ATI RN LEADERSHIP LATEST VERSION
FORM A QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Management of Care
Delegation and Supervision
Prioritization and Clinical Judgment
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Resource Management
Professionalism and Leadership
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Advocacy and Client Rights
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge, skills,
and clinical judgment required for entry-level nursing leadership and
management. It evaluates the candidate's ability to prioritize care, delegate
appropriately, resolve conflicts, manage resources, and apply legal and ethical
principles in real-world healthcare settings. The test employs multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions that mirror the ATI proctored exam structure.
Emphasis is placed on clinical decision-making, team collaboration, and the
application of leadership theories to promote safe, high-quality patient care.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess FIRST?
A. A client with chronic heart failure reporting mild fatigue
B. A client scheduled for discharge in 2 hours
C. A client with diabetes who is diaphoretic and confused with a blood
glucose of 52 mg/dL
D. A client requesting assistance with hygiene
C. A client with diabetes who is diaphoretic and confused with a blood
glucose of 52 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat to neurologic
function and can rapidly progress to seizures or loss of consciousness. Using
prioritization frameworks (ABCs, acute vs. stable), this client requires
immediate intervention. The other clients are stable and can wait.
2. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should be
assigned to the most experienced RN?
A. A client 24 hours postoperative with stable vital signs
B. A client admitted with suspected septic shock requiring vasopressors
C. A client preparing for discharge after pneumonia treatment
D. A client receiving routine wound care
B. A client admitted with suspected septic shock requiring vasopressors
RATIONALE: Septic shock is a high-acuity condition requiring advanced
assessment, critical thinking, hemodynamic monitoring, and complex
interventions. Stable clients can be managed by less experienced staff.
3. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from bed to chair. Which
action demonstrates proper body mechanics?
A. Twisting at the waist while lowering the client
B. Keeping feet close together for stability
,C. Positioning the chair close to the bed and pivoting
D. Lifting with back muscles while keeping knees straight
C. Positioning the chair close to the bed and pivoting
RATIONALE: Proper body mechanics involve keeping the client close to
the nurse's center of gravity, positioning equipment close, and pivoting rather
than twisting. This reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
4. A nurse is reviewing an incident report. Which situation requires
immediate intervention?
A. A client refuses to take a prescribed medication
B. A nurse documents care before providing it
C. A client's IV pump alarms frequently
D. A nurse administrator is planning staffing for the next month
B. A nurse documents care before providing it
RATIONALE: Documenting care before it is provided is falsification of
medical records, which is a serious legal and ethical violation. It requires
immediate intervention and reporting.
5. A nurse is delegating tasks to assistive personnel (AP). Which task is
appropriate for delegation?
A. Assessing a client's wound drainage
B. Administering oral medications
C. Measuring a client's intake and output
D. Teaching a client about a new medication
C. Measuring a client's intake and output
RATIONALE: Measuring intake and output is a routine, non-invasive task
that can be safely delegated to assistive personnel. Assessment, medication
administration, and teaching require the skill and judgment of a licensed
nurse.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR)
order. The client's family requests that the nurse initiate CPR if the
client stops breathing. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Initiate CPR as requested by the family
B. Explain that the DNR order must be honored
C. Ask the provider to change the DNR order
D. Ignore the family's request and continue monitoring
B. Explain that the DNR order must be honored
RATIONALE: A DNR order is a legal document that must be honored.
The nurse should explain this to the family with compassion and involve the
provider and ethics committee if needed. The nurse cannot override a legal
DNR order based on family request.
7. A nurse is admitting a client who speaks a different language. Which
action should the nurse take to ensure informed consent?
A. Have a family member interpret the consent form
B. Use a hospital-approved interpreter
C. Have the client sign the form without understanding
D. Wait until the client learns English
B. Use a hospital-approved interpreter
RATIONALE: Informed consent requires that the client understands the
procedure, risks, and alternatives. Using a trained medical interpreter ensures
accurate communication. Family members may not interpret accurately and
may have conflicts of interest.
8. A nurse is reviewing a client's advance directive. Which statement
indicates understanding of the document?
A. "The advance directive can only be changed by the provider."
B. "The advance directive allows the client to designate a healthcare proxy."
FORM A QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Management of Care
Delegation and Supervision
Prioritization and Clinical Judgment
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Resource Management
Professionalism and Leadership
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Advocacy and Client Rights
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge, skills,
and clinical judgment required for entry-level nursing leadership and
management. It evaluates the candidate's ability to prioritize care, delegate
appropriately, resolve conflicts, manage resources, and apply legal and ethical
principles in real-world healthcare settings. The test employs multiple-choice
and scenario-based questions that mirror the ATI proctored exam structure.
Emphasis is placed on clinical decision-making, team collaboration, and the
application of leadership theories to promote safe, high-quality patient care.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess FIRST?
A. A client with chronic heart failure reporting mild fatigue
B. A client scheduled for discharge in 2 hours
C. A client with diabetes who is diaphoretic and confused with a blood
glucose of 52 mg/dL
D. A client requesting assistance with hygiene
C. A client with diabetes who is diaphoretic and confused with a blood
glucose of 52 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Hypoglycemia is an immediate threat to neurologic
function and can rapidly progress to seizures or loss of consciousness. Using
prioritization frameworks (ABCs, acute vs. stable), this client requires
immediate intervention. The other clients are stable and can wait.
2. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should be
assigned to the most experienced RN?
A. A client 24 hours postoperative with stable vital signs
B. A client admitted with suspected septic shock requiring vasopressors
C. A client preparing for discharge after pneumonia treatment
D. A client receiving routine wound care
B. A client admitted with suspected septic shock requiring vasopressors
RATIONALE: Septic shock is a high-acuity condition requiring advanced
assessment, critical thinking, hemodynamic monitoring, and complex
interventions. Stable clients can be managed by less experienced staff.
3. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from bed to chair. Which
action demonstrates proper body mechanics?
A. Twisting at the waist while lowering the client
B. Keeping feet close together for stability
,C. Positioning the chair close to the bed and pivoting
D. Lifting with back muscles while keeping knees straight
C. Positioning the chair close to the bed and pivoting
RATIONALE: Proper body mechanics involve keeping the client close to
the nurse's center of gravity, positioning equipment close, and pivoting rather
than twisting. This reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injury.
4. A nurse is reviewing an incident report. Which situation requires
immediate intervention?
A. A client refuses to take a prescribed medication
B. A nurse documents care before providing it
C. A client's IV pump alarms frequently
D. A nurse administrator is planning staffing for the next month
B. A nurse documents care before providing it
RATIONALE: Documenting care before it is provided is falsification of
medical records, which is a serious legal and ethical violation. It requires
immediate intervention and reporting.
5. A nurse is delegating tasks to assistive personnel (AP). Which task is
appropriate for delegation?
A. Assessing a client's wound drainage
B. Administering oral medications
C. Measuring a client's intake and output
D. Teaching a client about a new medication
C. Measuring a client's intake and output
RATIONALE: Measuring intake and output is a routine, non-invasive task
that can be safely delegated to assistive personnel. Assessment, medication
administration, and teaching require the skill and judgment of a licensed
nurse.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR)
order. The client's family requests that the nurse initiate CPR if the
client stops breathing. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Initiate CPR as requested by the family
B. Explain that the DNR order must be honored
C. Ask the provider to change the DNR order
D. Ignore the family's request and continue monitoring
B. Explain that the DNR order must be honored
RATIONALE: A DNR order is a legal document that must be honored.
The nurse should explain this to the family with compassion and involve the
provider and ethics committee if needed. The nurse cannot override a legal
DNR order based on family request.
7. A nurse is admitting a client who speaks a different language. Which
action should the nurse take to ensure informed consent?
A. Have a family member interpret the consent form
B. Use a hospital-approved interpreter
C. Have the client sign the form without understanding
D. Wait until the client learns English
B. Use a hospital-approved interpreter
RATIONALE: Informed consent requires that the client understands the
procedure, risks, and alternatives. Using a trained medical interpreter ensures
accurate communication. Family members may not interpret accurately and
may have conflicts of interest.
8. A nurse is reviewing a client's advance directive. Which statement
indicates understanding of the document?
A. "The advance directive can only be changed by the provider."
B. "The advance directive allows the client to designate a healthcare proxy."
