10 free, exam-style National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) (NCLEX-PN) practice questions with answers and
explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the
full free NCLEX-PN practice test to study every exam domain.
These 10 free NCLEX-PN questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN) blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
Domain 1: Coordinated Care (18-24%)
Question 1
An RN must assign four clients to an LPN/LVN on a medical-surgical unit. Which client is the MOST appropriate for the LPN/LVN to care for?
- A client admitted one hour ago who needs an admission assessment
- A client with stable heart failure who needs scheduled oral medications
- A client newly diagnosed with diabetes who needs initial teaching
- A client whose blood pressure has been dropping over the last hour
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B - A client with stable heart failure who needs scheduled oral medications
Question 2
The LPN/LVN is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess FIRST?
- A client one day after surgery who is reporting incisional pain of 6 out of 10
- A client with pneumonia who has a temperature of 38.3°C (100.9°F)
- A client who had abdominal surgery and now reports new, sudden shortness of breath
- A client with a chronic wound awaiting a scheduled dressing change
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C - A client who had abdominal surgery and now reports new, sudden shortness of breath
Question 3
A client scheduled for surgery tomorrow tells the LPN/LVN, "I'm not really sure what they're going to do to me." Which action by the nurse is MOST appropriate?
- Explain the surgical procedure and its risks to the client
- Reassure the client that the surgeon does this operation often
- Notify the RN and surgeon that the client has questions before signing
- Ask the client to sign the consent form and talk to the surgeon later
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C - Notify the RN and surgeon that the client has questions before signing
Domain 2: Safety and Infection Prevention and Control (10-16%)
Question 4
A client is placed on contact precautions for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile). Which action by the nurse demonstrates correct infection control?
- Clean the hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer after care
- Wear an N95 respirator when entering the client's room
- Wash the hands with soap and water after removing gloves
- Place a surgical mask on the client when leaving the room
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C - Wash the hands with soap and water after removing gloves
Question 5
The nurse is removing personal protective equipment after caring for a client in isolation. Which item should be removed FIRST?
- Gloves
- Gown
- Goggles
- Mask
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A - Gloves
Domain 6: Pharmacological Therapies (10-16%)
Question 6
A provider orders potassium chloride 20 mEq for a client whose potassium level is 3.0 mEq/L. Which action by the LPN/LVN is correct?
- Administer the potassium chloride by slow IV push over 2 minutes
- Question the order, because potassium chloride is never given by IV push
- Give the dose intramuscularly into a large muscle to speed absorption
- Hold the dose because the potassium level is within the normal range
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B - Question the order, because potassium chloride is never given by IV push
Question 7
An IV of 1,000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride is prescribed to infuse over 8 hours by infusion pump. The nurse should set the pump to deliver how many mL per hour?
- 80 mL/hr
- 100 mL/hr
- 125 mL/hr
- 150 mL/hr
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C - 125 mL/hr
Question 8
A client who takes digoxin reports nausea, loss of appetite, and seeing yellow-green halos around lights. Before contacting the provider, which assessment is MOST important for the nurse to perform?
- Measure the client's blood pressure in both arms
- Count the apical heart rate for one full minute
- Check the client's oral temperature
- Assess the client's pupil size and reaction to light
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B - Count the apical heart rate for one full minute
Question 9
The nurse is preparing to draw up NPH (intermediate-acting) and regular (short-acting) insulin in the same syringe. Which step is correct?
- Draw up the NPH insulin first, then the regular insulin
- Draw up the regular insulin first, then the NPH insulin
- Shake both vials vigorously before withdrawing the doses
- Draw the two insulins into two separate syringes only
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B - Draw up the regular insulin first, then the NPH insulin
Domain 7: Reduction of Risk Potential (9-15%)
Question 10
The nurse reviews lab results and finds a client's serum potassium is 2.8 mEq/L. Which finding should the nurse monitor for as a priority?
- Cardiac dysrhythmias
- Increased deep tendon reflexes
- Muscle spasms and tetany
- Elevated blood pressure
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A - Cardiac dysrhythmias
The rest of the NCLEX-PN blueprint
The NCLEX-PN exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:
- Domain 3: Health Promotion and Maintenance (6-12%)
- Domain 4: Psychosocial Integrity (9-15%)
- Domain 5: Basic Care and Comfort (7-13%)
- Domain 8: Physiological Adaptation (7-13%)