ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM:
180 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
1. A nurse is caring for a client scheduled for electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT). The client expresses hesitation and states, "I signed
the consent form yesterday, but I really don't want to go through
with this." Which of the following responses or actions by the nurse
is appropriate? A. Inform the client that consent cannot be withdrawn
after signing the official form.
B. Advise the client that the procedure is already scheduled and must be
completed.
C. Inform the client of their right to withdraw consent for the treatment
at any time.
D. Administer the pre-procedure sedative to help calm the client's
anxiety.
• Answer: C
• Rationale: A client retains the legal and ethical right to withdraw
consent for medical treatment or procedures at any point, even
after initially signing a consent document. The nurse must respect
client autonomy, notify the healthcare provider, and ensure the
procedure is paused.
2. While performing a routine check in a client's room, a nurse
notices that the electrical cord attached to an intravenous infusion
pump is frayed. Which of the following actions should the nurse
,take first? A. Report the defective cord to the facility maintenance
department.
B. Remove the device immediately from the client's room.
C. Complete an incident report detailing the electrical defect.
D. Place a piece of electrical tape securely over the frayed section.
• Answer: B
• Rationale: The priority action according to safety protocols is to
immediately remove the hazardous equipment from the client's
environment to prevent electrical shock or fire. Reporting the issue
to maintenance and documenting the occurrence are secondary
steps taken after eliminating the immediate safety risk.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of hydromorphone to a
client in severe pain. Before accessing the medication, which of the
following actions must the nurse perform? A. Verify the client's blood
pressure and apical heart rate.
B. Count the current number of unit doses available in the automated
dispensing system.
C. Ask a second nurse to witness the entire medication administration
process.
D. Contact the pharmacy to verify the exact expiration date of the
supply.
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Controlled substances like hydromorphone require
strict inventory tracking. Nurses must count and verify the physical
quantity of controlled unit doses present in the automated
, dispensing cabinet prior to removing the required dose to maintain
compliance and detect discrepancies.
4. A nurse is conducting a change-of-shift assessment on a client who
had a lower leg cast applied 2 hours ago. Which of the following
findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider? A.
Client reports pain rated 4 on a 0-to-10 scale.
B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds in the toes.
C. 2+ pitting edema and pallor distal to the cast.
D. Warm skin temperature on the affected extremity.
• Answer: C
• Rationale: 2+ pitting edema and pallor distal to a newly placed
cast indicate impaired perfusion and tissue hypoxia, which are
early signs of acute compartment syndrome. Immediate assessment
and intervention (e.g., bivalving the cast) are required to prevent
permanent neurovascular damage.
5. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client prescribed
disulfiram for alcohol use disorder. Which of the following client
statements indicates a need for further teaching? A. "I will carefully
read the labels of aftershaves and cough syrups before using them."
B. "I can safely have one standard alcoholic drink daily while taking
disulfiram."
C. "I should wait at least 12 hours after my last drink before starting this
medication."
, D. "Combining alcohol with this medication can cause severe nausea,
flushing, and tachycardia."
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Disulfiram causes severe adverse reactions
(hypotension, flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia) when
combined with any amount of alcohol. The client must completely
abstain from all alcohol, including hidden sources such as throat
sprays, mouthwashes, and cooking wines.
6. A nurse is reviewing dietary restrictions with a client who is
taking fluoxetine. Which of the following statements by the client
demonstrates an incorrect understanding of the medication? A. "I
will report any sudden severe headache or neck stiffness right away."
B. "I must strictly avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, and foods containing
tyramine."
C. "It may take several weeks before I notice a full therapeutic effect."
D. "I should avoid taking over-the-counter herbal supplements like St.
John's Wort."
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Strict dietary restriction of tyramine is required for
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine. However, clients on
SSRIs should avoid St. John's Wort due to the risk of serotonin
syndrome.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to the caregiver of a child
prescribed sustained-release methylphenidate for ADHD. Which of
180 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM PREP
1. A nurse is caring for a client scheduled for electroconvulsive
therapy (ECT). The client expresses hesitation and states, "I signed
the consent form yesterday, but I really don't want to go through
with this." Which of the following responses or actions by the nurse
is appropriate? A. Inform the client that consent cannot be withdrawn
after signing the official form.
B. Advise the client that the procedure is already scheduled and must be
completed.
C. Inform the client of their right to withdraw consent for the treatment
at any time.
D. Administer the pre-procedure sedative to help calm the client's
anxiety.
• Answer: C
• Rationale: A client retains the legal and ethical right to withdraw
consent for medical treatment or procedures at any point, even
after initially signing a consent document. The nurse must respect
client autonomy, notify the healthcare provider, and ensure the
procedure is paused.
2. While performing a routine check in a client's room, a nurse
notices that the electrical cord attached to an intravenous infusion
pump is frayed. Which of the following actions should the nurse
,take first? A. Report the defective cord to the facility maintenance
department.
B. Remove the device immediately from the client's room.
C. Complete an incident report detailing the electrical defect.
D. Place a piece of electrical tape securely over the frayed section.
• Answer: B
• Rationale: The priority action according to safety protocols is to
immediately remove the hazardous equipment from the client's
environment to prevent electrical shock or fire. Reporting the issue
to maintenance and documenting the occurrence are secondary
steps taken after eliminating the immediate safety risk.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of hydromorphone to a
client in severe pain. Before accessing the medication, which of the
following actions must the nurse perform? A. Verify the client's blood
pressure and apical heart rate.
B. Count the current number of unit doses available in the automated
dispensing system.
C. Ask a second nurse to witness the entire medication administration
process.
D. Contact the pharmacy to verify the exact expiration date of the
supply.
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Controlled substances like hydromorphone require
strict inventory tracking. Nurses must count and verify the physical
quantity of controlled unit doses present in the automated
, dispensing cabinet prior to removing the required dose to maintain
compliance and detect discrepancies.
4. A nurse is conducting a change-of-shift assessment on a client who
had a lower leg cast applied 2 hours ago. Which of the following
findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider? A.
Client reports pain rated 4 on a 0-to-10 scale.
B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds in the toes.
C. 2+ pitting edema and pallor distal to the cast.
D. Warm skin temperature on the affected extremity.
• Answer: C
• Rationale: 2+ pitting edema and pallor distal to a newly placed
cast indicate impaired perfusion and tissue hypoxia, which are
early signs of acute compartment syndrome. Immediate assessment
and intervention (e.g., bivalving the cast) are required to prevent
permanent neurovascular damage.
5. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client prescribed
disulfiram for alcohol use disorder. Which of the following client
statements indicates a need for further teaching? A. "I will carefully
read the labels of aftershaves and cough syrups before using them."
B. "I can safely have one standard alcoholic drink daily while taking
disulfiram."
C. "I should wait at least 12 hours after my last drink before starting this
medication."
, D. "Combining alcohol with this medication can cause severe nausea,
flushing, and tachycardia."
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Disulfiram causes severe adverse reactions
(hypotension, flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia) when
combined with any amount of alcohol. The client must completely
abstain from all alcohol, including hidden sources such as throat
sprays, mouthwashes, and cooking wines.
6. A nurse is reviewing dietary restrictions with a client who is
taking fluoxetine. Which of the following statements by the client
demonstrates an incorrect understanding of the medication? A. "I
will report any sudden severe headache or neck stiffness right away."
B. "I must strictly avoid aged cheeses, cured meats, and foods containing
tyramine."
C. "It may take several weeks before I notice a full therapeutic effect."
D. "I should avoid taking over-the-counter herbal supplements like St.
John's Wort."
• Answer: B
• Rationale: Strict dietary restriction of tyramine is required for
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine. However, clients on
SSRIs should avoid St. John's Wort due to the risk of serotonin
syndrome.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to the caregiver of a child
prescribed sustained-release methylphenidate for ADHD. Which of
