ATI Nursing Exam Practice Questions
2026–2027: 300 Questions with Answers
and Rationales
1.A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. 1+ ankle edema
C. New onset of severe dyspnea
D. Occasional nocturia
Rationale: Severe new-onset dyspnea can indicate acute pulmonary edema or worsening heart
failure and requires immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is administering digoxin to a client. Which finding should cause the nurse to
withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
C. Apical pulse 54/min
D. Temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F)
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The medication should generally be
withheld and the provider notified when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min.
3. A client with diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and weak. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled insulin
B. Obtain a urine ketone level
C. Check the client's blood glucose level
D. Encourage the client to exercise
Rationale: The symptoms are consistent with hypoglycemia, and checking the blood
glucose confirms the condition so appropriate treatment can be provided.
4. Which instruction should a nurse give a client who is taking warfarin?
,A. Increase intake of leafy green vegetables substantially
B. Take aspirin for headaches
C. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-containing foods
D. Stop the medication when bruising occurs
Rationale: Vitamin K affects warfarin effectiveness. Consistency in dietary vitamin K
intake helps maintain a stable anticoagulant response.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which
oxygen prescription should the nurse anticipate?
A. High-flow oxygen at 15 L/min
B. Low-flow oxygen as prescribed
C. Oxygen at 100% continuously
D. No oxygen regardless of oxygen saturation
Rationale: Clients with COPD may require carefully titrated supplemental oxygen to
correct hypoxemia while avoiding excessive oxygen administration.
6. A nurse is assessing a client after administering morphine. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild nausea
B. Constipation
C. Respiratory rate 8/min
D. Mild drowsiness
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min is
potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
7. Which food should a nurse recommend to a client who has iron-deficiency anemia?
A. White rice
B. Applesauce
C. Lean red meat
D. Cottage cheese
Rationale: Lean red meat is a good source of heme iron, which is readily absorbed by
the body.
8. A nurse is teaching a client how to prevent urinary tract infections. Which
instruction is appropriate?
,A. Delay urination as long as possible
B. Drink less fluid
C. Void after sexual intercourse
D. Wipe from back to front
Rationale: Voiding after sexual intercourse can help flush bacteria from the urinary
tract and reduce the risk of infection.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which finding indicates
improvement?
A. Respiratory rate 30/min
B. Increasing crackles
C. Oxygen saturation 96% on prescribed oxygen
D. Increasing productive cough with dyspnea
Rationale: Improved oxygen saturation indicates better oxygenation and can be a sign
that the client's respiratory condition is improving.
10. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should the nurse administer
this medication?
A. One hour before meals
B. At bedtime only
C. Shortly before a meal
D. Two hours after meals
Rationale: Insulin lispro is rapid-acting insulin and should generally be administered
shortly before meals according to the prescribed regimen.
11. Which assessment finding is expected in a client with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Increased urine output
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes, decreased urine
output, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which finding
should the nurse anticipate?
, A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Severe hypertension
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, cardiac dysrhythmias,
and characteristic ECG changes.
13. Which action should a nurse take when administering an intramuscular injection to
an adult?
A. Use the dorsogluteal site routinely
B. Select an appropriate IM site based on the medication and client factors
C. Insert the needle only 1 mm
D. Massage every injection site vigorously
Rationale: The nurse should select an appropriate intramuscular site based on
medication volume, client age, muscle mass, and safety considerations.
14. A nurse is teaching a client who takes levothyroxine. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Take it with calcium supplements
B. Take it only when symptoms occur
C. Take it consistently, preferably on an empty stomach
D. Stop taking it when energy improves
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an empty stomach to
promote predictable absorption.
15. A nurse is assessing a client who has increased intracranial pressure. Which finding
is concerning?
A. Alert and oriented behavior
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Normal pupil response
D. Stable vital signs
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness can indicate worsening intracranial
pressure and requires prompt assessment and intervention.
16. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which intervention helps prevent
atelectasis?
2026–2027: 300 Questions with Answers
and Rationales
1.A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. 1+ ankle edema
C. New onset of severe dyspnea
D. Occasional nocturia
Rationale: Severe new-onset dyspnea can indicate acute pulmonary edema or worsening heart
failure and requires immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is administering digoxin to a client. Which finding should cause the nurse to
withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
C. Apical pulse 54/min
D. Temperature 37.0°C (98.6°F)
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The medication should generally be
withheld and the provider notified when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min.
3. A client with diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and weak. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the scheduled insulin
B. Obtain a urine ketone level
C. Check the client's blood glucose level
D. Encourage the client to exercise
Rationale: The symptoms are consistent with hypoglycemia, and checking the blood
glucose confirms the condition so appropriate treatment can be provided.
4. Which instruction should a nurse give a client who is taking warfarin?
,A. Increase intake of leafy green vegetables substantially
B. Take aspirin for headaches
C. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-containing foods
D. Stop the medication when bruising occurs
Rationale: Vitamin K affects warfarin effectiveness. Consistency in dietary vitamin K
intake helps maintain a stable anticoagulant response.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which
oxygen prescription should the nurse anticipate?
A. High-flow oxygen at 15 L/min
B. Low-flow oxygen as prescribed
C. Oxygen at 100% continuously
D. No oxygen regardless of oxygen saturation
Rationale: Clients with COPD may require carefully titrated supplemental oxygen to
correct hypoxemia while avoiding excessive oxygen administration.
6. A nurse is assessing a client after administering morphine. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild nausea
B. Constipation
C. Respiratory rate 8/min
D. Mild drowsiness
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min is
potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
7. Which food should a nurse recommend to a client who has iron-deficiency anemia?
A. White rice
B. Applesauce
C. Lean red meat
D. Cottage cheese
Rationale: Lean red meat is a good source of heme iron, which is readily absorbed by
the body.
8. A nurse is teaching a client how to prevent urinary tract infections. Which
instruction is appropriate?
,A. Delay urination as long as possible
B. Drink less fluid
C. Void after sexual intercourse
D. Wipe from back to front
Rationale: Voiding after sexual intercourse can help flush bacteria from the urinary
tract and reduce the risk of infection.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which finding indicates
improvement?
A. Respiratory rate 30/min
B. Increasing crackles
C. Oxygen saturation 96% on prescribed oxygen
D. Increasing productive cough with dyspnea
Rationale: Improved oxygen saturation indicates better oxygenation and can be a sign
that the client's respiratory condition is improving.
10. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should the nurse administer
this medication?
A. One hour before meals
B. At bedtime only
C. Shortly before a meal
D. Two hours after meals
Rationale: Insulin lispro is rapid-acting insulin and should generally be administered
shortly before meals according to the prescribed regimen.
11. Which assessment finding is expected in a client with dehydration?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Increased urine output
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes, decreased urine
output, tachycardia, and poor skin turgor.
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which finding
should the nurse anticipate?
, A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Severe hypertension
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, cardiac dysrhythmias,
and characteristic ECG changes.
13. Which action should a nurse take when administering an intramuscular injection to
an adult?
A. Use the dorsogluteal site routinely
B. Select an appropriate IM site based on the medication and client factors
C. Insert the needle only 1 mm
D. Massage every injection site vigorously
Rationale: The nurse should select an appropriate intramuscular site based on
medication volume, client age, muscle mass, and safety considerations.
14. A nurse is teaching a client who takes levothyroxine. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Take it with calcium supplements
B. Take it only when symptoms occur
C. Take it consistently, preferably on an empty stomach
D. Stop taking it when energy improves
Rationale: Levothyroxine is generally taken consistently on an empty stomach to
promote predictable absorption.
15. A nurse is assessing a client who has increased intracranial pressure. Which finding
is concerning?
A. Alert and oriented behavior
B. Decreased level of consciousness
C. Normal pupil response
D. Stable vital signs
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness can indicate worsening intracranial
pressure and requires prompt assessment and intervention.
16. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which intervention helps prevent
atelectasis?
