ATI RN Exit Exam 2026: The 300-Questions and Answers with Rationales/ Verified/Graded A+

ATI RN Exit Exam 2026: The 300-Questions
and Answers with Rationales/
Verified/Graded A+

Question 1
A nurse is receiving report on four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?

 A. A client with COPD who has an SpO₂ of 89% on 2L nasal
cannula
 B. A client who is post-appendectomy day 2 with a temperature of
38.3°C (101°F)
 C. A client with heart failure and 3+ pitting edema
 D. A client with new-onset confusion and a bounding pulse

Answer: D. New-onset confusion and a bounding pulse

Rationale: A change in neurological status (new-onset confusion)
is always a priority. When combined with a bounding pulse, it
suggests potential hypercapnia or fluid overload affecting
cerebral perfusion, which requires immediate intervention. The
other findings are concerning but are more expected or chronic in
nature.

Question 2
A charge nurse is assigning rooms for four clients. Which client
should be placed in a private room?

 A. A client with pneumonia
 B. A client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

, C. A client with a diabetic foot ulcer
 D. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Answer: B. MRSA

Rationale: MRSA requires contact isolation. A private room is
essential to prevent transmission to other clients. Pneumonia may
require droplet precautions, but MRSA is the priority for a single-
room assignment.

Question 3
A charge nurse is assigning a float RN who usually works in
postpartum to a medical-surgical unit. Which client is most
appropriate for the charge nurse to assign to this RN?

 A. A client in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
 B. A client who is postoperative day 2 following an appendectomy
and is stable
 C. A client with a chest tube for a pneumothorax
 D. A client receiving IV heparin for a deep vein thrombosis

Answer: B. A stable postoperative client

Rationale: A stable, low-acuity postoperative client is safest for a
float nurse from a different specialty. Complex clients with chest
tubes, titratable heparin drips, or DKA require an RN with current
experience in those specific areas.

Question 4
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which
task is appropriate to delegate?

 A. Assessing a postoperative incision

, B. Teaching a client how to use a walker
 C. Obtaining a capillary blood glucose level
 D. Evaluating a client's pain level

Answer: C. Obtaining a capillary blood glucose level

Rationale: APs can perform capillary blood glucose testing.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment
and fall outside the AP's scope of practice.

Question 5
A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative
following a hip arthroplasty. Which task should the nurse delegate
to the AP?

 A. Assessing the surgical incision for redness and drainage
 B. Assisting the client with ambulation using a walker
 C. Teaching the client about hip precautions
 D. Evaluating the client's pain level

Answer: B. Assisting with ambulation

Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is within the AP's scope of
practice. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation are RN
responsibilities. An AP can reinforce teaching but not provide
initial instruction.

Question 6
A charge nurse is assigning client care. Which client should be
assigned to a newly licensed RN?

 A. A client with a chest tube following a pneumothorax
 B. A client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion

,  C. A client with diabetes who requires insulin administration
 D. A client who is 1 day postoperative following an appendectomy

Answer: D. 1-day post-op appendectomy

Rationale: A stable, post-operative client with predictable needs
is most appropriate for a newly licensed RN. Clients with chest
tubes, heparin infusions, or new-onset diabetes requiring insulin
administration require more experienced nursing judgment.

Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which task
can the nurse delegate to an AP?

 A. Performing tracheostomy suctioning
 B. Assessing the client's respiratory status
 C. Providing oral care
 D. Monitoring oxygen saturation

Answer: C. Providing oral care

Rationale: Oral care is a routine task that can be delegated.
Suctioning, respiratory assessment, and oxygen saturation
monitoring all require nursing judgment and are not within the
AP's scope.

Question 8
A competent adult client refuses a blood transfusion for religious
reasons. Which actions should the nurse take? (Select all that
apply)

 A. Verify the client understands the risks
 B. Document the refusal