ATI RN CMS Practice Exam
2026–2027| Complete Test
Prep Practice Questions With
Answers & Detailed
Rationales |clinical Judgment
&Safety |A+ Rated
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports shortness of breath.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's temperature
B. Apply oxygen as prescribed
C. Assess the client's airway and breathing
D. Notify the provider
Answer: C. Assess the client's airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities under the
ABC approach. The nurse should determine the severity of respiratory
compromise before implementing additional interventions.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
identifiers should the nurse use?
A. Room number and diagnosis
B. Name and room number
C. Name and date of birth
D. Diagnosis and date of admission
,Answer: C. Name and date of birth
Rationale: Two approved client identifiers, such as name and date of
birth, should be used before medication administration. A room
number is not an acceptable identifier.
3. A nurse discovers that a client has received an incorrect
medication. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the pharmacy
C. Assess the client
D. Document the error in the medical record
Answer: C. Assess the client
Rationale: Client safety is the priority. The nurse should immediately
assess the client for adverse effects and then notify the appropriate
provider and follow facility reporting procedures.
4. A client has a blood pressure of 86/48 mm Hg, heart rate of
124/min, and cool, clammy skin. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Anxiety
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Cool skin
Answer: B. Hypotension
Rationale: Significant hypotension can indicate inadequate tissue
perfusion and possible shock. The nurse should rapidly assess and
intervene to restore circulation.
,5. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving opioid
analgesia?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Mild drowsiness
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory
rate of 8/min requires immediate assessment and intervention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client at risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep the bed in the highest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: The call light should be accessible so the client can request
assistance. Four side rails can constitute a restraint, and the bed
should remain in its lowest safe position.
7. Which action is appropriate when removing personal protective
equipment after caring for a client on contact precautions?
A. Remove the gown and gloves before leaving the room
B. Remove the mask first
C. Remove gloves after leaving the room
D. Reuse the gown for another client
Answer: A. Remove the gown and gloves before leaving the room
, Rationale: Contact precautions require removal of contaminated
gown and gloves before leaving the client's environment to reduce
transmission.
8. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device once every 4 hr
D. Lie flat while using the device
Answer: B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes lung expansion. The client
should inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece and repeat
the exercise regularly while awake.
9. A client is experiencing acute confusion. Which assessment
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. New onset of confusion
B. Decreased appetite
C. Difficulty sleeping
D. Mild anxiety
Answer: A. New onset of confusion
Rationale: Acute confusion can indicate hypoxia, infection, metabolic
abnormalities, medication effects, or another serious condition and
requires prompt evaluation.
10. Which client should the nurse assess first?
2026–2027| Complete Test
Prep Practice Questions With
Answers & Detailed
Rationales |clinical Judgment
&Safety |A+ Rated
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports shortness of breath.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's temperature
B. Apply oxygen as prescribed
C. Assess the client's airway and breathing
D. Notify the provider
Answer: C. Assess the client's airway and breathing
Rationale: Airway and breathing are immediate priorities under the
ABC approach. The nurse should determine the severity of respiratory
compromise before implementing additional interventions.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
identifiers should the nurse use?
A. Room number and diagnosis
B. Name and room number
C. Name and date of birth
D. Diagnosis and date of admission
,Answer: C. Name and date of birth
Rationale: Two approved client identifiers, such as name and date of
birth, should be used before medication administration. A room
number is not an acceptable identifier.
3. A nurse discovers that a client has received an incorrect
medication. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Notify the pharmacy
C. Assess the client
D. Document the error in the medical record
Answer: C. Assess the client
Rationale: Client safety is the priority. The nurse should immediately
assess the client for adverse effects and then notify the appropriate
provider and follow facility reporting procedures.
4. A client has a blood pressure of 86/48 mm Hg, heart rate of
124/min, and cool, clammy skin. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Anxiety
B. Hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Cool skin
Answer: B. Hypotension
Rationale: Significant hypotension can indicate inadequate tissue
perfusion and possible shock. The nurse should rapidly assess and
intervene to restore circulation.
,5. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving opioid
analgesia?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Mild drowsiness
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory
rate of 8/min requires immediate assessment and intervention.
6. A nurse is caring for a client at risk for falls. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep the bed in the highest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: The call light should be accessible so the client can request
assistance. Four side rails can constitute a restraint, and the bed
should remain in its lowest safe position.
7. Which action is appropriate when removing personal protective
equipment after caring for a client on contact precautions?
A. Remove the gown and gloves before leaving the room
B. Remove the mask first
C. Remove gloves after leaving the room
D. Reuse the gown for another client
Answer: A. Remove the gown and gloves before leaving the room
, Rationale: Contact precautions require removal of contaminated
gown and gloves before leaving the client's environment to reduce
transmission.
8. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device once every 4 hr
D. Lie flat while using the device
Answer: B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Incentive spirometry promotes lung expansion. The client
should inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece and repeat
the exercise regularly while awake.
9. A client is experiencing acute confusion. Which assessment
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. New onset of confusion
B. Decreased appetite
C. Difficulty sleeping
D. Mild anxiety
Answer: A. New onset of confusion
Rationale: Acute confusion can indicate hypoxia, infection, metabolic
abnormalities, medication effects, or another serious condition and
requires prompt evaluation.
10. Which client should the nurse assess first?
