2026/2027
A nurse
ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam with
NGN 2026/2027 The Definitive Study
and Exam Prep Guide:
Comprehensive Topic Review,
Realistic Practice Questions,
Complete Test Bank Mastery, and
Advanced Preparation Manual
Question 1
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing an adolescent diagnosed with
conduct disorder who has recently threatened suicide at school. Which of the following
assessment questions is most appropriate for the nurse to include?
A. “Do you feel guilty about your behavior at school?”
B. “How often do you drink alcohol?”
C. “Are you hearing voices right now?”
D. “Do you get along with your teachers?”
Correct Answer: B. “How often do you drink alcohol?”
Rationale: Adolescents with conduct disorder are at increased risk for substance use
and impulsive behavior, both of which are associated with suicide risk. Assessing alcohol
use helps identify an important safety concern.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing bonding between a parent and a newborn. Which observation
requires immediate intervention?
A. The parent smiles while holding the newborn
B. The parent refers to the newborn as “my baby”
C. The parent interprets the newborn’s behavior as uncooperative
D. The parent maintains eye contact during feeding
Correct Answer: C. The parent interprets the newborn’s behavior as
uncooperative
,2026/2027
A nurse
Rationale: Interpreting normal newborn behavior as intentional or uncooperative may
indicate impaired bonding and attachment difficulties.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client taking levothyroxine. Which finding indicates the medication
is effective?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Weight loss
D. Cold intolerance
Correct Answer: C. Weight loss
Rationale: Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism. Effective therapy increases
metabolism, which may result in weight loss, improved energy, and better temperature
regulation.
Question 4
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a parent of a newborn regarding umbilical
cord care. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Apply antibiotic ointment daily
B. Cover the cord with a diaper
C. Keep the cord dry until it falls off
D. Submerge the cord in warm water during bathing
Correct Answer: C. Keep the cord dry until it falls off
Rationale: The umbilical cord should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection and
allow it to fall off naturally.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) client. Which finding indicates
decreased cardiac output?
A. Hypertension
B. Tachycardia
C. Oliguria
D. Warm, flushed skin
,2026/2027
A nurse
Correct Answer: C. Oliguria
Rationale: Decreased urine output suggests reduced renal perfusion, which may occur
with decreased cardiac output.
Question 6
A nurse is managing a mass casualty situation after a factory explosion. Which client
should be prioritized?
A. A client with a fractured arm
B. A client with hypovolemic shock
C. A client with minor lacerations
D. A client with anxiety and confusion
Correct Answer: B. A client with hypovolemic shock
Rationale: In disaster triage, clients with life-threatening conditions such as shock must
be prioritized for immediate treatment.
Question 7
A nurse is receiving report on four clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A. A client with chronic kidney disease and cloudy dialysate outflow
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client awaiting discharge
D. A client with stable vital signs post-op
Correct Answer: A. A client with chronic kidney disease and cloudy dialysate
outflow
Rationale: Cloudy dialysate outflow may indicate peritonitis, a serious complication
requiring prompt intervention.
Question 8
A nurse administers the first dose of lisinopril. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage high potassium intake
B. Restrict fluid intake
C. Provide standby assistance when ambulating
D. Administer with grapefruit juice
, 2026/2027
A nurse
Correct Answer: C. Provide standby assistance when ambulating
Rationale: Lisinopril can cause hypotension, especially after the first dose. The client
should be assisted with ambulation to prevent falls.
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing fetal monitoring and notes early decelerations. What is the cause?
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Placental insufficiency
C. Head compression
D. Maternal hypotension
Correct Answer: C. Head compression
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression during
contractions and are generally considered benign.
Question 10
A nurse is caring for a client with chronic kidney disease. Which lab value indicates need
for hemodialysis?
A. GFR 90 mL/min
B. GFR 60 mL/min
C. GFR 30 mL/min
D. GFR 14 mL/min
Correct Answer: D. GFR 14 mL/min
Rationale: A glomerular filtration rate below 15 mL/min is consistent with end-stage
renal disease and indicates the need for dialysis.
Question 11
A nurse is preparing to apply continuous pulse oximetry to an infant. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Place probe on a cold extremity
B. Heat the skin for 1 minute before placement
C. Apply probe to the same site for 24 hours
D. Secure probe tightly to prevent movement
A nurse
ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam with
NGN 2026/2027 The Definitive Study
and Exam Prep Guide:
Comprehensive Topic Review,
Realistic Practice Questions,
Complete Test Bank Mastery, and
Advanced Preparation Manual
Question 1
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing an adolescent diagnosed with
conduct disorder who has recently threatened suicide at school. Which of the following
assessment questions is most appropriate for the nurse to include?
A. “Do you feel guilty about your behavior at school?”
B. “How often do you drink alcohol?”
C. “Are you hearing voices right now?”
D. “Do you get along with your teachers?”
Correct Answer: B. “How often do you drink alcohol?”
Rationale: Adolescents with conduct disorder are at increased risk for substance use
and impulsive behavior, both of which are associated with suicide risk. Assessing alcohol
use helps identify an important safety concern.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing bonding between a parent and a newborn. Which observation
requires immediate intervention?
A. The parent smiles while holding the newborn
B. The parent refers to the newborn as “my baby”
C. The parent interprets the newborn’s behavior as uncooperative
D. The parent maintains eye contact during feeding
Correct Answer: C. The parent interprets the newborn’s behavior as
uncooperative
,2026/2027
A nurse
Rationale: Interpreting normal newborn behavior as intentional or uncooperative may
indicate impaired bonding and attachment difficulties.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client taking levothyroxine. Which finding indicates the medication
is effective?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Weight loss
D. Cold intolerance
Correct Answer: C. Weight loss
Rationale: Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism. Effective therapy increases
metabolism, which may result in weight loss, improved energy, and better temperature
regulation.
Question 4
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a parent of a newborn regarding umbilical
cord care. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Apply antibiotic ointment daily
B. Cover the cord with a diaper
C. Keep the cord dry until it falls off
D. Submerge the cord in warm water during bathing
Correct Answer: C. Keep the cord dry until it falls off
Rationale: The umbilical cord should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection and
allow it to fall off naturally.
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) client. Which finding indicates
decreased cardiac output?
A. Hypertension
B. Tachycardia
C. Oliguria
D. Warm, flushed skin
,2026/2027
A nurse
Correct Answer: C. Oliguria
Rationale: Decreased urine output suggests reduced renal perfusion, which may occur
with decreased cardiac output.
Question 6
A nurse is managing a mass casualty situation after a factory explosion. Which client
should be prioritized?
A. A client with a fractured arm
B. A client with hypovolemic shock
C. A client with minor lacerations
D. A client with anxiety and confusion
Correct Answer: B. A client with hypovolemic shock
Rationale: In disaster triage, clients with life-threatening conditions such as shock must
be prioritized for immediate treatment.
Question 7
A nurse is receiving report on four clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A. A client with chronic kidney disease and cloudy dialysate outflow
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client awaiting discharge
D. A client with stable vital signs post-op
Correct Answer: A. A client with chronic kidney disease and cloudy dialysate
outflow
Rationale: Cloudy dialysate outflow may indicate peritonitis, a serious complication
requiring prompt intervention.
Question 8
A nurse administers the first dose of lisinopril. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Encourage high potassium intake
B. Restrict fluid intake
C. Provide standby assistance when ambulating
D. Administer with grapefruit juice
, 2026/2027
A nurse
Correct Answer: C. Provide standby assistance when ambulating
Rationale: Lisinopril can cause hypotension, especially after the first dose. The client
should be assisted with ambulation to prevent falls.
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing fetal monitoring and notes early decelerations. What is the cause?
A. Umbilical cord compression
B. Placental insufficiency
C. Head compression
D. Maternal hypotension
Correct Answer: C. Head compression
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression during
contractions and are generally considered benign.
Question 10
A nurse is caring for a client with chronic kidney disease. Which lab value indicates need
for hemodialysis?
A. GFR 90 mL/min
B. GFR 60 mL/min
C. GFR 30 mL/min
D. GFR 14 mL/min
Correct Answer: D. GFR 14 mL/min
Rationale: A glomerular filtration rate below 15 mL/min is consistent with end-stage
renal disease and indicates the need for dialysis.
Question 11
A nurse is preparing to apply continuous pulse oximetry to an infant. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Place probe on a cold extremity
B. Heat the skin for 1 minute before placement
C. Apply probe to the same site for 24 hours
D. Secure probe tightly to prevent movement
