ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM –
COMPLETE TEST BANK | Exit Exam 2025/2026
| Actual Exam with 180 Verified Q&A
Most Difficult, Most Tested, NGN-Style & Long-Scenario Questions
This comprehensive examination preparation resource simulates the rigor and
scope of the ATI PN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2025–2026. Questions are drawn
from all core PN-level NCLEX domains: Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Medical-
Surgical, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Leadership, Nutrition, and
Critical Care. All questions are presented in the latest NGN (Next Generation
NCLEX) format, including multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, ordered response,
cloze, and extended multiple-response items. Correct answers are bolded;
detailed rationales are provided for mastery.
DOMAIN 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Question 1
A practical nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female
client. After opening the sterile kit and donning sterile gloves, which action should
the nurse take next?
A. Inflate the catheter balloon to test its integrity
B. Open the antiseptic solution and saturate the cotton balls
,C. Lubricate the catheter tip
D. Place the sterile drape under the client's buttocks
Answer-; B. Open the antiseptic solution and saturate the cotton balls
Rationale: Proper sterile technique requires organizing the sterile field before
beginning the procedure. After donning sterile gloves, the nurse should open and
prepare supplies within the sterile field, including saturating cotton balls with
antiseptic solution. Testing the balloon, lubricating the catheter, and placing the
drape are all necessary steps, but they come after preparing the antiseptic
solution. Maintaining aseptic technique throughout prevents catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
Question 2
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a
walker. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a correct
understanding?
A. "I will move my walker and my weak leg forward together, then bring my
strong leg forward."
B. "I will move my walker forward first, then my strong leg, then my weak leg."
C. "I will place my walker behind me when I sit down in a chair."
D. "I should push the walker ahead of me when I go up stairs."
Answer-; A. "I will move my walker and my weak leg forward together, then
bring my strong leg forward."
Rationale: Proper walker technique for a client with unilateral weakness involves
advancing the walker and the affected leg simultaneously, providing stability and
weight-bearing support. The strong leg then follows. Placing the walker behind
the client when sitting creates a fall hazard. Walkers should not be used on stairs
unless specifically designed for that purpose.
Question 3
,A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal
surgery. The client reports pain at the incision site rated 7 on a 0–10 scale. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed IV opioid analgesic
B. Inspect the surgical incision
C. Reposition the client for comfort
D. Apply a cold compress to the incision area
Answer-; B. Inspect the surgical incision
Rationale: Severe postoperative pain may indicate complications such as
infection, dehiscence, hematoma, or nerve compression. The nurse must first
assess the incision site for redness, drainage, edema, or separation before
intervening. Administering analgesia without assessment may mask worsening
clinical status. Repositioning and cold therapy may provide adjunctive comfort but
do not address potential surgical complications.
Question 4
Select All That Apply:
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following
identifiers should the nurse use to verify client identity? (Select all that apply. )
A. Client's full name
B. Client's date of birth
C. Client's room number
D. Client's diagnosis
E. Medical record number
Correct Answers: A, B, E
Rationale: Standard safety protocols require two unique patient identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth, or name and medical record number). Room number and
diagnosis are not acceptable identifiers because they are not unique to the
patient and can change.
, Question 5
Ordered Response:
A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation using a gait belt. Place the following
steps in the correct order.
1. _____ Apply the gait belt snugly around the client's waist
2. _____ Stand slightly behind and to the client's stronger side
3. _____ Assist the client to a standing position
4. _____ Instruct the client to push off the bed with their hands
5. _____ Walk forward with the client, holding the gait belt at the back
Correct Order:
1. Instruct the client to push off the bed with their hands
2. Assist the client to a standing position
3. Apply the gait belt snugly around the client's waist
4. Stand slightly behind and to the client's stronger side
5. Walk forward with the client, holding the gait belt at the back
Rationale: Proper ambulation technique requires the client to assist in standing
first, then application of the gait belt for safety. The nurse positions themselves
on the stronger side to prevent falling toward weakness.
DOMAIN 2: PHARMACOLOGY
Question 6
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
metformin. Which of the following client statements indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I'll take this medication with meals."
B. "I can stop taking it once my blood sugar is normal."
C. "I should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug."
D. "I will report muscle pain or dark urine to my provider."
Answer-; B. "I can stop taking it once my blood sugar is normal."
COMPLETE TEST BANK | Exit Exam 2025/2026
| Actual Exam with 180 Verified Q&A
Most Difficult, Most Tested, NGN-Style & Long-Scenario Questions
This comprehensive examination preparation resource simulates the rigor and
scope of the ATI PN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2025–2026. Questions are drawn
from all core PN-level NCLEX domains: Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Medical-
Surgical, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Leadership, Nutrition, and
Critical Care. All questions are presented in the latest NGN (Next Generation
NCLEX) format, including multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, ordered response,
cloze, and extended multiple-response items. Correct answers are bolded;
detailed rationales are provided for mastery.
DOMAIN 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
Question 1
A practical nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female
client. After opening the sterile kit and donning sterile gloves, which action should
the nurse take next?
A. Inflate the catheter balloon to test its integrity
B. Open the antiseptic solution and saturate the cotton balls
,C. Lubricate the catheter tip
D. Place the sterile drape under the client's buttocks
Answer-; B. Open the antiseptic solution and saturate the cotton balls
Rationale: Proper sterile technique requires organizing the sterile field before
beginning the procedure. After donning sterile gloves, the nurse should open and
prepare supplies within the sterile field, including saturating cotton balls with
antiseptic solution. Testing the balloon, lubricating the catheter, and placing the
drape are all necessary steps, but they come after preparing the antiseptic
solution. Maintaining aseptic technique throughout prevents catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
Question 2
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a
walker. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a correct
understanding?
A. "I will move my walker and my weak leg forward together, then bring my
strong leg forward."
B. "I will move my walker forward first, then my strong leg, then my weak leg."
C. "I will place my walker behind me when I sit down in a chair."
D. "I should push the walker ahead of me when I go up stairs."
Answer-; A. "I will move my walker and my weak leg forward together, then
bring my strong leg forward."
Rationale: Proper walker technique for a client with unilateral weakness involves
advancing the walker and the affected leg simultaneously, providing stability and
weight-bearing support. The strong leg then follows. Placing the walker behind
the client when sitting creates a fall hazard. Walkers should not be used on stairs
unless specifically designed for that purpose.
Question 3
,A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal
surgery. The client reports pain at the incision site rated 7 on a 0–10 scale. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed IV opioid analgesic
B. Inspect the surgical incision
C. Reposition the client for comfort
D. Apply a cold compress to the incision area
Answer-; B. Inspect the surgical incision
Rationale: Severe postoperative pain may indicate complications such as
infection, dehiscence, hematoma, or nerve compression. The nurse must first
assess the incision site for redness, drainage, edema, or separation before
intervening. Administering analgesia without assessment may mask worsening
clinical status. Repositioning and cold therapy may provide adjunctive comfort but
do not address potential surgical complications.
Question 4
Select All That Apply:
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following
identifiers should the nurse use to verify client identity? (Select all that apply. )
A. Client's full name
B. Client's date of birth
C. Client's room number
D. Client's diagnosis
E. Medical record number
Correct Answers: A, B, E
Rationale: Standard safety protocols require two unique patient identifiers (e.g.,
name and date of birth, or name and medical record number). Room number and
diagnosis are not acceptable identifiers because they are not unique to the
patient and can change.
, Question 5
Ordered Response:
A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation using a gait belt. Place the following
steps in the correct order.
1. _____ Apply the gait belt snugly around the client's waist
2. _____ Stand slightly behind and to the client's stronger side
3. _____ Assist the client to a standing position
4. _____ Instruct the client to push off the bed with their hands
5. _____ Walk forward with the client, holding the gait belt at the back
Correct Order:
1. Instruct the client to push off the bed with their hands
2. Assist the client to a standing position
3. Apply the gait belt snugly around the client's waist
4. Stand slightly behind and to the client's stronger side
5. Walk forward with the client, holding the gait belt at the back
Rationale: Proper ambulation technique requires the client to assist in standing
first, then application of the gait belt for safety. The nurse positions themselves
on the stronger side to prevent falling toward weakness.
DOMAIN 2: PHARMACOLOGY
Question 6
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
metformin. Which of the following client statements indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "I'll take this medication with meals."
B. "I can stop taking it once my blood sugar is normal."
C. "I should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this drug."
D. "I will report muscle pain or dark urine to my provider."
Answer-; B. "I can stop taking it once my blood sugar is normal."
