RN ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam (Version 1, 2, 3, 4)
200 Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales &
Explanations (2025/2026 Edition)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension and a new prescription
for lisinopril. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will take this medication with food."
b) "I will monitor for a dry cough."
c) "I will increase my intake of potassium-rich foods."
d) "I will stop taking this medication if I feel dizzy."
Answer: b) "I will monitor for a dry cough."
Rationale: Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) commonly causes a persistent dry cough due to bradykinin
accumulation. Dizziness is expected initially but not a reason to stop. Potassium-rich foods should
be avoided (ACE inhibitors cause hyperkalemia). Lisinopril is taken on an empty stomach.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following abdominal surgery. Which
of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
a) Heart rate of 88 bpm
b) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
c) Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
d) Urine output 60 mL in 2 hours
Answer: c) Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
,Rationale: Fever on post-op day 2 may indicate infection (wound, respiratory, or urinary).
Temperature >38.3°C (101°F) requires immediate notification. Urine output of 60 mL in 2 hours
(30 mL/hr) is adequate. Vital signs are within normal limits.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for albuterol sulfate
(Proventil) metered-dose inhaler. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will rinse my mouth after using the inhaler."
b) "I will use this inhaler immediately after my steroid inhaler."
c) "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
d) "I will inhale quickly and deeply."
Answer: c) "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
Rationale: Albuterol (beta-agonist) should be shaken vigorously before each use. Rinsing mouth
is for steroid inhalers to prevent thrush. Albuterol should be used BEFORE steroid inhaler to open
airways. Slow, deep inhalation is correct; quick inhalation deposits medication in throat.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I will rotate my insulin injection sites."
b) "I will check my blood glucose before each meal."
c) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer."
d) "I will wear a medical identification bracelet."
Answer: c) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer."
Rationale: Insulin should NEVER be frozen. It should be stored in the refrigerator (not freezer) or
at room temperature (for up to 28 days). Freezing destroys insulin effectiveness.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
a) Obtain the client's vital signs.
b) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers.
c) Prime the IV tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
d) Check the expiration date on the blood product.
Answer: a) Obtain the client's vital signs.
Rationale: Vital signs must be obtained BEFORE starting transfusion to establish a baseline for
detecting transfusion reactions. All steps are important, but obtaining baseline vitals is first.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. The nurse notes
continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
a) Increase the suction pressure.
b) Clamp the chest tube.
c) Check the system for an air leak.
d) Document this as a normal finding.
Answer: c) Check the system for an air leak.
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system.
Intermittent bubbling with exhalation/coughing is normal. The nurse should check all connections
and the chest tube insertion site.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left
lower extremity. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a) Decreased left leg temperature
b) Left leg pallor
c) Left leg edema
d) Left leg paresthesia
Answer: c) Left leg edema
Rationale: DVT causes unilateral edema, warmth, erythema, and tenderness. Pallor and decreased
temperature are signs of arterial insufficiency. Paresthesia may occur but is not the primary finding.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effect of this
medication?
a) aPTT
b) INR
c) Platelet count
d) Bleeding time
Answer: b) INR
Rationale: INR (International Normalized Ratio) is used to monitor warfarin therapy. Therapeutic
INR is typically 2-3 (depending on condition). aPTT monitors heparin. Platelet count monitors for
thrombocytopenia.
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will change my ostomy pouch every day."
200 Practice Questions with Answers, Rationales &
Explanations (2025/2026 Edition)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension and a new prescription
for lisinopril. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will take this medication with food."
b) "I will monitor for a dry cough."
c) "I will increase my intake of potassium-rich foods."
d) "I will stop taking this medication if I feel dizzy."
Answer: b) "I will monitor for a dry cough."
Rationale: Lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor) commonly causes a persistent dry cough due to bradykinin
accumulation. Dizziness is expected initially but not a reason to stop. Potassium-rich foods should
be avoided (ACE inhibitors cause hyperkalemia). Lisinopril is taken on an empty stomach.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following abdominal surgery. Which
of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
a) Heart rate of 88 bpm
b) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
c) Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
d) Urine output 60 mL in 2 hours
Answer: c) Temperature 38.5°C (101.3°F)
,Rationale: Fever on post-op day 2 may indicate infection (wound, respiratory, or urinary).
Temperature >38.3°C (101°F) requires immediate notification. Urine output of 60 mL in 2 hours
(30 mL/hr) is adequate. Vital signs are within normal limits.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for albuterol sulfate
(Proventil) metered-dose inhaler. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will rinse my mouth after using the inhaler."
b) "I will use this inhaler immediately after my steroid inhaler."
c) "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
d) "I will inhale quickly and deeply."
Answer: c) "I will shake the inhaler before each use."
Rationale: Albuterol (beta-agonist) should be shaken vigorously before each use. Rinsing mouth
is for steroid inhalers to prevent thrush. Albuterol should be used BEFORE steroid inhaler to open
airways. Slow, deep inhalation is correct; quick inhalation deposits medication in throat.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 1. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
a) "I will rotate my insulin injection sites."
b) "I will check my blood glucose before each meal."
c) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer."
d) "I will wear a medical identification bracelet."
Answer: c) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer."
Rationale: Insulin should NEVER be frozen. It should be stored in the refrigerator (not freezer) or
at room temperature (for up to 28 days). Freezing destroys insulin effectiveness.
,5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
a) Obtain the client's vital signs.
b) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers.
c) Prime the IV tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
d) Check the expiration date on the blood product.
Answer: a) Obtain the client's vital signs.
Rationale: Vital signs must be obtained BEFORE starting transfusion to establish a baseline for
detecting transfusion reactions. All steps are important, but obtaining baseline vitals is first.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. The nurse notes
continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
a) Increase the suction pressure.
b) Clamp the chest tube.
c) Check the system for an air leak.
d) Document this as a normal finding.
Answer: c) Check the system for an air leak.
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system.
Intermittent bubbling with exhalation/coughing is normal. The nurse should check all connections
and the chest tube insertion site.
, 7. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the left
lower extremity. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
a) Decreased left leg temperature
b) Left leg pallor
c) Left leg edema
d) Left leg paresthesia
Answer: c) Left leg edema
Rationale: DVT causes unilateral edema, warmth, erythema, and tenderness. Pallor and decreased
temperature are signs of arterial insufficiency. Paresthesia may occur but is not the primary finding.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effect of this
medication?
a) aPTT
b) INR
c) Platelet count
d) Bleeding time
Answer: b) INR
Rationale: INR (International Normalized Ratio) is used to monitor warfarin therapy. Therapeutic
INR is typically 2-3 (depending on condition). aPTT monitors heparin. Platelet count monitors for
thrombocytopenia.
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will change my ostomy pouch every day."
