ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT
EXAMINATION COMPREHENSIVE
NCLEX-RN READINESS, CLINICAL
JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL
NURSING PRACTICE EXAMINATION
100 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
The ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Examination is designed to evaluate a nursing student's
readiness for successful NCLEX-RN performance and entry into safe professional registered
nursing practice. This comprehensive examination integrates clinical judgment, prioritization,
delegation, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-newborn nursing, pediatric
nursing, mental health nursing, leadership, management, and evidence-based practice.
The examination reflects ATI-style testing principles, emphasizing clinical decision-making,
patient safety, recognition of priority findings, nursing interventions, therapeutic
communication, and application of the nursing process across a variety of healthcare settings.
Content areas covered include:
• NCLEX-RN Readiness
• ATI Comprehensive Review Concepts
• Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Pharmacology
,• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Cardiovascular Nursing
• Respiratory Nursing
• Neurological Nursing
• Endocrine Nursing
• Renal Nursing
• Gastrointestinal Nursing
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing
• Emergency Nursing
• Leadership and Management
• Delegation and Supervision
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
• Ethical and Legal Nursing Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
, PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question One
A nurse is caring for a client who reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
B. Obtain a detailed dietary history
C. Complete routine documentation
D. Notify housekeeping personnel
Correct Answer: A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: ATI and NCLEX-style questions emphasize prioritization. Using the ABC
framework, assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation takes precedence when a
client develops acute cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Question Two
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which finding indicates fluid volume
overload?
A. Bilateral crackles in the lungs
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Decreased body weight
D. Poor skin turgor
Correct Answer: A. Bilateral crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Fluid accumulation within the pulmonary system causes crackles and can
indicate worsening heart failure requiring prompt intervention.
Question Three
, A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which finding requires the nurse to withhold the
medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 56/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/74 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Correct Answer: A. Apical pulse of 56/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows cardiac conduction and heart rate. Administration may be
withheld when the pulse is below the prescribed parameter, commonly less than 60/min.
Question Four
A nurse is caring for a client who has hypoglycemia. Which manifestation should the nurse
expect?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: A. Diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in
diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia, anxiety, and hunger.
Question Five
A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine. Which adverse effect requires immediate
intervention?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Mild constipation
C. Dry mouth
EXAMINATION COMPREHENSIVE
NCLEX-RN READINESS, CLINICAL
JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL
NURSING PRACTICE EXAMINATION
100 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
The ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Examination is designed to evaluate a nursing student's
readiness for successful NCLEX-RN performance and entry into safe professional registered
nursing practice. This comprehensive examination integrates clinical judgment, prioritization,
delegation, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, maternal-newborn nursing, pediatric
nursing, mental health nursing, leadership, management, and evidence-based practice.
The examination reflects ATI-style testing principles, emphasizing clinical decision-making,
patient safety, recognition of priority findings, nursing interventions, therapeutic
communication, and application of the nursing process across a variety of healthcare settings.
Content areas covered include:
• NCLEX-RN Readiness
• ATI Comprehensive Review Concepts
• Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Pharmacology
,• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Cardiovascular Nursing
• Respiratory Nursing
• Neurological Nursing
• Endocrine Nursing
• Renal Nursing
• Gastrointestinal Nursing
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing
• Emergency Nursing
• Leadership and Management
• Delegation and Supervision
• Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
• Ethical and Legal Nursing Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
, PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question One
A nurse is caring for a client who reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
B. Obtain a detailed dietary history
C. Complete routine documentation
D. Notify housekeeping personnel
Correct Answer: A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: ATI and NCLEX-style questions emphasize prioritization. Using the ABC
framework, assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation takes precedence when a
client develops acute cardiopulmonary symptoms.
Question Two
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which finding indicates fluid volume
overload?
A. Bilateral crackles in the lungs
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Decreased body weight
D. Poor skin turgor
Correct Answer: A. Bilateral crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Fluid accumulation within the pulmonary system causes crackles and can
indicate worsening heart failure requiring prompt intervention.
Question Three
, A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which finding requires the nurse to withhold the
medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 56/min
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Blood pressure of 128/74 mm Hg
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Correct Answer: A. Apical pulse of 56/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows cardiac conduction and heart rate. Administration may be
withheld when the pulse is below the prescribed parameter, commonly less than 60/min.
Question Four
A nurse is caring for a client who has hypoglycemia. Which manifestation should the nurse
expect?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: A. Diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, resulting in
diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia, anxiety, and hunger.
Question Five
A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine. Which adverse effect requires immediate
intervention?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Mild constipation
C. Dry mouth
