ATI Leadership 2026/2027 – Practice Quiz,
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A charge nurse is assigning clients for the shift. Which client is most appropriate
to assign to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?
A. A client receiving the first dose of IV amphotericin B
B. A client with a stable colostomy requiring irrigation and pouch change
C. A client requiring an initial postoperative assessment after a laminectomy
D. A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation requiring a heparin drip titration
Correct Answer:
B. A client with a stable colostomy requiring irrigation and pouch change
Rationale:
LPNs may perform routine, predictable procedures on stable clients, including
colostomy care. First-dose IV antifungals, initial postoperative assessments, and
heparin titration require RN-level clinical judgment and fall outside the LPN scope
of practice.
Question 2
A nurse manager observes two staff nurses arguing loudly at the nurses' station
about assignment fairness. Which action should the manager take first?
,A. Issue written warnings to both nurses immediately
B. Separate the nurses and meet with each privately to gather information
C. Ignore the argument and let them resolve it independently
D. Reassign both nurses to different units for the remainder of the shift
Correct Answer:
B. Separate the nurses and meet with each privately to gather information
Rationale:
Effective conflict management begins with de-escalation and private information
gathering. The manager should hear each perspective before mediating a
resolution. Immediate punishment, avoidance, or reassignment without
investigation fails to address the root cause of the conflict.
Question 3
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is
appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a client's pain level after surgery
B. Measuring intake and output for a client with heart failure
C. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
D. Evaluating a client's readiness for discharge
Correct Answer:
B. Measuring intake and output for a client with heart failure
Rationale:
Measuring and recording intake and output is a standardized, routine task within
,the AP's scope. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment
and clinical decision-making that cannot be delegated to unlicensed assistive
personnel under any circumstances.
Question 4
A nurse discovers a medication error in which a client received another client's
antihypertensive medication. The client is asymptomatic with stable vital signs.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Complete an incident report before doing anything else
B. Assess the client's vital signs and notify the healthcare provider
C. Confront the nurse who made the error in the hallway
D. Call the client's family to inform them of the error
Correct Answer:
B. Assess the client's vital signs and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale:
Client safety is the immediate priority after any medication error. The nurse must
assess the client for adverse effects and notify the provider for clinical guidance.
Incident reports, staff confrontation, and family notification occur after the client
has been evaluated and stabilized.
Question 5
, A nurse manager is implementing a new bedside shift report protocol. Several
experienced nurses resist the change, stating the old method was efficient. Which
strategy should the manager use?
A. Force compliance by threatening disciplinary action
B. Involve resistant nurses in piloting the new protocol and soliciting their
feedback
C. Abandon the new protocol to maintain staff morale
D. Implement the change secretly during the night shift
Correct Answer:
B. Involve resistant nurses in piloting the new protocol and soliciting their
feedback
Rationale:
Engaging resistant staff in the change process fosters ownership and reduces
opposition. Transformational leaders involve team members in decision-making.
Coercion breeds resentment, abandoning improvement stalls progress, and covert
implementation destroys trust and undermines the change effort.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting a PRN laxative for constipation
B. A client with a new tracheostomy who is exhibiting stridor and increased work
of breathing
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1
A charge nurse is assigning clients for the shift. Which client is most appropriate
to assign to a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?
A. A client receiving the first dose of IV amphotericin B
B. A client with a stable colostomy requiring irrigation and pouch change
C. A client requiring an initial postoperative assessment after a laminectomy
D. A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation requiring a heparin drip titration
Correct Answer:
B. A client with a stable colostomy requiring irrigation and pouch change
Rationale:
LPNs may perform routine, predictable procedures on stable clients, including
colostomy care. First-dose IV antifungals, initial postoperative assessments, and
heparin titration require RN-level clinical judgment and fall outside the LPN scope
of practice.
Question 2
A nurse manager observes two staff nurses arguing loudly at the nurses' station
about assignment fairness. Which action should the manager take first?
,A. Issue written warnings to both nurses immediately
B. Separate the nurses and meet with each privately to gather information
C. Ignore the argument and let them resolve it independently
D. Reassign both nurses to different units for the remainder of the shift
Correct Answer:
B. Separate the nurses and meet with each privately to gather information
Rationale:
Effective conflict management begins with de-escalation and private information
gathering. The manager should hear each perspective before mediating a
resolution. Immediate punishment, avoidance, or reassignment without
investigation fails to address the root cause of the conflict.
Question 3
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is
appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a client's pain level after surgery
B. Measuring intake and output for a client with heart failure
C. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
D. Evaluating a client's readiness for discharge
Correct Answer:
B. Measuring intake and output for a client with heart failure
Rationale:
Measuring and recording intake and output is a standardized, routine task within
,the AP's scope. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment
and clinical decision-making that cannot be delegated to unlicensed assistive
personnel under any circumstances.
Question 4
A nurse discovers a medication error in which a client received another client's
antihypertensive medication. The client is asymptomatic with stable vital signs.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Complete an incident report before doing anything else
B. Assess the client's vital signs and notify the healthcare provider
C. Confront the nurse who made the error in the hallway
D. Call the client's family to inform them of the error
Correct Answer:
B. Assess the client's vital signs and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale:
Client safety is the immediate priority after any medication error. The nurse must
assess the client for adverse effects and notify the provider for clinical guidance.
Incident reports, staff confrontation, and family notification occur after the client
has been evaluated and stabilized.
Question 5
, A nurse manager is implementing a new bedside shift report protocol. Several
experienced nurses resist the change, stating the old method was efficient. Which
strategy should the manager use?
A. Force compliance by threatening disciplinary action
B. Involve resistant nurses in piloting the new protocol and soliciting their
feedback
C. Abandon the new protocol to maintain staff morale
D. Implement the change secretly during the night shift
Correct Answer:
B. Involve resistant nurses in piloting the new protocol and soliciting their
feedback
Rationale:
Engaging resistant staff in the change process fosters ownership and reduces
opposition. Transformational leaders involve team members in decision-making.
Coercion breeds resentment, abandoning improvement stalls progress, and covert
implementation destroys trust and undermines the change effort.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting a PRN laxative for constipation
B. A client with a new tracheostomy who is exhibiting stridor and increased work
of breathing
