ATI CRITICAL THINKING
ENTRANCE/EXIT EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Inference (Drawing Logical Conclusions from Evidence)
• Interpretation (Comprehending and Explaining Meaning)
• Analysis (Examining Ideas, Arguments, and Relationships)
• Evaluation (Assessing Credibility, Significance, and Bias)
• Explanation (Justifying Reasoning and Conclusions)
• Self-Regulation (Monitoring and Reflecting on One's Own Thinking)
• Clinical Judgment and Priority-Setting
• Nursing Process Application
• Logical Reasoning and Argument Analysis
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Introduction
This comprehensive examination for the ATI Critical Thinking Entrance/Exit
Exam is designed to evaluate the cognitive skills essential for nursing students
and healthcare professionals. The assessment focuses on the core critical
,thinking domains established by ATI: inference, interpretation, analysis,
evaluation, explanation, and self-regulation. Each question reflects real-world
clinical scenarios, challenging the examinee to apply logical reasoning, draw
evidence-based conclusions, and make sound clinical judgments. The
examination emphasizes practical application through scenario-based
questions that simulate nursing practice situations, priority-setting
frameworks, and the nursing process. Mastery of these competencies is
essential for success in nursing programs, licensure examinations, and
professional practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Consider the statement, "All sick people should see a doctor. An elderly man
is ill." Therefore, the man:
A. Should see a doctor
B. Should see a doctor if he does not get well
C. Is like most ill people
D. May not get well unless he sees a doctor
A
RATIONALE: This is a deductive reasoning question. The premise
establishes that ALL sick people should see a doctor. Since the elderly man is
ill (sick), it logically follows that he should see a doctor. The conclusion
directly follows from the stated premise without additional assumptions.
Question 2
A science student is watching a television debate on the genetic cloning of
animals. In order for the student to make a reasoned decision, the student
must first:
,A. Justify the opinions presented in the televised debate
B. Accept the views of the most qualified expert
C. Engage in a debate with others
D. Consider all the points of view
D
RATIONALE: Critical thinking requires a reasoned decision-making
process that begins with considering multiple perspectives. The student must
first consider ALL points of view before forming a conclusion. This
demonstrates the critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and open-
mindedness.
Question 3
Consider the following statements:
1. In ancient times, civilizations recorded their religious and cultural ideas
and lifetime records in clay.
2. Both famous and common people were honored in clay.
3. In fact, most of what we know of ancient civilizations come from
studying clay pottery.
4. All of the pots and bowls were made of clay.
Assuming the preceding statements are true, statements two, three, and four:
A. Prove statement one conclusively
B. Explain why statement one is fake
C. Describe all of the uses for clay
D. Provide support for statement one
D
RATIONALE: Statements two, three, and four provide supporting
evidence for statement one. They explain how clay was used, what we learn
, from it, and the prevalence of clay materials, thereby reinforcing and
supporting the initial claim.
Question 4
A nurse reviews a patient's morning laboratory results: serum sodium 128
mEq/L, potassium 5.9 mEq/L, and glucose 250 mg/dL. The patient is
confused and has muscle twitching. Which inference is MOST supported by
these data?
A. The patient is likely dehydrated.
B. The patient has hypernatremia requiring immediate intervention.
C. The patient has hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, which may explain the
neurological symptoms.
D. The patient's glucose level rules out any electrolyte imbalance.
C
RATIONALE: Sodium is low (hyponatremia), potassium is high
(hyperkalemia), and glucose is elevated. Hyponatremia commonly causes
confusion and neurological symptoms. Hyperkalemia can cause muscle
twitching and cardiac issues. The combination of these electrolyte
abnormalities provides the most supported explanation for the patient's
symptoms.
Question 5
A company's policy states that employees may take two weeks of vacation
after they have reached their seventh anniversary with the company. This
means that:
A. Employees must work for the company at least seven years before they may
take two weeks of vacation
B. Employees who have worked for the company for at least seven years take
two weeks of vacation
C. If the employee takes two weeks of vacation, they have worked for the
company for seven years
ENTRANCE/EXIT EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
• Inference (Drawing Logical Conclusions from Evidence)
• Interpretation (Comprehending and Explaining Meaning)
• Analysis (Examining Ideas, Arguments, and Relationships)
• Evaluation (Assessing Credibility, Significance, and Bias)
• Explanation (Justifying Reasoning and Conclusions)
• Self-Regulation (Monitoring and Reflecting on One's Own Thinking)
• Clinical Judgment and Priority-Setting
• Nursing Process Application
• Logical Reasoning and Argument Analysis
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Introduction
This comprehensive examination for the ATI Critical Thinking Entrance/Exit
Exam is designed to evaluate the cognitive skills essential for nursing students
and healthcare professionals. The assessment focuses on the core critical
,thinking domains established by ATI: inference, interpretation, analysis,
evaluation, explanation, and self-regulation. Each question reflects real-world
clinical scenarios, challenging the examinee to apply logical reasoning, draw
evidence-based conclusions, and make sound clinical judgments. The
examination emphasizes practical application through scenario-based
questions that simulate nursing practice situations, priority-setting
frameworks, and the nursing process. Mastery of these competencies is
essential for success in nursing programs, licensure examinations, and
professional practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
Consider the statement, "All sick people should see a doctor. An elderly man
is ill." Therefore, the man:
A. Should see a doctor
B. Should see a doctor if he does not get well
C. Is like most ill people
D. May not get well unless he sees a doctor
A
RATIONALE: This is a deductive reasoning question. The premise
establishes that ALL sick people should see a doctor. Since the elderly man is
ill (sick), it logically follows that he should see a doctor. The conclusion
directly follows from the stated premise without additional assumptions.
Question 2
A science student is watching a television debate on the genetic cloning of
animals. In order for the student to make a reasoned decision, the student
must first:
,A. Justify the opinions presented in the televised debate
B. Accept the views of the most qualified expert
C. Engage in a debate with others
D. Consider all the points of view
D
RATIONALE: Critical thinking requires a reasoned decision-making
process that begins with considering multiple perspectives. The student must
first consider ALL points of view before forming a conclusion. This
demonstrates the critical thinking skills of analysis, evaluation, and open-
mindedness.
Question 3
Consider the following statements:
1. In ancient times, civilizations recorded their religious and cultural ideas
and lifetime records in clay.
2. Both famous and common people were honored in clay.
3. In fact, most of what we know of ancient civilizations come from
studying clay pottery.
4. All of the pots and bowls were made of clay.
Assuming the preceding statements are true, statements two, three, and four:
A. Prove statement one conclusively
B. Explain why statement one is fake
C. Describe all of the uses for clay
D. Provide support for statement one
D
RATIONALE: Statements two, three, and four provide supporting
evidence for statement one. They explain how clay was used, what we learn
, from it, and the prevalence of clay materials, thereby reinforcing and
supporting the initial claim.
Question 4
A nurse reviews a patient's morning laboratory results: serum sodium 128
mEq/L, potassium 5.9 mEq/L, and glucose 250 mg/dL. The patient is
confused and has muscle twitching. Which inference is MOST supported by
these data?
A. The patient is likely dehydrated.
B. The patient has hypernatremia requiring immediate intervention.
C. The patient has hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, which may explain the
neurological symptoms.
D. The patient's glucose level rules out any electrolyte imbalance.
C
RATIONALE: Sodium is low (hyponatremia), potassium is high
(hyperkalemia), and glucose is elevated. Hyponatremia commonly causes
confusion and neurological symptoms. Hyperkalemia can cause muscle
twitching and cardiac issues. The combination of these electrolyte
abnormalities provides the most supported explanation for the patient's
symptoms.
Question 5
A company's policy states that employees may take two weeks of vacation
after they have reached their seventh anniversary with the company. This
means that:
A. Employees must work for the company at least seven years before they may
take two weeks of vacation
B. Employees who have worked for the company for at least seven years take
two weeks of vacation
C. If the employee takes two weeks of vacation, they have worked for the
company for seven years
