ATI RN Critical Thinking Entrance/Exit Exam
100 Practice Questions with Answers & In-Depth Rationales
2026/2027 Edition | 100% Verified & A+ Graded
SECTION 1: CRITICAL THINKING FUNDAMENTALS
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a blood transfusion. The
client is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses the transfusion. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A) Administer the transfusion because it is medically necessary
B) Notify the provider and respect the client's decision
C) Ask the client's family to convince the client to accept the transfusion
D) Document the refusal and administer the transfusion without the client's knowledge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client has the right to refuse treatment based on the ethical principle of
autonomy. Jehovah's Witnesses typically refuse blood transfusions based on religious
beliefs, and healthcare providers must respect this decision. The nurse should notify the
provider, respect the client's decision, and document the refusal. Administering the
transfusion against the client's wishes would constitute battery and violation of client
rights. The nurse should continue to provide care and support the client's decision while
exploring alternative treatments.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing a client for a surgical procedure. The client asks, "What will happen
,during the surgery?" Which of the following is the nurse's appropriate response?
A) "I will explain the entire procedure to you in detail."
B) "The surgeon will explain the procedure and answer your questions."
C) "You should not worry about the details of the surgery."
D) "I will give you a pamphlet to read about the procedure."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon (provider) is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks,
benefits, and alternatives to the client as part of obtaining informed consent. The nurse
should not provide a detailed explanation of the procedure, as this could constitute
practicing medicine without a license. However, the nurse can answer general questions
and provide emotional support. The nurse should notify the provider that the client has
questions and ensure that the provider addresses the client's concerns before the
procedure.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and reports severe pain. The nurse's
assessment reveals the client is grimacing, guarding the incision site, and has a heart
rate of 110 bpm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
B) Assess the client's pain using a pain scale
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Apply a cold pack to the incision site
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the client's pain using a pain scale to determine
the severity and characteristics of the pain. This assessment guides the selection of
appropriate interventions. Pain is subjective, and the client's self-report is the most
reliable indicator. After assessing pain, the nurse should administer the prescribed
analgesic, evaluate its effectiveness, and document the findings. Non-pharmacological
interventions such as cold packs may be used as adjuncts.
,Question 4
A nurse is delegating a task to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks
is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the AP?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Assessing a client's pain level
C) Assisting a client with ambulation
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of a client's pain medication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delegation involves transferring authority to perform a specific task to
another competent individual. The nurse may delegate tasks that do not require nursing
judgment, such as assisting with ambulation, bathing, feeding, and toileting.
Administering medications and performing assessments and evaluations require nursing
judgment and cannot be delegated to APs. The nurse remains responsible for
supervision and evaluation of delegated tasks.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. The client's
family member asks the nurse to perform CPR if the client's heart stops. Which of the
following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A) "I will perform CPR if you want me to."
B) "The DNR order means we cannot perform CPR."
C) "I will ask the provider to review the DNR order with you."
D) "I will call a code if the client's heart stops."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's DNR order but must also support the
family through their concerns. The most appropriate response is to offer to have the
provider review the DNR order with the family, as the provider is responsible for
discussing advance directives and their implications. The nurse should not perform CPR
if the DNR order is valid, nor should the nurse disregard the family's concerns. The nurse
should explain the DNR order calmly and offer emotional support.
, Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. The nurse notes that the
medication has expired. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Administer the medication and document the expiration date
B) Return the medication to the pharmacy and obtain a new one
C) Check with another nurse to see if the medication is safe to use
D) Administer the medication and monitor for adverse effects
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expired medications should not be administered because they may be
ineffective or harmful. The nurse should return the expired medication to the pharmacy
and obtain a new, unexpired medication. The nurse should follow facility policies for
medication disposal and reporting. Client safety is the priority, and expired medications
should never be administered.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's bed in the highest position
B) Place the client's call light out of reach
C) Keep the client's bed in the lowest position with the brakes locked
D) Allow the client to ambulate without assistance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the client's bed in the lowest position with the brakes locked
reduces the risk of injury from falls. The call light should be within the client's reach. Bed
rails should be used appropriately and not as a restraint. The client should be assisted
with ambulation as needed based on their mobility status. Fall prevention is a key
nursing priority.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to ensure client safety?
100 Practice Questions with Answers & In-Depth Rationales
2026/2027 Edition | 100% Verified & A+ Graded
SECTION 1: CRITICAL THINKING FUNDAMENTALS
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a blood transfusion. The
client is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses the transfusion. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A) Administer the transfusion because it is medically necessary
B) Notify the provider and respect the client's decision
C) Ask the client's family to convince the client to accept the transfusion
D) Document the refusal and administer the transfusion without the client's knowledge
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client has the right to refuse treatment based on the ethical principle of
autonomy. Jehovah's Witnesses typically refuse blood transfusions based on religious
beliefs, and healthcare providers must respect this decision. The nurse should notify the
provider, respect the client's decision, and document the refusal. Administering the
transfusion against the client's wishes would constitute battery and violation of client
rights. The nurse should continue to provide care and support the client's decision while
exploring alternative treatments.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing a client for a surgical procedure. The client asks, "What will happen
,during the surgery?" Which of the following is the nurse's appropriate response?
A) "I will explain the entire procedure to you in detail."
B) "The surgeon will explain the procedure and answer your questions."
C) "You should not worry about the details of the surgery."
D) "I will give you a pamphlet to read about the procedure."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The surgeon (provider) is responsible for explaining the procedure, risks,
benefits, and alternatives to the client as part of obtaining informed consent. The nurse
should not provide a detailed explanation of the procedure, as this could constitute
practicing medicine without a license. However, the nurse can answer general questions
and provide emotional support. The nurse should notify the provider that the client has
questions and ensure that the provider addresses the client's concerns before the
procedure.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and reports severe pain. The nurse's
assessment reveals the client is grimacing, guarding the incision site, and has a heart
rate of 110 bpm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
B) Assess the client's pain using a pain scale
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Apply a cold pack to the incision site
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the client's pain using a pain scale to determine
the severity and characteristics of the pain. This assessment guides the selection of
appropriate interventions. Pain is subjective, and the client's self-report is the most
reliable indicator. After assessing pain, the nurse should administer the prescribed
analgesic, evaluate its effectiveness, and document the findings. Non-pharmacological
interventions such as cold packs may be used as adjuncts.
,Question 4
A nurse is delegating a task to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks
is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to the AP?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Assessing a client's pain level
C) Assisting a client with ambulation
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of a client's pain medication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delegation involves transferring authority to perform a specific task to
another competent individual. The nurse may delegate tasks that do not require nursing
judgment, such as assisting with ambulation, bathing, feeding, and toileting.
Administering medications and performing assessments and evaluations require nursing
judgment and cannot be delegated to APs. The nurse remains responsible for
supervision and evaluation of delegated tasks.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. The client's
family member asks the nurse to perform CPR if the client's heart stops. Which of the
following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A) "I will perform CPR if you want me to."
B) "The DNR order means we cannot perform CPR."
C) "I will ask the provider to review the DNR order with you."
D) "I will call a code if the client's heart stops."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should respect the client's DNR order but must also support the
family through their concerns. The most appropriate response is to offer to have the
provider review the DNR order with the family, as the provider is responsible for
discussing advance directives and their implications. The nurse should not perform CPR
if the DNR order is valid, nor should the nurse disregard the family's concerns. The nurse
should explain the DNR order calmly and offer emotional support.
, Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. The nurse notes that the
medication has expired. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Administer the medication and document the expiration date
B) Return the medication to the pharmacy and obtain a new one
C) Check with another nurse to see if the medication is safe to use
D) Administer the medication and monitor for adverse effects
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Expired medications should not be administered because they may be
ineffective or harmful. The nurse should return the expired medication to the pharmacy
and obtain a new, unexpired medication. The nurse should follow facility policies for
medication disposal and reporting. Client safety is the priority, and expired medications
should never be administered.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A) Keep the client's bed in the highest position
B) Place the client's call light out of reach
C) Keep the client's bed in the lowest position with the brakes locked
D) Allow the client to ambulate without assistance
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the client's bed in the lowest position with the brakes locked
reduces the risk of injury from falls. The call light should be within the client's reach. Bed
rails should be used appropriately and not as a restraint. The client should be assisted
with ambulation as needed based on their mobility status. Fall prevention is a key
nursing priority.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen therapy. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to ensure client safety?
