ATI-Style
Comprehensive
Nursing Practice
Assessment 2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Platelet count
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Heparin therapy is monitored using the aPTT. The therapeutic range is typically
1.5-2.5 times the control value. PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin therapy. Platelet count is
monitored to assess for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication. Regular
monitoring of aPTT ensures therapeutic anticoagulation and prevents bleeding complications.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is providing education to a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which symptom
should the client report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one day
B. Mild shortness of breath with activity
C. Occasional cough in the morning
D. Fatigue at the end of the day
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week is a sign of fluid
retention and worsening heart failure. This should be reported immediately so that medications can be
adjusted. The other symptoms are expected in heart failure but should be monitored. Early intervention
prevents hospitalization and complications.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one day
---
,**Question 3**
The nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative after a total hip replacement. The client
reports calf pain, and the nurse notes the calf is red, swollen, and warm. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
A. Wound infection
B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C. Cellulitis
D. Compartment syndrome
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Calf pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in a post-operative client are classic
signs of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a serious complication that requires immediate
intervention. Wound infection would have local signs at the incision site. DVT can lead to pulmonary
embolism if not treated promptly.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
---
**Question 4**
The nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Which isolation precaution
should the nurse implement?
A. Standard precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Airborne precautions
, D. Droplet precautions
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: TB is transmitted through airborne particles and requires airborne precautions,
including a negative-pressure room and the use of an N95 respirator. Standard, contact, and droplet
precautions are not sufficient for TB. Early identification and isolation are essential for preventing
transmission to other clients and healthcare workers.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C. Airborne precautions
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is providing education to a client who is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Which instruction is most important?
A. "Take this medication with a high-sodium diet."
B. "Maintain a consistent sodium and fluid intake."
C. "You can stop taking this medication if you feel better."
D. "This medication will work within 24 hours."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Lithium levels can be affected by sodium and fluid intake. Maintaining a
consistent intake helps prevent toxicity or subtherapeutic levels. A low-sodium diet can increase lithium
levels, while excessive fluid intake can decrease them. The client should be taught to report signs of
toxicity, including tremors, nausea, and confusion.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. "Maintain a consistent sodium and fluid intake."
Comprehensive
Nursing Practice
Assessment 2026/2027
**Question 1**
The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. Platelet count
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
,💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Heparin therapy is monitored using the aPTT. The therapeutic range is typically
1.5-2.5 times the control value. PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin therapy. Platelet count is
monitored to assess for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication. Regular
monitoring of aPTT ensures therapeutic anticoagulation and prevents bleeding complications.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
---
**Question 2**
The nurse is providing education to a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which symptom
should the client report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one day
B. Mild shortness of breath with activity
C. Occasional cough in the morning
D. Fatigue at the end of the day
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week is a sign of fluid
retention and worsening heart failure. This should be reported immediately so that medications can be
adjusted. The other symptoms are expected in heart failure but should be monitored. Early intervention
prevents hospitalization and complications.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one day
---
,**Question 3**
The nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative after a total hip replacement. The client
reports calf pain, and the nurse notes the calf is red, swollen, and warm. Which condition should the
nurse suspect?
A. Wound infection
B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C. Cellulitis
D. Compartment syndrome
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Calf pain, redness, swelling, and warmth in a post-operative client are classic
signs of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This is a serious complication that requires immediate
intervention. Wound infection would have local signs at the incision site. DVT can lead to pulmonary
embolism if not treated promptly.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
---
**Question 4**
The nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Which isolation precaution
should the nurse implement?
A. Standard precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Airborne precautions
, D. Droplet precautions
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: TB is transmitted through airborne particles and requires airborne precautions,
including a negative-pressure room and the use of an N95 respirator. Standard, contact, and droplet
precautions are not sufficient for TB. Early identification and isolation are essential for preventing
transmission to other clients and healthcare workers.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C. Airborne precautions
---
**Question 5**
The nurse is providing education to a client who is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Which instruction is most important?
A. "Take this medication with a high-sodium diet."
B. "Maintain a consistent sodium and fluid intake."
C. "You can stop taking this medication if you feel better."
D. "This medication will work within 24 hours."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Lithium levels can be affected by sodium and fluid intake. Maintaining a
consistent intake helps prevent toxicity or subtherapeutic levels. A low-sodium diet can increase lithium
levels, while excessive fluid intake can decrease them. The client should be taught to report signs of
toxicity, including tremors, nausea, and confusion.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. "Maintain a consistent sodium and fluid intake."
