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ATI RN Fundamentals Practice Questions 1 -200 (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) |
GUARANTEED PASS A+ [2026-2027]
1. Which action is the priority for a patient with shortness of breath?
A. Call the provider
B. Administer oxygen
C. Obtain vital signs
D. Reposition the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygenation is a priority intervention to prevent hypoxia.
2. The nurse notes a patient has a temperature of 102°F. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Apply cold compresses to groin and axilla
C. Administer antibiotics immediately without order
D. Restrict oral intake
Answer: A
Rationale: Fever increases fluid loss; hydration helps regulate body temperature.
3. Which lab value indicates hypokalemia?
A. 5.5 mEq/L
B. 3.0 mEq/L
C. 4.0 mEq/L
D. 6.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L; 3.0 indicates hypokalemia.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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4. A patient with chest trauma presents with dyspnea and absent breath sounds on the left. The
nurse suspects:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pleural effusion
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent breath sounds with dyspnea indicate pneumothorax.
5. Which intervention is priority for a patient in hypovolemic shock?
A. Administer vasopressors
B. Elevate legs
C. Rapid IV fluid replacement
D. Apply oxygen
Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid fluid replacement restores circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
6. A patient with a head injury has a GCS of 7. The nurse recognizes this indicates:
A. Mild brain injury
B. Moderate brain injury
C. Severe brain injury
D. No impairment
Answer: C
Rationale: GCS 3–8 indicates severe brain injury requiring immediate intervention.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving 0.9% NS. Which finding indicates fluid overload?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bounding pulses
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Bounding pulses, edema, and dyspnea indicate fluid overload.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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8. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with impaired skin integrity?
A. Encourage frequent ambulation
B. Apply moisture barrier creams
C. Perform daily baths with hot water
D. Massage reddened areas vigorously
Answer: B
Rationale: Barrier creams protect skin and prevent breakdown.
9. A patient with TBI exhibits bradycardia, irregular respirations, and hypertension. The nurse
recognizes:
A. Normal post-injury response
B. Cushing’s triad
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Sepsis
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s triad is a sign of increased intracranial pressure.
10. The nurse teaches a patient to use the incentive spirometer. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I will exhale slowly after inhaling.”
B. “I should inhale quickly and deeply.”
C. “I should inhale slowly and hold my breath.”
D. “I only need to use it when I feel short of breath.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Slow, deep inhalation with a breath hold promotes lung expansion and prevents
atelectasis.
11. Which finding is priority for a patient with chest tube after pneumothorax?
A. Serosanguinous drainage
B. Bubbling in water seal chamber
C. Patient reporting pain 5/10
D. Tube disconnected from drainage system
Answer: D
Rationale: Tube disconnection can cause lung collapse; immediate action is required.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
12. A patient with hypovolemic shock has a blood pressure of 78/50 mmHg. The nurse should:
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Initiate rapid IV fluid replacement
C. Place in Trendelenburg position only
D. Obtain a blood sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension requires rapid IV fluids to restore perfusion.
13. Which electrolyte imbalance causes peaked T waves on ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves and arrhythmias.
14. Which intervention is priority for a patient with suspected spinal cord injury?
A. Assess airway and breathing
B. Administer pain medication
C. Assist to standing position
D. Provide fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and breathing take precedence in ABC priority.
15. For a patient with a stage 2 pressure ulcer, the nurse should:
A. Apply thin layer of petroleum
B. Use hydrocolloid dressing
C. Keep wound open to air
D. Debride aggressively
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 ulcers benefit from moisture-retentive dressings to promote healing.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
ATI RN Fundamentals Practice Questions 1 -200 (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) |
GUARANTEED PASS A+ [2026-2027]
1. Which action is the priority for a patient with shortness of breath?
A. Call the provider
B. Administer oxygen
C. Obtain vital signs
D. Reposition the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygenation is a priority intervention to prevent hypoxia.
2. The nurse notes a patient has a temperature of 102°F. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Apply cold compresses to groin and axilla
C. Administer antibiotics immediately without order
D. Restrict oral intake
Answer: A
Rationale: Fever increases fluid loss; hydration helps regulate body temperature.
3. Which lab value indicates hypokalemia?
A. 5.5 mEq/L
B. 3.0 mEq/L
C. 4.0 mEq/L
D. 6.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L; 3.0 indicates hypokalemia.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
4. A patient with chest trauma presents with dyspnea and absent breath sounds on the left. The
nurse suspects:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pleural effusion
D. Myocardial infarction
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent breath sounds with dyspnea indicate pneumothorax.
5. Which intervention is priority for a patient in hypovolemic shock?
A. Administer vasopressors
B. Elevate legs
C. Rapid IV fluid replacement
D. Apply oxygen
Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid fluid replacement restores circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
6. A patient with a head injury has a GCS of 7. The nurse recognizes this indicates:
A. Mild brain injury
B. Moderate brain injury
C. Severe brain injury
D. No impairment
Answer: C
Rationale: GCS 3–8 indicates severe brain injury requiring immediate intervention.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving 0.9% NS. Which finding indicates fluid overload?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bounding pulses
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Bounding pulses, edema, and dyspnea indicate fluid overload.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
8. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with impaired skin integrity?
A. Encourage frequent ambulation
B. Apply moisture barrier creams
C. Perform daily baths with hot water
D. Massage reddened areas vigorously
Answer: B
Rationale: Barrier creams protect skin and prevent breakdown.
9. A patient with TBI exhibits bradycardia, irregular respirations, and hypertension. The nurse
recognizes:
A. Normal post-injury response
B. Cushing’s triad
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Sepsis
Answer: B
Rationale: Cushing’s triad is a sign of increased intracranial pressure.
10. The nurse teaches a patient to use the incentive spirometer. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I will exhale slowly after inhaling.”
B. “I should inhale quickly and deeply.”
C. “I should inhale slowly and hold my breath.”
D. “I only need to use it when I feel short of breath.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Slow, deep inhalation with a breath hold promotes lung expansion and prevents
atelectasis.
11. Which finding is priority for a patient with chest tube after pneumothorax?
A. Serosanguinous drainage
B. Bubbling in water seal chamber
C. Patient reporting pain 5/10
D. Tube disconnected from drainage system
Answer: D
Rationale: Tube disconnection can cause lung collapse; immediate action is required.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
12. A patient with hypovolemic shock has a blood pressure of 78/50 mmHg. The nurse should:
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Initiate rapid IV fluid replacement
C. Place in Trendelenburg position only
D. Obtain a blood sample
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension requires rapid IV fluids to restore perfusion.
13. Which electrolyte imbalance causes peaked T waves on ECG?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes peaked T waves and arrhythmias.
14. Which intervention is priority for a patient with suspected spinal cord injury?
A. Assess airway and breathing
B. Administer pain medication
C. Assist to standing position
D. Provide fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Airway and breathing take precedence in ABC priority.
15. For a patient with a stage 2 pressure ulcer, the nurse should:
A. Apply thin layer of petroleum
B. Use hydrocolloid dressing
C. Keep wound open to air
D. Debride aggressively
Answer: B
Rationale: Stage 2 ulcers benefit from moisture-retentive dressings to promote healing.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
