TheoryCPNRE Practical Nurse Prep
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CPNRE Practical Nurse Prep sample questions
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Safety A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus asks why they need to check their feet daily. Which response by the practical nurse is most accurate?
A. Peripheral neuropathy can reduce sensation, so injuries may go unnoticed ✓
B. Foot checks prevent the development of diabetic ketoacidosis
C. Daily checks reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis
D. Diabetes causes the feet to sweat more, increasing infection risk
Correct — A. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes that impairs sensation in the feet. Because clients may not feel cuts, blisters, or pressure injuries, daily inspection is essential to detect problems early and prevent serious complications such as infection or amputation.
Roles A practical nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin to a client. Which needle gauge and length is most appropriate?
A. 14 gauge, 2 inch
B. 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
C. 22 gauge, 1 inch
D. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch ✓
Correct — D. Subcutaneous injections of insulin are typically administered with a fine, short needle—25–31 gauge and 4–8 mm (approximately 5/8 inch)—to deliver medication into the subcutaneous tissue without penetrating muscle.
Regs A postoperative client reports pain of 7/10 one hour after receiving an oral analgesic. Which action should the practical nurse take first?
A. Encourage the client to use distraction techniques and wait for the medication to work
B. Document the pain rating and recheck in two hours
C. Administer an additional dose of the same analgesic immediately
D. Reassess the pain, notify the charge nurse, and review the medication orders for next steps ✓
Correct — D. Ongoing severe pain despite analgesia requires systematic reassessment and communication with the supervising nurse or physician. The PN must evaluate the pain further, determine whether a different intervention is ordered, and ensure the client's comfort is addressed within their scope.
Emergency When changing a wound dressing using sterile technique, the practical nurse accidentally touches the inside of the sterile field with an ungloved hand. Which action is correct?
A. Put on a sterile glove and complete the dressing change
B. Continue with the dressing change because the contamination was brief
C. Apply hand sanitizer to the ungloved hand and continue
D. Discard the contaminated sterile field and set up a new one ✓
Correct — D. Any contact of a sterile field with a non-sterile object renders the entire field contaminated. The practical nurse must discard all materials and establish a new sterile field before proceeding to prevent introducing microorganisms into the wound.
Ops A practical nurse is preparing a 4-year-old child for a venipuncture. Which approach is most developmentally appropriate?
A. Explain the procedure a week in advance so the child has time to prepare
B. Restrain the child without explanation to complete the procedure quickly
C. Explain the procedure in simple terms just before it occurs and allow the child to make limited choices ✓
D. Ask the child to remain completely still and promise there will be no pain
Correct — C. Preschool-aged children (3–5 years) have limited understanding of time and can be frightened by early explanations. Preparation immediately before the procedure using simple, honest language reduces anxiety. Offering limited choices (which arm, which bandage color) promotes a sense of control.
Safety A client prescribed warfarin asks whether they can take ibuprofen for joint pain. What is the most appropriate response by the practical nurse?
A. Avoid ibuprofen because it can increase bleeding risk by inhibiting platelet aggregation and may potentiate warfarin's anticoagulant effect ✓
B. Take ibuprofen only in the morning so it clears before the warfarin dose at night
C. Ibuprofen can be used in low doses without any significant interaction
D. Ibuprofen is safe because it does not affect the INR
Correct — A. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen inhibit platelet aggregation and can displace warfarin from plasma proteins, potentiating anticoagulation and increasing the risk of bleeding. Clients on warfarin should avoid NSAIDs unless directed by a physician; acetaminophen is generally preferred for pain management.
Roles A client taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea, vomiting, coarse hand tremors, and confusion. The practical nurse's priority action is to:
A. Administer an antiemetic and continue monitoring
B. Encourage the client to increase fluid and sodium intake
C. Hold the next lithium dose, notify the physician, and prepare for stat serum lithium level ✓
D. Reassure the client that these are expected side effects during the first month
Correct — C. Coarse tremors, vomiting, and confusion are signs of lithium toxicity. The practical nurse must withhold the dose, notify the physician immediately, and obtain a serum lithium level to guide treatment. Lithium toxicity can be life-threatening.
Regs Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with prolonged nasogastric suctioning?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia ✓
Correct — D. Nasogastric suctioning removes gastric secretions that contain potassium, hydrogen, and chloride ions. Prolonged suctioning leads to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis, requiring monitoring and replacement of electrolytes.
About the CPNRE Practical Nurse Prep test
The CPNRE Practical Nurse Prep measures the Nursing/Medical knowledge you'll actually rely on — tested the way the real exam asks it, not with trick questions. Practising real CPNRE Practical Nurse Prep-style questions, then sitting a full timed mock exam, is the fastest way to walk in knowing you'll pass.
You will be tested on
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial and physiological integrity
- Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
How TheoryPractice helps you pass
- Real exam-style questions with instant, detailed explanations
- Full timed mock exams that mirror the real test format
- Flashcards & quiz modes from the same question bank
- Progress tracking so you know exactly when you're ready
Topics in this question bank
Safe and effective care environment
Health promotion and maintenance
Psychosocial and physiological integrity
Pharmacology, infection control and patient safety
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