ATI Leadership & Management Practice
Exam | 2026–2027|Original Multiple-Choice
Questions with Detailed Answer RATIONALEs
1. A charge nurse is assigning tasks for the shift. Which task is appropriate to
delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Assess a client's pain after medication administration.
B. Reinforce discharge teaching.
C. Obtain routine vital signs for a stable client.
D. Develop a nursing care plan.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Obtain routine vital signs for a stable client.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because APs may perform routine, noninvasive tasks for stable clients. Assessment,
teaching, and care planning remain the responsibility of the registered nurse.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting a blanket.
B. A client reporting sudden difficulty breathing after surgery.
C. A client waiting for discharge instructions.
D. A client requesting assistance with lunch.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A client reporting sudden difficulty breathing after surgery.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because sudden respiratory distress may indicate a life-threatening complication such
as pulmonary embolism or airway obstruction. Airway and breathing take priority.
3. Which action best demonstrates effective delegation?
,A. Delegating assessment of a newly admitted client to an LPN/LVN.
B. Delegating routine blood glucose checks on a stable client to qualified personnel according to
facility policy.
C. Delegating client education about insulin administration to an AP.
D. Delegating evaluation of a client's response to medication to an AP.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Delegating routine blood glucose checks on a stable client to
qualified personnel according to facility policy.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because routine, predictable tasks may be delegated to appropriately trained
personnel within their scope of practice and facility policy. The RN remains responsible for
interpretation of findings and follow-up.
4. A nurse discovers that another nurse administered the wrong medication to a
client. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Report the error to social media.
B. Assess the client for adverse effects and ensure appropriate follow-up according to facility
policy.
C. Ignore the error because it already occurred.
D. Wait until the end of the shift to mention it.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the client for adverse effects and ensure appropriate
follow-up according to facility policy.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because client safety is the immediate priority. After assessing and stabilizing the
client, the error should be reported according to institutional policy and documented
appropriately.
5. Which leadership style is most appropriate during a cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) event?
A. Laissez-faire
, B. Democratic
C. Autocratic
D. Passive
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Autocratic
RATIONALE:
C is correct because emergencies require rapid decision-making, clear direction, and coordinated
action, all of which are characteristics of the autocratic leadership style.
6. A nurse receives four client assignments. Which client should be seen first?
A. A client with stable chronic pain requesting medication.
B. A client with a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L.
C. A client requesting assistance with bathing.
D. A client awaiting discharge paperwork.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A client with a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and
requires immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which task should the nurse complete first?
A. Complete routine documentation.
B. Administer an antibiotic that is due now.
C. Refill the supply cart.
D. Attend a scheduled staff meeting.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Administer an antibiotic that is due now.
Exam | 2026–2027|Original Multiple-Choice
Questions with Detailed Answer RATIONALEs
1. A charge nurse is assigning tasks for the shift. Which task is appropriate to
delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Assess a client's pain after medication administration.
B. Reinforce discharge teaching.
C. Obtain routine vital signs for a stable client.
D. Develop a nursing care plan.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Obtain routine vital signs for a stable client.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because APs may perform routine, noninvasive tasks for stable clients. Assessment,
teaching, and care planning remain the responsibility of the registered nurse.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting a blanket.
B. A client reporting sudden difficulty breathing after surgery.
C. A client waiting for discharge instructions.
D. A client requesting assistance with lunch.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A client reporting sudden difficulty breathing after surgery.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because sudden respiratory distress may indicate a life-threatening complication such
as pulmonary embolism or airway obstruction. Airway and breathing take priority.
3. Which action best demonstrates effective delegation?
,A. Delegating assessment of a newly admitted client to an LPN/LVN.
B. Delegating routine blood glucose checks on a stable client to qualified personnel according to
facility policy.
C. Delegating client education about insulin administration to an AP.
D. Delegating evaluation of a client's response to medication to an AP.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Delegating routine blood glucose checks on a stable client to
qualified personnel according to facility policy.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because routine, predictable tasks may be delegated to appropriately trained
personnel within their scope of practice and facility policy. The RN remains responsible for
interpretation of findings and follow-up.
4. A nurse discovers that another nurse administered the wrong medication to a
client. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Report the error to social media.
B. Assess the client for adverse effects and ensure appropriate follow-up according to facility
policy.
C. Ignore the error because it already occurred.
D. Wait until the end of the shift to mention it.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the client for adverse effects and ensure appropriate
follow-up according to facility policy.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because client safety is the immediate priority. After assessing and stabilizing the
client, the error should be reported according to institutional policy and documented
appropriately.
5. Which leadership style is most appropriate during a cardiopulmonary
resuscitation (CPR) event?
A. Laissez-faire
, B. Democratic
C. Autocratic
D. Passive
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Autocratic
RATIONALE:
C is correct because emergencies require rapid decision-making, clear direction, and coordinated
action, all of which are characteristics of the autocratic leadership style.
6. A nurse receives four client assignments. Which client should be seen first?
A. A client with stable chronic pain requesting medication.
B. A client with a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L.
C. A client requesting assistance with bathing.
D. A client awaiting discharge paperwork.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A client with a potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and
requires immediate intervention.
7. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which task should the nurse complete first?
A. Complete routine documentation.
B. Administer an antibiotic that is due now.
C. Refill the supply cart.
D. Attend a scheduled staff meeting.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Administer an antibiotic that is due now.
