ATI Exit Exam Retake 2026–2027: 300+ A+
Verified Questions & Rationales to Pass
on the First Attempt
1. A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
Which is the priority nursing action?
Co
A) Document the finding
B) Encourage fluid intake
C) Notify the provider for possible fluid retention
nfi
D) Restrict sodium intake
Rationale: Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention and worsening heart
de
failure, requiring prompt provider notification.
n
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a client on warfarin
therapy?
al
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium
C) INR
D) WBC count
Rationale: INR (International Normalized Ratio) indicates coagulation status and
warfarin effectiveness.
,3. A client taking furosemide develops muscle weakness and irregular
heartbeat. What is the likely cause?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia and
cardiac arrhythmias.
Co
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which assessment finding
nfi
would require holding the medication?
A) Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
de
B) Temperature 37°C
C) Apical pulse 48 bpm
D) Respiratory rate 20/min
n
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; it should be held if the apical pulse is below
60 bpm.
al
5. A client with COPD has PaO₂ of 55 mmHg. Which action is appropriate?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
C) Provide high-flow oxygen without monitoring
D) Restrict fluids
,Rationale: PaO₂ below 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia; supplemental oxygen is
required.
6. Which finding indicates effective treatment of hyperthyroidism?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Heart rate within normal range
D) Exophthalmos
Co
Rationale: A normal heart rate indicates thyroid hormone levels are controlled.
nfi
7. A client is prescribed insulin glargine at bedtime. Which statement
indicates proper understanding?
de
A) “I will take it with meals.”
B) “I will monitor for rapid hypoglycemia after meals.”
n
C) “I will take it at the same time every night for steady insulin coverage.”
D) “I can mix it with regular insulin in one syringe.”
al
Rationale: Glargine is long-acting and should be administered at the same time
daily; it should not be mixed with other insulins.
8. A client with pneumonia has oxygen saturation of 88%. Which is the
priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage coughing exercises
B) Apply supplemental oxygen per provider order
, C) Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
D) Administer antipyretics
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia, requiring
immediate oxygen therapy.
9. Which client is at highest risk for developing pressure ulcers?
A) Ambulatory adult
Co
B) Postoperative day 1 client walking independently
C) Bedridden elderly client with limited mobility
D) Teenager with a sprained ankle
nfi
Rationale: Immobility and age increase risk of skin breakdown.
de
10. Which is the most important teaching point for a client prescribed
metformin?
n
A) Take with a high-fat meal
B) Report symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise or muscle pain
al
C) Avoid potassium supplements
D) Skip doses if blood sugar is normal
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication of metformin therapy.
11. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) asks why they must be on
anticoagulants. Which is the best response?
Verified Questions & Rationales to Pass
on the First Attempt
1. A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
Which is the priority nursing action?
Co
A) Document the finding
B) Encourage fluid intake
C) Notify the provider for possible fluid retention
nfi
D) Restrict sodium intake
Rationale: Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention and worsening heart
de
failure, requiring prompt provider notification.
n
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a client on warfarin
therapy?
al
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium
C) INR
D) WBC count
Rationale: INR (International Normalized Ratio) indicates coagulation status and
warfarin effectiveness.
,3. A client taking furosemide develops muscle weakness and irregular
heartbeat. What is the likely cause?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia and
cardiac arrhythmias.
Co
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which assessment finding
nfi
would require holding the medication?
A) Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
de
B) Temperature 37°C
C) Apical pulse 48 bpm
D) Respiratory rate 20/min
n
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; it should be held if the apical pulse is below
60 bpm.
al
5. A client with COPD has PaO₂ of 55 mmHg. Which action is appropriate?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
C) Provide high-flow oxygen without monitoring
D) Restrict fluids
,Rationale: PaO₂ below 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia; supplemental oxygen is
required.
6. Which finding indicates effective treatment of hyperthyroidism?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Heart rate within normal range
D) Exophthalmos
Co
Rationale: A normal heart rate indicates thyroid hormone levels are controlled.
nfi
7. A client is prescribed insulin glargine at bedtime. Which statement
indicates proper understanding?
de
A) “I will take it with meals.”
B) “I will monitor for rapid hypoglycemia after meals.”
n
C) “I will take it at the same time every night for steady insulin coverage.”
D) “I can mix it with regular insulin in one syringe.”
al
Rationale: Glargine is long-acting and should be administered at the same time
daily; it should not be mixed with other insulins.
8. A client with pneumonia has oxygen saturation of 88%. Which is the
priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage coughing exercises
B) Apply supplemental oxygen per provider order
, C) Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
D) Administer antipyretics
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia, requiring
immediate oxygen therapy.
9. Which client is at highest risk for developing pressure ulcers?
A) Ambulatory adult
Co
B) Postoperative day 1 client walking independently
C) Bedridden elderly client with limited mobility
D) Teenager with a sprained ankle
nfi
Rationale: Immobility and age increase risk of skin breakdown.
de
10. Which is the most important teaching point for a client prescribed
metformin?
n
A) Take with a high-fat meal
B) Report symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise or muscle pain
al
C) Avoid potassium supplements
D) Skip doses if blood sugar is normal
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication of metformin therapy.
11. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) asks why they must be on
anticoagulants. Which is the best response?
