ATI RN CMS Comprehensive
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 has a new prescription for oxygen
at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding requires the nurse to
intervene?
A. Oxygen saturation of 95%
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Client smoking a cigarette in the bathroom
D. Client reporting mild nasal dryness
Answer: C. Client smoking a cigarette in the bathroom
Oxygen supports combustion and creates a significant fire hazard.
The nurse should immediately stop the client from smoking and
reinforce oxygen safety.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving IV fluids. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
B. Crackles in the lung bases
,C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Heart rate of 82/min
Answer: B. Crackles in the lung bases
Crackles can indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs and may be an
early manifestation of fluid volume excess.
3. Which action should the nurse take when administering
medication through a feeding tube?
A. Crush enteric-coated tablets.
B. Mix all medications together.
C. Flush the tube before and after medication administration.
D. Add medications directly to the enteral formula.
Answer: C. Flush the tube before and after medication
administration.
Flushing helps maintain tube patency and prevents medication
interactions within the tube.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 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.
The call light should be accessible so the client can request assistance
before attempting to get out of bed.
,5. A nurse discovers that a client 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. Notify the provider.
Answer: C. Assess the client.
The client's safety is the priority. The nurse should first assess for
adverse effects and then follow facility procedures for notification
and documentation.
6. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client reporting pain of 7/10 after abdominal surgery
B. A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 91%
C. A client with pneumonia who has new confusion and a respiratory
rate of 30/min
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: C. A client with pneumonia who has new confusion and a
respiratory rate of 30/min
New confusion and tachypnea can indicate worsening hypoxemia or
sepsis. This client has the greatest immediate threat to airway and
breathing.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Inject insulin into the deltoid muscle.
B. Roll cloudy insulin between the hands.
C. Shake cloudy insulin vigorously.
D. Massage the injection site afterward.
, Answer: B. Roll cloudy insulin between the hands.
Cloudy insulin suspensions should be gently rolled to mix the
medication. Vigorous shaking can cause bubbles and affect accurate
dosing.
8. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and low back
pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the infusion.
B. Stop the transfusion.
C. Administer acetaminophen.
D. Obtain another blood sample.
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion.
Chills and low back pain can indicate an acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The transfusion must be stopped immediately.
9. Which finding indicates that a client may have developed a
pressure injury?
A. Blanchable redness over the sacrum
B. Nonblanchable erythema over the sacrum
C. Warm skin over the elbows
D. Dry skin over the heels
Answer: B. Nonblanchable erythema over the sacrum
Nonblanchable erythema over intact skin is characteristic of a stage 1
pressure injury.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia following a
stroke. Which intervention is appropriate?
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 has a new prescription for oxygen
at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding requires the nurse to
intervene?
A. Oxygen saturation of 95%
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Client smoking a cigarette in the bathroom
D. Client reporting mild nasal dryness
Answer: C. Client smoking a cigarette in the bathroom
Oxygen supports combustion and creates a significant fire hazard.
The nurse should immediately stop the client from smoking and
reinforce oxygen safety.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving IV fluids. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
B. Crackles in the lung bases
,C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
D. Heart rate of 82/min
Answer: B. Crackles in the lung bases
Crackles can indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs and may be an
early manifestation of fluid volume excess.
3. Which action should the nurse take when administering
medication through a feeding tube?
A. Crush enteric-coated tablets.
B. Mix all medications together.
C. Flush the tube before and after medication administration.
D. Add medications directly to the enteral formula.
Answer: C. Flush the tube before and after medication
administration.
Flushing helps maintain tube patency and prevents medication
interactions within the tube.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 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.
The call light should be accessible so the client can request assistance
before attempting to get out of bed.
,5. A nurse discovers that a client 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. Notify the provider.
Answer: C. Assess the client.
The client's safety is the priority. The nurse should first assess for
adverse effects and then follow facility procedures for notification
and documentation.
6. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client reporting pain of 7/10 after abdominal surgery
B. A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 91%
C. A client with pneumonia who has new confusion and a respiratory
rate of 30/min
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: C. A client with pneumonia who has new confusion and a
respiratory rate of 30/min
New confusion and tachypnea can indicate worsening hypoxemia or
sepsis. This client has the greatest immediate threat to airway and
breathing.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Inject insulin into the deltoid muscle.
B. Roll cloudy insulin between the hands.
C. Shake cloudy insulin vigorously.
D. Massage the injection site afterward.
, Answer: B. Roll cloudy insulin between the hands.
Cloudy insulin suspensions should be gently rolled to mix the
medication. Vigorous shaking can cause bubbles and affect accurate
dosing.
8. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills and low back
pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the infusion.
B. Stop the transfusion.
C. Administer acetaminophen.
D. Obtain another blood sample.
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion.
Chills and low back pain can indicate an acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The transfusion must be stopped immediately.
9. Which finding indicates that a client may have developed a
pressure injury?
A. Blanchable redness over the sacrum
B. Nonblanchable erythema over the sacrum
C. Warm skin over the elbows
D. Dry skin over the heels
Answer: B. Nonblanchable erythema over the sacrum
Nonblanchable erythema over intact skin is characteristic of a stage 1
pressure injury.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia following a
stroke. Which intervention is appropriate?
