NCLEX - RN Practice Questions Exam 1

The mother of a newborn asks the nurse about her newborn's risk for infection. Which statement by the nurse would be most appropriate? A. "Your baby's resistance comes from the antibodies you passed on to him before birth and now with breast feeding." B. "It usually takes about a month or two until the baby's immune system to become completely functional." C. "Infections in newborns are rare because they have little difficulty localizing infections" D. "If you notice that the newborn has a fever, then you need to have him seen by the doctor fairly quickly."

A. "Your baby's resistance comes from the antibodies you passed on to him before birth and now with breast feeding."

A nurse is working with an 82-year-old man following gallbladder surgery. He is n.p.o. and has IV access in his hand. He also has a Foley catheter in place. He is able to ambulate with the aid of a walker. What does not lower this client's immunity? A. Ambulation B. Foley catheter C. IV access D. Surgical incision

A. Ambulation

A community health nurse has been visiting a diabetic client whose morning fasting glucose levels are constantly elevated. Upon further assessment, the nurse determines that the client's spouse does not understand how to prepare meals following the prescribed diabetic diet. Using Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Theory, how can the nurse help meet the needs of this client? A. Arrange an evaluation appointment with a dietitian. B. Set up diabetic home meal delivery for the client. C. Assist the spouse with online grocery shopping. D. Authorize an unlicensed nursing personnel to cook for the client.

A. Arrange an evaluation appointment with a dietitian.

A nurse volunteers to serve on the hospital ethics committee. Which action should the nurse expect to take as a member of the ethics committee? A. Assist in decision making based on the client's best interests. B. Decide the care for a client who is unable to voice an opinion. C. Convince the family to choose a specific course of action. D. Present options about the type of care.

A. Assist in decision making based on the client's best interests.

Which principle underlies the ethical conduction of research in a hospital setting? A. Clients must grant informed consent if they are to participate. B. Any interventions must be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). C. The client must directly and personally benefit from the research. D. Descriptive studies are more ethical than experimental studies.

A. Clients must grant informed consent if they are to participate.

A nursing student learns how to give injections from the nurse manager, who dictates a list of steps to follow. This is an example of the acquisition of what type of knowledge? A. Descriptive rule-based B. Traditional C. Scientific D. Applied

A. Descriptive rule-based

An acute medicine unit of a hospital currently has a number of clients who have tested positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which measures should the nursing staff prioritize in preventing the spread of MRSA to clients who are currently MRSA-negative? A. diligent handwashing practices B. reduced length of stay for MRSA-positive clients C. constant use of gloves when on the unit D. prophylactic antibiotic therapy for MRSA-negative clients

A. Diligent handwashing practices

The nurse is preparing a sterile field for a bedside procedure. During preparation, the client reaches over the field for the water pitcher. What would be the best action by the nurse? A. Discard the supplies and field and prepare a new sterile field. B. Educate the client on sterile fields and continue preparing for the procedure. C. Give the client the water pitcher and continue preparation. D. Remove the supplies from the field and replace with new supplies.

A. Discard the supplies and field and prepare a new sterile field.

Which is a focus of medical research rather than nursing research? A. Drug metabolism B. Health appraisal C. Prevention of trauma D. Promotion of recovery

A. Drug Metabolism

When looking at a model for evidence-based practice, what is the final step of the process? A. Evaluating practice change B. Searching the literature C. Appraising evidence D. Formulating a clinical question

A. Evaluating practice change

A nurse researcher is examining the cause-and-effect relationship between the consumption of tap water containing minimal amounts of bleach, and the incidence of cancer in rats. The research is taking place in a laboratory setting. What type of quantitative research is being used based upon this description? A.A. Experimental research B. Descriptive research C. Correlational research D. Quasi-experimental research

A. Experimental research

The nurse is gathering data from interviews of terminally ill clients and their families while conducting a research study on how family support impacts the quality of life in a terminally ill client. Which element would the nurse identify as the independent variable? A. Family support B. Quality of life C. Interviews D. Terminally ill clients and families

A. Family Support

The nurse is gathering data from interviews of terminally ill clients and their families while conducting a research study on how family support impacts the quality of life in a terminally ill client. Which element would the nurse identify as the independent variable? A. Family support B. Quality of life C. Interviews D. Terminally ill clients and families

A. Family support

Nursing can best be defined as a discipline that focuses on which of the following? A. Human responses to health and illness B. A wide variety of disease states C. The interaction between nurses and other disciplines D. The relationship between prevention and teaching

A. Human responses to health and illness

Which statement best reflects translational research? A. It is the bridge from theory to practice. B. It involves measuring numerical data. C. Subjective narrative data is the focus. D. It is a holistic method of research.

A. It is the bridge from theory to practice.

What organization protects the public with regard to nursing practice? A. Nurse Practice Acts B. Quality and safety education for nursing C. American Nurses Association D. National League for Nursing

A. Nurse Practice Acts

The nurse administered an antipyretic drug to a client with high-grade fever of 101.4°F (38.6°C). Which intervention should the nurse perform next? A. Reassess temperature after 1 hour and document results in the chart. B. Encourage the client to ambulate in the room to improve circulation. C. Ask the client to use his incentive spirometer 5 times. D. Require the client to drink 8-10 glasses of water to avoid dehydration.

A. Reassess temperature after 1 hour and document results in the chart.

Kate is a 22-year old graduate nurse. She has just taken her first job on a rehabilitation unit. To be aware of her legal responsibilities in her daily nursing practice, Kate should become familiar with which of the following? A. State Nurse Practice Acts B. National League for Nursing (NLN) accreditation C. American Nurses Association ANA) standards of nursing practice D. State Board of Nursing guidelines

A. State Nurse Practice Acts

A nurse is providing client care in a hospital setting. Who has full legal responsibility and accountability for the nurse's actions? A. The nurse B. The head nurse C. The physician D. The hospital

A. The Nurse

A client has a nursing diagnosis of Deficient Knowledge related to prescribed antibiotic therapy. Which outcome would the nurse identify as most appropriate? A. The client will state how to safely take the prescribed antibiotic. B. The client will identify signs and symptoms of worsening infection. C. The client will verbalize measures appropriate to minimize infection transmission. D. The client demonstrates the proper technique for hand hygiene.

A. The client will state how to safely take the prescribed antibiotic.

A registered nurse wishes to work as a nurse researcher. Which is true regarding nurse researchers? A. They are responsible for the continued development and advancement of nursing. B. They usually have a baccalaureate degree in nursing. C. They serve as liaisons between staff members and directors of nursing. D. They tend to work in community health centers and long-term care units.

A. They are responsible for the continued development and advancement of nursing.

Which aspect of the nursing research process addresses a client's understanding of the potential risks and benefits of the study? A. Undergoing the informed consent process with the client B. Obtaining the client's signature on a permission document C. Meeting with the hospital's institutional review board (IRB) D. Giving the client the opportunity to ask questions about the study

A. Undergoing the informed consent process with the client

As part of a class assignment, a beginning professional nursing student is to prepare a research paper. Which action would be most appropriate to take when identifying a problem area? A. review scientific literature to develop a research idea B. identify a direction that the research project will take C. express a relationship between the operationalized concepts D. analyze the results to confirm what the problem was

A. review scientific literature to develop a research idea

A nurse is assisting a client scheduled for appendicitis surgery with skin preparation. Which step is performed during skin preparation of a client? A. washing the surgery site with soap and warm water before the planned procedure B. removing hair with depilatory cream 3 days before surgery C. shaving the surgery site with a sharp razor a week before the surgery D. avoiding clipping the hair on and around the surgery site with scissors

A. washing the surgery site with soap and warm water before the planned procedure.

Which clinical events constitute areas of potential liability for the nurses involved? Select all that apply. A. An elderly client develops skin breakdown on his coccyx because he was turned infrequently. B. A client with no known cardiac history suffers an unwitnessed cardiac arrest and dies. C. An anemic client experiences a febrile reaction to a transfusion of packed red blood cells. D. A client experiences a seizure after a missed dose of his scheduled anticonvulsant medication. E. A confused client experiences a fall because her bed rails were left in a lowered position.

A., D., E.

A client who comes to the clinic asks the nurse, "Somebody told me that stress increases my risk for infection. How does this happen?" Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate? A. "Stress causes body fluids to accumulate, which leads to bacterial growth." B. "Stress leads to increased secretion of cortisol, which suppreses your immune response." C. "Stress causes the body's normal immune response to turn on itself." D. "Stress leads to a deterioration in the skin's barrier line of defense."

B. "Stress leads to increased secretion of cortisol, which suppreses you immune response."

The nurse has admitted a client on airborne precautions onto the medical-surgical unit. When the client asks, "When will these airborne precautions be removed?" what is the appropriate nursing response? A. "Until you leave the hospital." B. "When your sputum culture is negative." C. "For 2 days as you get settled onto the unit." D. "Only until you begin to feel better."

B. "When your sputum culture is negative".

After assessing a client's temperature, the nurse documents that the client has a fever that is categorized as being high-grade. Which reading would the nurse most likely have obtained in this client? A. 37.8 degrees C B. 39.2 degrees C C. 40.8 degrees C D. 36.8 degrees C

B. 39.2 degrees C

The postoperative client refuses to do deep breathing, and he refuses to turn while in bed. He informs the nurse that it hurts for him to do both of these things. Which intervention should the nurse perform first? A. Educate the client of the importance of infection prevention. B. Assess client's pain level and manage pain accordingly. C. Inform the client that these exercises must be done at regular intervals. D. Inform the physician of the client's noncompliance

B. Assess client's pain level and manage pain accordingly.

What phrase best describes the science of nursing? A. Application of clinical skills B. Body of nursing knowledge C. Holistic client care D. Art of individualized nursing

B. Body of nursing knowledge

A nurse fails to communicate a change in the client's condition to the physician. Which element related to proving malpractice has been met? A. Duty B. Breach of duty C. Proximate cause D. Damages

B. Breach of Duty

A nurse is being charged with malpractice. The element of malpractice that is proven by determining that the nurse did not meet the standard of care is: A. Duty B. Breach of duty C. Causation D. Damages

B. Breach of duty

A nurse develops the following foreground question using the PICO format in preparation for a research study: "In overweight clients, how do chromium supplements compared to no supplements help with weight loss?" Which part of the question reflects the intervention? A. Overweight clients B. Chromium supplements C. No supplements D. Weight loss

B. Chromium supplements

What nurse established the American Red Cross in 1882? A. Florence Nightingale B. Clara Barton C. Dorothea Dix D. Mary Breckinridge E. Margret Sanger F. Mary Mahoney

B. Clara Barton

A nurse working at a health care facility understands the need for providing aseptic care when caring for clients. Which client is at greatest risk for infections? A. client who is pregnant B. client with burn injuries C. client with fever D. client with fracture

B. Client with burn injuries

Which statement is most applicable to evidence-based practice? A. It emphasizes personal experience over science. B. Clinical expertise is integrated with external evidence. C. It involves gaining solutions to problems. D. The purpose is to learn about a specific problem.

B. Clinical expertise is integrated with external evidence.

A client has a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus located on his skin. He is not showing signs of increased temperature, redness, or pain at the site. The nurse is aware that this is a sign of a microorganism at which stage? A. Infection B. Colonization C. Disease D. Bacteremia

B. Colonization

The nurse has admitted a new client to the unit. This client has an open draining sore on the leg. Which diagnostic test would the nurse anticipate being ordered? A. platelet count B. culture and sensitivity C. sputum culture D. urinalysis

B. Culture and sensitivity

A client states that the client's recent fall was caused by his scheduled antihypertensive medications being mistakenly administered by two different nurses, an event that is disputed by both of the nurses identified by the client. Which measure should the nurses prioritize when anticipating that legal action may follow? A. Consult with practice advisors from the state board of nursing. B. Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident. C. Enlist support from nursing and nonnursing colleagues from the unit. D. Consult with the hospital's legal department as soon as possible.

B. Document the client's claims and the events surrounding the alleged incident.

Teaching a woman about breast self-examination is an example of what broad aim of nursing? A. treating illness B. preventing illness C. restoring health D. facilitating coping

B. Preventing Illness

During an interaction with a client who is HIV-positive, the nurse learns that the client has nonspecific symptoms such as nausea, fever, general weakness, and aches and pains. The nurse interprets these findings as reflecting which stage of the communicable period? A. Incubation period B. Prodromal period C. Acute phase of illness D. Convalescent period

B. Prodromal Period

A nurse is providing care for clients in a long-term care facility. What should be the central focus of this care? A.The nurse's actions B. The client receiving the care C. The nurse as the caregiver D. Nursing as a profession

B. The client receiving the care

Which is the correct term for this nursing action: A nurse falsely imprisons a patient by an unauthorized use of restraints. A. Crime B. Tort C. Misdemeanor D. Felony

B. Tort Rationale: A tort is a wrong committed by a person against another person or that person's property. False imprisonment is an intentional tort. A crime is a wrong against a person or that person's property as well as the public. Crimes can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies.

A client with cancer has been receiving chemotherapy for the past few weeks. The nurse is concerned about infection and is reviewing the white blood cell count (WBC) in the chart. Which result supports this concern? A. WBC of 7,500 mcL B. WBC of 25,000 mcL C. WBC of 5,500 mcL D. WBC of 10,500 mcL

B. WBC of 25,000 mcL

The nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. The prior shift's nurse has placed the client in droplet precautions. Which is the appropriate nursing action? A. change to contact precautions B. change to airborne precautions C. change to standard precautions D. continue with droplet precautions

B. change to airborne precautions

After educating students about changes in the immune system and risk for infection as people age, the instructor determines that the education was successful when the students identify: A. increased humoral immunity response. B. decreased cellular immunity. C. increased effectiveness of phagocytosis. D. decreased susceptibility to infection.

B. decreased cellular immunity

A nurse is preparing an education plan for a client being discharged home after successful treatment for a wound infection. What would the nurse be least likely to include in the education plan? A. signs and symptoms of infection B. intravenous antibiotic adminstration C. hand hygiene measures D. vital sign monitoring

B. intravenous antibiotic adminstration

A nurse has been assigned to the ICU by her supervisor because there is an emergency there. However, the nurse is not aware of the setup and workings of the ICU. What would be the appropriate action by the nurse? A. to call the lawyer and seek her advice regarding the sudden change. B. to report to the nurse-in-charge for duty and tell her the tasks she can help with C. to report to the ICU and take leave on the pretext of some illness D. to refuse to go to the ICU and keep working in the previously assigned unit

B. to report to the nurse-in-charge for duty and tell her the tasks she can help with.

A nurse is assessing a client for signs and symptoms of infection. What would the nurse expect to asses? Select all that apply. A. decreased pulse rate B. increased respiratory rate C. absence of pain D. lymph node enlargement E. fever

B., D., E.

A nurse in an oncology care unit is reviewing the laboratory test results of several clients. The nurse identifies that the client with which leukocyte count most likely has an infection? A. 8,000 cells/mm B. 5,000 cells/mm C. 18,000 cells/mm D. 10,000 cells/mm

C. 18,000 cells/mm

In what time period did nursing care as we now know it begin? A. early civilization to 16th century B. 16th to 17th century C. 18th to 19th century D. pre-civilization

C. 18th to 19th Century

A nurse in an oncology care unit is reviewing the laboratory test results of several clients scheduled to receive chemotherapy. The nurse determines that the client with which leukocyte count will most likely have the chemotherapy withheld? A. 7,500 cells/mm3 B. 5,800 cells/mm3 C. 2,500 cells/mm3 D. 9,800 cells/mm3

C. 2,500 Cells/mm3

A nurse must possess several characteristics to be successful in this profession. Secondary to critical thinking skills, which is of great value? A. educational attainment such as Master's of Nursing B. delegation of responsibilities C. advocating for the client at all times D. good teamwork and team-building skills

C. Advocating for the client at all times.

The family member of an elderly client objects that the restraints are being used to prevent the client from wandering into other patient's rooms, especially at night. In order to avoid the use of restraints, the nurse should consider: A. Providing visual and auditory stimuli B. Using antianxiety medications as prescribed C. Assigning the client to a room near the nurse's station D. Locking the other client's rooms

C. Assigning the client to a room near the nurse;s station

You and your classmate discuss your clients in the parking lot. You think that others are not listening to your conversation. Which of the following principles did you breach? A. Autonomy B. Fidelity C. Confidentiality D. Beneficence

C. Confidentiality

Which of the following is a responsibility of an institutional review board (IRB)? A. Secure informed consent for researchers. B. Review written accuracy of research proposals. C. Determine risk status of all studies. D.Secure funding for institutional research.

C. Determine risk status of all studies.

A nurse uses the process of quantitative research to study the incidence and causes of hospital-acquired pneumonia in the nurse's hospital. The statement of what the researcher expects to find in these studies is called the: A. variable. B. data. C. hypothesis. D. instrument.

C. Hypothesis.

A nurse who is preparing to integrate evidence-based practice into nursing care is using the PICO model. What would the nurse do first? A. critique the evidence B. identify relevant evidence C. identify the clinical question D. evaluate the decision

C. Identify the clinical question

Every 2 hours, the nurse turns and repositions the client who is experiencing frequent diarrhea. This action supports, among other things, infection prevention. Which assessment indicates that there is a positive outcome from this nursing care? A. redness size over sacral area is with minimal increase B. blanching over elbow area noted C. skin is dry and intact D. slight bleeding noted while old dressing is removed

C. Skin is dry and intact

The nurse is assessing a client with an elevated temperature. Which of the following would lead the nurse to determine that the client is in the fever phase? A. Profuse diaphoresis B. Evidence of gooseflesh C. Skin warm and flushed D. Reduced shivering

C. Skin warm and flushed

A client is unhappy with the health care provided and informs the nurse that the client is leaving the facility. The client has not been discharged by the physician. The nurse finds that the client has dressed and is ready to go. What should the nurse's action be in this situation? A. The nurse should have the client restrained and call the physician. B. The nurse should let the client go because the nurse cannot do anything. C. The nurse should call and inform the nursing supervisor of the situation. D. The nurse should warn the client that the client cannot come to the hospital again.

C. The Nurse should call and inform the nursing supervisor of the situation.

Infection occurs when the host is exposed to pathogens. What type of pathogen uses the cell's metabolism, and replicates itself while destroying the cell or changing the cell's genetic makeup? A. Bacteria B. Fungi C. Virus D. Parasites

C. Virus

Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse don to enter the room of a client who is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile? A. goggles and gloves B. respirator mask and gown C. gown and gloves D. mask and shoe covers

C. gown and gloves

Ethical distress is: A. being aware of the principles of right and wrong. B. supporting the rights of a client during hospitalization. C. knowing the correct action but being unable to perform it due to constraints. D. having trouble deciding which of two conflicting ethical principles to follow.

C. knowing the correct action but being unable to perform it due to constraints.

Can you name 3 roles of a nurse?

Caregiver Manager Educator Communicator Professional Advocate Researcher

A nurse suspects that a client may be developing sepsis based on assessment findings. The practitioner orders a serum lactate level to be obtained. When reviewing the results, which serum lactate level would the nurse identify as indicative of sepsis? A. 1.3 mmol/L B. 2.4 mmol/L C. 3.5 mmol/L D. 4.6 mmol/L

D. 4.6 mmol/L

An oncology nurse is caring for a client suffering from metabolic encephalopathy and end-stage kidney disease. The client has no known family and no advance directives. Upon entering the room, the nurse observes the client is pale and has no spontaneous respiration. What is the priority action the nurse should take? A. Contact the physician. B. Call the coroner. C. Notify the charge nurse. D. Begin CPR.

D. Begin CPR.

Microorganisms that are present on the human body without host interference or interaction refers to: A. disease. B. infection. C. inflammation. D. colonization.

D. Colonization

In some cases, the act of providing nursing care in unexpected situations is covered by the Good Samaritan laws. Which nursing action would most likely be covered by these laws? A. Any emergency care given when consent is obtained B. A negligent act performed in an emergency situation C. Medical advice given to a neighbor regarding a child's rash D. Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant

D. Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant

Which value involves acting in accordance with an appropriate code of ethics and accepted standards of practice? A. Altruism B. Autonomy C. Human dignity D. Integrity E. Social justice

D. Integrity Rationale: Integrity involves acting in accordance with a code of ethics and accepted standards of practice. Altruism is a concern for the welfare of others. Autonomy is the right to self-determination. Human dignity is respect for the worth and uniqueness of individuals and populations. Social justice is upholding moral, legal, and humanistic principles.

A high school senior wants to become a geriatric nurse practitioner. What nursing degree will the student need to attain this goal? A. licensed practical nurse B. associate degree C. baccalaureate degree D. master's degree

D. Master's Degree

The nurse works on a long-term care unit. In the last 2 weeks more than half the clients on the unit have been diagnosed with gastroenteritis. What is the most likely reason? A. The clients are in too small an area, so they pass around diseases. B. The clients don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom. C. The visitors brought the disease into the unit. D. The infection is being transmitted by health care personnel.

D. The infection is being transmitted by health care personnel.

A client is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to remove a blood clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping with the policy of informed consent prior to a surgical procedure? A. The nurse informs the family about advance directives. B. The nurse informs the family about the living will. C. The nurse ensures that the client signs the consent form. D. The nurse ensures that the client's family signs the consent form.

D. The nurse ensures that the client's family signs the consent form

A nurse is caring for a client who is diagnosed with tuberculosis. Which nursing intervention promotes infection control based on nursing practice standards for safety? A. The nurse places the client in a private room with the door open. B. The nurse uses droplet precautions when providing care for the client. C. The nurse keeps visitors 3 feet away from the infected person. D. The nurse places the client in a private room with monitored negative air pressure.

D. The nurse places the client in a private room with monitored negative air pressure.

A nursing student is formulating a problem statement for a research project. What will ensure that the study is a logical extension of the problem cited? A. The problem statement should identify the most likely solution to the problem. B. The problem statement is phrased in a broad, generalized way. C. The statement encourages speculative testing rather than empirical testing. D. The population being studied is specified in the problem statement.

D. The population being studied is specified in the problem statement.

Which challenge must a nurse in today's health care field be prepared to meet? A. Developing standardized plans of care to control costs B. Teaching patients to become more dependent on their health care provider C. Caring for patients in acute care as the length of stay increases D. Using evidenced-based practice skills as much as possible in daily care

D. Using evidenced-based practice skills as much as possible in daily care

Which term is most closely associated with quantitative research? A. Process B. Concept C. Ethnography D. Variable

D. Variable

A nurse is palpating the cervical lymph nodes of a client with a suspected upper respiratory infection. Which finding would help to support the suspicion of an infection? A. soft to touch B. mobile C. 0.5 cm in diameter D. tenderness

D. tenderness

A nurse attempts to obtain an order for a feeding tube for an anorexic teenager who refuses to eat. What is the term for the ethical problem this nurse is experiencing? A. Deception B. Confidentiality C. Allocation of scarce nursing resources D. Advocacy in market-driven environment E. Paternalism

E. Paternalism Rationale: Paternalism occurs when a nurse acts for a patient without consent to secure good or prevent harm. Deception occurs when a nurse deceives a person for a perceived benefit. Patient confidentiality is questioned when a patient confidence may lead to harm. Allocation of scarce nursing resources and advocacy in market-driven environment involve patient harm due to inadequate staffing/finances.

Tell whether the following statement is true or false. A nurse who is dedicated to providing culturally competent care to her patients finds herself without the resources to communicate with a patient who speaks a different language. This problem may result in an ethical dilemma for the nurse.

False Rationale: This problem may result in ethical distress for the nurse. Ethical distress occurs when the nurse knows the right thing to do but either personal or institutional factors make it difficult to follow the correct course of action. Ethical dilemma occurs when two (or more) clear moral principles apply but support mutually inconsistent courses of action.

True or False: A child is born with values and forms new values during a lifetime from information from the environment, family, and culture.

False Rationale: A child is not born with values, but rather forms values during a lifetime from information from the environment, family, and culture.

Tell whether the following statement is true or false. In all health care agencies, informed and voluntary consent is needed for admission, for specialized diagnostic procedures or medical-surgical treatment, and for any experimental treatments or procedures.

True Rationale: In all health care agencies, informed and voluntary consent is needed for admission, for specialized diagnostic procedures or medical-surgical treatment, and for any experimental treatments or procedures.

Tell whether the following statement is true or false. The state nurse practice act is the most important law affecting nursing practice.

True Rationale: The state nurse practice act is the most important law affecting nursing practice. Each nurse practice act protects the public by broadly defining the legal scope of nursing practice. This is the function of the PA State Board of Nursing** RN's who practice in PA are licensed in PA by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing