ATI Critical Thinking Assessment Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

ATI Critical Thinking Assessment Questions and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified A patient becomes tearful during discharge instructions. What should the nurse do? Pause the teaching and ask the patient what they are feeling or worried about A provider writes an order that seems unsafe. What should the nurse do first? Clarify the order with the provider before proceeding A patient receiving opioids is difficult to arouse. What should the nurse do immediately? Assess airway, breathing, and level of consciousness A client with dementia is wandering into other rooms. What is the nurse's best initial response? Redirect the client calmly and ensure a safe, familiar environment The nurse finds a medication label that does not match the medication inside. What should the nurse do? Report the discrepancy and remove the medication from circulation 2 A patient states they are feeling hopeless and tired of living. What is the nurse's best action? Stay with the patient and notify mental health services immediately A colleague repeatedly arrives late for medication rounds. What is the nurse's ethical obligation? Report the behavior to the nurse manager for patient safety concerns A patient is drowsy after surgery and not following commands. What is the first nursing priority? Check the airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation A patient has a new order for digoxin and their pulse is 54 bpm. What should the nurse do? Hold the medication and notify the provider The nurse notices a client has not had a bowel movement in three days. What is the most appropriate first action? Assess bowel sounds and ask about usual bowel patterns A patient's IV site is red, swollen, and painful. What is the correct nursing action? 3 Stop the infusion and remove the IV catheter During a group discharge teaching session, one patient appears confused. What should the nurse do? Offer individual instruction to the confused patient A client is hesitant to take a newly prescribed medication. What is the nurse’s priority action? Explore the patient’s concerns and provide education A patient's heart rate drops to 38 bpm during assessment. What should the nurse do first? Assess for symptoms and notify the provider immediately A coworker is seen documenting vital signs without actually checking them. What is the appropriate action? Report the behavior to the supervisor to protect patient safety The nurse receives lab results for the wrong patient. What is the correct action? Verify the patient's identity and report the incident as a lab error 4 The nurse hears loud shouting from a room with a confused patient. What is the priority action? Enter the room to ensure patient and staff safety The nurse is unsure how to operate a new infusion pump. What is the best next step? Ask for assistance or review the operating