ATI RN CMS Comprehensive
Question Bank Practice Exam
2026–2027| Complete Test
Prep Practice Questions With
Answers & Detailed Rationales
|clinical Judgment &Safety
|A+ Rated
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding
indicates worsening left-sided heart failure?
A. Dependent edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Crackles in the lung bases
Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, which can
produce crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral edema, jugular
venous distention, and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of
right-sided heart failure.
,2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
B. Maintain oxygen saturation at 100%
C. Use the lowest oxygen flow rate necessary to achieve the
prescribed saturation
D. Withhold oxygen if the client becomes drowsy
Answer: C. Use the lowest oxygen flow rate necessary to achieve
the prescribed saturation
Clients with COPD can require controlled oxygen therapy. Excessive
oxygen administration can worsen carbon dioxide retention in some
clients. Oxygen should be titrated according to the prescription and
clinical status.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has hypokalemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hyperactive reflexes
C. Peaked T waves
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A. Muscle weakness
Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation,
dysrhythmias, and flattened or inverted T waves. Peaked T waves are
associated with hyperkalemia.
4. A client receiving digoxin reports nausea and seeing yellow halos
around lights. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
,C. Give potassium replacement immediately
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
Answer: B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Anorexia, nausea, visual disturbances such as yellow or green halos,
and dysrhythmias can indicate digoxin toxicity. The medication
should be withheld and the provider notified.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a
water-seal drainage system. Which finding requires intervention?
A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Gentle bubbling during exhalation
C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL during the first hour
Answer: C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber can indicate an air
leak. The nurse should assess the system and connections to identify
the source.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which
finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Adrenergic manifestations of hypoglycemia include sweating,
tremors, tachycardia, anxiety, and hunger. Polyuria, fruity breath,
, and Kussmaul respirations are associated with hyperglycemia and
diabetic ketoacidosis.
7. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis is receiving IV fluids and
regular insulin. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Phosphate
Answer: B. Potassium
Insulin drives potassium into cells, potentially causing hypokalemia
during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Serum potassium requires
frequent monitoring and replacement as prescribed.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury. Which
finding should the nurse report?
A. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
B. BUN of 32 mg/dL
C. Mild fatigue
D. Blood pressure of 138/82 mm Hg
Answer: A. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
Oliguria is a common manifestation of acute kidney injury. Urine
output below approximately 30 mL/hr in an adult should be promptly
evaluated.
9. A client with chronic kidney disease should limit which food?
A. Apples
B. White rice
Question Bank Practice Exam
2026–2027| Complete Test
Prep Practice Questions With
Answers & Detailed Rationales
|clinical Judgment &Safety
|A+ Rated
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding
indicates worsening left-sided heart failure?
A. Dependent edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Crackles in the lung bases
Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, which can
produce crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral edema, jugular
venous distention, and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of
right-sided heart failure.
,2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
B. Maintain oxygen saturation at 100%
C. Use the lowest oxygen flow rate necessary to achieve the
prescribed saturation
D. Withhold oxygen if the client becomes drowsy
Answer: C. Use the lowest oxygen flow rate necessary to achieve
the prescribed saturation
Clients with COPD can require controlled oxygen therapy. Excessive
oxygen administration can worsen carbon dioxide retention in some
clients. Oxygen should be titrated according to the prescription and
clinical status.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has hypokalemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hyperactive reflexes
C. Peaked T waves
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A. Muscle weakness
Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation,
dysrhythmias, and flattened or inverted T waves. Peaked T waves are
associated with hyperkalemia.
4. A client receiving digoxin reports nausea and seeing yellow halos
around lights. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
,C. Give potassium replacement immediately
D. Encourage increased fluid intake
Answer: B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Anorexia, nausea, visual disturbances such as yellow or green halos,
and dysrhythmias can indicate digoxin toxicity. The medication
should be withheld and the provider notified.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a
water-seal drainage system. Which finding requires intervention?
A. Tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Gentle bubbling during exhalation
C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL during the first hour
Answer: C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber can indicate an air
leak. The nurse should assess the system and connections to identify
the source.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which
finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Adrenergic manifestations of hypoglycemia include sweating,
tremors, tachycardia, anxiety, and hunger. Polyuria, fruity breath,
, and Kussmaul respirations are associated with hyperglycemia and
diabetic ketoacidosis.
7. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis is receiving IV fluids and
regular insulin. Which laboratory value requires close monitoring?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Phosphate
Answer: B. Potassium
Insulin drives potassium into cells, potentially causing hypokalemia
during treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Serum potassium requires
frequent monitoring and replacement as prescribed.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury. Which
finding should the nurse report?
A. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
B. BUN of 32 mg/dL
C. Mild fatigue
D. Blood pressure of 138/82 mm Hg
Answer: A. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
Oliguria is a common manifestation of acute kidney injury. Urine
output below approximately 30 mL/hr in an adult should be promptly
evaluated.
9. A client with chronic kidney disease should limit which food?
A. Apples
B. White rice
