ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A
|LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
*Core Domains*
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Basic Care and Comfort
Psychosocial Integrity
Health Promotion and Maintenance
*Introduction*
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the proficiency of nursing graduates in applying clinical knowledge to diverse
healthcare scenarios. The purpose of this assessment is to determine readiness for entry-level professional practice by testing foundational
theory, clinical judgment, and regulatory compliance. The exam utilizes a multiple-choice, scenario-based structure to challenge the
candidate’s ability to prioritize nursing interventions, demonstrate ethical decision-making, and navigate complex patient-care environments.
By emphasizing real-world application, this test ensures that examinees possess the necessary critical thinking skills to provide safe,
effective, and evidence-based care across the continuum of health.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. The client suddenly develops laryngeal stridor and
respiratory distress. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
B. Call the rapid response team.
C. Prepare for an emergency tracheostomy.
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
,🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Laryngeal stridor indicates airway obstruction, potentially due to hemorrhage or edema. Calling the rapid response team is
the priority to ensure advanced airway management resources are available immediately.
A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who has acute kidney injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
C. Calcium 7.8 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 12.0 g/dL
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: A calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL is low (hypocalcemia). Because phosphorus levels rise in acute kidney injury, they bind to
calcium, leading to low serum calcium, which requires clinical intervention.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lithium. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Decrease sodium intake to 1,500 mg/day.
B. Maintain a consistent daily sodium and fluid intake.
C. Eliminate caffeine from the diet entirely.
D. Increase protein intake to promote tissue repair.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium excretion is affected by sodium levels. A consistent sodium and fluid intake is necessary to maintain therapeutic
lithium levels and prevent toxicity or sub-therapeutic levels.
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has preeclampsia. Which of the following findings is the priority for
the nurse to report?
A. 1+ pitting edema of the lower extremities.
B. Urinary output of 20 mL/hr.
C. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg.
D. Deep tendon reflexes 2+.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: An output of 20 mL/hr indicates oliguria, which is a sign of worsening renal function and potential progression of
preeclampsia, requiring immediate intervention.
A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has cystic fibrosis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals.
B. Encourage a low-fat, low-protein diet.
C. Perform chest physiotherapy twice daily.
D. Limit fluid intake to prevent pulmonary edema.
🟢A
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with cystic fibrosis have impaired pancreatic function, requiring the administration of pancreatic enzymes with all
meals and snacks to assist with nutrient absorption.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the source of their anxiety.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulus environment.
C. Use long, descriptive sentences to explain the situation.
D. Assign the client to a group therapy session immediately.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A client in a panic state has limited cognitive ability. A quiet, low-stimulus environment helps reduce sensory overload and
promotes stabilization.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform first?
A. Check the client’s blood pressure.
B. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute.
C. Review the client’s serum potassium level.
D. Assess the client for peripheral edema.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows heart rate. Assessing the apical pulse is the priority safety measure to ensure the heart rate is not below the
established threshold (usually 60/min) before administration.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
A. Change the TPN tubing every 48 hours.
B. Monitor blood glucose levels every 4 to 6 hours.
C. Weigh the client daily.
D. Hang a new bag of TPN solution every 12 hours.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: TPN solutions have high concentrations of dextrose, placing the client at high risk for hyperglycemia. Frequent monitoring of
blood glucose is essential to manage this risk.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. The nurse notices continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this
indicate?
A. The system is functioning correctly.
B. The client has an air leak in the system.
C. The lung has re-expanded.
D. The suction pressure is too low.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak between the client and the drainage system, which
requires immediate investigation and correction.
|LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
*Core Domains*
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Basic Care and Comfort
Psychosocial Integrity
Health Promotion and Maintenance
*Introduction*
This comprehensive examination is designed to evaluate the proficiency of nursing graduates in applying clinical knowledge to diverse
healthcare scenarios. The purpose of this assessment is to determine readiness for entry-level professional practice by testing foundational
theory, clinical judgment, and regulatory compliance. The exam utilizes a multiple-choice, scenario-based structure to challenge the
candidate’s ability to prioritize nursing interventions, demonstrate ethical decision-making, and navigate complex patient-care environments.
By emphasizing real-world application, this test ensures that examinees possess the necessary critical thinking skills to provide safe,
effective, and evidence-based care across the continuum of health.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. The client suddenly develops laryngeal stridor and
respiratory distress. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
B. Call the rapid response team.
C. Prepare for an emergency tracheostomy.
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
,🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Laryngeal stridor indicates airway obstruction, potentially due to hemorrhage or edema. Calling the rapid response team is
the priority to ensure advanced airway management resources are available immediately.
A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who has acute kidney injury. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
C. Calcium 7.8 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 12.0 g/dL
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: A calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL is low (hypocalcemia). Because phosphorus levels rise in acute kidney injury, they bind to
calcium, leading to low serum calcium, which requires clinical intervention.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lithium. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Decrease sodium intake to 1,500 mg/day.
B. Maintain a consistent daily sodium and fluid intake.
C. Eliminate caffeine from the diet entirely.
D. Increase protein intake to promote tissue repair.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Lithium excretion is affected by sodium levels. A consistent sodium and fluid intake is necessary to maintain therapeutic
lithium levels and prevent toxicity or sub-therapeutic levels.
A nurse is assessing a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has preeclampsia. Which of the following findings is the priority for
the nurse to report?
A. 1+ pitting edema of the lower extremities.
B. Urinary output of 20 mL/hr.
C. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg.
D. Deep tendon reflexes 2+.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: An output of 20 mL/hr indicates oliguria, which is a sign of worsening renal function and potential progression of
preeclampsia, requiring immediate intervention.
A nurse is caring for a school-age child who has cystic fibrosis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A. Administer pancreatic enzymes with meals.
B. Encourage a low-fat, low-protein diet.
C. Perform chest physiotherapy twice daily.
D. Limit fluid intake to prevent pulmonary edema.
🟢A
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Clients with cystic fibrosis have impaired pancreatic function, requiring the administration of pancreatic enzymes with all
meals and snacks to assist with nutrient absorption.
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Encourage the client to discuss the source of their anxiety.
B. Provide a quiet, low-stimulus environment.
C. Use long, descriptive sentences to explain the situation.
D. Assign the client to a group therapy session immediately.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: A client in a panic state has limited cognitive ability. A quiet, low-stimulus environment helps reduce sensory overload and
promotes stabilization.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform first?
A. Check the client’s blood pressure.
B. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute.
C. Review the client’s serum potassium level.
D. Assess the client for peripheral edema.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows heart rate. Assessing the apical pulse is the priority safety measure to ensure the heart rate is not below the
established threshold (usually 60/min) before administration.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
A. Change the TPN tubing every 48 hours.
B. Monitor blood glucose levels every 4 to 6 hours.
C. Weigh the client daily.
D. Hang a new bag of TPN solution every 12 hours.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: TPN solutions have high concentrations of dextrose, placing the client at high risk for hyperglycemia. Frequent monitoring of
blood glucose is essential to manage this risk.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. The nurse notices continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. What does this
indicate?
A. The system is functioning correctly.
B. The client has an air leak in the system.
C. The lung has re-expanded.
D. The suction pressure is too low.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak between the client and the drainage system, which
requires immediate investigation and correction.
