ATI Comprehensive Exit Exam (NGN) – ATI RN
Comprehensive Predictor Study Guide,
Original NGN-Style Practice Questions &
Answers, Comprehensive Nursing Exit Exam
Preparation, Next Generation NCLEX Clinical
Judgment, Fundamentals, Adult Medical-
Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Maternal-
Newborn, Pediatrics, Mental Health,
Leadership, Prioritization, Delegation, Patient
Safety & NCLEX Readiness Review
Question 1: A nurse is performing a medication reconciliation for an older
adult client being admitted to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following
findings is the highest priority for the nurse to address?
A. The client takes over-the-counter calcium supplements daily.
B. The client reports taking lorazepam as needed for sleep.
C. The client has a prescription for a daily low-dose aspirin.
D. The client is taking a herbal supplement containing ginkgo biloba.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. The client is taking a herbal supplement containing
ginkgo biloba.
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba has significant anticoagulant properties and can increase the
risk of bleeding, especially when combined with other medications like anticoagulants
or antiplatelet agents. While all medication discrepancies are important to address, the
potential for harm from uncontrolled bleeding makes this the priority finding. This is
consistent with National Patient Safety Goals that require a thorough medication
reconciliation at all transitions of care to identify potentially harmful interactions.
Question 2: A charge nurse is making client assignments on a busy medical-
surgical unit. Which client should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A. A client with pneumonia requiring IV antibiotics.
B. A client with COPD receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
C. A client with unstable angina who is experiencing chest pain.
D. A client with diabetes mellitus requiring insulin administration.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A client with unstable angina who is experiencing
chest pain.
Rationale: The client with unstable angina is at the highest risk for deterioration and
requires advanced assessment skills, critical thinking, and rapid intervention. This
client's condition is unstable and requires the clinical judgment of the most experienced
nurse. The other clients are more stable and their care can be appropriately delegated to
less experienced staff or AP.
,Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of type 1
diabetes mellitus. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to
take during discharge teaching?
A. Explain proper foot-care techniques.
B. Encourage participation in daily exercise programs.
C. Ensure the client understands the medication regimen.
D. Stress the importance of regular medical appointments.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ensure the client understands the medication regimen.
Rationale: The greatest safety concern for a client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
is preventing acute complications like hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Ensuring
correct insulin administration and understanding the medication regimen is the top
priority. This knowledge is essential for immediate survival and safe self-management,
forming the foundation upon which other education (foot care, exercise, appointments)
is built.
Question 4: A nurse is preparing to insert an IV catheter for a 7-year-old child.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use a mummy restraint to hold the child during the catheter insertion.
B. Tell the child they will feel discomfort during the catheter insertion.
C. Require the parents to leave the room during the procedure.
D. Postpone the procedure until the child falls asleep.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tell the child they will feel discomfort during the
catheter insertion.
Rationale: Being honest with a child about potential discomfort builds trust and reduces
anxiety. Using restraints should be a last resort, parents should be allowed to stay to
provide comfort, and postponing does not address the need for the procedure.
Question 5: A nurse manager is providing an in-service on hand hygiene to
assistive personnel. Which of the following information should the nurse
manager include?
A. Hand sanitizer is always more effective than soap and water.
B. Remove rings when washing hands with soap and water.
C. Hand hygiene is only necessary after contact with bodily fluids.
D. Gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Remove rings when washing hands with soap and
water.
Rationale: Rings can harbor bacteria and reduce the effectiveness of handwashing.
Proper hand hygiene requires removing jewelry to ensure thorough cleaning of all skin
surfaces.
,Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer a client's morning medications.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify the client's
identity?
A. Ask the client to state their room number.
B. Scan the facility identification band.
C. Verify the client's identity with a family member.
D. Check the name on the door of the room.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Scan the facility identification band.
Rationale: Scanning the identification band provides positive identification using two
identifiers (name and medical record number). This is consistent with National Patient
Safety Goals for medication administration.
Question 7: A nurse is assisting with a client's fall risk assessment. Which
finding places the client at the highest risk for falling?
A. Age over 70.
B. History of previous falls.
C. Taking one antihypertensive medication.
D. Urinary frequency.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. History of previous falls.
Rationale: A history of falls is the strongest predictor of future falls. Previous falls
increase risk due to underlying factors that may still be present, such as mobility issues,
balance problems, or environmental hazards.
Question 8: A nurse is reviewing a client's electronic medical record and finds
that an assistive personnel recorded the client's temperature as 35.3°C (95.5°F)
2 hours earlier. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Document the finding in the chart.
B. Check the client's temperature.
C. Notify the provider immediately.
D. Place a warm blanket on the client.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Check the client's temperature.
Rationale: The nurse should first verify the finding by reassessing the client's
temperature before taking further action. A temperature of 35.3°C (95.5°F) indicates
hypothermia and requires verification to ensure accuracy.
Question 9: A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four clients. Which
of the following clients should the nurse see first?
A. A client with diabetes mellitus whose morning glucose is 185 mg/dL.
B. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL for the past 12 hours.
C. A client scheduled for physical therapy in one hour.
D. A client requesting pain medication for a headache.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL for the past
12 hours.
Rationale: Urine output of less than 30 mL/hour (or less than 360 mL in 12 hours)
indicates oliguria and possible acute kidney injury. This finding requires immediate
assessment and intervention.
Question 10: A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who has end-stage
renal disease and received hemodialysis 24 hours ago. Which of the following
lab values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Platelets 268,000/mm³.
B. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL.
C. WBC 5,200/mm³.
D. Sodium 148 mEq/L.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Sodium 148 mEq/L.
Rationale: Clients with ESRD can retain sodium, leading to hypernatremia. A sodium of
148 mEq/L is elevated and necessitates intervention or further evaluation.
Question 11: A nurse is caring for a client in the fourth stage of labor who is
receiving continuous oxytocin IV. Which of the following assessments is the
priority?
A. Amount of vaginal bleeding.
B. Amount of urinary output.
C. Pain level.
D. Fundal height.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Amount of vaginal bleeding.
Rationale: During the fourth stage of labor, hemorrhage is a primary concern. Assessing
bleeding volume immediately addresses maternal safety.
Question 12: A nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit is caring for a client with
schizophrenia who began risperidone therapy. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Implement fall precautions.
B. Monitor the client's thyroid levels regularly.
C. Place the client on fluid restriction.
D. Discontinue the medication if hallucinations persist.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Implement fall precautions.
Rationale: Risperidone often causes orthostatic hypotension and dizziness, increasing
fall risk. Periodic CBC and liver enzymes are monitored, rather than thyroid function
specifically.
Comprehensive Predictor Study Guide,
Original NGN-Style Practice Questions &
Answers, Comprehensive Nursing Exit Exam
Preparation, Next Generation NCLEX Clinical
Judgment, Fundamentals, Adult Medical-
Surgical Nursing, Pharmacology, Maternal-
Newborn, Pediatrics, Mental Health,
Leadership, Prioritization, Delegation, Patient
Safety & NCLEX Readiness Review
Question 1: A nurse is performing a medication reconciliation for an older
adult client being admitted to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following
findings is the highest priority for the nurse to address?
A. The client takes over-the-counter calcium supplements daily.
B. The client reports taking lorazepam as needed for sleep.
C. The client has a prescription for a daily low-dose aspirin.
D. The client is taking a herbal supplement containing ginkgo biloba.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. The client is taking a herbal supplement containing
ginkgo biloba.
Rationale: Ginkgo biloba has significant anticoagulant properties and can increase the
risk of bleeding, especially when combined with other medications like anticoagulants
or antiplatelet agents. While all medication discrepancies are important to address, the
potential for harm from uncontrolled bleeding makes this the priority finding. This is
consistent with National Patient Safety Goals that require a thorough medication
reconciliation at all transitions of care to identify potentially harmful interactions.
Question 2: A charge nurse is making client assignments on a busy medical-
surgical unit. Which client should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A. A client with pneumonia requiring IV antibiotics.
B. A client with COPD receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
C. A client with unstable angina who is experiencing chest pain.
D. A client with diabetes mellitus requiring insulin administration.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A client with unstable angina who is experiencing
chest pain.
Rationale: The client with unstable angina is at the highest risk for deterioration and
requires advanced assessment skills, critical thinking, and rapid intervention. This
client's condition is unstable and requires the clinical judgment of the most experienced
nurse. The other clients are more stable and their care can be appropriately delegated to
less experienced staff or AP.
,Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of type 1
diabetes mellitus. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to
take during discharge teaching?
A. Explain proper foot-care techniques.
B. Encourage participation in daily exercise programs.
C. Ensure the client understands the medication regimen.
D. Stress the importance of regular medical appointments.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ensure the client understands the medication regimen.
Rationale: The greatest safety concern for a client newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
is preventing acute complications like hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Ensuring
correct insulin administration and understanding the medication regimen is the top
priority. This knowledge is essential for immediate survival and safe self-management,
forming the foundation upon which other education (foot care, exercise, appointments)
is built.
Question 4: A nurse is preparing to insert an IV catheter for a 7-year-old child.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use a mummy restraint to hold the child during the catheter insertion.
B. Tell the child they will feel discomfort during the catheter insertion.
C. Require the parents to leave the room during the procedure.
D. Postpone the procedure until the child falls asleep.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tell the child they will feel discomfort during the
catheter insertion.
Rationale: Being honest with a child about potential discomfort builds trust and reduces
anxiety. Using restraints should be a last resort, parents should be allowed to stay to
provide comfort, and postponing does not address the need for the procedure.
Question 5: A nurse manager is providing an in-service on hand hygiene to
assistive personnel. Which of the following information should the nurse
manager include?
A. Hand sanitizer is always more effective than soap and water.
B. Remove rings when washing hands with soap and water.
C. Hand hygiene is only necessary after contact with bodily fluids.
D. Gloves eliminate the need for hand hygiene.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Remove rings when washing hands with soap and
water.
Rationale: Rings can harbor bacteria and reduce the effectiveness of handwashing.
Proper hand hygiene requires removing jewelry to ensure thorough cleaning of all skin
surfaces.
,Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer a client's morning medications.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify the client's
identity?
A. Ask the client to state their room number.
B. Scan the facility identification band.
C. Verify the client's identity with a family member.
D. Check the name on the door of the room.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Scan the facility identification band.
Rationale: Scanning the identification band provides positive identification using two
identifiers (name and medical record number). This is consistent with National Patient
Safety Goals for medication administration.
Question 7: A nurse is assisting with a client's fall risk assessment. Which
finding places the client at the highest risk for falling?
A. Age over 70.
B. History of previous falls.
C. Taking one antihypertensive medication.
D. Urinary frequency.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. History of previous falls.
Rationale: A history of falls is the strongest predictor of future falls. Previous falls
increase risk due to underlying factors that may still be present, such as mobility issues,
balance problems, or environmental hazards.
Question 8: A nurse is reviewing a client's electronic medical record and finds
that an assistive personnel recorded the client's temperature as 35.3°C (95.5°F)
2 hours earlier. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Document the finding in the chart.
B. Check the client's temperature.
C. Notify the provider immediately.
D. Place a warm blanket on the client.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Check the client's temperature.
Rationale: The nurse should first verify the finding by reassessing the client's
temperature before taking further action. A temperature of 35.3°C (95.5°F) indicates
hypothermia and requires verification to ensure accuracy.
Question 9: A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four clients. Which
of the following clients should the nurse see first?
A. A client with diabetes mellitus whose morning glucose is 185 mg/dL.
B. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL for the past 12 hours.
C. A client scheduled for physical therapy in one hour.
D. A client requesting pain medication for a headache.
, CORRECT ANSWER: B. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL for the past
12 hours.
Rationale: Urine output of less than 30 mL/hour (or less than 360 mL in 12 hours)
indicates oliguria and possible acute kidney injury. This finding requires immediate
assessment and intervention.
Question 10: A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who has end-stage
renal disease and received hemodialysis 24 hours ago. Which of the following
lab values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Platelets 268,000/mm³.
B. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL.
C. WBC 5,200/mm³.
D. Sodium 148 mEq/L.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Sodium 148 mEq/L.
Rationale: Clients with ESRD can retain sodium, leading to hypernatremia. A sodium of
148 mEq/L is elevated and necessitates intervention or further evaluation.
Question 11: A nurse is caring for a client in the fourth stage of labor who is
receiving continuous oxytocin IV. Which of the following assessments is the
priority?
A. Amount of vaginal bleeding.
B. Amount of urinary output.
C. Pain level.
D. Fundal height.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Amount of vaginal bleeding.
Rationale: During the fourth stage of labor, hemorrhage is a primary concern. Assessing
bleeding volume immediately addresses maternal safety.
Question 12: A nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit is caring for a client with
schizophrenia who began risperidone therapy. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Implement fall precautions.
B. Monitor the client's thyroid levels regularly.
C. Place the client on fluid restriction.
D. Discontinue the medication if hallucinations persist.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Implement fall precautions.
Rationale: Risperidone often causes orthostatic hypotension and dizziness, increasing
fall risk. Periodic CBC and liver enzymes are monitored, rather than thyroid function
specifically.
