WISCONSIN NURSING JURISPRUDENCE EXAM 200 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
1: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter N 1, which entity has the statutory authority
to discipline a registered nurse for unprofessional conduct?
A. Wisconsin Department of Health Services
B. Wisconsin Board of Nursing
C. Wisconsin Nurses Association
D. Wisconsin Hospital Association
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wisconsin Board of Nursing
Rationale: The Wisconsin Board of Nursing, operating under the Department of Safety and
Professional Services, holds exclusive statutory authority under Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 and Wis.
Admin. Code Chapter N 1 to investigate complaints, conduct hearings, and impose disciplinary
actions against licensed nurses for violations of the Nurse Practice Act.
2: According to Wisconsin law, what is the minimum number of continuing education contact
hours required for a registered nurse to renew an active license?
A. 10 hours every 2 years
B. 15 hours every 2 years
C. 20 hours every 2 years
D. 30 hours every 2 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 20 hours every 2 years
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code N 6.03 requires registered nurses and licensed
practical nurses to complete a minimum of 20 contact hours of board-approved continuing
education during each biennial renewal period to maintain an active license.
3: Which Wisconsin statute specifically defines the scope of practice for a registered
professional nurse?
A. Wis. Stat. Chapter 146 (Health Records)
,B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 252 (Public Health)
C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 (Nursing)
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 51 (Mental Health)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 (Nursing)
Rationale: Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 441, known as the Nurse Practice Act, establishes the
legal framework for nursing practice in Wisconsin, including definitions, scope of practice,
licensure requirements, and disciplinary grounds for all levels of nursing personnel.
4: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code N 4.03, which action constitutes unprofessional
conduct for a nurse?
A. Reporting a colleague's medication error through proper channels
B. Delegating a nursing task to a nursing assistant after assessing competency
C. Failing to maintain accurate and timely patient care documentation
D. Refusing an assignment outside one's scope of practice
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Failing to maintain accurate and timely patient care documentation
Rationale: Wis. Admin. Code N 4.03(4) explicitly identifies failure to maintain accurate, legible,
and timely patient care records as unprofessional conduct, as documentation is essential for
continuity of care, legal protection, and quality assurance.
5: In Wisconsin, which individual is authorized to delegate nursing tasks to a nursing assistant?
A. Any licensed healthcare provider
B. A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse acting within their scope
C. A nursing assistant with advanced training
D. A physician only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse acting within their scope
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code N 5.02 specifies that only licensed nurses (RNs or
LPNs) may delegate nursing tasks to nursing assistants, and delegation must be based on
,assessment of the patient's condition, task complexity, and the assistant's demonstrated
competency.
6: According to Wisconsin law, what is the legal consequence for a nurse who practices with an
expired, inactive, or revoked license?
A. A verbal warning from the employer
B. Civil liability only, no disciplinary action
C. Unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing
D. Automatic reinstatement upon payment of a late fee
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action by the Board of
Nursing
Rationale: Practicing nursing without a valid, active Wisconsin license constitutes unprofessional
conduct under Wis. Admin. Code N 4.03(1) and may result in disciplinary action including fines,
suspension, or denial of relicensure by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
7: Which Wisconsin regulation requires nurses to report suspected child abuse or neglect?
A. Wis. Admin. Code N 3.04
B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 48 (Children's Code)
C. Wis. Admin. Code N 6.05
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 48 (Children's Code)
Rationale: Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48.981 mandates that any person, including nurses, who
has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect must report it immediately to county
child welfare agencies or law enforcement; failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor.
8: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code N 4.03, which behavior is explicitly identified as
unprofessional conduct related to substance use?
A. Consuming caffeine during a night shift
, B. Using prescription medication as directed by a personal physician
C. Practicing nursing while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances
D. Attending a support group for stress management
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Practicing nursing while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances
Rationale: Wis. Admin. Code N 4.03(2) defines practicing while impaired by alcohol, drugs,
narcotics, chemicals, or any other substance affecting professional judgment or physical/mental
abilities as unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action.
9: What is the primary purpose of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act?
A. To increase nursing salaries statewide
B. To protect the public by establishing standards for safe nursing practice
C. To limit the number of nurses licensed in Wisconsin
D. To mandate union membership for all nurses
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To protect the public by establishing standards for safe nursing practice
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act (Wis. Stat. Chapter
441) is public protection through the establishment of minimum qualifications for licensure,
defined scopes of practice, and mechanisms for discipline to ensure competent, ethical nursing
care.
10: According to Wisconsin law, which document must a nurse maintain to demonstrate
compliance with continuing education requirements for license renewal?
A. Employer performance evaluations
B. Certificates of completion for board-approved continuing education activities
C. Personal learning journals
D. Letters of recommendation from supervisors
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Certificates of completion for board-approved continuing education
activities
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
1: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter N 1, which entity has the statutory authority
to discipline a registered nurse for unprofessional conduct?
A. Wisconsin Department of Health Services
B. Wisconsin Board of Nursing
C. Wisconsin Nurses Association
D. Wisconsin Hospital Association
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wisconsin Board of Nursing
Rationale: The Wisconsin Board of Nursing, operating under the Department of Safety and
Professional Services, holds exclusive statutory authority under Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 and Wis.
Admin. Code Chapter N 1 to investigate complaints, conduct hearings, and impose disciplinary
actions against licensed nurses for violations of the Nurse Practice Act.
2: According to Wisconsin law, what is the minimum number of continuing education contact
hours required for a registered nurse to renew an active license?
A. 10 hours every 2 years
B. 15 hours every 2 years
C. 20 hours every 2 years
D. 30 hours every 2 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 20 hours every 2 years
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code N 6.03 requires registered nurses and licensed
practical nurses to complete a minimum of 20 contact hours of board-approved continuing
education during each biennial renewal period to maintain an active license.
3: Which Wisconsin statute specifically defines the scope of practice for a registered
professional nurse?
A. Wis. Stat. Chapter 146 (Health Records)
,B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 252 (Public Health)
C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 (Nursing)
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 51 (Mental Health)
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 (Nursing)
Rationale: Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 441, known as the Nurse Practice Act, establishes the
legal framework for nursing practice in Wisconsin, including definitions, scope of practice,
licensure requirements, and disciplinary grounds for all levels of nursing personnel.
4: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code N 4.03, which action constitutes unprofessional
conduct for a nurse?
A. Reporting a colleague's medication error through proper channels
B. Delegating a nursing task to a nursing assistant after assessing competency
C. Failing to maintain accurate and timely patient care documentation
D. Refusing an assignment outside one's scope of practice
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Failing to maintain accurate and timely patient care documentation
Rationale: Wis. Admin. Code N 4.03(4) explicitly identifies failure to maintain accurate, legible,
and timely patient care records as unprofessional conduct, as documentation is essential for
continuity of care, legal protection, and quality assurance.
5: In Wisconsin, which individual is authorized to delegate nursing tasks to a nursing assistant?
A. Any licensed healthcare provider
B. A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse acting within their scope
C. A nursing assistant with advanced training
D. A physician only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A registered nurse or licensed practical nurse acting within their scope
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code N 5.02 specifies that only licensed nurses (RNs or
LPNs) may delegate nursing tasks to nursing assistants, and delegation must be based on
,assessment of the patient's condition, task complexity, and the assistant's demonstrated
competency.
6: According to Wisconsin law, what is the legal consequence for a nurse who practices with an
expired, inactive, or revoked license?
A. A verbal warning from the employer
B. Civil liability only, no disciplinary action
C. Unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Nursing
D. Automatic reinstatement upon payment of a late fee
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action by the Board of
Nursing
Rationale: Practicing nursing without a valid, active Wisconsin license constitutes unprofessional
conduct under Wis. Admin. Code N 4.03(1) and may result in disciplinary action including fines,
suspension, or denial of relicensure by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing.
7: Which Wisconsin regulation requires nurses to report suspected child abuse or neglect?
A. Wis. Admin. Code N 3.04
B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 48 (Children's Code)
C. Wis. Admin. Code N 6.05
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 441 only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 48 (Children's Code)
Rationale: Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48.981 mandates that any person, including nurses, who
has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect must report it immediately to county
child welfare agencies or law enforcement; failure to report is a Class A misdemeanor.
8: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code N 4.03, which behavior is explicitly identified as
unprofessional conduct related to substance use?
A. Consuming caffeine during a night shift
, B. Using prescription medication as directed by a personal physician
C. Practicing nursing while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances
D. Attending a support group for stress management
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Practicing nursing while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances
Rationale: Wis. Admin. Code N 4.03(2) defines practicing while impaired by alcohol, drugs,
narcotics, chemicals, or any other substance affecting professional judgment or physical/mental
abilities as unprofessional conduct subject to disciplinary action.
9: What is the primary purpose of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act?
A. To increase nursing salaries statewide
B. To protect the public by establishing standards for safe nursing practice
C. To limit the number of nurses licensed in Wisconsin
D. To mandate union membership for all nurses
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To protect the public by establishing standards for safe nursing practice
Rationale: The fundamental purpose of the Wisconsin Nurse Practice Act (Wis. Stat. Chapter
441) is public protection through the establishment of minimum qualifications for licensure,
defined scopes of practice, and mechanisms for discipline to ensure competent, ethical nursing
care.
10: According to Wisconsin law, which document must a nurse maintain to demonstrate
compliance with continuing education requirements for license renewal?
A. Employer performance evaluations
B. Certificates of completion for board-approved continuing education activities
C. Personal learning journals
D. Letters of recommendation from supervisors
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Certificates of completion for board-approved continuing education
activities
