ATI COMPREHENSIVE
EXIT EXAM
(NGN-Style Questions & Case Scenario)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI Exit test contains:
180 Qs & Ans
passing score Guarantee
Format Set of Multiple-choice
questions with incorporating Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
and Case Scenario
Expert-Verified Explanations & Solutions
,────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 1
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has a new diagnosis of terminal
cancer. While discussing the prognosis with the parents, the nurse notes specific
coping statements.
Which parental statement best demonstrates the defense mechanism of
“ra&onaliza&on”?
A. “Our child wouldn’t have this terminal diagnosis if the doctor had diagnosed
the cancer sooner.”
B. “Let’s go on that family vaca&on we’ve planned. We’ll deal with this when we
return.”
C. “Maybe this is be1er for our child because we don’t want any suffering through
chemotherapy treatments.”
D. “I’m sure the lab results must be wrong; there’s no way it’s really cancer.”
Correct Answer: C. “Maybe this is be1er for our child because we don’t want any
suffering through chemotherapy treatments.”
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Ra&onaliza&on involves jus&fying an unacceptable situa&on by crea&ng a more
personally tolerable viewpoint or excuse for the outcome.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Blaming the provider’s failure to diagnose earlier is displacement (redirec&ng
blame or anger to a safer target).
• B: Sugges&ng a family vaca&on and dealing with it later is suppression
(consciously pu;ng aside the problem).
• D: Refusing to accept the fact of the diagnosis is denial (rejec&ng the reality of
the situa&on).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
,QUESTION 2
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is crea&ng a plan of care for a child who has acute lymphoid
leukemia and a severely low absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 400/mm³
(normal: 2500–8000/mm³).
Which interven&on should the nurse include in the plan?
A. Encourage friends and family to visit the child.
B. Withhold administering the varicella vaccine.
C. Collect a daily urine specimen to check for proteinuria.
D. Provide a low-protein diet for the child.
Correct Answer: B. Withhold administering the varicella vaccine.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Children who have severe immunodeficiency must not receive live vaccines
(such as varicella) due to the risk of contrac&ng the disease from the vaccine.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: The nurse should actually restrict or limit the child’s contact with visitors,
especially with ac&ve infec&ons or exposure to crowds, to reduce infec&on risk.
• C: Hematuria, not proteinuria, is a more common adverse effect of certain
chemotherapeu&c agents; daily urine checks for protein are less relevant than
checking for blood.
• D: The child needs a high-calorie, high-protein diet to promote adequate
immune func&on and healing.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 3
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The
nurse is reviewing essen&al interven&ons to prevent complica&ons.
,Which of the following ac&ons should the nurse take?
A. Teach the client to massage the affected extremity.
B. Instruct the client to elevate the affected extremity when si;ng.
C. Assess pulses proximal to the affected area.
D. Apply a cold compress to the affected extremity.
Correct Answer: B. Instruct the client to elevate the affected extremity when
si;ng.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Eleva&ng the affected extremity improves venous return and reduces swelling.
This is important in managing DVT and preven&ng further complica&ons.
• Maintaining eleva&on when in bed or seated aids in reducing edema and
discomfort.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A (Massage the extremity): Massaging increases the risk of dislodging the clot,
poten&ally causing a pulmonary embolus.
• C (Assess proximal pulses): The nurse should actually check pulses distal to the
affected area, not proximal, to ensure adequate blood flow.
• D (Apply a cold compress): Warm, moist compresses, not cold compresses, are
preferred to promote vasodila&on and circula&on.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 4
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse in a provider’s office is assessing an adolescent who has been
taking ibuprofen for 6 months to treat juvenile idiopathic arthri&s.
Which ques&on should the nurse ask to assess for a common adverse effect of
long-term ibuprofen use?
A. “Have you experienced muscle s&ffness?”
B. “Have you had any stomach pain or bloody stools?”
,C. “Have you experienced a dry cough?”
D. “Have you no&ced an increase in urine output?”
Correct Answer: B. “Have you had any stomach pain or bloody stools?”
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Long-term ibuprofen use can cause gastrointes&nal (GI) bleeding. The nurse
should specifically assess for complaints of stomach pain, hematemesis, or bloody
stools.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Muscle s&ffness (especially as a manifesta&on of arthri&s) is unrelated to
ibuprofen’s adverse effects.
• C: A dry cough is not a known common adverse effect of ibuprofen.
• D: Ibuprofen can harm the kidneys over &me, poten&ally leading to decreased
urine output rather than increased output.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 5
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse in an acute mental health facility is planning care for a client
who has anorexia nervosa.
Which interven&on should the nurse include in the client’s plan of care?
A. Allow the client to choose from a variety of foods and beverages.
B. Supervise the client during and aOer meals.
C. Encourage relaxed, friendly discussions about food during meal&mes.
D. Provide opportuni&es for the client to select their own meal&mes.
Correct Answer: B. Supervise the client during and aOer meals.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
,• Supervision helps ensure that the client does not conceal or discard food and
does not engage in purging behaviors aOer ea&ng. The nurse typically monitors for
at least 1 hour post-meal.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: The client should have a structured meal plan rather than uncontrolled
choices.
• C: Conversa&on during meals should not center on food; a suppor&ve and social
environment is encouraged, but not food-focused.
• D: Meal&mes should be scheduled (part of a structured plan) rather than client-
selected.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 6
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A charge nurse in a hospital se;ng is preparing to administer 0900
medica&ons when the pharmacy no&fies them that the required medica&ons are
unavailable. This has been a recurring problem and was previously discussed with
pharmacy staff.
Which ac&on should the charge nurse take first?
A. Document the actual &mes of medica&on administra&on.
B. No&fy the risk manager.
C. Complete an incident report.
D. Inform the nurse manager of the issue.
Correct Answer: D. Inform the nurse manager of the issue.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• The priority is to use the chain of command to address a recurring and
poten&ally harmful issue. The greatest risk to the client is injury from missed or
delayed medica&ons.
,Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Although documen&ng the actual &mes is necessary, informing leadership
first is higher priority.
• B: Risk management might be no&fied eventually, but first the nurse manager
should be informed.
• C: An incident report should be completed, but not un&l aOer the nurse
manager is alerted per the chain of command.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 7 (NGN-Style: Order the Steps)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is teaching a parent how to perform tracheostomy care for a
child who has a permanent tracheostomy tube.
Place the following steps in the correct order:
1. Remove the soiled dressing.
2. Remove the inner cannula.
3. Clean the stoma with 0.9% sodium chloride solu&on.
4. Change the tracheostomy collar.
Correct Order of Steps:
(1) Remove the inner cannula.
(2) Remove the soiled dressing.
(3) Clean the stoma with 0.9% sodium chloride.
(4) Change the tracheostomy collar.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Removing the inner cannula first prevents contamina&on and allows for
thorough cleaning. The soiled dressing is discarded next. Then the stoma is
cleansed. Finally, the collar is replaced.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 8
,────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is caring for a client who had abdominal surgery 24 hours ago.
The nurse must priori&ze interven&ons to reduce postopera&ve complica&ons.
Which ac&on is the priority?
A. Assess fluid intake every 24 hours.
B. Ambulate the client three &mes a day.
C. Assist with coughing and deep breathing exercises.
D. Monitor the incision site for infec&on.
Correct Answer: C. Assist with coughing and deep breathing exercises.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Using the ABC (airway, breathing, circula&on) approach, promo&ng airway
clearance by encouraging coughing and deep breathing helps prevent pneumonia
and other pulmonary complica&ons.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Checking fluid intake is necessary, but not the highest immediate priority.
• B: Ambula&on is important for circula&on and preven&ng DVT, but ensuring
effec&ve breathing comes first.
• D: Monitoring for infec&on is essen&al, but it does not supersede
airway/breathing concerns.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is assessing a client who has pulmonary edema.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Pink, frothy sputum
B. Bradycardia
C. Pale, dry skin
, D. Wheezing
Correct Answer: A. Pink, frothy sputum
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Clients with pulmonary edema oOen exhibit pink, frothy sputum due to fluid
moving into the alveoli. Crackles in the lungs and acute respiratory distress are
other signs.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• B: Tachycardia (not bradycardia) is more likely as the body a1empts to
compensate for poor oxygena&on.
• C: Skin is oOen clammy and cyano&c, not pale and dry.
• D: Crackles are more common than wheezing.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 10
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A client at 28 weeks of gesta&on complains of cons&pa&on and asks the
nurse for an explana&on.
Which response by the nurse best explains the physiological cause of cons&pa&on
in the second and third trimesters?
A. “Estrogen levels decrease during pregnancy, causing the stool to harden.”
B. “There is decreased water absorp&on in your intes&nes during pregnancy.”
C. “You aren’t absorbing iron as well, which is leading to cons&pa&on.”
D. “The enlarged uterus compresses the intes&nes and decreases mo&lity.”
Correct Answer: D. “The enlarged uterus compresses the intes&nes and decreases
mo&lity.”
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
EXIT EXAM
(NGN-Style Questions & Case Scenario)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI Exit test contains:
180 Qs & Ans
passing score Guarantee
Format Set of Multiple-choice
questions with incorporating Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
and Case Scenario
Expert-Verified Explanations & Solutions
,────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 1
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is caring for an adolescent who has a new diagnosis of terminal
cancer. While discussing the prognosis with the parents, the nurse notes specific
coping statements.
Which parental statement best demonstrates the defense mechanism of
“ra&onaliza&on”?
A. “Our child wouldn’t have this terminal diagnosis if the doctor had diagnosed
the cancer sooner.”
B. “Let’s go on that family vaca&on we’ve planned. We’ll deal with this when we
return.”
C. “Maybe this is be1er for our child because we don’t want any suffering through
chemotherapy treatments.”
D. “I’m sure the lab results must be wrong; there’s no way it’s really cancer.”
Correct Answer: C. “Maybe this is be1er for our child because we don’t want any
suffering through chemotherapy treatments.”
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Ra&onaliza&on involves jus&fying an unacceptable situa&on by crea&ng a more
personally tolerable viewpoint or excuse for the outcome.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Blaming the provider’s failure to diagnose earlier is displacement (redirec&ng
blame or anger to a safer target).
• B: Sugges&ng a family vaca&on and dealing with it later is suppression
(consciously pu;ng aside the problem).
• D: Refusing to accept the fact of the diagnosis is denial (rejec&ng the reality of
the situa&on).
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
,QUESTION 2
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is crea&ng a plan of care for a child who has acute lymphoid
leukemia and a severely low absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 400/mm³
(normal: 2500–8000/mm³).
Which interven&on should the nurse include in the plan?
A. Encourage friends and family to visit the child.
B. Withhold administering the varicella vaccine.
C. Collect a daily urine specimen to check for proteinuria.
D. Provide a low-protein diet for the child.
Correct Answer: B. Withhold administering the varicella vaccine.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Children who have severe immunodeficiency must not receive live vaccines
(such as varicella) due to the risk of contrac&ng the disease from the vaccine.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: The nurse should actually restrict or limit the child’s contact with visitors,
especially with ac&ve infec&ons or exposure to crowds, to reduce infec&on risk.
• C: Hematuria, not proteinuria, is a more common adverse effect of certain
chemotherapeu&c agents; daily urine checks for protein are less relevant than
checking for blood.
• D: The child needs a high-calorie, high-protein diet to promote adequate
immune func&on and healing.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 3
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The
nurse is reviewing essen&al interven&ons to prevent complica&ons.
,Which of the following ac&ons should the nurse take?
A. Teach the client to massage the affected extremity.
B. Instruct the client to elevate the affected extremity when si;ng.
C. Assess pulses proximal to the affected area.
D. Apply a cold compress to the affected extremity.
Correct Answer: B. Instruct the client to elevate the affected extremity when
si;ng.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Eleva&ng the affected extremity improves venous return and reduces swelling.
This is important in managing DVT and preven&ng further complica&ons.
• Maintaining eleva&on when in bed or seated aids in reducing edema and
discomfort.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A (Massage the extremity): Massaging increases the risk of dislodging the clot,
poten&ally causing a pulmonary embolus.
• C (Assess proximal pulses): The nurse should actually check pulses distal to the
affected area, not proximal, to ensure adequate blood flow.
• D (Apply a cold compress): Warm, moist compresses, not cold compresses, are
preferred to promote vasodila&on and circula&on.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 4
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse in a provider’s office is assessing an adolescent who has been
taking ibuprofen for 6 months to treat juvenile idiopathic arthri&s.
Which ques&on should the nurse ask to assess for a common adverse effect of
long-term ibuprofen use?
A. “Have you experienced muscle s&ffness?”
B. “Have you had any stomach pain or bloody stools?”
,C. “Have you experienced a dry cough?”
D. “Have you no&ced an increase in urine output?”
Correct Answer: B. “Have you had any stomach pain or bloody stools?”
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Long-term ibuprofen use can cause gastrointes&nal (GI) bleeding. The nurse
should specifically assess for complaints of stomach pain, hematemesis, or bloody
stools.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Muscle s&ffness (especially as a manifesta&on of arthri&s) is unrelated to
ibuprofen’s adverse effects.
• C: A dry cough is not a known common adverse effect of ibuprofen.
• D: Ibuprofen can harm the kidneys over &me, poten&ally leading to decreased
urine output rather than increased output.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 5
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse in an acute mental health facility is planning care for a client
who has anorexia nervosa.
Which interven&on should the nurse include in the client’s plan of care?
A. Allow the client to choose from a variety of foods and beverages.
B. Supervise the client during and aOer meals.
C. Encourage relaxed, friendly discussions about food during meal&mes.
D. Provide opportuni&es for the client to select their own meal&mes.
Correct Answer: B. Supervise the client during and aOer meals.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
,• Supervision helps ensure that the client does not conceal or discard food and
does not engage in purging behaviors aOer ea&ng. The nurse typically monitors for
at least 1 hour post-meal.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: The client should have a structured meal plan rather than uncontrolled
choices.
• C: Conversa&on during meals should not center on food; a suppor&ve and social
environment is encouraged, but not food-focused.
• D: Meal&mes should be scheduled (part of a structured plan) rather than client-
selected.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 6
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A charge nurse in a hospital se;ng is preparing to administer 0900
medica&ons when the pharmacy no&fies them that the required medica&ons are
unavailable. This has been a recurring problem and was previously discussed with
pharmacy staff.
Which ac&on should the charge nurse take first?
A. Document the actual &mes of medica&on administra&on.
B. No&fy the risk manager.
C. Complete an incident report.
D. Inform the nurse manager of the issue.
Correct Answer: D. Inform the nurse manager of the issue.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• The priority is to use the chain of command to address a recurring and
poten&ally harmful issue. The greatest risk to the client is injury from missed or
delayed medica&ons.
,Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Although documen&ng the actual &mes is necessary, informing leadership
first is higher priority.
• B: Risk management might be no&fied eventually, but first the nurse manager
should be informed.
• C: An incident report should be completed, but not un&l aOer the nurse
manager is alerted per the chain of command.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 7 (NGN-Style: Order the Steps)
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is teaching a parent how to perform tracheostomy care for a
child who has a permanent tracheostomy tube.
Place the following steps in the correct order:
1. Remove the soiled dressing.
2. Remove the inner cannula.
3. Clean the stoma with 0.9% sodium chloride solu&on.
4. Change the tracheostomy collar.
Correct Order of Steps:
(1) Remove the inner cannula.
(2) Remove the soiled dressing.
(3) Clean the stoma with 0.9% sodium chloride.
(4) Change the tracheostomy collar.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Removing the inner cannula first prevents contamina&on and allows for
thorough cleaning. The soiled dressing is discarded next. Then the stoma is
cleansed. Finally, the collar is replaced.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 8
,────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is caring for a client who had abdominal surgery 24 hours ago.
The nurse must priori&ze interven&ons to reduce postopera&ve complica&ons.
Which ac&on is the priority?
A. Assess fluid intake every 24 hours.
B. Ambulate the client three &mes a day.
C. Assist with coughing and deep breathing exercises.
D. Monitor the incision site for infec&on.
Correct Answer: C. Assist with coughing and deep breathing exercises.
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Using the ABC (airway, breathing, circula&on) approach, promo&ng airway
clearance by encouraging coughing and deep breathing helps prevent pneumonia
and other pulmonary complica&ons.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• A: Checking fluid intake is necessary, but not the highest immediate priority.
• B: Ambula&on is important for circula&on and preven&ng DVT, but ensuring
effec&ve breathing comes first.
• D: Monitoring for infec&on is essen&al, but it does not supersede
airway/breathing concerns.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 9
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A nurse is assessing a client who has pulmonary edema.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Pink, frothy sputum
B. Bradycardia
C. Pale, dry skin
, D. Wheezing
Correct Answer: A. Pink, frothy sputum
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
• Clients with pulmonary edema oOen exhibit pink, frothy sputum due to fluid
moving into the alveoli. Crackles in the lungs and acute respiratory distress are
other signs.
Incorrect Answer Ra&onales:
• B: Tachycardia (not bradycardia) is more likely as the body a1empts to
compensate for poor oxygena&on.
• C: Skin is oOen clammy and cyano&c, not pale and dry.
• D: Crackles are more common than wheezing.
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
QUESTION 10
────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Scenario: A client at 28 weeks of gesta&on complains of cons&pa&on and asks the
nurse for an explana&on.
Which response by the nurse best explains the physiological cause of cons&pa&on
in the second and third trimesters?
A. “Estrogen levels decrease during pregnancy, causing the stool to harden.”
B. “There is decreased water absorp&on in your intes&nes during pregnancy.”
C. “You aren’t absorbing iron as well, which is leading to cons&pa&on.”
D. “The enlarged uterus compresses the intes&nes and decreases mo&lity.”
Correct Answer: D. “The enlarged uterus compresses the intes&nes and decreases
mo&lity.”
Explana on (Expert Ra onale):
