ATI Nursing Concepts Practice Exam
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports sudden shortness of breath and
chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Apply oxygen as prescribed
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Assist the client to ambulate
Answer: Apply oxygen as prescribed.
Rationale: Oxygenation is the priority when a client has acute respiratory
distress. The nurse should address airway and breathing before completing less
urgent assessments.
2. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a normal response to stress?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Increased respiratory rate
C. Decreased blood glucose
D. Reduced pupil size
Answer: Increased respiratory rate.
,Rationale: Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase
heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep all four side rails raised
D. Encourage the client to walk without assistance
Answer: Place the call light within reach.
Rationale: Keeping the call light accessible allows the client to request
assistance and reduces the risk of an unassisted fall.
4. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
B. Heart rate of 78/min
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: Respiratory rate of 8/min.
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min indicates bradypnea and possible
respiratory depression. Airway and breathing are priority concerns.
5. Which action is appropriate when providing care to a client using standard
precautions?
A. Wear gloves for every client interaction
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Use an N95 respirator for all clients
D. Place every client in a private room
Answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact.
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental component of standard precautions
and is required before and after client contact.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
identification method is appropriate?
A. Ask the client's roommate to identify the client
B. Verify the client's name against the medication administration record
C. Identify the client by room number only
D. Ask the client whether the medication looks familiar
Answer: Verify the client's name against the medication administration record.
Rationale: Using two approved client identifiers helps prevent medication
errors. Room numbers should not be used as identifiers.
7. Which finding is commonly associated with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Increased urine output
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Poor skin turgor.
Rationale: Dehydration can cause decreased skin elasticity, dry mucous
membranes, concentrated urine, thirst, and decreased urine output.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about infection prevention. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should stop antibiotics when I feel better."
B. "I should wash my hands frequently."
C. "I should share personal items with family members."
D. "I should avoid cleaning frequently touched surfaces."
Answer: "I should wash my hands frequently."
, Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective methods for preventing
transmission of infectious organisms.
9. Which electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle weakness and cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: Hypokalemia.
Rationale: Potassium is essential for neuromuscular and cardiac function. Low
potassium levels can cause muscle weakness, ECG changes, and potentially life-
threatening dysrhythmias.
10.A client reports pain at a level of 8 on a 0-to-10 scale. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Tell the client that the pain is expected
B. Assess the pain characteristics
C. Wait until the pain reaches 10
D. Tell the client to ignore the pain
Answer: Assess the pain characteristics.
Rationale: Pain is subjective. The nurse should assess location, quality, intensity,
timing, aggravating factors, and relieving factors before implementing
appropriate interventions.
11.Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty
breathing?
A. High-Fowler's
B. Supine
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
2026 | 100 Questions & Answers with
Detailed Rationales | Complete Exam
Prep & Study Guide
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports sudden shortness of breath and
chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Apply oxygen as prescribed
C. Encourage oral fluids
D. Assist the client to ambulate
Answer: Apply oxygen as prescribed.
Rationale: Oxygenation is the priority when a client has acute respiratory
distress. The nurse should address airway and breathing before completing less
urgent assessments.
2. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a normal response to stress?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Increased respiratory rate
C. Decreased blood glucose
D. Reduced pupil size
Answer: Increased respiratory rate.
,Rationale: Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, which can increase
heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep all four side rails raised
D. Encourage the client to walk without assistance
Answer: Place the call light within reach.
Rationale: Keeping the call light accessible allows the client to request
assistance and reduces the risk of an unassisted fall.
4. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
B. Heart rate of 78/min
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: Respiratory rate of 8/min.
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min indicates bradypnea and possible
respiratory depression. Airway and breathing are priority concerns.
5. Which action is appropriate when providing care to a client using standard
precautions?
A. Wear gloves for every client interaction
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Use an N95 respirator for all clients
D. Place every client in a private room
Answer: Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact.
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental component of standard precautions
and is required before and after client contact.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
identification method is appropriate?
A. Ask the client's roommate to identify the client
B. Verify the client's name against the medication administration record
C. Identify the client by room number only
D. Ask the client whether the medication looks familiar
Answer: Verify the client's name against the medication administration record.
Rationale: Using two approved client identifiers helps prevent medication
errors. Room numbers should not be used as identifiers.
7. Which finding is commonly associated with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Increased urine output
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Bradycardia
Answer: Poor skin turgor.
Rationale: Dehydration can cause decreased skin elasticity, dry mucous
membranes, concentrated urine, thirst, and decreased urine output.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about infection prevention. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should stop antibiotics when I feel better."
B. "I should wash my hands frequently."
C. "I should share personal items with family members."
D. "I should avoid cleaning frequently touched surfaces."
Answer: "I should wash my hands frequently."
, Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective methods for preventing
transmission of infectious organisms.
9. Which electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle weakness and cardiac
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: Hypokalemia.
Rationale: Potassium is essential for neuromuscular and cardiac function. Low
potassium levels can cause muscle weakness, ECG changes, and potentially life-
threatening dysrhythmias.
10.A client reports pain at a level of 8 on a 0-to-10 scale. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Tell the client that the pain is expected
B. Assess the pain characteristics
C. Wait until the pain reaches 10
D. Tell the client to ignore the pain
Answer: Assess the pain characteristics.
Rationale: Pain is subjective. The nurse should assess location, quality, intensity,
timing, aggravating factors, and relieving factors before implementing
appropriate interventions.
11.Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty
breathing?
A. High-Fowler's
B. Supine
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
