ATI PN EXIT EXAM WITH NGN 2026/2027
PRACTICE SET QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following an abdominal
cholecystectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse prioritize?
A. Pain reported as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Bile-colored drainage on the surgical dressing
C. Urinary output of 250 mL over the last 8 hours
D. Distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds can indicate a
paralytic ileus or internal hemorrhage, which are life-threatening complications requiring
immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium
B. Decrease fluid intake to 1 liter per day
,C. Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; therefore, consistent sodium and fluid intake
are necessary to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a unit of packed RBCs. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of a hemolytic transfusion
reaction?
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Distended neck veins and dyspnea
C. Generalized pruritus and hives
D. Low back pain and apprehension
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Low back pain, apprehension, and hypotension are classic signs
of an acute hemolytic reaction caused by blood incompatibility.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has severe preeclampsia.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. 1+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
B. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
, C. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
D. Epigastric pain
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Epigastric pain in a client with preeclampsia is a sign of liver
involvement (HELLP syndrome or hepatic edema) and often precedes a seizure.
5. A nurse is reviewing the lab results for a client who is taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation.
Which of the following INR results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 1.2
B. 2.0
C. 2.5
D. 3.0
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The therapeutic INR range for a client on warfarin for atrial
fibrillation is typically 2.0 to 3.0. An INR of 1.2 is subtherapeutic and increases the risk of
stroke.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the client’s apical pulse for 1 minute
B. Check the client’s potassium level
PRACTICE SET QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following an abdominal
cholecystectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse prioritize?
A. Pain reported as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Bile-colored drainage on the surgical dressing
C. Urinary output of 250 mL over the last 8 hours
D. Distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A distended abdomen with absent bowel sounds can indicate a
paralytic ileus or internal hemorrhage, which are life-threatening complications requiring
immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium
B. Decrease fluid intake to 1 liter per day
,C. Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; therefore, consistent sodium and fluid intake
are necessary to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a unit of packed RBCs. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of a hemolytic transfusion
reaction?
A. Hypertension and bradycardia
B. Distended neck veins and dyspnea
C. Generalized pruritus and hives
D. Low back pain and apprehension
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Low back pain, apprehension, and hypotension are classic signs
of an acute hemolytic reaction caused by blood incompatibility.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has severe preeclampsia.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. 1+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
B. Deep tendon reflexes of 2+
, C. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
D. Epigastric pain
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Epigastric pain in a client with preeclampsia is a sign of liver
involvement (HELLP syndrome or hepatic edema) and often precedes a seizure.
5. A nurse is reviewing the lab results for a client who is taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation.
Which of the following INR results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. 1.2
B. 2.0
C. 2.5
D. 3.0
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The therapeutic INR range for a client on warfarin for atrial
fibrillation is typically 2.0 to 3.0. An INR of 1.2 is subtherapeutic and increases the risk of
stroke.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the client’s apical pulse for 1 minute
B. Check the client’s potassium level
