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Pennsylvania Practical Nurse (LPN) NCLEX-PN Exam
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania Practical Nurse (LPN) NCLEX-PN Exam
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (Point Form – High Relevance for Actual Exam)
• Safe & Effective Care Environment: Client rights (informed consent, advance directives),
delegation (LPN scope vs. UAP), incident reporting, error disclosure, security of controlled
substances.
• Health Promotion & Maintenance: Developmental stages (Erikson), prenatal care, well-child
visits, immunizations (CDC schedule), health screening, family dynamics.
• Psychosocial Integrity: Therapeutic communication, mental health disorders (anxiety,
depression, bipolar, schizophrenia), defense mechanisms, substance abuse, end-of-life care.
• Physiological Integrity – Basic Care & Comfort: Hygiene, mobility, nutrition (enteral,
parenteral), elimination, sleep, non-pharmacological comfort measures.
• Physiological Integrity – Pharmacological Therapies: Drug classifications (antibiotics,
anticoagulants, antihypertensives, insulins, psychotropics), medication administration (rights),
calculations, side effects, toxicity antidotes.
• Physiological Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential: Diagnostic tests (labs, imaging), vital signs,
post-op monitoring, I&O, wound assessment, seizure precautions.
• Physiological Integrity – Physiological Adaptation: Pathophysiology of common conditions
(COPD, CHF, DM, CKD, CVA), complications, acid-base imbalances, fluid & electrolytes.
• Pennsylvania Specific: PA State Board of Nursing regulations (LPN scope – cannot initiate IV
push, cannot perform initial nursing assessment, must work under RN or physician supervision
for certain tasks), mandatory reporting (abuse, neglect), medication administration restrictions
(LPNs in PA may not administer IV push medications except in certain settings with additional
certification).
1. An LPN in a long-term care facility finds a resident on the floor next to the bed. The resident is
conscious and denies injury. What is the LPN’s priority action?
A) Help the resident back into bed
B) Call the family immediately
C) Assess the resident for any injury, then report the incident to the RN and document per facility policy
D) Fill out an incident report before touching the resident
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Answer: C
Rationale: The LPN must first assess the resident for injury, then notify the RN/supervisor and document
the fall; family notification is usually done by the RN.
2. An LPN is caring for a client with major depression. The client says, “I just can’t do this anymore.”
Which response by the LPN is most therapeutic?
A) “You have so much to live for.”
B) “Everyone feels sad sometimes.”
C) “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
D) “Let’s talk about something happy.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Direct assessment of suicidal ideation is essential; asking directly does not plant the idea and
is therapeutic.
3. A client with type 1 diabetes is scheduled for surgery. The LPN notes a morning blood glucose of 320
mg/dL. What should the LPN do first?
A) Administer insulin as per sliding scale
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B) Notify the RN or surgeon immediately
C) Offer the client orange juice
D) Recheck the blood glucose in 1 hour
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperglycemia before surgery increases risks; the LPN must report abnormal values to the
RN/surgeon for further orders.
4. An LPN in Pennsylvania is asked by an RN to start an IV infusion of normal saline. Which statement
about LPN scope in PA is most accurate?
A) LPNs may start IVs and administer IV push medications without restriction
B) LPNs may initiate IV therapy but cannot administer IV push medications (except in certain settings
with additional training)
C) LPNs cannot perform any IV-related tasks
D) LPNs may administer IV push medications only to clients over 65
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Answer: B
Rationale: In PA, LPNs may start IVs and maintain IV fluids, but IV push medications are generally outside
scope unless specific additional certification is obtained.
5. A client receives a DNR (do not resuscitate) order from the physician. The family is upset and
demands that “everything be done.” What is the LPN’s best action?
A) Respect the family’s wishes and ignore the DNR
B) Call security to remove the family
C) Notify the RN or physician to discuss the family’s concerns
D) Tell the family they have no say in the matter
Answer: C
Rationale: The LPN should communicate family concerns to the RN/physician; the DNR order requires a
legal discussion and possible ethics consult.
6. An LPN is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube on intermittent suction. The LPN assesses
that the tube is not draining. What is the priority action?
A) Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
Pennsylvania Practical Nurse (LPN) NCLEX-PN Exam
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
Pennsylvania Practical Nurse (LPN) NCLEX-PN Exam
SUMMARIZED EXAM COVERAGE (Point Form – High Relevance for Actual Exam)
• Safe & Effective Care Environment: Client rights (informed consent, advance directives),
delegation (LPN scope vs. UAP), incident reporting, error disclosure, security of controlled
substances.
• Health Promotion & Maintenance: Developmental stages (Erikson), prenatal care, well-child
visits, immunizations (CDC schedule), health screening, family dynamics.
• Psychosocial Integrity: Therapeutic communication, mental health disorders (anxiety,
depression, bipolar, schizophrenia), defense mechanisms, substance abuse, end-of-life care.
• Physiological Integrity – Basic Care & Comfort: Hygiene, mobility, nutrition (enteral,
parenteral), elimination, sleep, non-pharmacological comfort measures.
• Physiological Integrity – Pharmacological Therapies: Drug classifications (antibiotics,
anticoagulants, antihypertensives, insulins, psychotropics), medication administration (rights),
calculations, side effects, toxicity antidotes.
• Physiological Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential: Diagnostic tests (labs, imaging), vital signs,
post-op monitoring, I&O, wound assessment, seizure precautions.
• Physiological Integrity – Physiological Adaptation: Pathophysiology of common conditions
(COPD, CHF, DM, CKD, CVA), complications, acid-base imbalances, fluid & electrolytes.
• Pennsylvania Specific: PA State Board of Nursing regulations (LPN scope – cannot initiate IV
push, cannot perform initial nursing assessment, must work under RN or physician supervision
for certain tasks), mandatory reporting (abuse, neglect), medication administration restrictions
(LPNs in PA may not administer IV push medications except in certain settings with additional
certification).
1. An LPN in a long-term care facility finds a resident on the floor next to the bed. The resident is
conscious and denies injury. What is the LPN’s priority action?
A) Help the resident back into bed
B) Call the family immediately
C) Assess the resident for any injury, then report the incident to the RN and document per facility policy
D) Fill out an incident report before touching the resident
, Page 2 of 143
Answer: C
Rationale: The LPN must first assess the resident for injury, then notify the RN/supervisor and document
the fall; family notification is usually done by the RN.
2. An LPN is caring for a client with major depression. The client says, “I just can’t do this anymore.”
Which response by the LPN is most therapeutic?
A) “You have so much to live for.”
B) “Everyone feels sad sometimes.”
C) “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”
D) “Let’s talk about something happy.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Direct assessment of suicidal ideation is essential; asking directly does not plant the idea and
is therapeutic.
3. A client with type 1 diabetes is scheduled for surgery. The LPN notes a morning blood glucose of 320
mg/dL. What should the LPN do first?
A) Administer insulin as per sliding scale
, Page 3 of 143
B) Notify the RN or surgeon immediately
C) Offer the client orange juice
D) Recheck the blood glucose in 1 hour
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperglycemia before surgery increases risks; the LPN must report abnormal values to the
RN/surgeon for further orders.
4. An LPN in Pennsylvania is asked by an RN to start an IV infusion of normal saline. Which statement
about LPN scope in PA is most accurate?
A) LPNs may start IVs and administer IV push medications without restriction
B) LPNs may initiate IV therapy but cannot administer IV push medications (except in certain settings
with additional training)
C) LPNs cannot perform any IV-related tasks
D) LPNs may administer IV push medications only to clients over 65
, Page 4 of 143
Answer: B
Rationale: In PA, LPNs may start IVs and maintain IV fluids, but IV push medications are generally outside
scope unless specific additional certification is obtained.
5. A client receives a DNR (do not resuscitate) order from the physician. The family is upset and
demands that “everything be done.” What is the LPN’s best action?
A) Respect the family’s wishes and ignore the DNR
B) Call security to remove the family
C) Notify the RN or physician to discuss the family’s concerns
D) Tell the family they have no say in the matter
Answer: C
Rationale: The LPN should communicate family concerns to the RN/physician; the DNR order requires a
legal discussion and possible ethics consult.
6. An LPN is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube on intermittent suction. The LPN assesses
that the tube is not draining. What is the priority action?
A) Irrigate the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
