National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) Practice Test
NCLEX-PN practice content focuses on practical nursing decisions in patient care, medication administration, infection prevention, and health teaching. Questions use clinical situations to examine skills such as reducing aspiration risk during enteral feeding, maintaining a sterile field, reinforcing safe medication use, and responding therapeutically to patient concerns.
Exam overview
About the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) Exam
Practical nursing work requires noticing relevant patient information, following prescribed care plans, carrying out procedures safely, and reporting changes that need further assessment. Scenarios may ask you to choose precautions for suspected tuberculosis, reduce risks during nasogastric feeding, or preserve sterility while changing a dressing. Medication-related decisions include explaining how to take oral antibiotics or liquid iron, reinforcing inhaled corticosteroid instructions, and identifying over-the-counter drugs that may interact with warfarin. Other situations call for therapeutic communication, culturally respectful care, and comfort measures for a client with a nasogastric tube. As you work through questions, distinguish immediate safety concerns from routine teaching, identify what falls within practical nursing responsibilities, and select actions that protect the client while supporting continuity of care.
Sample Practice Questions
Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.
A practical nurse is caring for a client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis who is being transported for a diagnostic test. Which measure is appropriate during transport?
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Correct answer: AFor transport outside an airborne infection isolation room, the client should wear a surgical mask to reduce dispersal of respiratory particles. Staff use appropriate respiratory protection, such as a fit-tested N95 respirator, when entering the room.
A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has a prescription for a liquid iron supplement. Which instruction is appropriate?
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Correct answer: BLiquid iron can stain teeth, so using a straw and rinsing the mouth afterward can help reduce staining. Tea and antacids can interfere with iron absorption; darker stools are a common effect, though concerning symptoms should be reported.
A practical nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric tube. Which action best helps reduce aspiration risk?
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Correct answer: AElevating the head of the bed during enteral feeding helps reduce reflux and aspiration risk. Follow the prescribed feeding method and facility protocol, and maintain elevation for the recommended period afterward.
A client is being discharged with a new prescription for an inhaled corticosteroid. Which instruction should the practical nurse reinforce?
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Correct answer: ARinsing the mouth and spitting after inhaled corticosteroid use reduces the risk of oral candidiasis. These medicines are generally used as prescribed for ongoing control, not as the sole treatment for sudden severe symptoms.
A client says, “I don't think I can manage all these changes after surgery.” Which response best uses therapeutic communication?
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Correct answer: AAn open-ended, exploratory response encourages the client to express concerns and helps the nurse identify support needs. Reassurance, advice, and minimizing concerns can discourage communication.
A client with a nasogastric tube connected to suction reports a dry mouth. Which action should the practical nurse take?
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Correct answer: AFrequent oral care and lip moisture can relieve dryness while respecting restrictions related to the nasogastric tube and prescribed intake. The nurse should not clamp or remove the tube without an appropriate order or direction.
A client taking warfarin asks which over-the-counter medication to check with the health care provider before using. Which medication should the nurse identify?
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Correct answer: AIbuprofen can increase bleeding risk when taken with warfarin. The client should consult the prescriber or pharmacist before using nonprescription medications and should not change prescribed anticoagulant dosing independently.
How to use this practice test
The free US Practice Tests practice bank contains 50 NCLEX-PN questions. Each session presents up to 20 questions selected at random, with results shown when you finish. Use the scenarios to check your reasoning about nursing actions, medication teaching, infection precautions, and client safety; review any missed items by identifying the clinical risk or instruction that the question tests.
Preparation tips
- For infection-control scenarios, identify the transmission concern first, then select precautions that remain appropriate during transport or bedside care.
- Practice medication teaching by matching each drug to a specific safe-use instruction, such as completing prescribed antibiotics or rinsing the mouth after inhaled corticosteroids.
- For enteral feeding and nasogastric-tube questions, focus on aspiration prevention, tube-related risks, and the client's reported comfort needs.
- When a question involves sterile dressing changes, track which items and surfaces must remain sterile and recognize actions that contaminate the field.
- For communication and cultural-care scenarios, choose responses that invite the client's perspective and accommodate stated needs without making assumptions.