LPN Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield LPN facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which position is most appropriate for a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack? → High Fowler's (90 degrees)
2. A client on TPN (total parenteral nutrition) via a central line has blood glucose of 380 mg/dL. The LPN should: → Notify the charge nurse and anticipate an order for insulin per sliding scale
3. A patient develops fat embolism syndrome 24 hours after a long bone fracture. Which triad of symptoms is classic for this condition? → Hypoxemia, neurological changes, and petechial rash
4. A patient is prescribed morphine 4 mg IV PRN for pain. Which assessment finding should cause the LPN to withhold the dose and notify the provider? → Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
5. A toddler is admitted with iron deficiency anemia. The LPN is teaching the parents about dietary iron sources. Which foods should be recommended? → Lean meats, fortified cereals, legumes, and dark leafy vegetables
6. Which patient is at HIGHEST risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)? → A 70-year-old receiving chemotherapy with an indwelling urinary catheter
7. A client with a history of hypertension presents with a blood pressure of 192/114 mmHg, severe headache, and blurred vision. The LPN recognizes this as: → Hypertensive emergency requiring immediate IV intervention
8. A client with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa-carbidopa. The LPN should teach the client to: → Avoid vitamin B6 supplements which reduce levodopa effectiveness
9. What does the term 'care coordination' primarily aim to prevent? → Fragmented care leading to gaps, duplication, and medical errors
10. What is the correct sequence for removing PPE after caring for a patient on contact precautions? → Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
11. An LPN sees a coworker post a photo of a patient's wound on social media without consent. This is a violation of: → HIPAA and professional ethical standards
12. A newborn has Apgar scores of 5 at 1 minute and 7 at 5 minutes. Based on these findings, the LPN should expect: → Some initial intervention at birth followed by continued monitoring as the infant improves
13. The LPN is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which nursing diagnosis takes the highest priority? → Risk for aspiration related to bulbar involvement
14. An LPN is caring for a patient with a chest tube. Which finding requires immediate action? → Absence of fluctuation (tidaling) in the water seal chamber
15. A patient taking lithium reports nausea, tremors, and confusion. What is the nurse's priority action? → Hold the dose and notify the provider immediately
16. When monitoring a patient's central venous pressure (CVP), the LPN notes a reading of 2 mmHg. This finding is most consistent with: → Hypovolemia or dehydration
17. Which environmental condition increases the risk of electrical injury to patients? → Having wet or moist skin when touching electrical equipment
18. When performing a sterile dressing change, the LPN accidentally touches the sterile field with an ungloved hand. What is the correct action? → Discard contaminated supplies and start over
19. The LPN is monitoring a diabetic patient's blood glucose before meals. A fasting reading of 52 mg/dL requires which immediate action? → Give 15-20 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15 minutes
20. A client with hyperlipidemia asks about foods to reduce LDL cholesterol. The LPN should recommend: → Oatmeal, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish
21. A patient recovering from a spinal cord injury at T6 suddenly develops pounding headache, bradycardia, and blood pressure of 210/110 mmHg. The LPN should first: → Sit the patient upright and identify the noxious stimulus
22. A client with hypertension is being discharged. Which dietary instruction is the priority? → Limit sodium intake to 2,300 mg/day or less
23. A client had a left-sided stroke with resulting right-sided hemiplegia. When assisting with meals, the LPN should: → Place food on the left side of the tray within the client's visual field
24. Which situation requires the nurse to use an N95 respirator rather than a standard surgical mask? → Entering the room of a patient with active tuberculosis
25. A client has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Which observation requires immediate action by the LPN? → Arm swelling and pain at the PICC site
26. Which of the following best describes a therapeutic bath used to relieve perineal itching and inflammation? → Sitz bath
27. Which ECG change is most consistent with hyperkalemia in a cardiac patient? → Peaked T waves
28. An LPN is part of a care conference for a patient with multiple chronic conditions. What is the LPN's primary role in this setting? → Report observations and patient responses to current care
29. Which of the following is a non-pharmacological comfort measure that an LPN can implement to assist a client with anxiety and mild pain? → Applying a cold pack to the affected area.
30. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is the most common adverse effect the LPN should monitor? → Hypokalemia