ATI RN Exam Comprehensive Bundle 2026/2027 | Fundamentals,
Med-Surg, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Leadership,
Maternal Newborn Exams NGN Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationale
EXAM 1: ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important?
A. Ask the client to state the medication's purpose.
B. Compare the medication with the MAR three times.
C. Document the medication before administration.
D. Leave the medication at the bedside.
Answer: B
Rationale: Comparing the medication with the MAR according to medication-
safety procedures helps prevent administration errors.
2. A client has a temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F). Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate 104/min
B. Respiratory rate 22/min
C. Blood pressure 88/54 mm Hg
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension with significant fever can indicate systemic infection and
impaired tissue perfusion.
3. Which action should the nurse take when removing contaminated
gloves?
A. Touch the outside of both gloves.
B. Remove both gloves simultaneously.
C. Avoid touching the contaminated outer surface.
D. Wash the gloves before removing them.
•1
,Answer: C
Rationale: Avoiding contact with contaminated surfaces reduces transmission of
microorganisms.
4. A nurse is caring for a client on fall precautions. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised.
B. Place the call light within reach.
C. Keep the bed in the highest position.
D. Encourage the client to walk independently.
Answer: B
Rationale: Easy access to the call light allows the client to request assistance
before attempting to ambulate.
5. A client reports pain of 8/10. What should the nurse do first?
A. Reassess the pain in 1 hour.
B. Administer prescribed analgesia.
C. Tell the client pain is expected.
D. Document the finding only.
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe reported pain requires timely assessment and treatment
according to the prescribed plan.
6. Which position is appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty
breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: C
Rationale: High-Fowler's maximizes lung expansion and can improve ventilation.
7. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which action is correct?
•2
,A. Wash only the palms.
B. Use friction between all hand surfaces.
C. Rinse before applying soap.
D. Dry hands on the uniform.
Answer: B
Rationale: Friction over all hand surfaces helps remove microorganisms.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a blanket
B. Client with oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Client reporting mild nausea
D. Client waiting for discharge papers
Answer: B
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia threatens airway and breathing and takes
priority.
9. A client is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly around the nares.
B. Keep oxygen away from flames.
C. Set oxygen flow according to the client's preference.
D. Remove oxygen during sleep.
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, making fire prevention essential.
10. Which finding indicates dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Concentrated urine
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
•3
, Rationale: Concentrated urine is commonly associated with reduced fluid
volume.
11. SATA: Which findings can indicate hypoglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Tremors
C. Confusion
D. Bradycardia
E. Hunger
Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Adrenergic and neuroglycopenic manifestations include sweating,
tremors, hunger, confusion, and behavioral changes.
12. A client is at risk for pressure injury. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened skin.
B. Reposition regularly.
C. Keep the skin moist.
D. Use a donut-shaped cushion.
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning decreases prolonged pressure and tissue
ischemia.
13. A nurse notices nonblanchable redness over a client's sacrum. What is
the priority?
A. Massage the area.
B. Apply heat.
C. Relieve pressure from the area.
D. Place the client supine.
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonblanchable erythema can represent a stage 1 pressure injury,
requiring pressure relief.
14. Which action is appropriate when assisting a client with dysphagia?
•4
Med-Surg, Mental Health, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Leadership,
Maternal Newborn Exams NGN Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationale
EXAM 1: ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important?
A. Ask the client to state the medication's purpose.
B. Compare the medication with the MAR three times.
C. Document the medication before administration.
D. Leave the medication at the bedside.
Answer: B
Rationale: Comparing the medication with the MAR according to medication-
safety procedures helps prevent administration errors.
2. A client has a temperature of 39.2°C (102.6°F). Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate 104/min
B. Respiratory rate 22/min
C. Blood pressure 88/54 mm Hg
D. Warm, flushed skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension with significant fever can indicate systemic infection and
impaired tissue perfusion.
3. Which action should the nurse take when removing contaminated
gloves?
A. Touch the outside of both gloves.
B. Remove both gloves simultaneously.
C. Avoid touching the contaminated outer surface.
D. Wash the gloves before removing them.
•1
,Answer: C
Rationale: Avoiding contact with contaminated surfaces reduces transmission of
microorganisms.
4. A nurse is caring for a client on fall precautions. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised.
B. Place the call light within reach.
C. Keep the bed in the highest position.
D. Encourage the client to walk independently.
Answer: B
Rationale: Easy access to the call light allows the client to request assistance
before attempting to ambulate.
5. A client reports pain of 8/10. What should the nurse do first?
A. Reassess the pain in 1 hour.
B. Administer prescribed analgesia.
C. Tell the client pain is expected.
D. Document the finding only.
Answer: B
Rationale: Severe reported pain requires timely assessment and treatment
according to the prescribed plan.
6. Which position is appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty
breathing?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. High-Fowler's
D. Prone
Answer: C
Rationale: High-Fowler's maximizes lung expansion and can improve ventilation.
7. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which action is correct?
•2
,A. Wash only the palms.
B. Use friction between all hand surfaces.
C. Rinse before applying soap.
D. Dry hands on the uniform.
Answer: B
Rationale: Friction over all hand surfaces helps remove microorganisms.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a blanket
B. Client with oxygen saturation of 86%
C. Client reporting mild nausea
D. Client waiting for discharge papers
Answer: B
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia threatens airway and breathing and takes
priority.
9. A client is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly around the nares.
B. Keep oxygen away from flames.
C. Set oxygen flow according to the client's preference.
D. Remove oxygen during sleep.
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, making fire prevention essential.
10. Which finding indicates dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Concentrated urine
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
•3
, Rationale: Concentrated urine is commonly associated with reduced fluid
volume.
11. SATA: Which findings can indicate hypoglycemia?
A. Diaphoresis
B. Tremors
C. Confusion
D. Bradycardia
E. Hunger
Answers: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Adrenergic and neuroglycopenic manifestations include sweating,
tremors, hunger, confusion, and behavioral changes.
12. A client is at risk for pressure injury. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened skin.
B. Reposition regularly.
C. Keep the skin moist.
D. Use a donut-shaped cushion.
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning decreases prolonged pressure and tissue
ischemia.
13. A nurse notices nonblanchable redness over a client's sacrum. What is
the priority?
A. Massage the area.
B. Apply heat.
C. Relieve pressure from the area.
D. Place the client supine.
Answer: C
Rationale: Nonblanchable erythema can represent a stage 1 pressure injury,
requiring pressure relief.
14. Which action is appropriate when assisting a client with dysphagia?
•4
