ATI RN CMS NCLEX-Style
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the bedside table across the doorway
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
Keeping the bed low reduces the distance a client could fall. Four side
rails can function as a restraint and are not routinely recommended.
2.
A nurse is assessing a client who reports shortness of breath. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
,A. Respiratory rate of 22/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Heart rate of 104/min
D. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires
prompt assessment and intervention, especially in a client reporting
dyspnea.
3.
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
action best promotes medication safety?
A. Ask the client to state their room number
B. Verify the medication against the prescription
C. Prepare medications for several clients at once
D. Leave medications at the bedside for later administration
Answer: B. Verify the medication against the prescription
Medication administration requires verification of the medication,
dose, route, timing, and client identity.
4.
A client has a prescription for oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Place the oxygen tubing under the client's pillow
C. Assess the client's respiratory status regularly
D. Increase the flow rate if the client reports anxiety
Answer: C. Assess the client's respiratory status regularly
,Oxygen therapy requires ongoing assessment of respiratory status
and response to treatment. Oxygen should not be independently
increased without an appropriate prescription or protocol.
5.
A nurse is caring for a client with dysphagia following a stroke. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Offer thin liquids
B. Place food on the affected side of the mouth
C. Keep the client upright during meals
D. Encourage the client to drink through a straw
Answer: C. Keep the client upright during meals
An upright position decreases aspiration risk. Food is generally placed
on the unaffected side, and liquid consistency should follow the
swallowing evaluation.
6.
A nurse is assessing a client who received morphine for
postoperative pain. Which finding is the priority?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Mild itching
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min
is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
, 7.
A nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Dressing is clean and dry
B. Catheter is secured
C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
D. Mild tenderness at the insertion site
Answer: C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
Sudden dyspnea and chest pain can indicate an air embolism,
pneumothorax, or another serious complication.
8.
A nurse is transferring a client from bed to chair. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Pull the client by the arms
C. Keep the client's knees locked
D. Place the chair several feet away
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Locking the brakes stabilizes the wheelchair and decreases the risk of
injury during transfer.
9.
A client has a pressure injury over the sacrum. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Massage the reddened area
B. Reposition the client regularly
Practice Exam 2026–2027|
Complete Test Prep Practice
Questions With Answers &
Detailed Rationales |clinical
Judgment &Safety |A+ Rated
1.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
intervention should the nurse implement?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the bedside table across the doorway
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position
Keeping the bed low reduces the distance a client could fall. Four side
rails can function as a restraint and are not routinely recommended.
2.
A nurse is assessing a client who reports shortness of breath. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
,A. Respiratory rate of 22/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Heart rate of 104/min
D. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires
prompt assessment and intervention, especially in a client reporting
dyspnea.
3.
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which
action best promotes medication safety?
A. Ask the client to state their room number
B. Verify the medication against the prescription
C. Prepare medications for several clients at once
D. Leave medications at the bedside for later administration
Answer: B. Verify the medication against the prescription
Medication administration requires verification of the medication,
dose, route, timing, and client identity.
4.
A client has a prescription for oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Place the oxygen tubing under the client's pillow
C. Assess the client's respiratory status regularly
D. Increase the flow rate if the client reports anxiety
Answer: C. Assess the client's respiratory status regularly
,Oxygen therapy requires ongoing assessment of respiratory status
and response to treatment. Oxygen should not be independently
increased without an appropriate prescription or protocol.
5.
A nurse is caring for a client with dysphagia following a stroke. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Offer thin liquids
B. Place food on the affected side of the mouth
C. Keep the client upright during meals
D. Encourage the client to drink through a straw
Answer: C. Keep the client upright during meals
An upright position decreases aspiration risk. Food is generally placed
on the unaffected side, and liquid consistency should follow the
swallowing evaluation.
6.
A nurse is assessing a client who received morphine for
postoperative pain. Which finding is the priority?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
D. Mild itching
Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min
is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
, 7.
A nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Dressing is clean and dry
B. Catheter is secured
C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
D. Mild tenderness at the insertion site
Answer: C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
Sudden dyspnea and chest pain can indicate an air embolism,
pneumothorax, or another serious complication.
8.
A nurse is transferring a client from bed to chair. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Pull the client by the arms
C. Keep the client's knees locked
D. Place the chair several feet away
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Locking the brakes stabilizes the wheelchair and decreases the risk of
injury during transfer.
9.
A client has a pressure injury over the sacrum. Which intervention is
most appropriate?
A. Massage the reddened area
B. Reposition the client regularly
