ATI PN Comprehensive Exit Exam
2026–2027 | Complete 100 Practice
Questions with Detailed Answer
EXAM
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
of the following findings should the practical nurse (PN)
report to the healthcare provider?
A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
B. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
D. Weight loss of 1 kg in 24 hours
Answer: A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause
hypokalemia (low potassium). A normal potassium level is 3.5–5.0
mEq/L. A level of 3.2 mEq/L is below normal and puts the client at
risk for cardiac dysrhythmias, so it should be reported
immediately.
2. The PN is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
,actions is most important to prevent dislocation of the new
hip?
A. Keep the client’s legs crossed at the ankles
B. Place a pillow between the client’s legs when turning
C. Encourage the client to bend forward to reach items on
the floor
D. Position the client with the affected hip internally rotated
Answer: B. Place a pillow between the client’s legs when
turning
Rationale: After a total hip arthroplasty, the client should avoid
adduction (crossing legs) and internal rotation. Placing an
abduction pillow between the legs helps maintain the hip in a
neutral position and prevents dislocation.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is prescribed
metformin. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication with meals."
B. "I will need to have my kidney function checked regularly."
C. "I can stop taking this medication if my blood sugar is
normal."
D. "This medication can cause gastrointestinal upset."
Answer: C. "I can stop taking this medication if my blood
sugar is normal."
Rationale: Metformin is used to manage blood glucose levels in
type 2 diabetes. It should be taken consistently, not just when
,blood sugar is elevated. Stopping the medication without a
healthcare provider's instruction can lead to hyperglycemia.
4. The PN is preparing to administer an IM injection to an
adult client. Which of the following is the correct angle for
insertion?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 5 degrees
Answer: C. 90 degrees
Rationale: Intramuscular (IM) injections are administered at a 90-
degree angle to ensure the medication is deposited into the
muscle tissue. Subcutaneous injections are given at a 45- or 90-
degree angle, and intradermal injections are given at a 5- to 15-
degree angle.
5. A client is receiving a blood transfusion. The PN notes that
the client has developed chills, fever, and low back pain. What
is the PN's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Stop the transfusion
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: C. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Chills, fever, and low back pain are signs of a hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The priority action is to stop the transfusion
, immediately to prevent further complications. The healthcare
provider should be notified after stopping the transfusion.
6. The PN is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of
tuberculosis (TB). Which of the following interventions is
most important to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
B. Wear a surgical mask when entering the room
C. Have the client wear a surgical mask when leaving the
room
D. Keep the door to the client's room open
Answer: C. Have the client wear a surgical mask when leaving
the room
Rationale: Clients with active TB should be placed in a negative-
pressure room with airborne precautions (N95 respirator for staff).
The client should wear a surgical mask when leaving the room to
prevent the spread of droplet nuclei to others.
7. A client is receiving warfarin therapy. Which of the
following laboratory values should the PN monitor to
evaluate the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Platelet count
B. aPTT
C. INR
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: C. INR
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs the
2026–2027 | Complete 100 Practice
Questions with Detailed Answer
EXAM
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
of the following findings should the practical nurse (PN)
report to the healthcare provider?
A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
B. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
D. Weight loss of 1 kg in 24 hours
Answer: A. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause
hypokalemia (low potassium). A normal potassium level is 3.5–5.0
mEq/L. A level of 3.2 mEq/L is below normal and puts the client at
risk for cardiac dysrhythmias, so it should be reported
immediately.
2. The PN is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative
following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
,actions is most important to prevent dislocation of the new
hip?
A. Keep the client’s legs crossed at the ankles
B. Place a pillow between the client’s legs when turning
C. Encourage the client to bend forward to reach items on
the floor
D. Position the client with the affected hip internally rotated
Answer: B. Place a pillow between the client’s legs when
turning
Rationale: After a total hip arthroplasty, the client should avoid
adduction (crossing legs) and internal rotation. Placing an
abduction pillow between the legs helps maintain the hip in a
neutral position and prevents dislocation.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is prescribed
metformin. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication with meals."
B. "I will need to have my kidney function checked regularly."
C. "I can stop taking this medication if my blood sugar is
normal."
D. "This medication can cause gastrointestinal upset."
Answer: C. "I can stop taking this medication if my blood
sugar is normal."
Rationale: Metformin is used to manage blood glucose levels in
type 2 diabetes. It should be taken consistently, not just when
,blood sugar is elevated. Stopping the medication without a
healthcare provider's instruction can lead to hyperglycemia.
4. The PN is preparing to administer an IM injection to an
adult client. Which of the following is the correct angle for
insertion?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 5 degrees
Answer: C. 90 degrees
Rationale: Intramuscular (IM) injections are administered at a 90-
degree angle to ensure the medication is deposited into the
muscle tissue. Subcutaneous injections are given at a 45- or 90-
degree angle, and intradermal injections are given at a 5- to 15-
degree angle.
5. A client is receiving a blood transfusion. The PN notes that
the client has developed chills, fever, and low back pain. What
is the PN's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Stop the transfusion
D. Notify the healthcare provider
Answer: C. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Chills, fever, and low back pain are signs of a hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The priority action is to stop the transfusion
, immediately to prevent further complications. The healthcare
provider should be notified after stopping the transfusion.
6. The PN is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of
tuberculosis (TB). Which of the following interventions is
most important to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
B. Wear a surgical mask when entering the room
C. Have the client wear a surgical mask when leaving the
room
D. Keep the door to the client's room open
Answer: C. Have the client wear a surgical mask when leaving
the room
Rationale: Clients with active TB should be placed in a negative-
pressure room with airborne precautions (N95 respirator for staff).
The client should wear a surgical mask when leaving the room to
prevent the spread of droplet nuclei to others.
7. A client is receiving warfarin therapy. Which of the
following laboratory values should the PN monitor to
evaluate the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Platelet count
B. aPTT
C. INR
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: C. INR
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs the
