ATI Leadership Management Proctored Exam 2025/2026 ( 2 Latest and
Updated Versions ) (100 % Verified Answers, Complete and Best Guide
for Exam )
Question 1
A charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit is making assignments for the upcoming shift. The
team consists of a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), and an unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is most appropriate to delegate to the UAP?
A) Administering oral pain medications to a stable client.
B) Performing a sterile dressing change on a client with a surgical wound.
C) Assisting a client who is 2 days post-operative with ambulation for the second time.
D) Developing the plan of care for a newly admitted client.
Correct Answer: C) Assisting a client who is 2 days post-operative with ambulation for the
second time.
Rationale: According to the principles of delegation, a task delegated to a UAP must be
routine, have a predictable outcome, and not require nursing judgment or assessment.
Assisting a stable client with ambulation after the initial RN assessment is a standard task
within the UAP's scope of practice. Administering medication (A) and performing sterile
procedures (B) are outside the UAP's scope. Developing a plan of care (D) is a professional
RN responsibility.
Question 2
A nurse receives the change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A) A client who is 1 day post-operative for a cholecystectomy and is reporting abdominal pain
rated 6 on a 0-10 scale.
B) A client admitted with anxiety whose vital signs are stable and is requesting to speak with the
nurse.
C) A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 91% on 2 L/min of oxygen, which is
their baseline.
D) A client who is 8 hours post-tonsillectomy and is reporting frequent swallowing.
Correct Answer: D) A client who is 8 hours post-tonsillectomy and is reporting frequent
swallowing.
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Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework for prioritization,
the post-tonsillectomy client is the highest priority. Frequent swallowing can be a sign of
post-operative bleeding in the throat, which poses an immediate risk of airway compromise
and hemorrhage. The other clients are more stable or have expected findings.
Question 3
Two staff nurses are having a loud disagreement about their patient assignments in the middle of
the nurses' station. What is the charge nurse's priority action?
A) Continue with their own tasks and allow the nurses to resolve the conflict themselves.
B) Ask the nurses to move to a private location to discuss the issue.
C) Intervene and take the side of the nurse who has the more difficult assignment.
D) Tell both nurses to return to their work and stop the unprofessional behavior immediately.
Correct Answer: B) Ask the nurses to move to a private location to discuss the issue.
Rationale: The charge nurse's priority is to de-escalate the situation and maintain a
professional environment for staff and patients. Moving the conflict to a private area stops
the public disruption and creates a safe space for the charge nurse to facilitate a resolution
using conflict management strategies.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. While completing the preoperative checklist, the client
states, "I'm not sure I understand what the surgeon is going to do." The client has already signed
the consent form. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Reassure the client that the surgeon is very skilled.
B) Explain the surgical procedure to the client in simple terms.
C) Notify the surgeon that the client has questions about the procedure.
D) Document that the client expressed doubts but the consent form is signed.
Correct Answer: C) Notify the surgeon that the client has questions about the procedure.
Rationale: It is the legal and ethical responsibility of the surgeon who is performing the
procedure to obtain informed consent, which includes ensuring the client fully understands
it. The nurse's role is to act as a client advocate. If the client has doubts or questions, the
consent is not "informed," and the nurse must notify the surgeon to provide further
clarification before the client proceeds to surgery.
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Question 5
A quality improvement committee has noted an increase in medication errors on a unit over the
past quarter. What is the first step the committee should take in addressing this problem?
A) Implement a new policy requiring a double-check for all medication administrations.
B) Provide a mandatory in-service on medication safety for all nursing staff.
C) Form a small team to perform a root cause analysis of the reported errors.
D) Discipline the nurses who were involved in the medication errors.
Correct Answer: C) Form a small team to perform a root cause analysis of the reported
errors.
Rationale: The first step in the quality improvement process is to assess the problem and
gather data to understand its underlying causes. A root cause analysis is a systematic
process for identifying the root causes of problems or incidents. Acting before
understanding the "why" (e.g., by re-educating staff or changing a policy) is not effective
and does not address systemic issues.
Question 6
A client with a terminal illness has a living will that states they do not want any life-sustaining
measures. The client's family, however, is demanding that "everything be done" to save them.
The client is now unresponsive. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A) Follow the family's wishes, as they are the next of kin.
B) Explain to the family that the client's advance directive is a legally binding document that
must be honored.
C) Ask the hospital's ethics committee to mediate the situation.
D) Withhold all care until a decision is made.
Correct Answer: B) Explain to the family that the client's advance directive is a legally
binding document that must be honored.
Rationale: The nurse has an ethical and legal obligation to act as a client advocate and to
honor the client's wishes as expressed in their advance directive. The nurse's primary role
is to compassionately educate the family about the purpose and legal standing of the living
will and to ensure the plan of care aligns with the client's documented wishes.
, [Type here]
Question 7
A nurse is assigned to care for a client who requires a complex dressing change. The nurse has
never performed this specific procedure before. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse
to take?
A) Attempt the procedure using their best judgment.
B) Ask the UAP to assist with the procedure.
C) Review the facility's policy and procedure manual and ask an experienced nurse to supervise.
D) Notify the charge nurse that they cannot accept the assignment.
Correct Answer: C) Review the facility's policy and procedure manual and ask an
experienced nurse to supervise.
Rationale: Nurses have a professional responsibility to ensure they are competent to
perform any task they undertake. The safest and most professional action is to seek out the
necessary resources, which includes consulting the official procedure and having a
competent preceptor or colleague provide guidance and supervision to ensure patient
safety.
Question 8
A charge nurse is notified that a medical-surgical nurse will be floated to the intensive care unit
(ICU) due to a staffing shortage. Which client would be the most appropriate assignment for the
float nurse?
A) A client who is newly admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis and is on an insulin drip.
B) A client who is 3 days post-operative for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and is stable.
C) A client who is on mechanical ventilation and requires frequent suctioning.
D) A client who is receiving multiple vasopressor medications for septic shock.
Correct Answer: B) A client who is 3 days post-operative for a coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG) and is stable.
Rationale: When assigning a float nurse to a specialty unit, the charge nurse must assign the
most stable client with the most predictable needs. The stable post-operative client requires
care that is most similar to that provided on a medical-surgical unit, whereas the other
clients are unstable and require specialized critical care knowledge.
Updated Versions ) (100 % Verified Answers, Complete and Best Guide
for Exam )
Question 1
A charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit is making assignments for the upcoming shift. The
team consists of a registered nurse (RN), a licensed practical nurse (LPN), and an unlicensed
assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is most appropriate to delegate to the UAP?
A) Administering oral pain medications to a stable client.
B) Performing a sterile dressing change on a client with a surgical wound.
C) Assisting a client who is 2 days post-operative with ambulation for the second time.
D) Developing the plan of care for a newly admitted client.
Correct Answer: C) Assisting a client who is 2 days post-operative with ambulation for the
second time.
Rationale: According to the principles of delegation, a task delegated to a UAP must be
routine, have a predictable outcome, and not require nursing judgment or assessment.
Assisting a stable client with ambulation after the initial RN assessment is a standard task
within the UAP's scope of practice. Administering medication (A) and performing sterile
procedures (B) are outside the UAP's scope. Developing a plan of care (D) is a professional
RN responsibility.
Question 2
A nurse receives the change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A) A client who is 1 day post-operative for a cholecystectomy and is reporting abdominal pain
rated 6 on a 0-10 scale.
B) A client admitted with anxiety whose vital signs are stable and is requesting to speak with the
nurse.
C) A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 91% on 2 L/min of oxygen, which is
their baseline.
D) A client who is 8 hours post-tonsillectomy and is reporting frequent swallowing.
Correct Answer: D) A client who is 8 hours post-tonsillectomy and is reporting frequent
swallowing.
,[Type here]
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework for prioritization,
the post-tonsillectomy client is the highest priority. Frequent swallowing can be a sign of
post-operative bleeding in the throat, which poses an immediate risk of airway compromise
and hemorrhage. The other clients are more stable or have expected findings.
Question 3
Two staff nurses are having a loud disagreement about their patient assignments in the middle of
the nurses' station. What is the charge nurse's priority action?
A) Continue with their own tasks and allow the nurses to resolve the conflict themselves.
B) Ask the nurses to move to a private location to discuss the issue.
C) Intervene and take the side of the nurse who has the more difficult assignment.
D) Tell both nurses to return to their work and stop the unprofessional behavior immediately.
Correct Answer: B) Ask the nurses to move to a private location to discuss the issue.
Rationale: The charge nurse's priority is to de-escalate the situation and maintain a
professional environment for staff and patients. Moving the conflict to a private area stops
the public disruption and creates a safe space for the charge nurse to facilitate a resolution
using conflict management strategies.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. While completing the preoperative checklist, the client
states, "I'm not sure I understand what the surgeon is going to do." The client has already signed
the consent form. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Reassure the client that the surgeon is very skilled.
B) Explain the surgical procedure to the client in simple terms.
C) Notify the surgeon that the client has questions about the procedure.
D) Document that the client expressed doubts but the consent form is signed.
Correct Answer: C) Notify the surgeon that the client has questions about the procedure.
Rationale: It is the legal and ethical responsibility of the surgeon who is performing the
procedure to obtain informed consent, which includes ensuring the client fully understands
it. The nurse's role is to act as a client advocate. If the client has doubts or questions, the
consent is not "informed," and the nurse must notify the surgeon to provide further
clarification before the client proceeds to surgery.
,[Type here]
Question 5
A quality improvement committee has noted an increase in medication errors on a unit over the
past quarter. What is the first step the committee should take in addressing this problem?
A) Implement a new policy requiring a double-check for all medication administrations.
B) Provide a mandatory in-service on medication safety for all nursing staff.
C) Form a small team to perform a root cause analysis of the reported errors.
D) Discipline the nurses who were involved in the medication errors.
Correct Answer: C) Form a small team to perform a root cause analysis of the reported
errors.
Rationale: The first step in the quality improvement process is to assess the problem and
gather data to understand its underlying causes. A root cause analysis is a systematic
process for identifying the root causes of problems or incidents. Acting before
understanding the "why" (e.g., by re-educating staff or changing a policy) is not effective
and does not address systemic issues.
Question 6
A client with a terminal illness has a living will that states they do not want any life-sustaining
measures. The client's family, however, is demanding that "everything be done" to save them.
The client is now unresponsive. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A) Follow the family's wishes, as they are the next of kin.
B) Explain to the family that the client's advance directive is a legally binding document that
must be honored.
C) Ask the hospital's ethics committee to mediate the situation.
D) Withhold all care until a decision is made.
Correct Answer: B) Explain to the family that the client's advance directive is a legally
binding document that must be honored.
Rationale: The nurse has an ethical and legal obligation to act as a client advocate and to
honor the client's wishes as expressed in their advance directive. The nurse's primary role
is to compassionately educate the family about the purpose and legal standing of the living
will and to ensure the plan of care aligns with the client's documented wishes.
, [Type here]
Question 7
A nurse is assigned to care for a client who requires a complex dressing change. The nurse has
never performed this specific procedure before. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse
to take?
A) Attempt the procedure using their best judgment.
B) Ask the UAP to assist with the procedure.
C) Review the facility's policy and procedure manual and ask an experienced nurse to supervise.
D) Notify the charge nurse that they cannot accept the assignment.
Correct Answer: C) Review the facility's policy and procedure manual and ask an
experienced nurse to supervise.
Rationale: Nurses have a professional responsibility to ensure they are competent to
perform any task they undertake. The safest and most professional action is to seek out the
necessary resources, which includes consulting the official procedure and having a
competent preceptor or colleague provide guidance and supervision to ensure patient
safety.
Question 8
A charge nurse is notified that a medical-surgical nurse will be floated to the intensive care unit
(ICU) due to a staffing shortage. Which client would be the most appropriate assignment for the
float nurse?
A) A client who is newly admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis and is on an insulin drip.
B) A client who is 3 days post-operative for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and is stable.
C) A client who is on mechanical ventilation and requires frequent suctioning.
D) A client who is receiving multiple vasopressor medications for septic shock.
Correct Answer: B) A client who is 3 days post-operative for a coronary artery bypass graft
(CABG) and is stable.
Rationale: When assigning a float nurse to a specialty unit, the charge nurse must assign the
most stable client with the most predictable needs. The stable post-operative client requires
care that is most similar to that provided on a medical-surgical unit, whereas the other
clients are unstable and require specialized critical care knowledge.
