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ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT
EXAM 2026/2027 - FORM A | Actual
Exam | A+ Graded | NCLEX-PN Focus |
Correct Answers with Rationales
1. A PN is caring for a client receiving heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.
Which finding is most important to report to the RN immediately?
A. Platelet count 180,000/mm³
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 45 seconds (control 30 seconds)
C. Presence of blood in the client’s urine
D. Ecchymosis on the client’s forearm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gross hematuria may indicate severe anticoagulation complications such as
hemorrhage; the PN must promptly report any overt bleeding to the RN so that clotting studies
can be reviewed and the provider contacted. Ecchymosis and a slightly elevated aPTT are
expected; platelet count is within normal limits.
ATI Learning Point: The LPN’s role is to monitor for adverse effects and report significant
bleeding immediately—never adjust anticoagulant dosage independently.
2. The PN is assisting the RN to develop a plan of care for a client with a new colostomy.
Which task is appropriate for the PN to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Teaching the client how to empty the pouch
B. Measuring the stoma for correct pouch size
C. Documenting the color of the stoma
D. Providing perineal care while the client is in the shower
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Basic hygiene is within UAP scope; teaching, assessment, and stoma measurement
require licensed personnel.
ATI Learning Point: When delegating, match task complexity to UAP scope—routine hygiene
is safe to assign.
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3. A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO daily. Which serum laboratory value should
the PN report to the RN before administration?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Chloride 100 mEq/L
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide increases potassium loss; value <3.5 mEq/L places client at risk for
dysrhythmias.
ATI Learning Point: Always check potassium prior to giving loop or thiazide diuretics.
4. The PN receives a prescription to give insulin aspart 6 units subcutaneous now. The vial
reads 100 units/mL. How many mL should the PN administer? (Record answer using one
decimal place.)
________ mL
Correct Answer: 0.1 mL
Rationale: 6 units ÷ 100 units/mL = 0.06 mL rounded to 0.1 mL per syringe calibration.
ATI Learning Point: Use insulin syringes calibrated in 0.01 mL increments for doses <0.5 mL
to ensure accuracy.
5. A client in a long-term care facility has stage II pressure injury on the coccyx. Which
action should the PN perform first?
A. Apply a hydrocolloid dressing
B. Reposition client off sacral area
C. Obtain a wound culture
D. Massage around the wound edges
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Off-loading pressure is the priority to prevent further tissue ischemia.
ATI Learning Point: Pressure relief is always the initial intervention for any pressure injury.
6. A client returns from surgery with a Jackson-Pratt drain in place. The PN notes the bulb is
fully expanded. Which action is appropriate?
A. Empty and recompress the bulb
B. Strip the tubing toward the bulb
C. Clamp the drain for 30 minutes
D. Notify the surgeon immediately
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An expanded bulb indicates loss of suction; empty contents and recompress to restore
negative pressure.
ATI Learning Point: JP drains must be compressed after emptying to maintain suction.
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7. The PN is preparing to give an IM injection to an adult. Which site is preferred for a 2
mL volume of an irritating medication?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ventrogluteal has the greatest muscle mass with minimal major nerves/vessels and
accommodates larger volumes.
ATI Learning Point: Ventrogluteal is the safest IM site for adults.
8. A client with tuberculosis is placed in airborne isolation. Which instruction is essential
for the PN to give a UAP entering the room?
A. “Wear a mask only if the client is coughing.”
B. “Keep the door closed at all times.”
C. “Remove the mask immediately after leaving the room.”
D. “Use an N95 respirator, not a surgical mask.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Airborne precautions require fit-tested N95 (or higher) respirator; surgical masks are
insufficient.
ATI Learning Point: Differentiate surgical mask (droplet) vs respirator (airborne).
9. The PN observes a UAP performing hand hygiene. Which observation indicates correct
technique?
A. Rinses fingertips first before palms
B. Keeps hands above elbows during rinse
C. Uses 1 mL alcohol-based foam for 5 seconds
D. Turns off faucet with clean paper towel
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Faucet handles are contaminated; paper towel prevents re-contamination.
ATI Learning Point: Always use barrier to turn off faucet after surgical or routine hand hygiene.
10. A client reports pain 8/10 following hip arthroplasty. The PN notes the PRN morphine
was given 1 hour ago. What is the PN’s best first action?
A. Reassess pain in 30 minutes
B. Offer a back rub
C. Notify the RN of the ineffective pain control
D. Encourage use of the incentive spirometer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unrelieved pain after opioid warrants RN evaluation for possible dose adjustment or
ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT
EXAM 2026/2027 - FORM A | Actual
Exam | A+ Graded | NCLEX-PN Focus |
Correct Answers with Rationales
1. A PN is caring for a client receiving heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours.
Which finding is most important to report to the RN immediately?
A. Platelet count 180,000/mm³
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) 45 seconds (control 30 seconds)
C. Presence of blood in the client’s urine
D. Ecchymosis on the client’s forearm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gross hematuria may indicate severe anticoagulation complications such as
hemorrhage; the PN must promptly report any overt bleeding to the RN so that clotting studies
can be reviewed and the provider contacted. Ecchymosis and a slightly elevated aPTT are
expected; platelet count is within normal limits.
ATI Learning Point: The LPN’s role is to monitor for adverse effects and report significant
bleeding immediately—never adjust anticoagulant dosage independently.
2. The PN is assisting the RN to develop a plan of care for a client with a new colostomy.
Which task is appropriate for the PN to delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Teaching the client how to empty the pouch
B. Measuring the stoma for correct pouch size
C. Documenting the color of the stoma
D. Providing perineal care while the client is in the shower
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Basic hygiene is within UAP scope; teaching, assessment, and stoma measurement
require licensed personnel.
ATI Learning Point: When delegating, match task complexity to UAP scope—routine hygiene
is safe to assign.
,2
3. A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO daily. Which serum laboratory value should
the PN report to the RN before administration?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Chloride 100 mEq/L
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide increases potassium loss; value <3.5 mEq/L places client at risk for
dysrhythmias.
ATI Learning Point: Always check potassium prior to giving loop or thiazide diuretics.
4. The PN receives a prescription to give insulin aspart 6 units subcutaneous now. The vial
reads 100 units/mL. How many mL should the PN administer? (Record answer using one
decimal place.)
________ mL
Correct Answer: 0.1 mL
Rationale: 6 units ÷ 100 units/mL = 0.06 mL rounded to 0.1 mL per syringe calibration.
ATI Learning Point: Use insulin syringes calibrated in 0.01 mL increments for doses <0.5 mL
to ensure accuracy.
5. A client in a long-term care facility has stage II pressure injury on the coccyx. Which
action should the PN perform first?
A. Apply a hydrocolloid dressing
B. Reposition client off sacral area
C. Obtain a wound culture
D. Massage around the wound edges
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Off-loading pressure is the priority to prevent further tissue ischemia.
ATI Learning Point: Pressure relief is always the initial intervention for any pressure injury.
6. A client returns from surgery with a Jackson-Pratt drain in place. The PN notes the bulb is
fully expanded. Which action is appropriate?
A. Empty and recompress the bulb
B. Strip the tubing toward the bulb
C. Clamp the drain for 30 minutes
D. Notify the surgeon immediately
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An expanded bulb indicates loss of suction; empty contents and recompress to restore
negative pressure.
ATI Learning Point: JP drains must be compressed after emptying to maintain suction.
, 3
7. The PN is preparing to give an IM injection to an adult. Which site is preferred for a 2
mL volume of an irritating medication?
A. Deltoid
B. Dorsogluteal
C. Ventrogluteal
D. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ventrogluteal has the greatest muscle mass with minimal major nerves/vessels and
accommodates larger volumes.
ATI Learning Point: Ventrogluteal is the safest IM site for adults.
8. A client with tuberculosis is placed in airborne isolation. Which instruction is essential
for the PN to give a UAP entering the room?
A. “Wear a mask only if the client is coughing.”
B. “Keep the door closed at all times.”
C. “Remove the mask immediately after leaving the room.”
D. “Use an N95 respirator, not a surgical mask.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Airborne precautions require fit-tested N95 (or higher) respirator; surgical masks are
insufficient.
ATI Learning Point: Differentiate surgical mask (droplet) vs respirator (airborne).
9. The PN observes a UAP performing hand hygiene. Which observation indicates correct
technique?
A. Rinses fingertips first before palms
B. Keeps hands above elbows during rinse
C. Uses 1 mL alcohol-based foam for 5 seconds
D. Turns off faucet with clean paper towel
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Faucet handles are contaminated; paper towel prevents re-contamination.
ATI Learning Point: Always use barrier to turn off faucet after surgical or routine hand hygiene.
10. A client reports pain 8/10 following hip arthroplasty. The PN notes the PRN morphine
was given 1 hour ago. What is the PN’s best first action?
A. Reassess pain in 30 minutes
B. Offer a back rub
C. Notify the RN of the ineffective pain control
D. Encourage use of the incentive spirometer
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unrelieved pain after opioid warrants RN evaluation for possible dose adjustment or
