,ATI Critical Thinking Assessment - RN Exam Questions And Answers
2026/2027
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF CRITICAL THINKING (Questions 1-6)
**1.** Which of the following best describes critical thinking in nursing?
A) Memorizing facts and recalling them during patient care
B) An active, orderly, well-thought-out reasoning process that guides a nurse
in making nursing judgments
C) Following physician orders without question
D) Relying solely on intuition and past experience
**Correct Answer:** B) An active, orderly, well-thought-out reasoning process
that guides a nurse in making nursing judgments
**Rationale:** Critical thinking in nursing is an active, purposeful, organized
cognitive process used to carefully examine one's own thinking and the
thinking of others to guide clinical decision-making.
**2.** A nurse reflects on a previous clinical situation to understand what
went well and what could have been done differently. This action
demonstrates which component of critical thinking?
A) Knowledge
B) Experience
C) Reflection
D) Competency
**Correct Answer:** C) Reflection
, **Rationale:** Reflection is purposefully thinking back or recalling a situation
to discover its meaning and gain insight. This process allows the nurse to
learn from experiences and improve future clinical judgment.
**3.** A nurse approaches a clinical problem with intellectual humility,
recognizing the limits of their own knowledge. This demonstrates which
critical thinking attitude?
A) Intellectual courage
B) Intellectual humility
C) Intellectual perseverance
D) Intellectual empathy
**Correct Answer:** B) Intellectual humility
**Rationale:** Intellectual humility is the awareness of the limits of one's own
knowledge and the willingness to acknowledge what one does not know. It is
essential for safe nursing practice.
**4.** A nurse uses clear, concise language when communicating with
colleagues and clients. This demonstrates which aspect of critical thinking?
A) Knowledge application
B) Language and communication
C) Clinical reasoning
D) Self-regulation
**Correct Answer:** B) Language and communication
2026/2027
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF CRITICAL THINKING (Questions 1-6)
**1.** Which of the following best describes critical thinking in nursing?
A) Memorizing facts and recalling them during patient care
B) An active, orderly, well-thought-out reasoning process that guides a nurse
in making nursing judgments
C) Following physician orders without question
D) Relying solely on intuition and past experience
**Correct Answer:** B) An active, orderly, well-thought-out reasoning process
that guides a nurse in making nursing judgments
**Rationale:** Critical thinking in nursing is an active, purposeful, organized
cognitive process used to carefully examine one's own thinking and the
thinking of others to guide clinical decision-making.
**2.** A nurse reflects on a previous clinical situation to understand what
went well and what could have been done differently. This action
demonstrates which component of critical thinking?
A) Knowledge
B) Experience
C) Reflection
D) Competency
**Correct Answer:** C) Reflection
, **Rationale:** Reflection is purposefully thinking back or recalling a situation
to discover its meaning and gain insight. This process allows the nurse to
learn from experiences and improve future clinical judgment.
**3.** A nurse approaches a clinical problem with intellectual humility,
recognizing the limits of their own knowledge. This demonstrates which
critical thinking attitude?
A) Intellectual courage
B) Intellectual humility
C) Intellectual perseverance
D) Intellectual empathy
**Correct Answer:** B) Intellectual humility
**Rationale:** Intellectual humility is the awareness of the limits of one's own
knowledge and the willingness to acknowledge what one does not know. It is
essential for safe nursing practice.
**4.** A nurse uses clear, concise language when communicating with
colleagues and clients. This demonstrates which aspect of critical thinking?
A) Knowledge application
B) Language and communication
C) Clinical reasoning
D) Self-regulation
**Correct Answer:** B) Language and communication
