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ATI RN CRITICAL THINKING ENTRANCE EXAM
2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: CLINICAL JUDGMENT & PRIORITIZATION – Questions 1–25
Q1: Prioritization – ABCs
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A client with new-onset shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC approach (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), a client with new-onset
shortness of breath and hypoxia (SpO₂ 88%) requires immediate assessment and intervention. Pain,
discharge teaching, and comfort measures are lower priority. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prioritization – Acute vs. Chronic
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with chronic pain requesting medication
B. A client with acute chest pain and diaphoresis
C. A client requesting discharge instructions
D. A client requesting a snack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute chest pain with diaphoresis suggests myocardial ischemia, which is life-threatening.
Chronic pain and routine requests are lower priority. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prioritization – Maslow's Hierarchy
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client's need should the RN address first based on Maslow's
hierarchy?
A. A client who is crying because she misses her family
B. A client who is short of breath and has an oxygen saturation of 89%
C. A client who needs assistance with ambulation to the bathroom
D. A client who is requesting information about discharge instructions
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs first, especially airway and breathing.
An SpO₂ of 89% indicates hypoxia requiring immediate intervention. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Prioritization – Safety
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a history of falls who is trying to get out of bed
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is a priority. A client at risk for falls who is attempting to get out of bed requires
immediate intervention to prevent injury. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Prioritization – Acute Change in Condition
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a new order for a blood transfusion who is waiting for consent
B. A client who is 1 day postoperative and reports incisional pain of 5/10
C. A client with a history of heart failure who has new-onset confusion and oxygen saturation of 88%
on room air
D. A client who is scheduled for discharge in 2 hours and needs discharge teaching
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New-onset confusion with hypoxia in a client with heart failure suggests worsening heart
failure, possibly pulmonary edema or decreased cerebral perfusion. This is an acute change requiring
immediate assessment. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Prioritization – Postoperative Complications
An RN is caring for four postoperative clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client reporting incisional pain of 4/10
B. A client with a saturated dressing and heart rate of 128
C. A client requesting assistance to ambulate
D. A client requesting a warm blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A saturated dressing with tachycardia suggests hemorrhage. This is a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate assessment and intervention. [100% CORRECT]
, 3
Q7: Prioritization – Respiratory Distress
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a respiratory rate of 28 and accessory muscle use
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a snack
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory rate of 28 with accessory muscle use indicates respiratory distress. This is a
priority using the ABC approach. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Prioritization – Neurological Change
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with new-onset confusion and a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: New-onset confusion with hypoglycemia (glucose 45 mg/dL) is a medical emergency. The
client requires immediate glucose administration. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Prioritization – Cardiovascular Change
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a heart rate of 52 and no symptoms
B. A client with a heart rate of 132 and hypotension
C. A client requesting pain medication
D. A client needing discharge teaching
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia with hypotension indicates hemodynamic instability, possibly shock or
hemorrhage. This is a priority. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Prioritization – Medication Administration
An RN is preparing to administer medications. Which client should the RN see first?
A. A client with a new order for insulin who has a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
ATI RN CRITICAL THINKING ENTRANCE EXAM
2026/2027 | COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT | 100
VERIFIED Q&A | DETAILED RATIONALES | NGN-
ALIGNED | PASS GUARANTEED – A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: CLINICAL JUDGMENT & PRIORITIZATION – Questions 1–25
Q1: Prioritization – ABCs
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A client with new-onset shortness of breath and oxygen saturation of 88%
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC approach (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), a client with new-onset
shortness of breath and hypoxia (SpO₂ 88%) requires immediate assessment and intervention. Pain,
discharge teaching, and comfort measures are lower priority. [100% CORRECT]
Q2: Prioritization – Acute vs. Chronic
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with chronic pain requesting medication
B. A client with acute chest pain and diaphoresis
C. A client requesting discharge instructions
D. A client requesting a snack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute chest pain with diaphoresis suggests myocardial ischemia, which is life-threatening.
Chronic pain and routine requests are lower priority. [100% CORRECT]
Q3: Prioritization – Maslow's Hierarchy
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client's need should the RN address first based on Maslow's
hierarchy?
A. A client who is crying because she misses her family
B. A client who is short of breath and has an oxygen saturation of 89%
C. A client who needs assistance with ambulation to the bathroom
D. A client who is requesting information about discharge instructions
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiological needs first, especially airway and breathing.
An SpO₂ of 89% indicates hypoxia requiring immediate intervention. [100% CORRECT]
Q4: Prioritization – Safety
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a history of falls who is trying to get out of bed
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Safety is a priority. A client at risk for falls who is attempting to get out of bed requires
immediate intervention to prevent injury. [100% CORRECT]
Q5: Prioritization – Acute Change in Condition
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a new order for a blood transfusion who is waiting for consent
B. A client who is 1 day postoperative and reports incisional pain of 5/10
C. A client with a history of heart failure who has new-onset confusion and oxygen saturation of 88%
on room air
D. A client who is scheduled for discharge in 2 hours and needs discharge teaching
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New-onset confusion with hypoxia in a client with heart failure suggests worsening heart
failure, possibly pulmonary edema or decreased cerebral perfusion. This is an acute change requiring
immediate assessment. [100% CORRECT]
Q6: Prioritization – Postoperative Complications
An RN is caring for four postoperative clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client reporting incisional pain of 4/10
B. A client with a saturated dressing and heart rate of 128
C. A client requesting assistance to ambulate
D. A client requesting a warm blanket
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A saturated dressing with tachycardia suggests hemorrhage. This is a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate assessment and intervention. [100% CORRECT]
, 3
Q7: Prioritization – Respiratory Distress
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a respiratory rate of 28 and accessory muscle use
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a snack
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory rate of 28 with accessory muscle use indicates respiratory distress. This is a
priority using the ABC approach. [100% CORRECT]
Q8: Prioritization – Neurological Change
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with new-onset confusion and a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: New-onset confusion with hypoglycemia (glucose 45 mg/dL) is a medical emergency. The
client requires immediate glucose administration. [100% CORRECT]
Q9: Prioritization – Cardiovascular Change
An RN is caring for four clients. Which client should the RN assess first?
A. A client with a heart rate of 52 and no symptoms
B. A client with a heart rate of 132 and hypotension
C. A client requesting pain medication
D. A client needing discharge teaching
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia with hypotension indicates hemodynamic instability, possibly shock or
hemorrhage. This is a priority. [100% CORRECT]
Q10: Prioritization – Medication Administration
An RN is preparing to administer medications. Which client should the RN see first?
A. A client with a new order for insulin who has a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client needing discharge teaching
D. A client requesting a blanket
