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Exam Review

Key Facts: NCLEX-PN Exam

86.6%

First-Time Pass Rate (2025)

NCSBN 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics

85-150

Questions (CAT, incl. 15 pretest)

NCSBN 2026 PN Test Plan

$64,400

LPN Median Salary

BLS May 2025

51,800

Annual Job Openings

BLS 2025-35 projections

5 hours

Maximum Time (Breaks Included)

NCSBN 2026 Candidate Bulletin

21%

Coordinated Care

Largest section

The NCLEX-PN had an 86.6% first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates in 2025 (NCSBN). The exam uses computerized adaptive testing (CAT) with 85 to 150 questions (15 of them unscored pretest items) scored pass/fail against a -0.18 logits standard. The 'Coordinated Care' section accounts for 21% of the exam at the midpoint of its 18-24% range. The BLS reports a median LPN/LVN wage of $64,400 (May 2025) and about 51,800 openings a year projected through 2035.

Sample NCLEX-PN Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the NCLEX-PN exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 394+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A.Administering oral medications
B.Measuring and recording vital signs
C.Developing a care plan
D.Assessing a patient's wound
Explanation: Measuring and recording vital signs is within the UAP's scope of practice. Administering medications, developing care plans, and assessing patients are nursing responsibilities that require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to UAPs.
2A client refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs. The nurse should:
A.Administer the transfusion as ordered
B.Contact the client's family to make the decision
C.Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
D.Explain that the refusal could be life-threatening and proceed
Explanation: Competent adults have the right to refuse treatment, even if life-threatening. The nurse must respect this autonomy, document the refusal, and notify the healthcare provider. Administering treatment against the client's wishes violates their rights.
3A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A.A client 1 day post-appendectomy with pain level of 4/10
B.A client with diabetes mellitus who has a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C.A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 88%
D.A client with a urinary tract infection who has a temperature of 100.2°F
Explanation: The client with pneumonia and oxygen saturation of 88% should be assessed first. This is below normal (normal is 95-100%) and indicates respiratory compromise. Use the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) for prioritization. Breathing problems take priority.
4The nurse is preparing to delegate tasks for the shift. Which of the 'Five Rights of Delegation' should the nurse consider?
A.Right task, right circumstance, right person, right direction, right supervision
B.Right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right patient
C.Right diagnosis, right treatment, right outcome, right documentation, right billing
D.Right privacy, right access, right disclosure, right amendment, right accounting
Explanation: The Five Rights of Delegation are: Right Task, Right Circumstance, Right Person, Right Direction/Communication, and Right Supervision/Evaluation. These guide nurses in safely delegating tasks to appropriate personnel.
5A nurse witnesses a colleague remove controlled substances from the medication dispensing system without documenting administration. The nurse should:
A.Confront the colleague directly
B.Wait to see if it happens again
C.Report the incident to the nurse manager
D.Document the observation in the client's chart
Explanation: The nurse has an ethical and legal obligation to report suspected drug diversion to the appropriate authority (nurse manager or supervisor). This protects patients, maintains drug security, and may help the colleague get needed assistance. Confronting alone is inappropriate, and waiting enables continued diversion.
6A client is scheduled for surgery but tells the nurse they don't understand what the surgeon explained. The nurse should:
A.Explain the surgery to the client
B.Have the client sign the consent form anyway
C.Notify the surgeon to clarify the procedure
D.Tell the client their questions aren't important
Explanation: Informed consent requires that the client understands the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. Since the surgeon is responsible for obtaining informed consent, the nurse should notify the surgeon to provide additional clarification. The nurse cannot obtain surgical consent.
7A client with a terminal illness tells the nurse they want to stop all treatment. The client is alert and oriented. The nurse should:
A.Encourage the client to continue treatment
B.Contact the family to change the client's mind
C.Support the client's right to make this decision
D.Tell the client this is not a good decision
Explanation: The principle of autonomy means competent adults have the right to make decisions about their own care, including stopping treatment. The nurse should support this right while ensuring the client understands the implications and has received palliative care options.
8A nurse receives a verbal order from a physician over the phone. The most appropriate action is to:
A.Write the order and sign the physician's name
B.Read back the order and document it with date, time, and signature
C.Wait until the physician arrives to write the order
D.Ask another nurse to listen to the order
Explanation: The nurse should use 'read-back' verification: write the order, read it back to the physician, obtain verification, then document with date, time, 'verbal order by Dr. [name],' and the nurse's signature. This is a patient safety standard.
9A nurse discovers that a medication error occurred on the previous shift. The appropriate action is to:
A.Wait to see if the client shows any adverse effects
B.Report the error and complete an incident report
C.Tell the nurse who made the error to file the report
D.Keep it quiet to protect the colleague
Explanation: Medication errors must be reported immediately for client safety. The nurse should assess the client, notify the healthcare provider, document the error, and complete an incident report. This is not punitive but ensures proper follow-up and quality improvement.
10A client asks to see their medical records. The nurse should:
A.Tell the client they cannot see their records
B.Allow the client to review the records per facility policy
C.Remove certain pages before showing the client
D.Tell the client to contact their lawyer
Explanation: Under HIPAA, clients have the right to access their medical records. The nurse should facilitate this request according to facility policy. Denying access or altering records violates patient rights.

About the NCLEX-PN Exam

The NCLEX-PN is required to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN). It tests competency for entry-level practical nursing practice using computerized adaptive testing (CAT).

Exam sponsor: NCSBN. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Variable-length assessment

Time Limit

5 hours maximum

Passing Score

Pass/Fail (-0.18 logits standard)

Exam / Certification Fees

$200 ($350 from Feb. 1, 2027)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 86.6%. for first-time U.S.-educated candidates in 2025 (NCSBN) This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

21%

Coordinated Care

Collaboration, continuity of care, client rights, delegation, documentation

13%

Pharmacological Therapies

Medication administration, dosage calculations, adverse effects, IV therapy

13%

Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

Accident prevention, infection control, emergency response, surgical asepsis

12%

Reduction of Risk Potential

Lab values, diagnostic tests, vital signs, potential complications

12%

Psychosocial Integrity

Therapeutic communication, coping, grief, mental health, crisis intervention

10%

Basic Care & Comfort

Nutrition, mobility, elimination, personal hygiene, comfort measures

10%

Physiological Adaptation

Body system alterations, fluid/electrolyte imbalances, medical emergencies

9%

Health Promotion

Developmental stages, health screening, lifestyle modifications, aging

Preparing for the NCLEX-PN Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Pass/Fail (-0.18 logits standard)
  • Assessment: Variable-length assessment
  • Time limit: 5 hours maximum
  • Exam / certification fees: $200 ($350 from Feb. 1, 2027) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 394 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NCLEX-PN: Suggested Study Strategy

1Know your scope of practice - what LPNs can and cannot do independently
2Master medication administration and the five rights
3Understand which tasks you can assign to UAPs, and whether your state lets LPNs delegate
4Focus on data collection vs. assessment - LPNs collect, RNs assess
5Practice therapeutic communication techniques

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NCLEX-PN pass rate?

In 2025, 86.6% of first-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-PN candidates passed (NCSBN 2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics). First-time internationally educated candidates passed at 53.7%, and repeat U.S.-educated candidates at 41.7%. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing, adjusting difficulty based on your responses.

How is NCLEX-PN different from NCLEX-RN?

The NCLEX-PN tests practical nursing scope, focusing on supervised care, data collection, and basic nursing skills. NCLEX-RN tests more complex assessment, planning, and independent decision-making. LPNs work under RN or physician supervision.

How many questions are on the NCLEX-PN?

The NCLEX-PN has a minimum of 85 and a maximum of 150 questions, including 15 unscored pretest items. The computer stops when it determines with 95% confidence whether you passed or failed. In 2025, 64.6% of first-time U.S.-educated candidates stopped at the 85-item minimum (NCSBN), and the length of an exam does not indicate a pass or fail.

How long should I study for NCLEX-PN?

Plan for 150-250 hours of study over 4-8 weeks after graduation. Complete at least 1,500-2,000 practice questions. Focus on understanding rationales and your scope of practice as an LPN.

Can I become an RN with my LPN license?

Yes! Many LPN-to-RN bridge programs exist, typically taking 1-2 years. After completing the program, you'll take the NCLEX-RN. Your LPN experience gives you a strong foundation for RN studies.

What is the LPN/LVN job outlook?

The BLS projects 3% employment growth for LPNs and LVNs from 2025 to 2035, with about 51,800 openings a year. The median wage was $64,400 in May 2025. Nursing and residential care facilities employ the largest share (37%), followed by hospitals, home health care, and physician offices.