ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+. 100% VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER LATEST GUIDELINES | GRADED A+....
Core Domains
- Safe and Effective Care Environment (Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control)
- Health Promotion and Maintenance (Anticipatory Guidance, Growth and Development, Disease Prevention)
- Psychosocial Integrity (Coping, Stress Management, Therapeutic Communication)
- Physiological Integrity (Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential,
Physiological Adaptation)
- Fundamentals of Nursing and the Practical Nurse Role
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal-Newborn Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
- Gerontological Nursing and End-of-Life Care
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is specifically designed for practical nursing students preparing for the ATI PN
Comprehensive Exit Exam. The exam evaluates a candidate's readiness for entry-level nursing practice by assessing
foundational knowledge and applied clinical judgment across all core content areas. Questions are presented in a
multiple-choice format, integrating real-world scenarios that require the practical nurse to prioritize care, apply
evidence-based practice, and make sound clinical decisions. Emphasis is placed on safety, legal and ethical
standards, and effective communication. Success on this exit exam validates the practical nurse's ability to provide
safe, competent, and patient-centered care in a variety of healthcare settings.
,Section One: Questions 1-100
1. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will check my blood glucose before meals."
B. "I will need to take my insulin with a meal."
C. "I can stop taking my medication when my blood sugar is normal."
D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates in my diet."
🟢 A. "I will check my blood glucose before meals."
🔴 RATIONALE: Monitoring blood glucose levels before meals is an essential component of diabetes
management. It guides insulin dosing and meal planning. Insulin is not always prescribed for type 2 diabetes;
oral medications are often the initial treatment. Medications should not be stopped without a provider's order,
and carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced diet.
2. A practical nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following an abdominal hysterectomy. The
client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which of the following actions should the PN take
first?
A. Administer oxygen.
B. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Assess the client's vital signs.
🟢 B. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
,🔴 RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of a potential pulmonary embolism. The priority action is to place
the client in a high Fowler's position to maximize ventilation and ease the work of breathing. While
administering oxygen and notifying the provider are critical, positioning is the immediate, non-invasive
intervention to support respiratory status. Vital signs should be assessed after positioning.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. The practical nurse should monitor the client for which of
the following adverse effects?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyperglycemia
🟢 A. Hypokalemia
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the ascending
loop of Henle, causing increased excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia is a common and serious adverse effect.
The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of hypokalemia such as muscle weakness
and cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A practical nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has dysphagia. Which of the
following actions should the PN take?
A. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
B. Place the medication under the client's tongue.
C. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed.
D. Administer the medication with a full glass of water.
🟢 C. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed.
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Not all oral medications can be crushed safely. The nurse should verify with the pharmacist
whether the medication is available in a liquid form, can be crushed, or if there are any special considerations
(e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated). Crushing certain medications can alter their absorption, cause toxicity,
or render them ineffective.
5. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following
instructions should the PN include?
A. "Avoid eating leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take your medication with aspirin to prevent clotting."
C. "Report any bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider."
D. "Monitor your blood pressure daily."
🟢 C. "Report any bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider."
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. The client should be instructed
to monitor for signs of bleeding (e.g., bleeding gums, easy bruising, petechiae, dark tarry stools) and report
them to the healthcare provider. Leafy green vegetables contain vitamin K, which can affect warfarin's
effectiveness, but they should be eaten consistently rather than avoided entirely. Aspirin increases bleeding risk
and should be avoided unless prescribed.
6. A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent suction.
Which of the following findings should the PN report to the healthcare provider?
A. Greenish-yellow drainage from the NG tube.
B. The client reports nausea.
C. The NG tube is draining 200 mL over 8 hours.
D. The NG tube is draining bright red blood.
SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER LATEST GUIDELINES | GRADED A+....
Core Domains
- Safe and Effective Care Environment (Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control)
- Health Promotion and Maintenance (Anticipatory Guidance, Growth and Development, Disease Prevention)
- Psychosocial Integrity (Coping, Stress Management, Therapeutic Communication)
- Physiological Integrity (Basic Care and Comfort, Pharmacological Therapies, Reduction of Risk Potential,
Physiological Adaptation)
- Fundamentals of Nursing and the Practical Nurse Role
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal-Newborn Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
- Gerontological Nursing and End-of-Life Care
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is specifically designed for practical nursing students preparing for the ATI PN
Comprehensive Exit Exam. The exam evaluates a candidate's readiness for entry-level nursing practice by assessing
foundational knowledge and applied clinical judgment across all core content areas. Questions are presented in a
multiple-choice format, integrating real-world scenarios that require the practical nurse to prioritize care, apply
evidence-based practice, and make sound clinical decisions. Emphasis is placed on safety, legal and ethical
standards, and effective communication. Success on this exit exam validates the practical nurse's ability to provide
safe, competent, and patient-centered care in a variety of healthcare settings.
,Section One: Questions 1-100
1. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will check my blood glucose before meals."
B. "I will need to take my insulin with a meal."
C. "I can stop taking my medication when my blood sugar is normal."
D. "I should avoid all carbohydrates in my diet."
🟢 A. "I will check my blood glucose before meals."
🔴 RATIONALE: Monitoring blood glucose levels before meals is an essential component of diabetes
management. It guides insulin dosing and meal planning. Insulin is not always prescribed for type 2 diabetes;
oral medications are often the initial treatment. Medications should not be stopped without a provider's order,
and carbohydrates are an essential part of a balanced diet.
2. A practical nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following an abdominal hysterectomy. The
client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which of the following actions should the PN take
first?
A. Administer oxygen.
B. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Assess the client's vital signs.
🟢 B. Place the client in a high Fowler's position.
,🔴 RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of a potential pulmonary embolism. The priority action is to place
the client in a high Fowler's position to maximize ventilation and ease the work of breathing. While
administering oxygen and notifying the provider are critical, positioning is the immediate, non-invasive
intervention to support respiratory status. Vital signs should be assessed after positioning.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. The practical nurse should monitor the client for which of
the following adverse effects?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyperglycemia
🟢 A. Hypokalemia
🔴 RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the ascending
loop of Henle, causing increased excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia is a common and serious adverse effect.
The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of hypokalemia such as muscle weakness
and cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A practical nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client who has dysphagia. Which of the
following actions should the PN take?
A. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
B. Place the medication under the client's tongue.
C. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed.
D. Administer the medication with a full glass of water.
🟢 C. Ask the pharmacist if the medication can be crushed.
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Not all oral medications can be crushed safely. The nurse should verify with the pharmacist
whether the medication is available in a liquid form, can be crushed, or if there are any special considerations
(e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated). Crushing certain medications can alter their absorption, cause toxicity,
or render them ineffective.
5. A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following
instructions should the PN include?
A. "Avoid eating leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take your medication with aspirin to prevent clotting."
C. "Report any bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider."
D. "Monitor your blood pressure daily."
🟢 C. "Report any bleeding or bruising to your healthcare provider."
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. The client should be instructed
to monitor for signs of bleeding (e.g., bleeding gums, easy bruising, petechiae, dark tarry stools) and report
them to the healthcare provider. Leafy green vegetables contain vitamin K, which can affect warfarin's
effectiveness, but they should be eaten consistently rather than avoided entirely. Aspirin increases bleeding risk
and should be avoided unless prescribed.
6. A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent suction.
Which of the following findings should the PN report to the healthcare provider?
A. Greenish-yellow drainage from the NG tube.
B. The client reports nausea.
C. The NG tube is draining 200 mL over 8 hours.
D. The NG tube is draining bright red blood.
