ATI RN Critical Thinking Entrance/Exit Exam
2025/2026 Academic Year Questions | 100%
Correct Answers | A+ Graded Verified Questions
for Nursing Students
SECTION 1: PRIORITIZATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Question 1.
A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should be assessed
FIRST?
A. A client with stable vital signs post-surgery
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client with a scheduled wound dressing change
D. A client with new onset of chest pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chest pain is a priority symptom that may indicate a life-
threatening condition such as myocardial infarction. The nurse must assess
this client FIRST using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, where physiological needs take precedence.
Distractor analysis:
• A — Stable vital signs indicate this client is stable and can wait.
• B — Pain medication is important but not an immediate life threat.
• C — A wound dressing change is routine and can be prioritized later.
Clinical pearl: Always prioritize unstable clients, acute changes, and life-
threatening conditions FIRST.
Question 2.
A nurse receives handoff report on four clients. Which client should be
assessed FIRST?
,A. A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 95%
B. A client with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C. A client with a new tracheostomy who has diminished breath sounds
D. A client with hypertension who has a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A new tracheostomy with diminished breath sounds indicates
potential airway obstruction, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate assessment and intervention.
Distractor analysis:
• A — An O2 saturation of 95% is acceptable for a client with pneumonia.
• B — A blood glucose of 180 mg/dL is elevated but not immediately life-
threatening.
• D — A BP of 150/90 mmHg is concerning but not an acute emergency.
Clinical pearl: Airway is always the priority in the ABC framework.
Question 3.
A client's condition worsens after a medical procedure. Which action should
the nurse take FIRST?
A. Recheck vital signs and notify the provider
B. Administer another dose of medication
C. Ignore the change
D. Complete routine documentation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rechecking vital signs confirms the client's status and provides
objective data to communicate with the provider. Timely notification ensures
appropriate intervention.
Distractor analysis:
• B — Administering medication without assessment could be harmful.
• C — Ignoring changes in condition is unsafe and negligent.
, • D — Documentation is important but should occur AFTER assessing and
notifying.
Clinical pearl: Assess first, then act, and document everything.
Question 4.
A nurse is triaging clients in an emergency department. Which client should
be prioritized?
A. A client with difficulty breathing and cyanosis
B. A client with a sprained ankle
C. A client with a minor laceration
D. A client with a headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty breathing with cyanosis indicates a respiratory
emergency requiring immediate intervention. This client is at risk for
respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Distractor analysis:
• B — A sprained ankle is non-urgent and can wait.
• C — A minor laceration is non-urgent.
• D — A headache may be serious but without additional symptoms is not
immediately life-threatening.
Clinical pearl: Respiratory distress is a high-priority emergency requiring
immediate intervention.
Question 5.
A nurse is prioritizing care for a client with multiple problems. Which problem
should the nurse address FIRST?
A. Pain rated 6/10
B. Anxiety about surgery
C. Airway obstruction
D. Skin integrity impairment
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airway obstruction is an immediate life threat. The ABCs (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) guide prioritization, and airway always comes FIRST.
Distractor analysis:
• A — Pain is important but not life-threatening.
• B — Anxiety is important but not immediately life-threatening.
• D — Skin integrity is important but not immediately life-threatening.
Clinical pearl: The ABCs take priority over all other concerns.
Question 6.
A client with a history of heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds
in 24 hours and ankle edema. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess for additional signs of fluid overload and notify the provider
B. Instruct the client to restrict fluids
C. Administer a diuretic
D. Document the findings and monitor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden weight gain and edema indicate worsening heart failure.
The nurse must assess further (lung sounds, JVD, vital signs) and notify the
provider for evaluation and orders.
Distractor analysis:
• B — Fluid restriction may be ordered but cannot be initiated without a
provider order.
• C — Administering a diuretic without an order is beyond nursing scope.
• D — Documentation and monitoring alone are insufficient; the provider
must be notified.
Clinical pearl: Daily weight monitoring is essential for heart failure clients. A
2-3 pound gain in 24 hours warrants notification.
2025/2026 Academic Year Questions | 100%
Correct Answers | A+ Graded Verified Questions
for Nursing Students
SECTION 1: PRIORITIZATION AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Question 1.
A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should be assessed
FIRST?
A. A client with stable vital signs post-surgery
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client with a scheduled wound dressing change
D. A client with new onset of chest pain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Chest pain is a priority symptom that may indicate a life-
threatening condition such as myocardial infarction. The nurse must assess
this client FIRST using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, where physiological needs take precedence.
Distractor analysis:
• A — Stable vital signs indicate this client is stable and can wait.
• B — Pain medication is important but not an immediate life threat.
• C — A wound dressing change is routine and can be prioritized later.
Clinical pearl: Always prioritize unstable clients, acute changes, and life-
threatening conditions FIRST.
Question 2.
A nurse receives handoff report on four clients. Which client should be
assessed FIRST?
,A. A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 95%
B. A client with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C. A client with a new tracheostomy who has diminished breath sounds
D. A client with hypertension who has a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A new tracheostomy with diminished breath sounds indicates
potential airway obstruction, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate assessment and intervention.
Distractor analysis:
• A — An O2 saturation of 95% is acceptable for a client with pneumonia.
• B — A blood glucose of 180 mg/dL is elevated but not immediately life-
threatening.
• D — A BP of 150/90 mmHg is concerning but not an acute emergency.
Clinical pearl: Airway is always the priority in the ABC framework.
Question 3.
A client's condition worsens after a medical procedure. Which action should
the nurse take FIRST?
A. Recheck vital signs and notify the provider
B. Administer another dose of medication
C. Ignore the change
D. Complete routine documentation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rechecking vital signs confirms the client's status and provides
objective data to communicate with the provider. Timely notification ensures
appropriate intervention.
Distractor analysis:
• B — Administering medication without assessment could be harmful.
• C — Ignoring changes in condition is unsafe and negligent.
, • D — Documentation is important but should occur AFTER assessing and
notifying.
Clinical pearl: Assess first, then act, and document everything.
Question 4.
A nurse is triaging clients in an emergency department. Which client should
be prioritized?
A. A client with difficulty breathing and cyanosis
B. A client with a sprained ankle
C. A client with a minor laceration
D. A client with a headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Difficulty breathing with cyanosis indicates a respiratory
emergency requiring immediate intervention. This client is at risk for
respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Distractor analysis:
• B — A sprained ankle is non-urgent and can wait.
• C — A minor laceration is non-urgent.
• D — A headache may be serious but without additional symptoms is not
immediately life-threatening.
Clinical pearl: Respiratory distress is a high-priority emergency requiring
immediate intervention.
Question 5.
A nurse is prioritizing care for a client with multiple problems. Which problem
should the nurse address FIRST?
A. Pain rated 6/10
B. Anxiety about surgery
C. Airway obstruction
D. Skin integrity impairment
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Airway obstruction is an immediate life threat. The ABCs (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation) guide prioritization, and airway always comes FIRST.
Distractor analysis:
• A — Pain is important but not life-threatening.
• B — Anxiety is important but not immediately life-threatening.
• D — Skin integrity is important but not immediately life-threatening.
Clinical pearl: The ABCs take priority over all other concerns.
Question 6.
A client with a history of heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds
in 24 hours and ankle edema. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess for additional signs of fluid overload and notify the provider
B. Instruct the client to restrict fluids
C. Administer a diuretic
D. Document the findings and monitor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden weight gain and edema indicate worsening heart failure.
The nurse must assess further (lung sounds, JVD, vital signs) and notify the
provider for evaluation and orders.
Distractor analysis:
• B — Fluid restriction may be ordered but cannot be initiated without a
provider order.
• C — Administering a diuretic without an order is beyond nursing scope.
• D — Documentation and monitoring alone are insufficient; the provider
must be notified.
Clinical pearl: Daily weight monitoring is essential for heart failure clients. A
2-3 pound gain in 24 hours warrants notification.
