ATI PN Practical Nursing 2026/2027 | ACTUAL-Style Practice
Questions & Answers, ATI PN Nursing Exam Prep, Practical and
Vocational Nursing Assessments, Fundamentals, Pharmacology,
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal-Newborn Care,
Pediatrics, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and
reports pink, frothy sputum. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Elevate the client's legs
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
C. Administer a prescribed diuretic
D. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum indicates acute pulmonary edema, a life-
threatening complication of heart failure. The priority action is to improve
oxygenation by placing the client in high-Fowler's position, which
decreases venous return and reduces pulmonary congestion. Elevating the
legs would worsen the condition by increasing preload. Diuretics and ECG
are important but secondary to immediate positioning for airway and
breathing.
Question 2: A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who
has COPD and a new prescription for home oxygen therapy at 2 L/min
via nasal cannula. Which of the following statements indicates the
client understands the teaching?
A. "I should increase the oxygen flow if I feel short of breath."
B. "I will keep my oxygen saturation between 88% and 92%."
C. "I can use petroleum jelly inside my nose to prevent dryness."
D. "I should check my oxygen equipment once a week."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will keep my oxygen saturation between 88%
and 92%."
Rationale: For clients with COPD, the target oxygen saturation is typically
88% to 92% to prevent carbon dioxide retention while maintaining
adequate oxygenation. Increasing oxygen without a prescription can be
dangerous. Petroleum jelly is flammable and should not be used near
oxygen. Oxygen equipment should be checked daily, not weekly.
,Question 3: A nurse is collecting data from a client who has diabetes
mellitus and reports diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed insulin
B. Check the client's blood glucose level
C. Encourage the client to exercise
D. Restrict oral fluids
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Check the client's blood glucose level
Rationale: The manifestations described are consistent with hypoglycemia.
The first action is to confirm the blood glucose level before initiating
treatment. Administering insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Exercise
would further decrease blood glucose. Restricting fluids is not indicated for
hypoglycemia.
Question 4: A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who
has hypertension and a prescription for a 2-gram sodium diet. Which of
the following foods should the nurse recommend as having the lowest
sodium content?
A. Cheddar cheese
B. Frozen fruit
C. Salad dressing
D. Hot dogs
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Frozen fruit
Rationale: Frozen fruit is naturally low in sodium and is an appropriate
choice for a client on a sodium-restricted diet. Cheddar cheese, salad
dressing, and processed meats such as hot dogs are high in sodium and
should be limited.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for
oxycodone. Which of the following medications should the nurse
remind the client to take regularly to prevent a common adverse effect
of oxycodone?
A. Lorazepam
B. Docusate sodium
C. Ranitidine
D. Gabapentin
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Docusate sodium
Rationale: Opioid analgesics such as oxycodone commonly cause
constipation. A stool softener like docusate sodium should be taken
prophylactically to prevent this adverse effect. Lorazepam, ranitidine, and
gabapentin are not indicated for preventing opioid-induced constipation.
Question 6: A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client
following a gastrectomy. Which of the following foods should the nurse
instruct the client to consume to help prevent dumping syndrome?
A. Poached eggs
B. Ice cream
C. Peppermints
D. Coleslaw
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Poached eggs
Rationale: Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly from
the stomach into the small intestine. High-protein foods such as poached
eggs help slow gastric emptying. Simple sugars like ice cream and high-
fiber or gas-producing foods like coleslaw and peppermints can exacerbate
symptoms.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute
alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following findings is the nurse's
priority?
A. Seizures
B. Tachycardia
C. Elevated temperature
D. Abdominal cramping
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Seizures
Rationale: Seizures during alcohol withdrawal are a life-threatening
complication that requires immediate intervention. While tachycardia,
elevated temperature, and cramping are concerning, seizures pose the
greatest immediate risk to the client's safety and airway.
Question 8: A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who
has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
, A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Dehydration causes decreased circulating blood volume,
leading to orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, and concentrated urine.
Bounding pulse, moist mucous membranes, and peripheral edema are
findings associated with fluid overload, not dehydration.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV fluids and
develops crackles and dyspnea. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the IV rate
B. Stop or slow the infusion according to protocol
C. Place the client supine
D. Encourage oral fluids
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stop or slow the infusion according to protocol
Rationale: Crackles and dyspnea indicate possible fluid overload. The
nurse should stop or slow the IV infusion immediately and assess the client
further. Increasing the rate or encouraging oral fluids would worsen the
condition. Placing the client supine would not relieve respiratory distress.
Question 10: A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a client. Which
of the following findings should the nurse report immediately?
A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 6.4 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
D. Glucose 102 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Potassium 6.4 mEq/L
Rationale: A potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which
can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and requires immediate
intervention. The other values are within expected reference ranges.
Questions & Answers, ATI PN Nursing Exam Prep, Practical and
Vocational Nursing Assessments, Fundamentals, Pharmacology,
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternal-Newborn Care,
Pediatrics, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and
reports pink, frothy sputum. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Elevate the client's legs
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
C. Administer a prescribed diuretic
D. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
Rationale: Pink, frothy sputum indicates acute pulmonary edema, a life-
threatening complication of heart failure. The priority action is to improve
oxygenation by placing the client in high-Fowler's position, which
decreases venous return and reduces pulmonary congestion. Elevating the
legs would worsen the condition by increasing preload. Diuretics and ECG
are important but secondary to immediate positioning for airway and
breathing.
Question 2: A practical nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who
has COPD and a new prescription for home oxygen therapy at 2 L/min
via nasal cannula. Which of the following statements indicates the
client understands the teaching?
A. "I should increase the oxygen flow if I feel short of breath."
B. "I will keep my oxygen saturation between 88% and 92%."
C. "I can use petroleum jelly inside my nose to prevent dryness."
D. "I should check my oxygen equipment once a week."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I will keep my oxygen saturation between 88%
and 92%."
Rationale: For clients with COPD, the target oxygen saturation is typically
88% to 92% to prevent carbon dioxide retention while maintaining
adequate oxygenation. Increasing oxygen without a prescription can be
dangerous. Petroleum jelly is flammable and should not be used near
oxygen. Oxygen equipment should be checked daily, not weekly.
,Question 3: A nurse is collecting data from a client who has diabetes
mellitus and reports diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed insulin
B. Check the client's blood glucose level
C. Encourage the client to exercise
D. Restrict oral fluids
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Check the client's blood glucose level
Rationale: The manifestations described are consistent with hypoglycemia.
The first action is to confirm the blood glucose level before initiating
treatment. Administering insulin would worsen hypoglycemia. Exercise
would further decrease blood glucose. Restricting fluids is not indicated for
hypoglycemia.
Question 4: A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who
has hypertension and a prescription for a 2-gram sodium diet. Which of
the following foods should the nurse recommend as having the lowest
sodium content?
A. Cheddar cheese
B. Frozen fruit
C. Salad dressing
D. Hot dogs
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Frozen fruit
Rationale: Frozen fruit is naturally low in sodium and is an appropriate
choice for a client on a sodium-restricted diet. Cheddar cheese, salad
dressing, and processed meats such as hot dogs are high in sodium and
should be limited.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for
oxycodone. Which of the following medications should the nurse
remind the client to take regularly to prevent a common adverse effect
of oxycodone?
A. Lorazepam
B. Docusate sodium
C. Ranitidine
D. Gabapentin
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Docusate sodium
Rationale: Opioid analgesics such as oxycodone commonly cause
constipation. A stool softener like docusate sodium should be taken
prophylactically to prevent this adverse effect. Lorazepam, ranitidine, and
gabapentin are not indicated for preventing opioid-induced constipation.
Question 6: A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client
following a gastrectomy. Which of the following foods should the nurse
instruct the client to consume to help prevent dumping syndrome?
A. Poached eggs
B. Ice cream
C. Peppermints
D. Coleslaw
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Poached eggs
Rationale: Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too quickly from
the stomach into the small intestine. High-protein foods such as poached
eggs help slow gastric emptying. Simple sugars like ice cream and high-
fiber or gas-producing foods like coleslaw and peppermints can exacerbate
symptoms.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute
alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following findings is the nurse's
priority?
A. Seizures
B. Tachycardia
C. Elevated temperature
D. Abdominal cramping
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Seizures
Rationale: Seizures during alcohol withdrawal are a life-threatening
complication that requires immediate intervention. While tachycardia,
elevated temperature, and cramping are concerning, seizures pose the
greatest immediate risk to the client's safety and airway.
Question 8: A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who
has dehydration. Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
, A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Peripheral edema
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Dehydration causes decreased circulating blood volume,
leading to orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, and concentrated urine.
Bounding pulse, moist mucous membranes, and peripheral edema are
findings associated with fluid overload, not dehydration.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV fluids and
develops crackles and dyspnea. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the IV rate
B. Stop or slow the infusion according to protocol
C. Place the client supine
D. Encourage oral fluids
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stop or slow the infusion according to protocol
Rationale: Crackles and dyspnea indicate possible fluid overload. The
nurse should stop or slow the IV infusion immediately and assess the client
further. Increasing the rate or encouraging oral fluids would worsen the
condition. Placing the client supine would not relieve respiratory distress.
Question 10: A nurse is reviewing laboratory values for a client. Which
of the following findings should the nurse report immediately?
A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 6.4 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
D. Glucose 102 mg/dL
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Potassium 6.4 mEq/L
Rationale: A potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which
can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and requires immediate
intervention. The other values are within expected reference ranges.
