ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 3, ATI
Nursing Program, 2026 – Verified Questions and
Answers, Proctored Exam Material
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a potassium level of
6.8 mEq/L. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Muscle weakness
B) Tall peaked T waves on ECG
C) Nausea and diarrhea
D) Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: B) Tall peaked T waves on ECG
Rationale: Tall peaked T waves indicate severe
hyperkalemia and risk for cardiac arrest, requiring
immediate intervention such as calcium gluconate.
2. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis has a pH of 7.25,
PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃ ⁻ 14 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance is present?
1
,A) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
B) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B) Partially compensated metabolic
acidosis
Rationale: Low pH and low HCO₃ ⁻ indicate metabolic
acidosis; low PaCO₂ shows respiratory compensation
but pH remains abnormal, so compensation is partial.
3. A patient with heart failure on furosemide reports
muscle cramping and weakness. Which electrolyte
imbalance is most likely?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypomagnesemia
2
,Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes
potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia, which
manifests as muscle cramps and weakness.
4. Which IV fluid is most appropriate for a client with
increased intracranial pressure?
A) 0.45% sodium chloride
B) 3% sodium chloride
C) 0.9% sodium chloride
D) 5% dextrose in water
Correct Answer: B) 3% sodium chloride
Rationale: Hypertonic saline reduces cerebral edema by
drawing fluid from brain tissue into the vascular space.
5. A client has a sodium level of 118 mEq/L. Which
finding is most concerning?
A) Nausea
3
, B) Headache
C) Seizure activity
D) Muscle twitching
Correct Answer: C) Seizure activity
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (≤120 mEq/L) causes
cerebral edema; seizures indicate significant neurological
compromise and risk of herniation.
6. A post-op patient has a calcium level of 7.2 mg/dL.
Which assessment finding correlates?
A) Positive Chvostek’s sign
B) Prolonged QT interval
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Bone pain
Correct Answer: A) Positive Chvostek’s sign
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular
excitability; Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching on tapping)
is a classic finding.
4
Nursing Program, 2026 – Verified Questions and
Answers, Proctored Exam Material
1. A nurse is assessing a client with a potassium level of
6.8 mEq/L. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Muscle weakness
B) Tall peaked T waves on ECG
C) Nausea and diarrhea
D) Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
Correct Answer: B) Tall peaked T waves on ECG
Rationale: Tall peaked T waves indicate severe
hyperkalemia and risk for cardiac arrest, requiring
immediate intervention such as calcium gluconate.
2. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis has a pH of 7.25,
PaCO₂ 30 mm Hg, HCO₃ ⁻ 14 mEq/L. Which acid-
base imbalance is present?
1
,A) Uncompensated metabolic alkalosis
B) Partially compensated metabolic acidosis
C) Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
D) Mixed respiratory and metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B) Partially compensated metabolic
acidosis
Rationale: Low pH and low HCO₃ ⁻ indicate metabolic
acidosis; low PaCO₂ shows respiratory compensation
but pH remains abnormal, so compensation is partial.
3. A patient with heart failure on furosemide reports
muscle cramping and weakness. Which electrolyte
imbalance is most likely?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypomagnesemia
2
,Correct Answer: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes
potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia, which
manifests as muscle cramps and weakness.
4. Which IV fluid is most appropriate for a client with
increased intracranial pressure?
A) 0.45% sodium chloride
B) 3% sodium chloride
C) 0.9% sodium chloride
D) 5% dextrose in water
Correct Answer: B) 3% sodium chloride
Rationale: Hypertonic saline reduces cerebral edema by
drawing fluid from brain tissue into the vascular space.
5. A client has a sodium level of 118 mEq/L. Which
finding is most concerning?
A) Nausea
3
, B) Headache
C) Seizure activity
D) Muscle twitching
Correct Answer: C) Seizure activity
Rationale: Severe hyponatremia (≤120 mEq/L) causes
cerebral edema; seizures indicate significant neurological
compromise and risk of herniation.
6. A post-op patient has a calcium level of 7.2 mg/dL.
Which assessment finding correlates?
A) Positive Chvostek’s sign
B) Prolonged QT interval
C) Hyperreflexia
D) Bone pain
Correct Answer: A) Positive Chvostek’s sign
Rationale: Hypocalcemia increases neuromuscular
excitability; Chvostek’s sign (facial twitching on tapping)
is a classic finding.
4
