ATI RN CRITICAL THINKING
ENTRANCE/EXIT PRACTICE EXAM
2025/2026 Expanded 50-Question Edition
50 Original Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Rationales Under Each Item
Questions, Answers & Rationales
Interpretation
1. A postoperative client reports new shortness of breath. Which finding should the nurse interpret as
the strongest evidence of acute respiratory compromise?
A. Respiratory rate 30/min with SpO2 88% on room air
B. Incisional pain rated 6/10
C. Temperature 37.5 C (99.5 F)
D. Heart rate 92/min after ambulation
1. Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate 30/min with SpO2 88% on room air
Rationale: Tachypnea with oxygen desaturation directly indicates impaired oxygenation and requires prompt
assessment and intervention.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Pain, a low-grade temperature, and a modest post-activity
heart rate can occur postoperatively but do not provide the same evidence of immediate respiratory
compromise.
2. A client with heart failure gains 2.3 kg (5 lb) in 3 days. Which interpretation is most appropriate?
A. The client has likely gained muscle mass
B. The change suggests fluid retention
C. The scale is necessarily inaccurate
D. The client is becoming dehydrated
2. Correct Answer: B. The change suggests fluid retention
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in heart failure is a sensitive indicator of fluid accumulation and possible
worsening congestion.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Muscle gain does not occur this rapidly; scale error should not
be assumed; dehydration more often causes weight loss.
ATI RN Critical Thinking - Original Practice Resource | Answers & Rationales Inline
,3. A client receiving insulin becomes diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. Which data should the nurse
obtain first to clarify the problem?
A. Capillary blood glucose
B. Serum cholesterol
C. Daily weight
D. Hemoglobin level
3. Correct Answer: A. Capillary blood glucose
Rationale: The manifestations strongly suggest hypoglycemia, and a rapid bedside glucose measurement
directly tests that interpretation.
Why the other options are less appropriate: The other measurements do not rapidly explain the acute
neuroadrenergic symptoms.
4. A client with pneumonia has a rising respiratory rate, new confusion, and decreasing blood pressure.
What is the best interpretation of this cluster?
A. The client is improving
B. The findings may indicate systemic deterioration and sepsis
C. The client is experiencing expected fatigue only
D. The findings are unrelated
4. Correct Answer: B. The findings may indicate systemic deterioration and sepsis
Rationale: Worsening vital signs plus altered mentation in infection suggest organ hypoperfusion and
possible sepsis.
Why the other options are less appropriate: The pattern is not reassuring or adequately explained by
routine fatigue, and the findings should be integrated rather than viewed separately.
5. A nurse reviews four findings in a client with GI bleeding. Which is most consistent with decreased
circulating volume?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Warm flushed skin
D. Bradycardia
5. Correct Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
ATI RN Critical Thinking - Original Practice Resource | Answers & Rationales Inline
, Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension can reflect inadequate circulating volume and compensatory failure with
position change.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Bounding pulses and warm flushed skin are not typical signs of
volume loss; tachycardia rather than bradycardia is more common.
6. A client with chronic kidney disease has potassium 6.4 mEq/L and peaked T waves. Which conclusion
should the nurse make?
A. The laboratory value is clinically insignificant
B. The client has a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance
C. The ECG finding indicates hypokalemia
D. No action is needed without symptoms
6. Correct Answer: B. The client has a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes can cause lethal dysrhythmias and requires urgent
treatment.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Peaked T waves support hyperkalemia, and absence of
subjective symptoms does not make the finding safe.
7. A client says, 'I take my blood pressure pill only when I get a headache.' What does this statement most
strongly indicate?
A. Correct understanding of antihypertensive therapy
B. A knowledge deficit about scheduled medication use
C. Medication allergy
D. Adequate self-management
7. Correct Answer: B. A knowledge deficit about scheduled medication use
Rationale: Most maintenance antihypertensives are taken consistently as prescribed, not only when
symptoms occur.
Why the other options are less appropriate: The statement reflects misunderstanding rather than
adherence, allergy, or effective self-management.
8. A nurse notes urine output of 15 mL/hr for 3 consecutive hours in an adult. How should this finding be
interpreted?
A. Adequate renal perfusion
B. Possible decreased renal perfusion or kidney dysfunction
ATI RN Critical Thinking - Original Practice Resource | Answers & Rationales Inline
ENTRANCE/EXIT PRACTICE EXAM
2025/2026 Expanded 50-Question Edition
50 Original Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers & Rationales Under Each Item
Questions, Answers & Rationales
Interpretation
1. A postoperative client reports new shortness of breath. Which finding should the nurse interpret as
the strongest evidence of acute respiratory compromise?
A. Respiratory rate 30/min with SpO2 88% on room air
B. Incisional pain rated 6/10
C. Temperature 37.5 C (99.5 F)
D. Heart rate 92/min after ambulation
1. Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate 30/min with SpO2 88% on room air
Rationale: Tachypnea with oxygen desaturation directly indicates impaired oxygenation and requires prompt
assessment and intervention.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Pain, a low-grade temperature, and a modest post-activity
heart rate can occur postoperatively but do not provide the same evidence of immediate respiratory
compromise.
2. A client with heart failure gains 2.3 kg (5 lb) in 3 days. Which interpretation is most appropriate?
A. The client has likely gained muscle mass
B. The change suggests fluid retention
C. The scale is necessarily inaccurate
D. The client is becoming dehydrated
2. Correct Answer: B. The change suggests fluid retention
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in heart failure is a sensitive indicator of fluid accumulation and possible
worsening congestion.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Muscle gain does not occur this rapidly; scale error should not
be assumed; dehydration more often causes weight loss.
ATI RN Critical Thinking - Original Practice Resource | Answers & Rationales Inline
,3. A client receiving insulin becomes diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. Which data should the nurse
obtain first to clarify the problem?
A. Capillary blood glucose
B. Serum cholesterol
C. Daily weight
D. Hemoglobin level
3. Correct Answer: A. Capillary blood glucose
Rationale: The manifestations strongly suggest hypoglycemia, and a rapid bedside glucose measurement
directly tests that interpretation.
Why the other options are less appropriate: The other measurements do not rapidly explain the acute
neuroadrenergic symptoms.
4. A client with pneumonia has a rising respiratory rate, new confusion, and decreasing blood pressure.
What is the best interpretation of this cluster?
A. The client is improving
B. The findings may indicate systemic deterioration and sepsis
C. The client is experiencing expected fatigue only
D. The findings are unrelated
4. Correct Answer: B. The findings may indicate systemic deterioration and sepsis
Rationale: Worsening vital signs plus altered mentation in infection suggest organ hypoperfusion and
possible sepsis.
Why the other options are less appropriate: The pattern is not reassuring or adequately explained by
routine fatigue, and the findings should be integrated rather than viewed separately.
5. A nurse reviews four findings in a client with GI bleeding. Which is most consistent with decreased
circulating volume?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Warm flushed skin
D. Bradycardia
5. Correct Answer: B. Orthostatic hypotension
ATI RN Critical Thinking - Original Practice Resource | Answers & Rationales Inline
, Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension can reflect inadequate circulating volume and compensatory failure with
position change.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Bounding pulses and warm flushed skin are not typical signs of
volume loss; tachycardia rather than bradycardia is more common.
6. A client with chronic kidney disease has potassium 6.4 mEq/L and peaked T waves. Which conclusion
should the nurse make?
A. The laboratory value is clinically insignificant
B. The client has a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance
C. The ECG finding indicates hypokalemia
D. No action is needed without symptoms
6. Correct Answer: B. The client has a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes can cause lethal dysrhythmias and requires urgent
treatment.
Why the other options are less appropriate: Peaked T waves support hyperkalemia, and absence of
subjective symptoms does not make the finding safe.
7. A client says, 'I take my blood pressure pill only when I get a headache.' What does this statement most
strongly indicate?
A. Correct understanding of antihypertensive therapy
B. A knowledge deficit about scheduled medication use
C. Medication allergy
D. Adequate self-management
7. Correct Answer: B. A knowledge deficit about scheduled medication use
Rationale: Most maintenance antihypertensives are taken consistently as prescribed, not only when
symptoms occur.
Why the other options are less appropriate: The statement reflects misunderstanding rather than
adherence, allergy, or effective self-management.
8. A nurse notes urine output of 15 mL/hr for 3 consecutive hours in an adult. How should this finding be
interpreted?
A. Adequate renal perfusion
B. Possible decreased renal perfusion or kidney dysfunction
ATI RN Critical Thinking - Original Practice Resource | Answers & Rationales Inline
