ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE — 2026-2027 UPDATE
ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE
Comprehensive Study Resource & Test Bank with 2026-2027 Update Exam
Subject: Nursing Leadership and Management
Exam Focus: Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, and Quality Improvement.
Structure: This test bank consists of 66 highly analytical, course-grounded questions covering core leadership
topics, delegation rules, ethical-legal standards, triage tags, and emergency preparedness. Each question is
accompanied by complete, detailed rationales for correct and incorrect options to maximize understanding and
retention for the ATI RN Leadership Proctored Exam.
TOPIC 1: SAFE AND EFFECTIVE CARE ENVIRONMENT: MANAGEMENT OF
CARE
Question 1: A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients
should the nurse recommend for an interdisciplinary care conference?
A. A client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has a biophysical profile of 6
B. A client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports mild backache
C. A client who is at 32 weeks of gestation with active fetal movement
D. A client who is at 36 weeks of gestation with a blood pressure of 118/74 mm Hg
ANSWER : A — A client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has a biophysical profile of 6
Explanation: A biophysical profile (BPP) score of 6 indicates a potential fetal risk and requires further evaluation and
interdisciplinary collaboration to determine the best delivery or management strategy [1]. Mild backache, active fetal
movement, and a normal blood pressure of 118/74 mm Hg are reassuring and expected findings that do not require
an interdisciplinary care conference.
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,ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE — 2026-2027 UPDATE
Question 2: A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has end-stage heart failure. The client's
partner tells the nurse she can no longer handle caring for the client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Request a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication for the partner.
B. Contact the case manager to discuss discharge options.
C. Instruct the partner to hire a private nurse immediately.
D. Advise the partner to admit the client to a long-term care facility independently.
ANSWER : B — Contact the case manager to discuss discharge options
Explanation: When a caregiver expresses an inability to handle the burden of care, the nurse's role is to facilitate
interdisciplinary support. Contacting the case manager is the priority action because they coordinate care, review
discharge options, arrange home resources, or investigate alternative placement settings [1]. Administering
medications to the partner is outside the scope of caring for the client, and forcing independent placement or hiring
private nurses without coordination is inappropriate.
Question 3: A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parent of a toddler who has a new diagnosis
of asthma. The parent states she is unable to afford the nebulizer prescribed for the child. Which of the
following referrals should the nurse recommend?
A. Social worker
B. Physical therapist
C. Occupational therapist
D. Respiratory therapist
ANSWER : A — Social worker
Explanation: A social worker is the appropriate interdisciplinary referral when financial barriers affect a client's ability
to obtain necessary medical equipment, such as a nebulizer [2]. Social workers help navigate financial assistance
programs, insurance issues, and community resources. Physical and occupational therapists address mobility and
functional skills, while a respiratory therapist assists with respiratory education and treatments but does not manage
financial resources.
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, ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE — 2026-2027 UPDATE
Question 4: A nurse is supervising assistive personnel (AP) who is feeding a client with dysphagia.
Which of the following actions by the AP should the nurse identify as correct technique?
A. Instructing the client to tilt their head backward during swallowing
B. Instructing the client to place their chin to chest while swallowing
C. Encouraging the client to drink thin liquids rapidly
D. Encouraging the client to speak while chewing food
ANSWER : B — Instructing the client to place their chin to chest while swallowing
Explanation: Instructing a client with dysphagia to tuck their chin to their chest during swallowing helps close the
airway and open the esophagus, reducing the risk of aspiration [2]. Tilting the head back opens the airway and
increases aspiration risk. Thin liquids and speaking while chewing are also dangerous and contraindicated for clients
with dysphagia.
Question 5: A nurse is providing an in-service about client rights for a group of nurses. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the in-service?
A. "A nurse can disclose information to a family member with the client’s permission."
B. "A nurse can disclose medical diagnoses to any immediate family member without permission."
C. "Client information can be discussed in public areas as long as the client is not named."
D. "Nurses may share personal health info with any staff member on the unit."
ANSWER : A — "A nurse can disclose information to a family member with the client’s permission."
Explanation: According to confidentiality and privacy standards, personal health information (PHI) can only be
shared with family members when explicit client permission has been obtained [3]. Sharing medical information
without consent, discussing cases in public hallways, or sharing details with staff members who are not directly
involved in the client's care are severe violations of HIPAA.
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who requires home oxygen. The equipment
company has not yet delivered the oxygen tank. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to pick up the oxygen equipment themselves.
B. Contact social services about the delivery of the oxygen equipment.
C. Delay the discharge indefinitely without notifying anyone.
D. Tell the client to use a portable household fan instead.
ANSWER : B — Contact social services about the delivery of the oxygen equipment
Explanation: If essential home-care equipment like oxygen has not been delivered by discharge time, the nurse
should contact social services or the case manager [3]. They will coordinate with the medical equipment company to
resolve the issue and ensure a safe transition. Discharging the client without their prescribed oxygen is unsafe, and
placing the burden of resolving equipment delivery on the client is inappropriate.
Nursing Leadership and Management Exam Series Page 3 Professional Study Resource
ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE
Comprehensive Study Resource & Test Bank with 2026-2027 Update Exam
Subject: Nursing Leadership and Management
Exam Focus: Management of Care, Safety and Infection Control, and Quality Improvement.
Structure: This test bank consists of 66 highly analytical, course-grounded questions covering core leadership
topics, delegation rules, ethical-legal standards, triage tags, and emergency preparedness. Each question is
accompanied by complete, detailed rationales for correct and incorrect options to maximize understanding and
retention for the ATI RN Leadership Proctored Exam.
TOPIC 1: SAFE AND EFFECTIVE CARE ENVIRONMENT: MANAGEMENT OF
CARE
Question 1: A nurse in a prenatal clinic is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients
should the nurse recommend for an interdisciplinary care conference?
A. A client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has a biophysical profile of 6
B. A client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports mild backache
C. A client who is at 32 weeks of gestation with active fetal movement
D. A client who is at 36 weeks of gestation with a blood pressure of 118/74 mm Hg
ANSWER : A — A client who is at 35 weeks of gestation and has a biophysical profile of 6
Explanation: A biophysical profile (BPP) score of 6 indicates a potential fetal risk and requires further evaluation and
interdisciplinary collaboration to determine the best delivery or management strategy [1]. Mild backache, active fetal
movement, and a normal blood pressure of 118/74 mm Hg are reassuring and expected findings that do not require
an interdisciplinary care conference.
Nursing Leadership and Management Exam Series Page 1 Professional Study Resource
,ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE — 2026-2027 UPDATE
Question 2: A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has end-stage heart failure. The client's
partner tells the nurse she can no longer handle caring for the client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Request a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication for the partner.
B. Contact the case manager to discuss discharge options.
C. Instruct the partner to hire a private nurse immediately.
D. Advise the partner to admit the client to a long-term care facility independently.
ANSWER : B — Contact the case manager to discuss discharge options
Explanation: When a caregiver expresses an inability to handle the burden of care, the nurse's role is to facilitate
interdisciplinary support. Contacting the case manager is the priority action because they coordinate care, review
discharge options, arrange home resources, or investigate alternative placement settings [1]. Administering
medications to the partner is outside the scope of caring for the client, and forcing independent placement or hiring
private nurses without coordination is inappropriate.
Question 3: A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parent of a toddler who has a new diagnosis
of asthma. The parent states she is unable to afford the nebulizer prescribed for the child. Which of the
following referrals should the nurse recommend?
A. Social worker
B. Physical therapist
C. Occupational therapist
D. Respiratory therapist
ANSWER : A — Social worker
Explanation: A social worker is the appropriate interdisciplinary referral when financial barriers affect a client's ability
to obtain necessary medical equipment, such as a nebulizer [2]. Social workers help navigate financial assistance
programs, insurance issues, and community resources. Physical and occupational therapists address mobility and
functional skills, while a respiratory therapist assists with respiratory education and treatments but does not manage
financial resources.
Nursing Leadership and Management Exam Series Page 2 Professional Study Resource
, ATI RN LEADERSHIP PRACTICE EXAM GUIDE — 2026-2027 UPDATE
Question 4: A nurse is supervising assistive personnel (AP) who is feeding a client with dysphagia.
Which of the following actions by the AP should the nurse identify as correct technique?
A. Instructing the client to tilt their head backward during swallowing
B. Instructing the client to place their chin to chest while swallowing
C. Encouraging the client to drink thin liquids rapidly
D. Encouraging the client to speak while chewing food
ANSWER : B — Instructing the client to place their chin to chest while swallowing
Explanation: Instructing a client with dysphagia to tuck their chin to their chest during swallowing helps close the
airway and open the esophagus, reducing the risk of aspiration [2]. Tilting the head back opens the airway and
increases aspiration risk. Thin liquids and speaking while chewing are also dangerous and contraindicated for clients
with dysphagia.
Question 5: A nurse is providing an in-service about client rights for a group of nurses. Which of the
following statements should the nurse include in the in-service?
A. "A nurse can disclose information to a family member with the client’s permission."
B. "A nurse can disclose medical diagnoses to any immediate family member without permission."
C. "Client information can be discussed in public areas as long as the client is not named."
D. "Nurses may share personal health info with any staff member on the unit."
ANSWER : A — "A nurse can disclose information to a family member with the client’s permission."
Explanation: According to confidentiality and privacy standards, personal health information (PHI) can only be
shared with family members when explicit client permission has been obtained [3]. Sharing medical information
without consent, discussing cases in public hallways, or sharing details with staff members who are not directly
involved in the client's care are severe violations of HIPAA.
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who requires home oxygen. The equipment
company has not yet delivered the oxygen tank. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to pick up the oxygen equipment themselves.
B. Contact social services about the delivery of the oxygen equipment.
C. Delay the discharge indefinitely without notifying anyone.
D. Tell the client to use a portable household fan instead.
ANSWER : B — Contact social services about the delivery of the oxygen equipment
Explanation: If essential home-care equipment like oxygen has not been delivered by discharge time, the nurse
should contact social services or the case manager [3]. They will coordinate with the medical equipment company to
resolve the issue and ensure a safe transition. Discharging the client without their prescribed oxygen is unsafe, and
placing the burden of resolving equipment delivery on the client is inappropriate.
Nursing Leadership and Management Exam Series Page 3 Professional Study Resource