ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
CORE DOMAINS
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Nursing Care of Children
Mental Health Nursing
Leadership and Management
Community Health Nursing
Nutrition and Diet Therapy
INTRODUCTION
The ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam is designed to evaluate a nursing student's readiness for professional practice and success on the
NCLEX-RN. This rigorous assessment measures mastery of core nursing concepts, clinical judgment, and the application of evidence-based
practice across diverse patient populations. Utilizing a combination of multiple-choice and complex, scenario-based questions, the exam tests
the ability to prioritize care, maintain safety standards, and navigate ethical dilemmas. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in clinical
decision-making, pharmacological knowledge, and legal compliance, ensuring they are prepared to provide safe, competent, and high-quality
care in real-world healthcare environments.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following an abdominal surgery. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
A. Decreased bowel sounds in all four quadrants
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
C. Oral temperature of 38.6 C (101.5 F)
D. Reports of pain rated 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: An oral temperature of 38.6 C (101.5 F) on the second postoperative day is a significant finding that may indicate the
development of a postoperative infection, such as pneumonia or a wound infection, and requires immediate provider notification.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables
B. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
C. Take aspirin for minor headaches
D. Limit intake of fluid
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush reduces the risk of
trauma to the gums and subsequent bleeding.
A nurse is assessing a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Hyperthyroidism causes an increased metabolic rate, leading to heat intolerance, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and
weight loss.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's serum potassium level
B. Assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute
C. Ensure the client is sitting in an upright position
D. Administer the medication with a full glass of water
🟢B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute before administering digoxin. If the heart rate is below 60
beats/min, the medication should be withheld, and the provider notified.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. The chest tube is disconnected from the drainage system
C. Fluctuations in the water seal chamber
D. Minimal drainage in the collection chamber
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: If a chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system, it creates a potential for a tension pneumothorax.
This is an emergency requiring immediate reconnection or the application of an occlusive dressing.
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client
indicates an understanding of the management of their condition?
A. I will rotate my injection sites to prevent lipohypertrophy
B. I can skip my insulin if I am not feeling hungry
C. I will keep my blood glucose levels at 300 mg/dL
D. I will exercise during the peak of my insulin activity
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Rotating insulin injection sites is essential to prevent lipohypertrophy, which is the buildup of subcutaneous fat tissue
that can interfere with insulin absorption.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which item should the nurse include on the client’s tray?
A. Vegetable juice
B. Fruit-flavored gelatin
C. Cream of wheat
D. Yogurt
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Fruit-flavored gelatin is transparent and liquid at room temperature, making it an appropriate choice for a clear liquid
diet.
A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer a PRN sedative
B. Teach the client deep breathing exercises
C. Stay with the client and provide a calm environment
D. Encourage the client to identify the cause of the panic
Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
CORE DOMAINS
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Nursing Care of Children
Mental Health Nursing
Leadership and Management
Community Health Nursing
Nutrition and Diet Therapy
INTRODUCTION
The ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam is designed to evaluate a nursing student's readiness for professional practice and success on the
NCLEX-RN. This rigorous assessment measures mastery of core nursing concepts, clinical judgment, and the application of evidence-based
practice across diverse patient populations. Utilizing a combination of multiple-choice and complex, scenario-based questions, the exam tests
the ability to prioritize care, maintain safety standards, and navigate ethical dilemmas. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in clinical
decision-making, pharmacological knowledge, and legal compliance, ensuring they are prepared to provide safe, competent, and high-quality
care in real-world healthcare environments.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following an abdominal surgery. Which finding should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
A. Decreased bowel sounds in all four quadrants
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
C. Oral temperature of 38.6 C (101.5 F)
D. Reports of pain rated 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: An oral temperature of 38.6 C (101.5 F) on the second postoperative day is a significant finding that may indicate the
development of a postoperative infection, such as pneumonia or a wound infection, and requires immediate provider notification.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables
B. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
C. Take aspirin for minor headaches
D. Limit intake of fluid
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush reduces the risk of
trauma to the gums and subsequent bleeding.
A nurse is assessing a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Hyperthyroidism causes an increased metabolic rate, leading to heat intolerance, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and
weight loss.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's serum potassium level
B. Assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute
C. Ensure the client is sitting in an upright position
D. Administer the medication with a full glass of water
🟢B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must assess the apical heart rate for 1 full minute before administering digoxin. If the heart rate is below 60
beats/min, the medication should be withheld, and the provider notified.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. The chest tube is disconnected from the drainage system
C. Fluctuations in the water seal chamber
D. Minimal drainage in the collection chamber
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: If a chest tube becomes disconnected from the drainage system, it creates a potential for a tension pneumothorax.
This is an emergency requiring immediate reconnection or the application of an occlusive dressing.
A nurse is caring for an adolescent client who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client
indicates an understanding of the management of their condition?
A. I will rotate my injection sites to prevent lipohypertrophy
B. I can skip my insulin if I am not feeling hungry
C. I will keep my blood glucose levels at 300 mg/dL
D. I will exercise during the peak of my insulin activity
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Rotating insulin injection sites is essential to prevent lipohypertrophy, which is the buildup of subcutaneous fat tissue
that can interfere with insulin absorption.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which item should the nurse include on the client’s tray?
A. Vegetable juice
B. Fruit-flavored gelatin
C. Cream of wheat
D. Yogurt
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Fruit-flavored gelatin is transparent and liquid at room temperature, making it an appropriate choice for a clear liquid
diet.
A nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer a PRN sedative
B. Teach the client deep breathing exercises
C. Stay with the client and provide a calm environment
D. Encourage the client to identify the cause of the panic
