ATI RN GREEN LIGHT RETAKE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS (2026 )
1. Management of Care: Prioritization
A nurse receives a report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A. A client with a blood glucose of 220 mg/dL who is requesting breakfast.
B. A client with COPD and an O2 saturation of 89% on room air.
C. A client who is 1-day postoperative and reports a sudden onset of shortness of
breath.
D. A client with a hip fracture who is complaining of 8/10 pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework,
sudden shortness of breath in a postoperative client suggests a pulmonary
embolism, which is a life-threatening emergency. While B has low O2 , 89% is
often expected in chronic COPD; C represents a fresh, acute change.
2. Pharmacology: Safe Administration
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider before
administration?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
B. Potassium level 3.2 mEq/L
C. Digoxin level 1.2 ng/mL
1
,D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases the risk
of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin should be held and the provider notified. Options A, C,
and D are within normal reference ranges.
3. Medical-Surgical: Postoperative Safety
A nurse is caring for a client who is 48 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Maintain the client on strict bed rest for the first 72 hours.
B. Administer low-dose prophylactic heparin as prescribed.
C. Place the client on a full liquid diet until bowel sounds return.
D. Position the client with the affected leg in adduction.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DVT prevention is a priority post-orthopedic surgery. Anticoagulants
like heparin or enoxaparin are standard. Clients should be mobilized early
(contraindicates A), and the leg must be kept in abduction to prevent dislocation
(contraindicates D).
4. Maternal-Newborn: Fetal Monitoring
A nurse is monitoring a client in labor and notes late decelerations on the fetal
monitor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the rate of the IV oxytocin infusion.
B. Assist the client into a side-lying position.
C. Prepare for an immediate forceps-assisted delivery.
D. Document the finding as a normal transition in labor.
2
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first action
is to improve blood flow to the placenta by repositioning the mother (Lateral/Side
-lying). Oxytocin should be stopped, not increased.
5. Safety and Infection Control: Precautions
A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive culture for Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a wound. Which of the following precautions
should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Contact
D. Protective Environment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MRSA is transmitted via direct or indirect contact with the infected site
or colonized surfaces. Gown and gloves are required.
6. Pediatrics: Safety (SATA)
A nurse is providing teaching to a parent of a 6-month-old infant. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include to prevent SIDS? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Place the infant on their back to sleep.
B. Use a firm sleep surface.
C. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib.
D. Allow the infant to sleep in a car seat for naps.
E. Dress the infant in several layers to prevent cooling.
3
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS (2026 )
1. Management of Care: Prioritization
A nurse receives a report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A. A client with a blood glucose of 220 mg/dL who is requesting breakfast.
B. A client with COPD and an O2 saturation of 89% on room air.
C. A client who is 1-day postoperative and reports a sudden onset of shortness of
breath.
D. A client with a hip fracture who is complaining of 8/10 pain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework,
sudden shortness of breath in a postoperative client suggests a pulmonary
embolism, which is a life-threatening emergency. While B has low O2 , 89% is
often expected in chronic COPD; C represents a fresh, acute change.
2. Pharmacology: Safe Administration
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider before
administration?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
B. Potassium level 3.2 mEq/L
C. Digoxin level 1.2 ng/mL
1
,D. Heart rate 72 bpm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases the risk
of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin should be held and the provider notified. Options A, C,
and D are within normal reference ranges.
3. Medical-Surgical: Postoperative Safety
A nurse is caring for a client who is 48 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which action should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Maintain the client on strict bed rest for the first 72 hours.
B. Administer low-dose prophylactic heparin as prescribed.
C. Place the client on a full liquid diet until bowel sounds return.
D. Position the client with the affected leg in adduction.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: DVT prevention is a priority post-orthopedic surgery. Anticoagulants
like heparin or enoxaparin are standard. Clients should be mobilized early
(contraindicates A), and the leg must be kept in abduction to prevent dislocation
(contraindicates D).
4. Maternal-Newborn: Fetal Monitoring
A nurse is monitoring a client in labor and notes late decelerations on the fetal
monitor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Increase the rate of the IV oxytocin infusion.
B. Assist the client into a side-lying position.
C. Prepare for an immediate forceps-assisted delivery.
D. Document the finding as a normal transition in labor.
2
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The first action
is to improve blood flow to the placenta by repositioning the mother (Lateral/Side
-lying). Oxytocin should be stopped, not increased.
5. Safety and Infection Control: Precautions
A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive culture for Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a wound. Which of the following precautions
should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne
B. Droplet
C. Contact
D. Protective Environment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MRSA is transmitted via direct or indirect contact with the infected site
or colonized surfaces. Gown and gloves are required.
6. Pediatrics: Safety (SATA)
A nurse is providing teaching to a parent of a 6-month-old infant. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include to prevent SIDS? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Place the infant on their back to sleep.
B. Use a firm sleep surface.
C. Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib.
D. Allow the infant to sleep in a car seat for naps.
E. Dress the infant in several layers to prevent cooling.
3
