NUR 283 ATI Comprehensive Mock Exam A
| Practice Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Nursing Exam Prep |
2026/2027
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the
following is the priority nursing action before administration?
• A) Check the client's allergies
• B) Verify the medication order
• C) Perform hand hygiene
• D) Identify the client using two identifiers
Correct Answer: D) Identify the client using two identifiers
Rationale: While all options are important steps in the medication
administration process, identifying the client using two identifiers is the priority
safety action to prevent medication errors. The Joint Commission's National
Patient Safety Goals mandate using at least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and
date of birth, or name and medical record number) before administering
medications, blood products, or treatments. Checking allergies (A) is critical but
follows proper identification. Verifying the order (B) is essential but should occur
before reaching the bedside. Hand hygiene (C) is important for infection control
but is not the priority safety check specific to medication administration.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding of ostomy care?
• A) "I should change my ostomy appliance every day."
, • B) "I need to avoid all foods that cause gas."
• C) "I should cut the wafer opening 1/8 inch larger than my stoma."
• D) "I can expect my stoma to be pale and dry."
Correct Answer: C) "I should cut the wafer opening 1/8 inch larger than my
stoma."
Rationale: The wafer opening should be cut approximately 1/8 inch larger
than the stoma to prevent irritation from stool contact with the peristomal skin
while avoiding gaps that could cause leakage. Option A is incorrect because
ostomy appliances typically need changing every 3-7 days, not daily, unless there
is leakage. Option B is incorrect because clients should identify specific gas-
producing foods rather than avoiding all of them; a well-balanced diet is
encouraged. Option D is incorrect because a healthy stoma should be pink to red,
moist, and shiny—pale and dry indicates poor circulation.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's pain level. The client states, "The pain is
unbearable." Which of the following pain scales is most appropriate for this
client?
• A) Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
• B) Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
• C) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
• D) Verbal Descriptor Scale
Correct Answer: D) Verbal Descriptor Scale
Rationale: The Verbal Descriptor Scale is most appropriate when a client uses
descriptive words like "unbearable" to describe pain. This scale uses terms such as
"no pain, mild, moderate, severe, and unbearable" to rate pain intensity. Option A
(VAS) requires the client to mark a point on a 10cm line and may be difficult for
clients with visual or motor impairments. Option B (NRS) uses numbers 0-10 and
,requires abstract thinking. Option C (FACES) is primarily used for pediatric clients
or those with cognitive impairments who cannot verbalize pain intensity.
4. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
• A) Perform perineal care
• B) Open the catheterization kit
• C) Position the client supine with knees flexed
• D) Verify the provider's order
Correct Answer: D) Verify the provider's order
Rationale: Verifying the provider's order is always the first step before any
invasive procedure. This ensures the procedure is appropriate for the client and
provides legal documentation. Option A (perineal care) is performed after
positioning and before catheter insertion. Option B (opening the kit) occurs after
verification and positioning. Option C (positioning) is important for procedure
success but follows order verification. Remember the nursing process: Assessment
(verify order) before Implementation.
5. A nurse is educating a client about fall prevention. Which of the following
factors places the client at highest risk for falls?
• A) Age 65 years
• B) Taking diuretics
• C) History of a previous fall
• D) Use of a walker
Correct Answer: C) History of a previous fall
, Rationale: A history of a previous fall is the strongest predictor of future falls.
Research consistently shows that clients who have fallen once are at significantly
increased risk for subsequent falls. While age 65 (A) is a risk factor, it is not the
strongest predictor. Taking diuretics (B) increases fall risk due to potential
orthostatic hypotension and urgency, but it is not the strongest predictor. Use of a
walker (D) actually indicates an attempt to improve mobility and safety, though
improper use can increase risk.
6. A nurse is performing a skin assessment on an older adult client. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report immediately?
• A) Dry, flaky skin
• B) A stage 2 pressure injury on the sacrum
• C) A new, irregularly shaped mole with varied colors
• D) Decreased skin turgor
Correct Answer: C) A new, irregularly shaped mole with varied colors
Rationale: A new, irregularly shaped mole with varied colors is a classic
warning sign of melanoma and requires immediate medical evaluation using the
ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm,
Evolving). Option A (dry skin) is a common finding in older adults requiring routine
moisturizing. Option B (stage 2 pressure injury) requires treatment but is not an
emergency; it should be documented and addressed per protocol. Option D
(decreased skin turgor) is a normal age-related change due to decreased elasticity.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is on strict bed rest. Which of the following
interventions is most important to prevent complications of immobility?
• A) Encouraging a high-fiber diet
• B) Performing range-of-motion exercises
| Practice Questions & Answers with
Rationales | Nursing Exam Prep |
2026/2027
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the
following is the priority nursing action before administration?
• A) Check the client's allergies
• B) Verify the medication order
• C) Perform hand hygiene
• D) Identify the client using two identifiers
Correct Answer: D) Identify the client using two identifiers
Rationale: While all options are important steps in the medication
administration process, identifying the client using two identifiers is the priority
safety action to prevent medication errors. The Joint Commission's National
Patient Safety Goals mandate using at least two patient identifiers (e.g., name and
date of birth, or name and medical record number) before administering
medications, blood products, or treatments. Checking allergies (A) is critical but
follows proper identification. Verifying the order (B) is essential but should occur
before reaching the bedside. Hand hygiene (C) is important for infection control
but is not the priority safety check specific to medication administration.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding of ostomy care?
• A) "I should change my ostomy appliance every day."
, • B) "I need to avoid all foods that cause gas."
• C) "I should cut the wafer opening 1/8 inch larger than my stoma."
• D) "I can expect my stoma to be pale and dry."
Correct Answer: C) "I should cut the wafer opening 1/8 inch larger than my
stoma."
Rationale: The wafer opening should be cut approximately 1/8 inch larger
than the stoma to prevent irritation from stool contact with the peristomal skin
while avoiding gaps that could cause leakage. Option A is incorrect because
ostomy appliances typically need changing every 3-7 days, not daily, unless there
is leakage. Option B is incorrect because clients should identify specific gas-
producing foods rather than avoiding all of them; a well-balanced diet is
encouraged. Option D is incorrect because a healthy stoma should be pink to red,
moist, and shiny—pale and dry indicates poor circulation.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's pain level. The client states, "The pain is
unbearable." Which of the following pain scales is most appropriate for this
client?
• A) Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
• B) Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
• C) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
• D) Verbal Descriptor Scale
Correct Answer: D) Verbal Descriptor Scale
Rationale: The Verbal Descriptor Scale is most appropriate when a client uses
descriptive words like "unbearable" to describe pain. This scale uses terms such as
"no pain, mild, moderate, severe, and unbearable" to rate pain intensity. Option A
(VAS) requires the client to mark a point on a 10cm line and may be difficult for
clients with visual or motor impairments. Option B (NRS) uses numbers 0-10 and
,requires abstract thinking. Option C (FACES) is primarily used for pediatric clients
or those with cognitive impairments who cannot verbalize pain intensity.
4. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
• A) Perform perineal care
• B) Open the catheterization kit
• C) Position the client supine with knees flexed
• D) Verify the provider's order
Correct Answer: D) Verify the provider's order
Rationale: Verifying the provider's order is always the first step before any
invasive procedure. This ensures the procedure is appropriate for the client and
provides legal documentation. Option A (perineal care) is performed after
positioning and before catheter insertion. Option B (opening the kit) occurs after
verification and positioning. Option C (positioning) is important for procedure
success but follows order verification. Remember the nursing process: Assessment
(verify order) before Implementation.
5. A nurse is educating a client about fall prevention. Which of the following
factors places the client at highest risk for falls?
• A) Age 65 years
• B) Taking diuretics
• C) History of a previous fall
• D) Use of a walker
Correct Answer: C) History of a previous fall
, Rationale: A history of a previous fall is the strongest predictor of future falls.
Research consistently shows that clients who have fallen once are at significantly
increased risk for subsequent falls. While age 65 (A) is a risk factor, it is not the
strongest predictor. Taking diuretics (B) increases fall risk due to potential
orthostatic hypotension and urgency, but it is not the strongest predictor. Use of a
walker (D) actually indicates an attempt to improve mobility and safety, though
improper use can increase risk.
6. A nurse is performing a skin assessment on an older adult client. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report immediately?
• A) Dry, flaky skin
• B) A stage 2 pressure injury on the sacrum
• C) A new, irregularly shaped mole with varied colors
• D) Decreased skin turgor
Correct Answer: C) A new, irregularly shaped mole with varied colors
Rationale: A new, irregularly shaped mole with varied colors is a classic
warning sign of melanoma and requires immediate medical evaluation using the
ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm,
Evolving). Option A (dry skin) is a common finding in older adults requiring routine
moisturizing. Option B (stage 2 pressure injury) requires treatment but is not an
emergency; it should be documented and addressed per protocol. Option D
(decreased skin turgor) is a normal age-related change due to decreased elasticity.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is on strict bed rest. Which of the following
interventions is most important to prevent complications of immobility?
• A) Encouraging a high-fiber diet
• B) Performing range-of-motion exercises
