ATI RN
COMPREHENSIVE ONLINE PRACTICE
2026 A
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE SCENARIOS)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
• 150 ATI-style Practice questions
• quick review
• Printable, easy-to-study PDF
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
,Question 1
When caring for a child, a nurse plans to use nonpharmacological interventions
to enhance the effectiveness of pain medication. Which of the following
strategies incorporates visualization techniques to help decrease the child's
discomfort?
A. Blowing bubbles with liquid soap to "blow the hurt away"
B. Using a weighted blanket for comfort
C. Applying a cold pack to the affected area
D. Playing the child's favorite music
Correct Answer: A. Blowing bubbles with liquid soap to "blow the hurt away"
This technique uses visualization and distraction by encouraging the child to imagine
"blowing the hurt away" with the bubbles. This combines deep breathing (physiological
benefit) with imagery (psychological benefit) to reduce pain perception.
Question 2
A nurse is providing education to a client who expresses a desire to lose weight.
Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?
A. "Follow a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet."
B. "Follow the MyPlate plan."
C. "Skip breakfast to reduce daily calories."
D. "Use meal replacement shakes for all meals."
Correct Answer: B. "Follow the MyPlate plan."
The MyPlate plan is the USDA's evidence-based guideline for balanced nutrition,
emphasizing fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy in appropriate portions. It
promotes sustainable, healthy eating habits rather than restrictive fad diets.
,Question 3
A nurse is assigning task roles for a group of clients in a community mental
health clinic. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the member
of the group functioning as the orienter?
A. Mediating disagreements between group members
B. Noting the progress of the group toward assigned goals
C. Encouraging quiet members to participate
D. Summarizing the group's discussion
Correct Answer: B. Noting the progress of the group toward assigned goals
The orienter role keeps the group focused on its goals and objectives, tracking
progress and redirecting when the group strays off-topic. This differs from other roles:
the gatekeeper encourages participation, the compromiser mediates conflicts, and the
summarizer recaps discussions.
Question 4 (Next Generation NCLEX - Ordered Response)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a leg cast and is returning a demonstration
on the proper use of crutches while climbing stairs. Identify the sequence the
client should follow:
Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the order of
performance:
Available Steps:
Stand in the tripod position
Place body weight on the crutches
Place the unaffected leg on the stair
Move the affected leg and the crutches up to the stair
, Correct Order:
1. Stand in the tripod position (crutches slightly forward and to the sides, forming
a tripod base)
2. Place body weight on the crutches
3. Place the unaffected leg on the stair ("Good leg goes to heaven")
4. Move the affected leg and the crutches up to the stair ("Bad leg goes to hell")
Memory Aid: "Up with the good, down with the bad" — when going up stairs, the
unaffected leg leads; when going down, the affected leg leads.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing for correct placement of a client's NG feeding tube prior to
administering a bolus feeding. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level
B. Inject 30 mL of air and auscultate over the epigastrium
C. Place the end of the tube in water and observe for bubbling
D. Obtain a chest x-ray
Correct Answer: A. Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level
Gastric pH is the most reliable bedside method for verifying NG tube placement (pH ≤
5.5 indicates gastric placement). While chest x-ray is the gold standard for initial
placement confirmation, pH testing is appropriate for ongoing verification before
feedings. The air insufflation method is no longer recommended due to unreliability.
Question 6
A nurse is admitting a client to the mental health unit following a suicide attempt.
The client states, "My family does not care whether I live or die." Which of the
following responses should the nurse make?
COMPREHENSIVE ONLINE PRACTICE
2026 A
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE SCENARIOS)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
• 150 ATI-style Practice questions
• quick review
• Printable, easy-to-study PDF
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
,Question 1
When caring for a child, a nurse plans to use nonpharmacological interventions
to enhance the effectiveness of pain medication. Which of the following
strategies incorporates visualization techniques to help decrease the child's
discomfort?
A. Blowing bubbles with liquid soap to "blow the hurt away"
B. Using a weighted blanket for comfort
C. Applying a cold pack to the affected area
D. Playing the child's favorite music
Correct Answer: A. Blowing bubbles with liquid soap to "blow the hurt away"
This technique uses visualization and distraction by encouraging the child to imagine
"blowing the hurt away" with the bubbles. This combines deep breathing (physiological
benefit) with imagery (psychological benefit) to reduce pain perception.
Question 2
A nurse is providing education to a client who expresses a desire to lose weight.
Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make?
A. "Follow a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet."
B. "Follow the MyPlate plan."
C. "Skip breakfast to reduce daily calories."
D. "Use meal replacement shakes for all meals."
Correct Answer: B. "Follow the MyPlate plan."
The MyPlate plan is the USDA's evidence-based guideline for balanced nutrition,
emphasizing fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy in appropriate portions. It
promotes sustainable, healthy eating habits rather than restrictive fad diets.
,Question 3
A nurse is assigning task roles for a group of clients in a community mental
health clinic. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the member
of the group functioning as the orienter?
A. Mediating disagreements between group members
B. Noting the progress of the group toward assigned goals
C. Encouraging quiet members to participate
D. Summarizing the group's discussion
Correct Answer: B. Noting the progress of the group toward assigned goals
The orienter role keeps the group focused on its goals and objectives, tracking
progress and redirecting when the group strays off-topic. This differs from other roles:
the gatekeeper encourages participation, the compromiser mediates conflicts, and the
summarizer recaps discussions.
Question 4 (Next Generation NCLEX - Ordered Response)
A nurse is caring for a client who has a leg cast and is returning a demonstration
on the proper use of crutches while climbing stairs. Identify the sequence the
client should follow:
Move the steps into the box on the right, placing them in the order of
performance:
Available Steps:
Stand in the tripod position
Place body weight on the crutches
Place the unaffected leg on the stair
Move the affected leg and the crutches up to the stair
, Correct Order:
1. Stand in the tripod position (crutches slightly forward and to the sides, forming
a tripod base)
2. Place body weight on the crutches
3. Place the unaffected leg on the stair ("Good leg goes to heaven")
4. Move the affected leg and the crutches up to the stair ("Bad leg goes to hell")
Memory Aid: "Up with the good, down with the bad" — when going up stairs, the
unaffected leg leads; when going down, the affected leg leads.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing for correct placement of a client's NG feeding tube prior to
administering a bolus feeding. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level
B. Inject 30 mL of air and auscultate over the epigastrium
C. Place the end of the tube in water and observe for bubbling
D. Obtain a chest x-ray
Correct Answer: A. Aspirate contents from the tube and verify the pH level
Gastric pH is the most reliable bedside method for verifying NG tube placement (pH ≤
5.5 indicates gastric placement). While chest x-ray is the gold standard for initial
placement confirmation, pH testing is appropriate for ongoing verification before
feedings. The air insufflation method is no longer recommended due to unreliability.
Question 6
A nurse is admitting a client to the mental health unit following a suicide attempt.
The client states, "My family does not care whether I live or die." Which of the
following responses should the nurse make?
