ATI CRITICAL THINKING EXAM 2026TEST
BANK FOR ATI PROCTORED EXAM
COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
ATI Critical Thinking Exam – 2026 Practice
Set
Questions
A–D options • Correct Answers • Detailed Rationales
1. A patient reports shortness of breath with oxygen saturation 88%. First
nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed inhaler
B. Notify the provider
C. Raise head of bed and apply oxygen
D. Document in chart
Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation take priority (ABCs). Immediate interventions include
positioning and oxygen.
2. Patient with diabetes reports dizziness and sweating. Blood glucose 50
mg/dL. Nursing action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give fast-acting carbohydrate
,C. Recheck glucose in 2 hours
D. Encourage patient to rest
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is life-threatening. Rapid glucose replacement is required.
3. Nurse delegates a task to a CNA. Which is appropriate?
A. Assess lung sounds
B. Obtain blood pressure and temperature
C. Administer oral medication
D. Perform patient teaching
Answer: B
Rationale: CNA can collect routine data. Assessment, medication administration, and teaching
require RN scope.
4. Lab results: K⁺ 6.5 mEq/L, ECG shows peaked T waves. Immediate
action?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Notify provider and prepare for treatment
C. Encourage high-potassium diet
D. Recheck labs tomorrow
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia with ECG changes is a critical, life-threatening issue requiring
urgent intervention.
5. Patient has a new IV site. Nursing priority:
A. Document insertion
B. Assess for infiltration and redness
C. Apply transparent dressing
D. Flush IV line
Answer: B
Rationale: Assess for complications first; patient safety is priority.
, 6. Patient reports new-onset chest pain. First nursing action?
A. Ask patient to rest
B. Take vital signs and perform rapid assessment
C. Document the complaint
D. Notify dietary services
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid assessment identifies life-threatening cardiac conditions.
7. Patient develops rash after antibiotic administration. First action?
A. Stop the antibiotic and notify provider
B. Document rash
C. Continue antibiotic
D. Apply lotion
Answer: A
Rationale: Allergic reaction may become severe. Stop medication and notify provider.
8. Patient refuses a procedure. Nurse’s next step?
A. Proceed with procedure
B. Document refusal and notify provider
C. Ask family to consent
D. Ignore refusal
Answer: B
Rationale: Patient autonomy is respected. Nurse documents refusal and informs provider.
9. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Post-op patient, stable vitals
B. Patient with IV infiltration
C. Patient with shortness of breath and O₂ sat 85%
D. Patient requesting morning care
BANK FOR ATI PROCTORED EXAM
COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
ATI Critical Thinking Exam – 2026 Practice
Set
Questions
A–D options • Correct Answers • Detailed Rationales
1. A patient reports shortness of breath with oxygen saturation 88%. First
nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed inhaler
B. Notify the provider
C. Raise head of bed and apply oxygen
D. Document in chart
Answer: C
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation take priority (ABCs). Immediate interventions include
positioning and oxygen.
2. Patient with diabetes reports dizziness and sweating. Blood glucose 50
mg/dL. Nursing action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give fast-acting carbohydrate
,C. Recheck glucose in 2 hours
D. Encourage patient to rest
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is life-threatening. Rapid glucose replacement is required.
3. Nurse delegates a task to a CNA. Which is appropriate?
A. Assess lung sounds
B. Obtain blood pressure and temperature
C. Administer oral medication
D. Perform patient teaching
Answer: B
Rationale: CNA can collect routine data. Assessment, medication administration, and teaching
require RN scope.
4. Lab results: K⁺ 6.5 mEq/L, ECG shows peaked T waves. Immediate
action?
A. Administer potassium supplements
B. Notify provider and prepare for treatment
C. Encourage high-potassium diet
D. Recheck labs tomorrow
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia with ECG changes is a critical, life-threatening issue requiring
urgent intervention.
5. Patient has a new IV site. Nursing priority:
A. Document insertion
B. Assess for infiltration and redness
C. Apply transparent dressing
D. Flush IV line
Answer: B
Rationale: Assess for complications first; patient safety is priority.
, 6. Patient reports new-onset chest pain. First nursing action?
A. Ask patient to rest
B. Take vital signs and perform rapid assessment
C. Document the complaint
D. Notify dietary services
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid assessment identifies life-threatening cardiac conditions.
7. Patient develops rash after antibiotic administration. First action?
A. Stop the antibiotic and notify provider
B. Document rash
C. Continue antibiotic
D. Apply lotion
Answer: A
Rationale: Allergic reaction may become severe. Stop medication and notify provider.
8. Patient refuses a procedure. Nurse’s next step?
A. Proceed with procedure
B. Document refusal and notify provider
C. Ask family to consent
D. Ignore refusal
Answer: B
Rationale: Patient autonomy is respected. Nurse documents refusal and informs provider.
9. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Post-op patient, stable vitals
B. Patient with IV infiltration
C. Patient with shortness of breath and O₂ sat 85%
D. Patient requesting morning care
