ACTUAL - ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
— NEWEST EDITION CURRENTLY UPDATED
(2026-2027) ORIGINAL PRACTICE
EXAMINATION\ MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES| ATI RN
EXIT EXAM 2026
SECTION I: FUNDAMENTALS, SAFETY & BASIC NURSING CARE
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted central venous
catheter. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild tenderness at the insertion site
B. Dressing with a small amount of dried blood
C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
D. Catheter flushed without resistance
Correct Answer: C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
,Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and chest pain following central-line
insertion can indicate pneumothorax or another serious complication
requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action
is most appropriate for verifying the client's identity?
A. Ask the client to state their room number
B. Check the client's name against the medication administration record
C. Ask another client to identify the client
D. Use the client's diagnosis as identification
Correct Answer: B. Check the client's name against the medication
administration record
Rationale: At least two approved identifiers should be used before
medication administration. Room number is not an acceptable
identifier.
Question 3
A client who is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula reports nasal dryness.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nares
B. Increase the oxygen flow rate
,C. Use a water-soluble lubricant
D. Discontinue oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: C. Use a water-soluble lubricant
Rationale: A water-soluble lubricant can relieve nasal dryness safely.
Petroleum-based products should not be used with oxygen because of
fire risk.
Question 4
A nurse enters the room of a client who has a seizure disorder and finds
the client experiencing a seizure. What should the nurse do first?
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Restrain the client's extremities
C. Protect the client from injury
D. Obtain the client's blood pressure
Correct Answer: C. Protect the client from injury
Rationale: During a seizure, the immediate priority is preventing
injury. The nurse should clear nearby objects and protect the client's
head while maintaining safety.
Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. 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 ambulate independently
Correct Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: Easy access to the call light allows the client to request
assistance and reduces fall risk.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with dysphagia after a stroke. Which
intervention is appropriate during meals?
A. Place the client supine
B. Encourage thin liquids
C. Position the client upright
D. Encourage rapid eating
Correct Answer: C. Position the client upright
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces aspiration risk during oral
intake.
— NEWEST EDITION CURRENTLY UPDATED
(2026-2027) ORIGINAL PRACTICE
EXAMINATION\ MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS AND RATIONALES| ATI RN
EXIT EXAM 2026
SECTION I: FUNDAMENTALS, SAFETY & BASIC NURSING CARE
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted central venous
catheter. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild tenderness at the insertion site
B. Dressing with a small amount of dried blood
C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
D. Catheter flushed without resistance
Correct Answer: C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
,Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and chest pain following central-line
insertion can indicate pneumothorax or another serious complication
requiring immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action
is most appropriate for verifying the client's identity?
A. Ask the client to state their room number
B. Check the client's name against the medication administration record
C. Ask another client to identify the client
D. Use the client's diagnosis as identification
Correct Answer: B. Check the client's name against the medication
administration record
Rationale: At least two approved identifiers should be used before
medication administration. Room number is not an acceptable
identifier.
Question 3
A client who is receiving oxygen by nasal cannula reports nasal dryness.
Which intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nares
B. Increase the oxygen flow rate
,C. Use a water-soluble lubricant
D. Discontinue oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: C. Use a water-soluble lubricant
Rationale: A water-soluble lubricant can relieve nasal dryness safely.
Petroleum-based products should not be used with oxygen because of
fire risk.
Question 4
A nurse enters the room of a client who has a seizure disorder and finds
the client experiencing a seizure. What should the nurse do first?
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Restrain the client's extremities
C. Protect the client from injury
D. Obtain the client's blood pressure
Correct Answer: C. Protect the client from injury
Rationale: During a seizure, the immediate priority is preventing
injury. The nurse should clear nearby objects and protect the client's
head while maintaining safety.
Question 5
, A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. 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 ambulate independently
Correct Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: Easy access to the call light allows the client to request
assistance and reduces fall risk.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with dysphagia after a stroke. Which
intervention is appropriate during meals?
A. Place the client supine
B. Encourage thin liquids
C. Position the client upright
D. Encourage rapid eating
Correct Answer: C. Position the client upright
Rationale: Upright positioning reduces aspiration risk during oral
intake.
