ATI CBC LEVEL 3 EXAM |130 COMPLETE AND
GRADED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 LATEST
UPDATED | 100% GRADED CORRECT | 100%
GUARANTEED TO PASS | GET A+
ATI CBC LEVEL 3 EXAM — Complete Practice Exam
130 Questions with Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing hypovolemic shock due to postpartum
hemorrhage. After notifying the provider, which of the following actions should the nurse take
NEXT?
A) Administer IV fluids
B) Massage the client's fundus
C) Apply oxygen
D) Insert a urinary catheter
Answer: B
Explanation: The greatest risk to the client is hemorrhage. The next action the nurse should take
is to massage the client's fundus to expel clots and promote uterine contractions. This is the
priority intervention to control the source of bleeding. After fundal massage, IV fluids and
oxygen can be administered to support hemodynamic stability.
,Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A) Left upper quadrant pain radiating to the shoulder
B) Periumbilical discoloration
C) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
D) Epigastric pain radiating to the back
Answer: B
Explanation: Acute pancreatitis can present with periumbilical discoloration (Cullen's sign) or
flank discoloration (Grey Turner's sign) due to retroperitoneal bleeding. These are late signs
indicating severe pancreatitis. Epigastric pain radiating to the back is the classic symptom of
pancreatitis. Cullen's sign is more specific to pancreatitis.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease and is receiving hemodialysis. The
client tells the nurse she has decided to stop treatment. Which of the following actions by the
nurse is appropriate in regard to serving as the client's advocate?
A) Encourage the client to continue treatment
B) Contact the client's family to discuss the decision
C) Support the client's decision regarding treatment
D) Notify the provider to override the client's decision
Answer: C
Explanation: The nurse's role as client advocate is to support the client's decision to discontinue
treatment. The client has the right to make autonomous decisions about their care, even if those
decisions may not align with the healthcare team's recommendations. The nurse should ensure
the client is fully informed about the consequences of stopping treatment.
Question 4
A nurse is providing nutrition teaching for a client with neutropenia. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
A) "Eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily"
B) "Avoid foods that contain bacteria, such as fresh fruits and vegetables"
,C) "Include raw seafood in your diet for protein"
D) "Avoid all cooked vegetables"
Answer: B
Explanation: Clients with neutropenia have a compromised immune system and are at high risk
for infection. They should avoid foods that may contain bacteria, including fresh fruits and
vegetables, raw or undercooked meats, fish, eggs, and spices such as pepper and paprika. All
foods should be thoroughly cooked to eliminate pathogens.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the provider as an adverse effect?
A) Mild nausea
B) Alopecia
C) Temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F)
D) Fatigue
Answer: C
Explanation: Fever in a client receiving chemotherapy may indicate neutropenia and infection,
which is a medical emergency. Temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) or higher requires immediate
reporting to the provider. Nausea, alopecia, and fatigue are expected side effects of
chemotherapy and do not require immediate reporting unless severe.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bilateral leg oedema
B) Calf pain and unilateral leg swelling
C) Warmth in both extremities
D) Decreased pulse in the affected extremity
Answer: B
Explanation: DVT manifests with calf pain, unilateral leg oedema, and warmth in the affected
extremity. The nurse should assess for these findings and notify the provider immediately, as
, DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism. The Homan's sign test is no longer recommended due to
risk of emboli dislodgement.
Question 7
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which of the following findings indicates the
medication is effective?
A) Decreased oedema
B) Increased dyspnoea
C) Decreased urine output
D) Weight gain
Answer: A
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat heart failure by reducing fluid overload.
Effectiveness is indicated by decreased oedema, decreased dyspnoea, and increased urine
output. The nurse should also monitor for electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalaemia,
which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube postoperatively. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Gastric output of 500 mL in 8 hours
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Abdominal distention
D) Both B and C
Answer: D
Explanation: Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention may indicate NG tube obstruction or
malfunction and should be reported to the provider. Gastric output of 500 mL in 8 hours is within
expected range. The nurse should also assess for tube placement by checking pH of aspirate or
confirming with X-ray.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client who has asthma. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
GRADED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 LATEST
UPDATED | 100% GRADED CORRECT | 100%
GUARANTEED TO PASS | GET A+
ATI CBC LEVEL 3 EXAM — Complete Practice Exam
130 Questions with Detailed Explanations
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing hypovolemic shock due to postpartum
hemorrhage. After notifying the provider, which of the following actions should the nurse take
NEXT?
A) Administer IV fluids
B) Massage the client's fundus
C) Apply oxygen
D) Insert a urinary catheter
Answer: B
Explanation: The greatest risk to the client is hemorrhage. The next action the nurse should take
is to massage the client's fundus to expel clots and promote uterine contractions. This is the
priority intervention to control the source of bleeding. After fundal massage, IV fluids and
oxygen can be administered to support hemodynamic stability.
,Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A) Left upper quadrant pain radiating to the shoulder
B) Periumbilical discoloration
C) Rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant
D) Epigastric pain radiating to the back
Answer: B
Explanation: Acute pancreatitis can present with periumbilical discoloration (Cullen's sign) or
flank discoloration (Grey Turner's sign) due to retroperitoneal bleeding. These are late signs
indicating severe pancreatitis. Epigastric pain radiating to the back is the classic symptom of
pancreatitis. Cullen's sign is more specific to pancreatitis.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease and is receiving hemodialysis. The
client tells the nurse she has decided to stop treatment. Which of the following actions by the
nurse is appropriate in regard to serving as the client's advocate?
A) Encourage the client to continue treatment
B) Contact the client's family to discuss the decision
C) Support the client's decision regarding treatment
D) Notify the provider to override the client's decision
Answer: C
Explanation: The nurse's role as client advocate is to support the client's decision to discontinue
treatment. The client has the right to make autonomous decisions about their care, even if those
decisions may not align with the healthcare team's recommendations. The nurse should ensure
the client is fully informed about the consequences of stopping treatment.
Question 4
A nurse is providing nutrition teaching for a client with neutropenia. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include?
A) "Eat fresh fruits and vegetables daily"
B) "Avoid foods that contain bacteria, such as fresh fruits and vegetables"
,C) "Include raw seafood in your diet for protein"
D) "Avoid all cooked vegetables"
Answer: B
Explanation: Clients with neutropenia have a compromised immune system and are at high risk
for infection. They should avoid foods that may contain bacteria, including fresh fruits and
vegetables, raw or undercooked meats, fish, eggs, and spices such as pepper and paprika. All
foods should be thoroughly cooked to eliminate pathogens.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following findings should the
nurse report to the provider as an adverse effect?
A) Mild nausea
B) Alopecia
C) Temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F)
D) Fatigue
Answer: C
Explanation: Fever in a client receiving chemotherapy may indicate neutropenia and infection,
which is a medical emergency. Temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) or higher requires immediate
reporting to the provider. Nausea, alopecia, and fatigue are expected side effects of
chemotherapy and do not require immediate reporting unless severe.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bilateral leg oedema
B) Calf pain and unilateral leg swelling
C) Warmth in both extremities
D) Decreased pulse in the affected extremity
Answer: B
Explanation: DVT manifests with calf pain, unilateral leg oedema, and warmth in the affected
extremity. The nurse should assess for these findings and notify the provider immediately, as
, DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism. The Homan's sign test is no longer recommended due to
risk of emboli dislodgement.
Question 7
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which of the following findings indicates the
medication is effective?
A) Decreased oedema
B) Increased dyspnoea
C) Decreased urine output
D) Weight gain
Answer: A
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat heart failure by reducing fluid overload.
Effectiveness is indicated by decreased oedema, decreased dyspnoea, and increased urine
output. The nurse should also monitor for electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalaemia,
which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube postoperatively. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Gastric output of 500 mL in 8 hours
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Abdominal distention
D) Both B and C
Answer: D
Explanation: Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention may indicate NG tube obstruction or
malfunction and should be reported to the provider. Gastric output of 500 mL in 8 hours is within
expected range. The nurse should also assess for tube placement by checking pH of aspirate or
confirming with X-ray.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client who has asthma. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?