KAPLAN NCLEX-RN PREP EXAM PATIENT SAFETY 2026
EDITION Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient
who has been transferred from another unit. The patient's
identification bracelet is missing. What is the most
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth and
proceed with administration
B. Verify the patient's identity with the transferring nurse
and create a new identification bracelet before
administration
C. Check the patient's medical record for a photograph and
proceed if the photo matches
D. Administer the medication if the patient confirms their
name matches the medication order
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Patient identification must be verified using at
least two identifiers before any medication administration.
When the ID bracelet is missing, the nurse must verify
identity with reliable sources (like the transferring nurse)
and replace the bracelet before proceeding. Options A, C,
and D rely on inadequate verification methods that do not
meet safety standards for patient identification.
,2. A 72-year-old patient with a history of falls is admitted to the
hospital. The patient is alert but has mild confusion and
weakness. Which intervention is MOST effective for
preventing falls in this patient?
A. Place the patient in a room near the nursing station and
use a bed alarm
B. Restrict the patient to bed and apply four-point restraints
C. Provide a walking aid and instruct the patient to call for
help when needing to ambulate
D. Increase the frequency of vital sign checks and limit
visitor access
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: For elderly patients with fall history and mild
confusion, placing them near the nursing station with a bed
alarm provides close monitoring and immediate alert when
the patient attempts to get up. Option B is inappropriate as
restraints increase fall risk and are not first-line
interventions. Option C is insufficient for a patient with
confusion. Option D does not directly prevent falls.
3. During medication administration, a nurse realizes they have
given the wrong medication to a patient. The patient has not
yet experienced any adverse effects. What is
the FIRST action the nurse should take?
A. Document the error in the patient's medical record
B. Notify the charge nurse and the prescribing physician
immediately
C. Assess the patient for any signs of adverse reactions
D. Call the pharmacy to report the error
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The priority after a medication error is to
assess the patient's current status and identify any potential
, harm. Assessment must come before notification,
documentation, or reporting. While B, D, and A are
necessary steps, they follow the initial patient assessment to
determine the urgency of intervention.
4. A patient with severe pneumonia is placed on airborne
infection isolation. Which personal protective equipment
(PPE) is REQUIRED for healthcare workers entering this
patient's room?
A. Surgical mask, gown, and gloves
B. N95 respirator or equivalent, gown, and gloves
C. Face shield, gown, and gloves only
D. Standard surgical mask and hand hygiene only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Airborne transmission precautions require an
N95 respirator or equivalent powered air-purifying
respirator (PAPR) to protect against pathogens like
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Gown and gloves are also
required for contact with the patient or environment.
Surgical masks (A, D) do not provide adequate filtration for
airborne pathogens.
5. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to a licensed practical
nurse (LPN). Which task is APPROPRIATE for delegation
to an LPN?
A. Assessing a newly admitted patient with unstable vital
signs
B. Administering oral medications to a stable patient with
chronic diabetes
, C. Developing a discharge plan for a patient preparing to
leave tomorrow
D. Performing initial nursing assessment on a patient with
suspected myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: LPNs can administer medications to stable
patients with established conditions. Assessment of unstable
patients (A, D), discharge planning (C), and initial
assessments require RN-level judgment and are not
appropriate for LPN delegation. The LPN's role focuses on
routine, stable care tasks.
6. A patient is experiencing a fire in their hospital room. The
nurse follows the RACE protocol. What is the FIRST step in
this protocol?
A. Activate the fire alarm system
B. Rescue the patient from immediate danger
C. Contain the fire by closing doors
D. Extinguish the fire using appropriate equipment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain,
Extinguish. The first priority is to rescue the patient from
immediate danger before activating alarms or containing
the fire. This follows the principle that patient safety is the
primary concern in emergency situations.
7. A nurse is administering insulin to a patient. The patient
asks why the nurse is using a new needle. What is
the BEST explanation the nurse should provide?
EDITION Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient
who has been transferred from another unit. The patient's
identification bracelet is missing. What is the most
appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth and
proceed with administration
B. Verify the patient's identity with the transferring nurse
and create a new identification bracelet before
administration
C. Check the patient's medical record for a photograph and
proceed if the photo matches
D. Administer the medication if the patient confirms their
name matches the medication order
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Patient identification must be verified using at
least two identifiers before any medication administration.
When the ID bracelet is missing, the nurse must verify
identity with reliable sources (like the transferring nurse)
and replace the bracelet before proceeding. Options A, C,
and D rely on inadequate verification methods that do not
meet safety standards for patient identification.
,2. A 72-year-old patient with a history of falls is admitted to the
hospital. The patient is alert but has mild confusion and
weakness. Which intervention is MOST effective for
preventing falls in this patient?
A. Place the patient in a room near the nursing station and
use a bed alarm
B. Restrict the patient to bed and apply four-point restraints
C. Provide a walking aid and instruct the patient to call for
help when needing to ambulate
D. Increase the frequency of vital sign checks and limit
visitor access
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: For elderly patients with fall history and mild
confusion, placing them near the nursing station with a bed
alarm provides close monitoring and immediate alert when
the patient attempts to get up. Option B is inappropriate as
restraints increase fall risk and are not first-line
interventions. Option C is insufficient for a patient with
confusion. Option D does not directly prevent falls.
3. During medication administration, a nurse realizes they have
given the wrong medication to a patient. The patient has not
yet experienced any adverse effects. What is
the FIRST action the nurse should take?
A. Document the error in the patient's medical record
B. Notify the charge nurse and the prescribing physician
immediately
C. Assess the patient for any signs of adverse reactions
D. Call the pharmacy to report the error
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The priority after a medication error is to
assess the patient's current status and identify any potential
, harm. Assessment must come before notification,
documentation, or reporting. While B, D, and A are
necessary steps, they follow the initial patient assessment to
determine the urgency of intervention.
4. A patient with severe pneumonia is placed on airborne
infection isolation. Which personal protective equipment
(PPE) is REQUIRED for healthcare workers entering this
patient's room?
A. Surgical mask, gown, and gloves
B. N95 respirator or equivalent, gown, and gloves
C. Face shield, gown, and gloves only
D. Standard surgical mask and hand hygiene only
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Airborne transmission precautions require an
N95 respirator or equivalent powered air-purifying
respirator (PAPR) to protect against pathogens like
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Gown and gloves are also
required for contact with the patient or environment.
Surgical masks (A, D) do not provide adequate filtration for
airborne pathogens.
5. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to a licensed practical
nurse (LPN). Which task is APPROPRIATE for delegation
to an LPN?
A. Assessing a newly admitted patient with unstable vital
signs
B. Administering oral medications to a stable patient with
chronic diabetes
, C. Developing a discharge plan for a patient preparing to
leave tomorrow
D. Performing initial nursing assessment on a patient with
suspected myocardial infarction
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: LPNs can administer medications to stable
patients with established conditions. Assessment of unstable
patients (A, D), discharge planning (C), and initial
assessments require RN-level judgment and are not
appropriate for LPN delegation. The LPN's role focuses on
routine, stable care tasks.
6. A patient is experiencing a fire in their hospital room. The
nurse follows the RACE protocol. What is the FIRST step in
this protocol?
A. Activate the fire alarm system
B. Rescue the patient from immediate danger
C. Contain the fire by closing doors
D. Extinguish the fire using appropriate equipment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: RACE stands for Rescue, Alarm, Contain,
Extinguish. The first priority is to rescue the patient from
immediate danger before activating alarms or containing
the fire. This follows the principle that patient safety is the
primary concern in emergency situations.
7. A nurse is administering insulin to a patient. The patient
asks why the nurse is using a new needle. What is
the BEST explanation the nurse should provide?
