Spring Semester 2026 – ATI PN Exit Exam Practice | 185+ NCLEX-
PN Style Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Safety,
Patient Care & ATI Proctored Exam Prep
Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary purpose of a nurse’s initial assessment of a
patient?
• A) To establish a therapeutic relationship
• B) To identify actual or potential health problems
• C) To complete the medical history
• D) To teach the patient about their diet
Correct Option: B) To identify actual or potential health problems
Rationale: The primary purpose of an initial assessment is to identify patients' actual or
potential health issues, which helps in planning appropriate care strategies.
Question 2:
A patient in the clinic reports feeling anxious about an upcoming surgery. What is
the best initial response for the nurse?
• A) "You shouldn’t worry; it will be fine."
• B) "Can you tell me more about what concerns you?"
• C) "Anxiety is normal before surgery."
• D) "It’s important to follow the pre-operative instructions."
Correct Option: B) "Can you tell me more about what concerns you?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to express their feelings and
concerns, which is crucial in providing emotional support and addressing specific
anxieties.
Question 3:
A new mother is breastfeeding for the first time. What is the nurse’s best advice to
promote successful breastfeeding?
• A) "Ensure the baby latches on correctly."
• B) "Breastfeed every hour."
• C) "Avoid breastfeeding if the baby is sleepy."
, • D) "Make sure to use formula if the baby seems hungry."
Correct Option: A) "Ensure the baby latches on correctly."
Rationale: A proper latch is essential for effective breastfeeding, helping prevent pain
for the mother and ensuring the baby receives adequate nutrition.
Question 4:
Which of the following lab values should the nurse monitor for a patient taking
warfarin?
• A) Creatinine
• B) INR (International Normalized Ratio)
• C) Potassium
• D) Hemoglobin
Correct Option: B) INR (International Normalized Ratio)
Rationale: Patients on warfarin need regular monitoring of their INR to maintain safe
and effective anticoagulation levels, as both under-treatment and over-treatment carry
risks.
Question 5:
What is the priority nursing action for a patient showing signs of respiratory
distress?
• A) Administer supplemental oxygen.
• B) Obtain a blood pressure reading.
• C) Position the patient supine.
• D) Call the healthcare provider.
Correct Option: A) Administer supplemental oxygen.
Rationale: When a patient is in respiratory distress, ensuring adequate oxygenation is
the priority nursing action to stabilize the patient's condition before any further
assessments or interventions.
Question 6:
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention when caring for
a patient with a newly inserted peripheral IV?
• A) Change the IV site every 48 hours
• B) Assess the site for signs of infiltration every hour
, • C) Flush the IV with saline only once per shift
• D) Apply a warm compress to the IV site routinely
Correct Option: B) Assess the site for signs of infiltration every hour
Rationale: Regular assessment of the IV site for signs of infiltration (swelling, redness,
discomfort) is crucial to prevent complications. Frequent monitoring helps in early
detection and intervention, promoting patient safety.
Question 7:
A patient diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed a diuretic. What should the
nurse monitor closely?
• A) Blood glucose levels
• B) Electrolytes, particularly potassium
• C) Hemoglobin levels
• D) BUN and creatinine
Correct Option: B) Electrolytes, particularly potassium
Rationale: Diuretics, especially thiazide and loop diuretics, can cause electrolyte
imbalances, particularly hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels helps prevent
serious complications such as cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 8:
In the postoperative period, the nurse realizes that a patient is not following deep
breathing exercises. What is the most effective approach the nurse should take?
• A) Force the patient to perform the exercises
• B) Give a lecture on the importance of the exercises
• C) Ask the patient about their concerns regarding the exercises
• D) Document the noncompliance in the chart
Correct Option: C) Ask the patient about their concerns regarding the exercises
Rationale: Understanding the patient's concerns can provide insights into barriers they
may have, allowing the nurse to address misconceptions or anxieties. This approach
encourages patient engagement in their recovery process.
Question 9:
, What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient experiencing an asthma
exacerbation?
• A) Risk for infection
• B) Impaired gas exchange
• C) Acute pain
• D) Anxiety
Correct Option: B) Impaired gas exchange
Rationale: In asthma exacerbation, airway obstruction leads to impaired gas exchange,
which can result in hypoxia. Addressing this priority diagnosis is critical for patient
safety and effective management of the respiratory crisis.
Question 10:
When educating a patient about insulin administration, the nurse should
emphasize the importance of:
• A) Rotating injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy
• B) Injecting insulin only in the abdomen
• C) Administering insulin immediately after eating
• D) Using a larger needle for intramuscular injections
Correct Option: A) Rotating injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy, a condition that can
affect the absorption of insulin and lead to inconsistent blood glucose control.
Education promotes better long-term management of diabetes.
Question 11:
Which of the following characteristics best describes a late deceleration on a fetal
monitoring strip?
• A) Occurs before a contraction begins
• B) Is a decrease in fetal heart rate after the peak of a contraction
• C) Indicates increased fetal activity
• D) Resolves before the end of the contraction
Correct Option: B) Is a decrease in fetal heart rate after the peak of a contraction
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and are concerning
PN Style Questions with Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales |
Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Safety,
Patient Care & ATI Proctored Exam Prep
Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary purpose of a nurse’s initial assessment of a
patient?
• A) To establish a therapeutic relationship
• B) To identify actual or potential health problems
• C) To complete the medical history
• D) To teach the patient about their diet
Correct Option: B) To identify actual or potential health problems
Rationale: The primary purpose of an initial assessment is to identify patients' actual or
potential health issues, which helps in planning appropriate care strategies.
Question 2:
A patient in the clinic reports feeling anxious about an upcoming surgery. What is
the best initial response for the nurse?
• A) "You shouldn’t worry; it will be fine."
• B) "Can you tell me more about what concerns you?"
• C) "Anxiety is normal before surgery."
• D) "It’s important to follow the pre-operative instructions."
Correct Option: B) "Can you tell me more about what concerns you?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the patient to express their feelings and
concerns, which is crucial in providing emotional support and addressing specific
anxieties.
Question 3:
A new mother is breastfeeding for the first time. What is the nurse’s best advice to
promote successful breastfeeding?
• A) "Ensure the baby latches on correctly."
• B) "Breastfeed every hour."
• C) "Avoid breastfeeding if the baby is sleepy."
, • D) "Make sure to use formula if the baby seems hungry."
Correct Option: A) "Ensure the baby latches on correctly."
Rationale: A proper latch is essential for effective breastfeeding, helping prevent pain
for the mother and ensuring the baby receives adequate nutrition.
Question 4:
Which of the following lab values should the nurse monitor for a patient taking
warfarin?
• A) Creatinine
• B) INR (International Normalized Ratio)
• C) Potassium
• D) Hemoglobin
Correct Option: B) INR (International Normalized Ratio)
Rationale: Patients on warfarin need regular monitoring of their INR to maintain safe
and effective anticoagulation levels, as both under-treatment and over-treatment carry
risks.
Question 5:
What is the priority nursing action for a patient showing signs of respiratory
distress?
• A) Administer supplemental oxygen.
• B) Obtain a blood pressure reading.
• C) Position the patient supine.
• D) Call the healthcare provider.
Correct Option: A) Administer supplemental oxygen.
Rationale: When a patient is in respiratory distress, ensuring adequate oxygenation is
the priority nursing action to stabilize the patient's condition before any further
assessments or interventions.
Question 6:
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention when caring for
a patient with a newly inserted peripheral IV?
• A) Change the IV site every 48 hours
• B) Assess the site for signs of infiltration every hour
, • C) Flush the IV with saline only once per shift
• D) Apply a warm compress to the IV site routinely
Correct Option: B) Assess the site for signs of infiltration every hour
Rationale: Regular assessment of the IV site for signs of infiltration (swelling, redness,
discomfort) is crucial to prevent complications. Frequent monitoring helps in early
detection and intervention, promoting patient safety.
Question 7:
A patient diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed a diuretic. What should the
nurse monitor closely?
• A) Blood glucose levels
• B) Electrolytes, particularly potassium
• C) Hemoglobin levels
• D) BUN and creatinine
Correct Option: B) Electrolytes, particularly potassium
Rationale: Diuretics, especially thiazide and loop diuretics, can cause electrolyte
imbalances, particularly hypokalemia. Monitoring potassium levels helps prevent
serious complications such as cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 8:
In the postoperative period, the nurse realizes that a patient is not following deep
breathing exercises. What is the most effective approach the nurse should take?
• A) Force the patient to perform the exercises
• B) Give a lecture on the importance of the exercises
• C) Ask the patient about their concerns regarding the exercises
• D) Document the noncompliance in the chart
Correct Option: C) Ask the patient about their concerns regarding the exercises
Rationale: Understanding the patient's concerns can provide insights into barriers they
may have, allowing the nurse to address misconceptions or anxieties. This approach
encourages patient engagement in their recovery process.
Question 9:
, What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient experiencing an asthma
exacerbation?
• A) Risk for infection
• B) Impaired gas exchange
• C) Acute pain
• D) Anxiety
Correct Option: B) Impaired gas exchange
Rationale: In asthma exacerbation, airway obstruction leads to impaired gas exchange,
which can result in hypoxia. Addressing this priority diagnosis is critical for patient
safety and effective management of the respiratory crisis.
Question 10:
When educating a patient about insulin administration, the nurse should
emphasize the importance of:
• A) Rotating injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy
• B) Injecting insulin only in the abdomen
• C) Administering insulin immediately after eating
• D) Using a larger needle for intramuscular injections
Correct Option: A) Rotating injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy, a condition that can
affect the absorption of insulin and lead to inconsistent blood glucose control.
Education promotes better long-term management of diabetes.
Question 11:
Which of the following characteristics best describes a late deceleration on a fetal
monitoring strip?
• A) Occurs before a contraction begins
• B) Is a decrease in fetal heart rate after the peak of a contraction
• C) Indicates increased fetal activity
• D) Resolves before the end of the contraction
Correct Option: B) Is a decrease in fetal heart rate after the peak of a contraction
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency and are concerning
