ATI Health Assessment Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
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1. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory system. Which finding should the
nurse identify as an expected finding in an adult?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
C. Respiratory rate of 30/min
D. Respiratory rate of 40/min
Answer: Respiratory rate of 16/min
Rationale: A normal adult respiratory rate is approximately 12 to 20
breaths/min. Rates below or above this range can indicate respiratory
dysfunction or other abnormalities.
2. Which technique should the nurse use first when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Answer: Auscultation
,Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in the sequence of inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds, so
auscultation is performed first after inspection.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's pulse. Which pulse characteristic refers to the
strength of the pulse?
A. Rate
B. Rhythm
C. Amplitude
D. Frequency
Answer: Amplitude
Rationale: Pulse amplitude describes the strength or quality of the pulse and is
commonly documented on a scale such as 0 to 4+.
4. Which finding should the nurse expect when assessing a healthy adult's
skin?
A. Cyanosis
B. Warm, intact skin
C. Generalized pallor
D. Poor skin turgor
Answer: Warm, intact skin
Rationale: Healthy adult skin is generally warm, intact, and appropriate for the
client's skin tone. Cyanosis, pallor, and poor turgor can indicate abnormalities.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pupils. Which finding indicates normal
pupillary function?
A. Pupils unequal in size
B. Pupils fixed to light
C. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
D. Pupils constricting only when looking at a distant object
,Answer: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
Rationale: Normal pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and
accommodation.
6. Which cranial nerve is assessed when the nurse asks a client to smile,
frown, and puff out the cheeks?
A. CN II
B. CN V
C. CN VII
D. CN XII
Answer: CN VII
Rationale: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls muscles of facial expression.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness. Which finding
indicates the client is alert?
A. Responds only to painful stimuli
B. Opens eyes when spoken to
C. Maintains spontaneous eye opening and responds appropriately
D. Does not respond to verbal or painful stimuli
Answer: Maintains spontaneous eye opening and responds appropriately
Rationale: An alert client is awake, maintains spontaneous eye opening, and
appropriately responds to questions and commands.
8. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client reporting chest
pain?
A. Heart rate of 76/min
B. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
C. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
, Answer: Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
Rationale: Diaphoresis and dyspnea accompanying chest pain can indicate
myocardial ischemia or infarction and require immediate evaluation.
9. When assessing the carotid arteries, which action should the nurse take?
A. Palpate both arteries simultaneously
B. Use the thumb to palpate the arteries
C. Palpate one artery at a time
D. Apply firm pressure for 30 seconds
Answer: Palpate one artery at a time
Rationale: The carotid arteries should never be palpated simultaneously
because doing so can reduce cerebral blood flow and cause syncope.
10.Which assessment technique involves using the fingertips to detect
tenderness, masses, or organ enlargement?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
C. Percussion
D. Palpation
Answer: Palpation
Rationale: Palpation uses the hands and fingers to assess characteristics such as
tenderness, temperature, texture, masses, and organ size.
11.A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. Which action can cause an
inaccurately high reading?
A. Supporting the client's arm
B. Using a properly sized cuff
C. Allowing the client to rest before measurement
D. Using a cuff that is too small
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
1. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory system. Which finding should the
nurse identify as an expected finding in an adult?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
C. Respiratory rate of 30/min
D. Respiratory rate of 40/min
Answer: Respiratory rate of 16/min
Rationale: A normal adult respiratory rate is approximately 12 to 20
breaths/min. Rates below or above this range can indicate respiratory
dysfunction or other abnormalities.
2. Which technique should the nurse use first when assessing the abdomen?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Answer: Auscultation
,Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in the sequence of inspection, auscultation,
percussion, and palpation. Palpation and percussion can alter bowel sounds, so
auscultation is performed first after inspection.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's pulse. Which pulse characteristic refers to the
strength of the pulse?
A. Rate
B. Rhythm
C. Amplitude
D. Frequency
Answer: Amplitude
Rationale: Pulse amplitude describes the strength or quality of the pulse and is
commonly documented on a scale such as 0 to 4+.
4. Which finding should the nurse expect when assessing a healthy adult's
skin?
A. Cyanosis
B. Warm, intact skin
C. Generalized pallor
D. Poor skin turgor
Answer: Warm, intact skin
Rationale: Healthy adult skin is generally warm, intact, and appropriate for the
client's skin tone. Cyanosis, pallor, and poor turgor can indicate abnormalities.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pupils. Which finding indicates normal
pupillary function?
A. Pupils unequal in size
B. Pupils fixed to light
C. Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
D. Pupils constricting only when looking at a distant object
,Answer: Pupils equal, round, and reactive to light
Rationale: Normal pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light and
accommodation.
6. Which cranial nerve is assessed when the nurse asks a client to smile,
frown, and puff out the cheeks?
A. CN II
B. CN V
C. CN VII
D. CN XII
Answer: CN VII
Rationale: The facial nerve (CN VII) controls muscles of facial expression.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness. Which finding
indicates the client is alert?
A. Responds only to painful stimuli
B. Opens eyes when spoken to
C. Maintains spontaneous eye opening and responds appropriately
D. Does not respond to verbal or painful stimuli
Answer: Maintains spontaneous eye opening and responds appropriately
Rationale: An alert client is awake, maintains spontaneous eye opening, and
appropriately responds to questions and commands.
8. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client reporting chest
pain?
A. Heart rate of 76/min
B. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
C. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
D. Respiratory rate of 16/min
, Answer: Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
Rationale: Diaphoresis and dyspnea accompanying chest pain can indicate
myocardial ischemia or infarction and require immediate evaluation.
9. When assessing the carotid arteries, which action should the nurse take?
A. Palpate both arteries simultaneously
B. Use the thumb to palpate the arteries
C. Palpate one artery at a time
D. Apply firm pressure for 30 seconds
Answer: Palpate one artery at a time
Rationale: The carotid arteries should never be palpated simultaneously
because doing so can reduce cerebral blood flow and cause syncope.
10.Which assessment technique involves using the fingertips to detect
tenderness, masses, or organ enlargement?
A. Inspection
B. Auscultation
C. Percussion
D. Palpation
Answer: Palpation
Rationale: Palpation uses the hands and fingers to assess characteristics such as
tenderness, temperature, texture, masses, and organ size.
11.A nurse is assessing a client's blood pressure. Which action can cause an
inaccurately high reading?
A. Supporting the client's arm
B. Using a properly sized cuff
C. Allowing the client to rest before measurement
D. Using a cuff that is too small
