All Proctored Exams and RN Comprehensive Exit Preparation,
Tests, Study Guides, Detailed Rationales, Exam and Complete
Support for Nursing Students Preparing for ATI RN Comprehens
SECTION I — Management of Care (Questions 1–20)
1. A charge nurse is assigning clients for the shift. Which client should the nurse assign to the
LPN/LVN?
A. A client 2 days postoperative colon resection requiring discharge teaching
B. A client with a new colostomy requiring initial ostomy care instruction
C. A client 3 days postoperative appendectomy with a stable surgical incision
D. A client with an acute GI bleed requiring a blood transfusion
LPNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes such as a routine postoperative
appendectomy. Discharge teaching, initial ostomy instruction, and blood transfusions require
RN assessment and evaluation.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Assessing a client's incision for signs of infection
B. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output
C. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
D. Evaluating a client's pain level after medication
I&O measurement is a standard, non-invasive task within UAP scope. Assessment, teaching,
and evaluation require an RN license.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medications and is interrupted multiple times. Which
action best reduces the risk of medication error?
A. Ask a colleague to administer the medications
B. Use a "do not disturb" vest and complete one client's medications at a time
C. Pre-pour all medications for the shift at once
D. Document medications before administering them
Wearing a distraction-reducing vest and completing the medication pass for one client at a
time reduces interruptions. Pre-pouring and pre-documenting increase error risk.
4. A nurse receives a verbal prescription for a client in respiratory distress. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Accept the order and administer immediately without documentation
,B. Repeat the order back to the provider, document it, and have the provider sign within the
facility's required timeframe
C. Refuse to accept verbal orders under any circumstance
D. Ask another nurse to take the order instead
Verbal orders must be read back for verification, documented, and countersigned by the
provider per policy. Refusing is inappropriate in an emergency.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who speaks limited English. Which action should the nurse take
to ensure informed consent?
A. Have the client's family member interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Proceed with consent using gestures
D. Ask UAP who speaks the language to interpret
A certified medical interpreter ensures accurate communication and confidentiality. Family
members and untrained staff may misinterpret or breach confidentiality.
6. A nurse is reviewing an advance directive with a client. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "My living will lets my doctor make all decisions."
B. "A durable power of attorney for health care names someone to make decisions if I can't."
C. "An advance directive is only valid in the hospital."
D. "My family can override my advance directive at any time."
A durable power of attorney for health care designates a surrogate decision-maker. Living
wills provide treatment preferences; advance directives are not overridden arbitrarily by family.
7. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A client with new onset shortness of breath and crackles
C. A client awaiting discharge papers
D. A client requesting assistance with ambulation
New respiratory distress indicates a physiological threat requiring immediate assessment
using airway-breathing-circulation prioritization.
8. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery and notes the consent form is unsigned. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Sign the consent as a witness without the client's signature
, B. Notify the provider and have the client sign the consent before surgery
C. Proceed with surgery since the client verbally agreed
D. Ask the surgeon to sign on the client's behalf
Informed consent must be signed by the client (or legal surrogate) before the procedure.
Nurses witness, not obtain, consent.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about HIPAA. Which statement indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "You can share my information with my insurance company."
B. "I can post my lab results on social media if I want."
C. "My provider can share information with other treating providers."
D. "I have the right to request a copy of my records."
Posting personal health information publicly does not waive provider obligations, but clients
should be taught that sharing PHI online risks privacy. The statement reflects misunderstanding
of privacy protections.
10. A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list and identifies a potential drug interaction.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the medication as ordered
B. Notify the prescribing provider and hold the medication
C. Document the interaction and continue
D. Ask the pharmacy to change the order
The nurse should hold the medication and notify the provider, as nurses cannot
independently change orders.
11. A nurse is acting as a client advocate. Which action best demonstrates advocacy?
A. Making decisions for the client
B. Ensuring the client's wishes are communicated to the healthcare team
C. Avoiding discussions about treatment options
D. Deferring all questions to the provider
Advocacy means supporting and communicating the client's preferences and rights.
12. A nurse is documenting in the electronic health record. Which entry is appropriate?
A. "Client is being difficult about medications."
B. "Client refused 0900 metoprolol; provider notified."
C. "Client seems like a drug seeker."
D. "Client probably won't comply."
Tests, Study Guides, Detailed Rationales, Exam and Complete
Support for Nursing Students Preparing for ATI RN Comprehens
SECTION I — Management of Care (Questions 1–20)
1. A charge nurse is assigning clients for the shift. Which client should the nurse assign to the
LPN/LVN?
A. A client 2 days postoperative colon resection requiring discharge teaching
B. A client with a new colostomy requiring initial ostomy care instruction
C. A client 3 days postoperative appendectomy with a stable surgical incision
D. A client with an acute GI bleed requiring a blood transfusion
LPNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes such as a routine postoperative
appendectomy. Discharge teaching, initial ostomy instruction, and blood transfusions require
RN assessment and evaluation.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Assessing a client's incision for signs of infection
B. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output
C. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
D. Evaluating a client's pain level after medication
I&O measurement is a standard, non-invasive task within UAP scope. Assessment, teaching,
and evaluation require an RN license.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medications and is interrupted multiple times. Which
action best reduces the risk of medication error?
A. Ask a colleague to administer the medications
B. Use a "do not disturb" vest and complete one client's medications at a time
C. Pre-pour all medications for the shift at once
D. Document medications before administering them
Wearing a distraction-reducing vest and completing the medication pass for one client at a
time reduces interruptions. Pre-pouring and pre-documenting increase error risk.
4. A nurse receives a verbal prescription for a client in respiratory distress. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Accept the order and administer immediately without documentation
,B. Repeat the order back to the provider, document it, and have the provider sign within the
facility's required timeframe
C. Refuse to accept verbal orders under any circumstance
D. Ask another nurse to take the order instead
Verbal orders must be read back for verification, documented, and countersigned by the
provider per policy. Refusing is inappropriate in an emergency.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who speaks limited English. Which action should the nurse take
to ensure informed consent?
A. Have the client's family member interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
C. Proceed with consent using gestures
D. Ask UAP who speaks the language to interpret
A certified medical interpreter ensures accurate communication and confidentiality. Family
members and untrained staff may misinterpret or breach confidentiality.
6. A nurse is reviewing an advance directive with a client. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "My living will lets my doctor make all decisions."
B. "A durable power of attorney for health care names someone to make decisions if I can't."
C. "An advance directive is only valid in the hospital."
D. "My family can override my advance directive at any time."
A durable power of attorney for health care designates a surrogate decision-maker. Living
wills provide treatment preferences; advance directives are not overridden arbitrarily by family.
7. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A client with new onset shortness of breath and crackles
C. A client awaiting discharge papers
D. A client requesting assistance with ambulation
New respiratory distress indicates a physiological threat requiring immediate assessment
using airway-breathing-circulation prioritization.
8. A nurse is preparing a client for surgery and notes the consent form is unsigned. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Sign the consent as a witness without the client's signature
, B. Notify the provider and have the client sign the consent before surgery
C. Proceed with surgery since the client verbally agreed
D. Ask the surgeon to sign on the client's behalf
Informed consent must be signed by the client (or legal surrogate) before the procedure.
Nurses witness, not obtain, consent.
9. A nurse is teaching a client about HIPAA. Which statement indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. "You can share my information with my insurance company."
B. "I can post my lab results on social media if I want."
C. "My provider can share information with other treating providers."
D. "I have the right to request a copy of my records."
Posting personal health information publicly does not waive provider obligations, but clients
should be taught that sharing PHI online risks privacy. The statement reflects misunderstanding
of privacy protections.
10. A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list and identifies a potential drug interaction.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the medication as ordered
B. Notify the prescribing provider and hold the medication
C. Document the interaction and continue
D. Ask the pharmacy to change the order
The nurse should hold the medication and notify the provider, as nurses cannot
independently change orders.
11. A nurse is acting as a client advocate. Which action best demonstrates advocacy?
A. Making decisions for the client
B. Ensuring the client's wishes are communicated to the healthcare team
C. Avoiding discussions about treatment options
D. Deferring all questions to the provider
Advocacy means supporting and communicating the client's preferences and rights.
12. A nurse is documenting in the electronic health record. Which entry is appropriate?
A. "Client is being difficult about medications."
B. "Client refused 0900 metoprolol; provider notified."
C. "Client seems like a drug seeker."
D. "Client probably won't comply."
