ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 1:
Foundations of Nursing Practice and Clinical
Judgment Latest 2026/2027 Questions and Verified
Answers Graded A+ | PDF
Overview
The ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 1 is a standardized proctored exam designed for nursing
students who have completed approximately 25% of a concept-based curriculum. This assessment
focuses on the fundamental principles of nursing care and the application of basic clinical reasoning.
The exam evaluates a student's comprehension across several foundational nursing concepts,
including Safety and Infection Control, Fluid and Electrolytes, Mobility, Nutrition, Elimination,
and Tissue Integrity. Achieving a high proficiency level on this assessment demonstrates that a student
has mastered the essential knowledge required to provide safe, entry-level care and is on track to meet the
rigorous standards of the NCLEX-RN.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Hyperactive bowel sounds
B) Muscle weakness
C) Tachycardia
D) Tall, peaked T-waves
Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) affects nerve and muscle function.
Classic signs include muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, and cardiac dysrhythmias
such as flattened T-waves.
,2. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a suspected urinary tract
infection (UTI). Which of the following is an expected finding for this age group?
A) High fever
B) Acute confusion
C) Painful urination
D) Low-back pain
Explanation: Older adults often do not present with the typical signs of infection
like fever or dysuria. Instead, they frequently exhibit sudden onset of confusion or
delirium (altered mental status).
3. A nurse is providing teaching to an assistive personnel (AP) about pressure
injury prevention. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Massage reddened areas over bony prominences
B) Reposition the client at least every 2 hours
C) Use a ring-shaped cushion for the client to sit on
D) Keep the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees
Explanation: Frequent repositioning (at least every 2 hours) is the most effective
way to relieve pressure and prevent tissue ischemia. Massaging reddened areas can
cause further tissue damage.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has right-sided weakness how to use a cane.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A) "Hold the cane on your right side."
B) "Hold the cane on your left side."
C) "Move the cane after you move your weak leg."
D) "Keep your elbow straight when using the cane."
Explanation: A cane should be held on the unaffected (stronger) side to provide
the best support and balance. This creates a wider base of support and shifts weight
away from the weak leg.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who is at risk for hypocalcemia. Which of the
following tests should the nurse perform?
A) Chvostek’s sign
B) Babinski reflex
C) Romberg test
D) Allen’s test
,Explanation: Chvostek’s sign (tapping the facial nerve to elicit a twitch) and
Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are classic physical assessments
for hypocalcemia.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is on a low-sodium diet. Which of the following
food choices should the nurse recommend?
A) Canned soup
B) Smoked ham
C) Fresh turkey breast
D) Pickled vegetables
Explanation: Fresh meats are naturally low in sodium compared to processed,
canned, or pickled foods, which use high amounts of salt as a preservative.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric (NG)
tube. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A) Verify tube placement with a pH test or X-ray
B) Warm the formula to body temperature
C) Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
D) Place the client in a supine position
Explanation: Safety is the priority. The nurse must verify that the tube is in the
stomach rather than the lungs before starting the feeding to prevent aspiration.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is in wrist restraints. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Tie the restraints to the side rails of the bed
B) Check the client's circulation every 15 to 30 minutes
C) Secure the restraints with a double knot
D) Renew the restraint order every 48 hours
Explanation: For client safety and to prevent tissue/nerve damage, the nurse must
assess the skin, pulses, and circulation of the restrained limb frequently (usually every
15-30 mins per policy).
9. A nurse is teaching a client about a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
should the nurse include?
A) Vanilla ice cream
B) Orange gelatin
, C) Cream of mushroom soup
D) Milkshake
Explanation: Clear liquids include items that are transparent and liquid at room
temperature. Gelatin, apple juice, and broth are clear liquids; milk and ice cream are full
liquids.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who has a wound that is healing by secondary
intention. Which of the following describes this process?
A) The wound edges are approximated with sutures
B) The wound is left open to fill with granulation tissue
C) The wound is closed after a period of being left open
D) There is minimal scarring and rapid healing
Explanation: Secondary intention occurs when a wound has a great deal of tissue
loss (like a pressure injury) and is left open to heal from the bottom up with granulation
tissue.
11. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client and notes a serum
potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the finding in the medical record
B) Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG)
C) Encourage the intake of bananas and orange juice
D) Administer a scheduled dose of spironolactone
Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) can lead to life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. Obtaining an ECG (Assessment) is the priority to
monitor for changes like peaked T-waves.
12. A nurse is implementing fall precautions for an older adult client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep all four side rails in the upright position
B) Place the bed in the highest position
C) Ensure the call light is within the client’s reach
D) Keep the room dimly lit at all times
Explanation: Ensuring the call light is reachable allows the client to ask for
assistance before attempting to get out of bed alone. Keeping all four side rails up is
considered a restraint.
Foundations of Nursing Practice and Clinical
Judgment Latest 2026/2027 Questions and Verified
Answers Graded A+ | PDF
Overview
The ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 1 is a standardized proctored exam designed for nursing
students who have completed approximately 25% of a concept-based curriculum. This assessment
focuses on the fundamental principles of nursing care and the application of basic clinical reasoning.
The exam evaluates a student's comprehension across several foundational nursing concepts,
including Safety and Infection Control, Fluid and Electrolytes, Mobility, Nutrition, Elimination,
and Tissue Integrity. Achieving a high proficiency level on this assessment demonstrates that a student
has mastered the essential knowledge required to provide safe, entry-level care and is on track to meet the
rigorous standards of the NCLEX-RN.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Hyperactive bowel sounds
B) Muscle weakness
C) Tachycardia
D) Tall, peaked T-waves
Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) affects nerve and muscle function.
Classic signs include muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, and cardiac dysrhythmias
such as flattened T-waves.
,2. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has a suspected urinary tract
infection (UTI). Which of the following is an expected finding for this age group?
A) High fever
B) Acute confusion
C) Painful urination
D) Low-back pain
Explanation: Older adults often do not present with the typical signs of infection
like fever or dysuria. Instead, they frequently exhibit sudden onset of confusion or
delirium (altered mental status).
3. A nurse is providing teaching to an assistive personnel (AP) about pressure
injury prevention. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Massage reddened areas over bony prominences
B) Reposition the client at least every 2 hours
C) Use a ring-shaped cushion for the client to sit on
D) Keep the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees
Explanation: Frequent repositioning (at least every 2 hours) is the most effective
way to relieve pressure and prevent tissue ischemia. Massaging reddened areas can
cause further tissue damage.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has right-sided weakness how to use a cane.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A) "Hold the cane on your right side."
B) "Hold the cane on your left side."
C) "Move the cane after you move your weak leg."
D) "Keep your elbow straight when using the cane."
Explanation: A cane should be held on the unaffected (stronger) side to provide
the best support and balance. This creates a wider base of support and shifts weight
away from the weak leg.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who is at risk for hypocalcemia. Which of the
following tests should the nurse perform?
A) Chvostek’s sign
B) Babinski reflex
C) Romberg test
D) Allen’s test
,Explanation: Chvostek’s sign (tapping the facial nerve to elicit a twitch) and
Trousseau’s sign (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are classic physical assessments
for hypocalcemia.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is on a low-sodium diet. Which of the following
food choices should the nurse recommend?
A) Canned soup
B) Smoked ham
C) Fresh turkey breast
D) Pickled vegetables
Explanation: Fresh meats are naturally low in sodium compared to processed,
canned, or pickled foods, which use high amounts of salt as a preservative.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric (NG)
tube. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A) Verify tube placement with a pH test or X-ray
B) Warm the formula to body temperature
C) Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
D) Place the client in a supine position
Explanation: Safety is the priority. The nurse must verify that the tube is in the
stomach rather than the lungs before starting the feeding to prevent aspiration.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is in wrist restraints. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Tie the restraints to the side rails of the bed
B) Check the client's circulation every 15 to 30 minutes
C) Secure the restraints with a double knot
D) Renew the restraint order every 48 hours
Explanation: For client safety and to prevent tissue/nerve damage, the nurse must
assess the skin, pulses, and circulation of the restrained limb frequently (usually every
15-30 mins per policy).
9. A nurse is teaching a client about a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
should the nurse include?
A) Vanilla ice cream
B) Orange gelatin
, C) Cream of mushroom soup
D) Milkshake
Explanation: Clear liquids include items that are transparent and liquid at room
temperature. Gelatin, apple juice, and broth are clear liquids; milk and ice cream are full
liquids.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who has a wound that is healing by secondary
intention. Which of the following describes this process?
A) The wound edges are approximated with sutures
B) The wound is left open to fill with granulation tissue
C) The wound is closed after a period of being left open
D) There is minimal scarring and rapid healing
Explanation: Secondary intention occurs when a wound has a great deal of tissue
loss (like a pressure injury) and is left open to heal from the bottom up with granulation
tissue.
11. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client and notes a serum
potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the finding in the medical record
B) Obtain an electrocardiogram (ECG)
C) Encourage the intake of bananas and orange juice
D) Administer a scheduled dose of spironolactone
Explanation: Hyperkalemia (high potassium) can lead to life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. Obtaining an ECG (Assessment) is the priority to
monitor for changes like peaked T-waves.
12. A nurse is implementing fall precautions for an older adult client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A) Keep all four side rails in the upright position
B) Place the bed in the highest position
C) Ensure the call light is within the client’s reach
D) Keep the room dimly lit at all times
Explanation: Ensuring the call light is reachable allows the client to ask for
assistance before attempting to get out of bed alone. Keeping all four side rails up is
considered a restraint.
