Latest Exam ATI-style RN Concept-Based
Assessment Practice Questions With Correct
Answers And Rationales.**
## **1. Safety & Infection Control**
**A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which action should the
nurse take?**
A. Clean equipment with alcohol-based wipes
B. Use alcohol-based sanitizer before leaving the room
C. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
D. Wash hands with soap and water after client care
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** C. difficile requires **soap and water** because alcohol-based
products are ineffective against spores.
---
## **2. Oxygenation**
**A client with COPD becomes short of breath while ambulating. Which action should
the nurse take first?**
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B. Assist the client to sit in a tripod position
C. Apply a non-rebreather mask
D. Notify the provider
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The **tripod position** optimizes respiratory effort and reduces work of
breathing.
---
## **3. Perfusion**
**Which finding in a client with heart failure requires immediate intervention?**
A. 2+ pedal edema
B. Dry cough
,C. Weight gain of 3 lbs in 24 hr
D. Fatigue while ambulating
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** A rapid weight gain indicates **acute fluid retention** and worsening
heart failure.
---
## **4. Fluid & Electrolytes**
**A client’s lab results show: Na+ 128 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse
expect?**
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Confusion
D. Muscle flaccidity
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** **Hyponatremia** commonly causes **confusion**, headaches, and
neurological changes.
---
## **5. Mobility**
**Which instruction should a nurse give a client with osteoporosis?**
A. Walk 30 minutes daily
B. Avoid dairy products
C. Increase phosphorus intake
D. Limit vitamin D sources
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** **Weight-bearing exercise** strengthens bone density.
---
## **6. Cognition**
,**A client with dementia becomes agitated during evening hours. What is the nurse’s
priority?**
A. Provide a calm environment
B. Administer PRN benzodiazepines
C. Encourage evening stimulation
D. Restrain the client
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** A calm environment reduces **sundowning** behaviors.
---
## **7. Thermoregulation**
**A newborn with hypothermia is placed under a radiant warmer. Which finding
shows improvement?**
A. Blood glucose 52 mg/dL
B. Temperature 36.2°C (97.2°F)
C. Pink, warm skin
D. Respiratory rate 42/min
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Warm, pink skin indicates **effective thermoregulation**.
---
## **8. Elimination**
**A nurse cares for a client with urinary retention. Which action is appropriate?**
A. Encourage high caffeine intake
B. Apply a warm sitz bath
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Insert an indwelling catheter immediately
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** **Warmth** helps relax the sphincter and promote urination.
---
, ## **9. Tissue Integrity**
**Which client is at highest risk for skin breakdown?**
A. Client with a Braden score of 12
B. Client continent of stool
C. Client who ambulates independently
D. Client on a high-protein diet
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Braden score **≤ 12 = high risk** for pressure injury.
---
## **10. Stress & Coping**
**A client states, “I don’t think my cancer treatment is working… nothing matters
anymore.” The nurse’s best response:**
A. “You should stay positive.”
B. “You need to talk to a counselor.”
C. “Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”
D. “Let’s focus on your treatment plan.”
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Use **therapeutic communication** to explore emotions first.
---
## **11. Infection Control**
**A nurse cares for a client with tuberculosis. Which PPE is required?**
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Gown only
D. Face shield only
**Correct Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Airborne precautions → **N95 respirator**.
---
Assessment Practice Questions With Correct
Answers And Rationales.**
## **1. Safety & Infection Control**
**A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which action should the
nurse take?**
A. Clean equipment with alcohol-based wipes
B. Use alcohol-based sanitizer before leaving the room
C. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
D. Wash hands with soap and water after client care
**Correct Answer: D**
**Rationale:** C. difficile requires **soap and water** because alcohol-based
products are ineffective against spores.
---
## **2. Oxygenation**
**A client with COPD becomes short of breath while ambulating. Which action should
the nurse take first?**
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B. Assist the client to sit in a tripod position
C. Apply a non-rebreather mask
D. Notify the provider
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The **tripod position** optimizes respiratory effort and reduces work of
breathing.
---
## **3. Perfusion**
**Which finding in a client with heart failure requires immediate intervention?**
A. 2+ pedal edema
B. Dry cough
,C. Weight gain of 3 lbs in 24 hr
D. Fatigue while ambulating
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** A rapid weight gain indicates **acute fluid retention** and worsening
heart failure.
---
## **4. Fluid & Electrolytes**
**A client’s lab results show: Na+ 128 mEq/L. Which assessment should the nurse
expect?**
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Confusion
D. Muscle flaccidity
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** **Hyponatremia** commonly causes **confusion**, headaches, and
neurological changes.
---
## **5. Mobility**
**Which instruction should a nurse give a client with osteoporosis?**
A. Walk 30 minutes daily
B. Avoid dairy products
C. Increase phosphorus intake
D. Limit vitamin D sources
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** **Weight-bearing exercise** strengthens bone density.
---
## **6. Cognition**
,**A client with dementia becomes agitated during evening hours. What is the nurse’s
priority?**
A. Provide a calm environment
B. Administer PRN benzodiazepines
C. Encourage evening stimulation
D. Restrain the client
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** A calm environment reduces **sundowning** behaviors.
---
## **7. Thermoregulation**
**A newborn with hypothermia is placed under a radiant warmer. Which finding
shows improvement?**
A. Blood glucose 52 mg/dL
B. Temperature 36.2°C (97.2°F)
C. Pink, warm skin
D. Respiratory rate 42/min
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Warm, pink skin indicates **effective thermoregulation**.
---
## **8. Elimination**
**A nurse cares for a client with urinary retention. Which action is appropriate?**
A. Encourage high caffeine intake
B. Apply a warm sitz bath
C. Restrict oral intake
D. Insert an indwelling catheter immediately
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** **Warmth** helps relax the sphincter and promote urination.
---
, ## **9. Tissue Integrity**
**Which client is at highest risk for skin breakdown?**
A. Client with a Braden score of 12
B. Client continent of stool
C. Client who ambulates independently
D. Client on a high-protein diet
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** Braden score **≤ 12 = high risk** for pressure injury.
---
## **10. Stress & Coping**
**A client states, “I don’t think my cancer treatment is working… nothing matters
anymore.” The nurse’s best response:**
A. “You should stay positive.”
B. “You need to talk to a counselor.”
C. “Tell me more about how you’re feeling.”
D. “Let’s focus on your treatment plan.”
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Use **therapeutic communication** to explore emotions first.
---
## **11. Infection Control**
**A nurse cares for a client with tuberculosis. Which PPE is required?**
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Gown only
D. Face shield only
**Correct Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Airborne precautions → **N95 respirator**.
---
