ATI RN Fundamentals Exam
Review 2026/2027: High-Yield
Questions & Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports shortness of breath.
Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
C. Mild anxiety
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires
prompt assessment and intervention.
2. Which action should the nurse take first when caring for a client
who reports new-onset chest pain?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Ask the client to rate the pain
C. Administer an antacid
D. Document the finding
Answer: B. Ask the client to rate the pain
The nurse should rapidly assess the pain, including onset, severity,
location, and characteristics, while simultaneously evaluating for
instability.
3. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with a temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
B. Client requesting assistance with bathing
C. Client with new confusion and oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Client reporting constipation for 2 days
,Answer: C. Client with new confusion and oxygen saturation of 86%
Hypoxemia accompanied by acute mental-status changes is an
immediate priority because impaired oxygenation can rapidly
become life-threatening.
4. Which statement best describes the purpose of nursing
assessment?
A. Establish a medical diagnosis
B. Collect data about the client's health status
C. Select prescribed medications
D. Determine the client's insurance coverage
Answer: B. Collect data about the client's health status
Assessment involves systematic collection of subjective and objective
information used to identify client needs.
5. A nurse obtains a blood pressure of 180/110 mm Hg. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Recheck the blood pressure using correct technique
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication
D. Document the reading as normal
Answer: B. Recheck the blood pressure using correct technique
An unexpectedly high reading should be verified before further action
unless the client has signs of an acute emergency.
6. Which finding represents objective data?
A. "I feel dizzy."
B. "My pain is a 7."
C. Blood pressure 146/88 mm Hg
D. "I feel nauseated."
Answer: C. Blood pressure 146/88 mm Hg
Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained
through assessment.
,7. A client says, "I don't understand why I need this surgery." Which
nursing action is appropriate?
A. Explain the surgical procedure in detail
B. Tell the client the surgeon already explained it
C. Notify the provider that the client needs additional explanation
D. Ask the family to explain the procedure
Answer: C. Notify the provider that the client needs additional
explanation
The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining
the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
8. Which nursing action demonstrates evaluation?
A. Measuring the client's pain
B. Developing a pain-management plan
C. Administering prescribed analgesia
D. Determining whether pain decreased after analgesia
Answer: D. Determining whether pain decreased after analgesia
Evaluation determines whether the interventions achieved the
expected outcomes.
9. Which client should the nurse see first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis pain rated 5/10
B. Client with a new tracheostomy who has noisy respirations
C. Client requesting discharge instructions
D. Client who needs assistance eating
Answer: B. Client with a new tracheostomy who has noisy
respirations
Noisy respirations following tracheostomy placement can indicate
airway obstruction and require immediate assessment.
10. A nurse is planning care for a client. Which outcome is written
correctly?
A. Client will feel better.
, B. Nurse will encourage fluids.
C. Client will ambulate 30 meters three times daily by Friday.
D. Client will receive excellent care.
Answer: C. Client will ambulate 30 meters three times daily by
Friday.
This outcome is specific, measurable, and time limited.
11. Which action is part of the implementation phase of the nursing
process?
A. Collecting vital signs
B. Identifying nursing diagnoses
C. Administering prescribed medication
D. Determining whether the goal was achieved
Answer: C. Administering prescribed medication
Implementation involves carrying out planned nursing interventions.
12. A client refuses a prescribed medication. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Hide the medication in food
B. Document the refusal and leave
C. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
D. Notify security
Answer: C. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
The nurse should determine the reason for refusal, provide
appropriate education, and respect the client's right to refuse
treatment.
13. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
B. Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
C. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
D. Heart rate of 82/min
Review 2026/2027: High-Yield
Questions & Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports shortness of breath.
Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
C. Mild anxiety
D. Productive cough
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires
prompt assessment and intervention.
2. Which action should the nurse take first when caring for a client
who reports new-onset chest pain?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Ask the client to rate the pain
C. Administer an antacid
D. Document the finding
Answer: B. Ask the client to rate the pain
The nurse should rapidly assess the pain, including onset, severity,
location, and characteristics, while simultaneously evaluating for
instability.
3. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with a temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F)
B. Client requesting assistance with bathing
C. Client with new confusion and oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Client reporting constipation for 2 days
,Answer: C. Client with new confusion and oxygen saturation of 86%
Hypoxemia accompanied by acute mental-status changes is an
immediate priority because impaired oxygenation can rapidly
become life-threatening.
4. Which statement best describes the purpose of nursing
assessment?
A. Establish a medical diagnosis
B. Collect data about the client's health status
C. Select prescribed medications
D. Determine the client's insurance coverage
Answer: B. Collect data about the client's health status
Assessment involves systematic collection of subjective and objective
information used to identify client needs.
5. A nurse obtains a blood pressure of 180/110 mm Hg. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Recheck the blood pressure using correct technique
C. Administer an antihypertensive medication
D. Document the reading as normal
Answer: B. Recheck the blood pressure using correct technique
An unexpectedly high reading should be verified before further action
unless the client has signs of an acute emergency.
6. Which finding represents objective data?
A. "I feel dizzy."
B. "My pain is a 7."
C. Blood pressure 146/88 mm Hg
D. "I feel nauseated."
Answer: C. Blood pressure 146/88 mm Hg
Objective data are measurable or observable findings obtained
through assessment.
,7. A client says, "I don't understand why I need this surgery." Which
nursing action is appropriate?
A. Explain the surgical procedure in detail
B. Tell the client the surgeon already explained it
C. Notify the provider that the client needs additional explanation
D. Ask the family to explain the procedure
Answer: C. Notify the provider that the client needs additional
explanation
The provider performing the procedure is responsible for explaining
the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives.
8. Which nursing action demonstrates evaluation?
A. Measuring the client's pain
B. Developing a pain-management plan
C. Administering prescribed analgesia
D. Determining whether pain decreased after analgesia
Answer: D. Determining whether pain decreased after analgesia
Evaluation determines whether the interventions achieved the
expected outcomes.
9. Which client should the nurse see first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis pain rated 5/10
B. Client with a new tracheostomy who has noisy respirations
C. Client requesting discharge instructions
D. Client who needs assistance eating
Answer: B. Client with a new tracheostomy who has noisy
respirations
Noisy respirations following tracheostomy placement can indicate
airway obstruction and require immediate assessment.
10. A nurse is planning care for a client. Which outcome is written
correctly?
A. Client will feel better.
, B. Nurse will encourage fluids.
C. Client will ambulate 30 meters three times daily by Friday.
D. Client will receive excellent care.
Answer: C. Client will ambulate 30 meters three times daily by
Friday.
This outcome is specific, measurable, and time limited.
11. Which action is part of the implementation phase of the nursing
process?
A. Collecting vital signs
B. Identifying nursing diagnoses
C. Administering prescribed medication
D. Determining whether the goal was achieved
Answer: C. Administering prescribed medication
Implementation involves carrying out planned nursing interventions.
12. A client refuses a prescribed medication. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Hide the medication in food
B. Document the refusal and leave
C. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
D. Notify security
Answer: C. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
The nurse should determine the reason for refusal, provide
appropriate education, and respect the client's right to refuse
treatment.
13. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Urine output of 35 mL/hr
B. Potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
C. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
D. Heart rate of 82/min
