions and Verified Answers | Complete NCLEX PN Study Guide for
Nursing Licensure Success
• This study guide contains 200 carefully crafted NCLEX-PN style questions with
verified answers, clear EXPERT RATIONALE, and full A–E multiple choice options to
simulate the real licensure exam experience.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct option, and studying the EXPERT RATIONALE to
reinforce clinical reasoning and retention.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed digoxin. Before
administering the medication, the nurse assesses the client's apical pulse and
finds it to be 58 beats per minute. What is the most appropriate nursing
action?
A. Administer the digoxin as prescribed
B. Administer the digoxin and document the pulse rate
C. Give half the dose and reassess in one hour
D. Withhold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
E. Administer the digoxin and place the client on a cardiac monitor
Correct Answer: D. Withhold the digoxin and notify the healthcare
provider
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60
beats per minute in an adult. The nurse must notify the healthcare provider before
administering the next dose, as bradycardia is a sign of digoxin toxicity.
,2. A nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results and notes a serum
potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperreflexia
D. Muscle weakness
E. Peaked T waves on ECG
Correct Answer: D. Muscle weakness
EXPERT RATIONALE: A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia.
Classic signs include muscle weakness, fatigue, leg cramps, and dysrhythmias.
Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who reports pain rated 8/10. The
client has an order for morphine sulfate IV. Which assessment must the nurse
perform before administering this medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate
D. Urine output
E. Blood glucose
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate
EXPERT RATIONALE: Opioids such as morphine can cause respiratory
depression. The nurse must assess respiratory rate before administration and
withhold the medication if respirations are below 12 breaths per minute.
,4. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which arterial blood
gas result is most consistent with this condition?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 50, HCO₃ 28
B. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 30, HCO₃ 24
C. pH 7.38, PaCO₂ 40, HCO₃ 24
D. pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 30, HCO₃ 14
E. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 55, HCO₃ 28
Correct Answer: D. pH 7.28, PaCO₂ 30, HCO₃ 14
EXPERT RATIONALE: DKA causes metabolic acidosis. This is characterized by a
low pH, low bicarbonate, and compensatory low PaCO₂ (respiratory compensation
through Kussmaul respirations).
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to an adult client. Which
site is preferred for a large volume injection in a healthy adult?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Rectus femoris
D. Ventrogluteal
E. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: D. Ventrogluteal
EXPERT RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred IM injection site for
adults because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels, has a thick muscle layer,
and is associated with fewer complications.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client in alcohol withdrawal. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Haloperidol
B. Naloxone
C. Lorazepam
D. Methadone
E. Bupropion
Correct Answer: C. Lorazepam
EXPERT RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are the first-line
treatment for alcohol withdrawal. They reduce the risk of seizures and delirium
tremens by acting on GABA receptors.
7. A client who is 32 weeks pregnant presents with painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
A. Placental abruption
B. Ectopic pregnancy
C. Placenta previa
D. Preterm labor
E. Uterine rupture
Correct Answer: C. Placenta previa
EXPERT RATIONALE: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red
vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester. It occurs when the placenta
covers the cervical os. Placental abruption, by contrast, typically presents with
painful bleeding.