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ATI CRITICAL THINKING EXAM 2026 TEST BANK FOR ATI
PROCTORED EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS,100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to care for a client who is scheduled for surgery in the
morning. The client expresses fear by saying that they are worried they may not
wake up after the anesthesia. Which nursing response demonstrates the most
appropriate critical thinking approach to address this concern?
A) Don’t worry, anesthesia is very safe today
B) I understand you are worried, can you tell me more about your specific fears
C) Many clients feel anxious before surgery so this is normal
D) You should trust the anesthesiologist because they know what they are doing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking involves therapeutic communication and patient-
centered care. Option B validates the client’s feelings and invites further dialogue.
The other options either minimize, dismiss, or provide false reassurance, which
does not meet critical thinking standards.
Question 2
A nurse receives a new prescription for a medication but notices that the dosage is
significantly higher than the recommended safe range. Which critical thinking
action should the nurse take first?
A) Document the prescription exactly as written
B) Contact the pharmacy to clarify the order
C) Hold the medication and contact the provider for clarification
D) Ask a colleague for their opinion on the correct dose
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Critical thinking emphasizes client safety as the first priority. The nurse
must hold the medication and verify directly with the provider to prevent a
potential medication error. Consulting others or documenting the incorrect dose
would put the client at risk.
Question 3
During wound care, a nurse observes purulent drainage, swelling, and increased
redness at the incision site. Which action demonstrates critical thinking in
prioritizing care for this client?
A) Clean the wound and apply a new sterile dressing
B) Document the findings and monitor the wound
C) Notify the provider immediately of the changes observed
D) Ask the client if they are feeling more pain than usual
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The presence of purulent drainage and swelling suggests infection. The
priority action is to notify the provider so that further treatment such as cultures or
antibiotics can be initiated. Documentation and reassessment are important but
secondary to timely provider notification.
Question 4
A client with a history of heart failure suddenly reports difficulty breathing while
lying flat in bed. Which nursing action best reflects critical thinking in managing
this situation?
A) Encourage the client to take slow deep breaths while lying down
B) Elevate the head of the bed and assess the client’s oxygen saturation level
C) Reassure the client that this is a common symptom of heart failure
D) Wait to see if the shortness of breath improves without intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking prioritizes immediate interventions that relieve
symptoms and promote oxygenation. Elevating the head of the bed and assessing
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oxygen saturation addresses both comfort and safety, while the other options delay
or minimize necessary action.
Question 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes. The client says they will continue to eat the same foods because they feel
fine. Which critical thinking response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) That is not safe, you must change your diet immediately
B) Can you share with me what you currently eat in a typical day so we can plan
together
C) You should not eat any sugar or carbohydrates at all
D) If you feel fine you can wait until you feel sick before making changes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking integrates teaching with patient participation. Asking
about the client’s current diet encourages collaboration and helps tailor education
to the client’s needs. The other options are rigid, dismissive, or unsafe.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who refuses to take a newly prescribed medication.
Which action reflects critical thinking in responding to this situation?
A) Insist that the client must take the medication as ordered
B) Document the refusal and move on without addressing the concern
C) Ask the client to explain their reasons for refusing the medication
D) Tell the client that refusing the medication will worsen their condition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Critical thinking requires exploring the underlying reasons for a client’s
refusal to promote informed decision-making. By asking why, the nurse can
identify concerns such as side effects, fear, or misunderstanding and address them
appropriately.
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Question 7
A nurse notices that a postoperative client has not voided for 8 hours. The bladder
feels distended upon palpation. Which action demonstrates the best use of critical
thinking in this situation?
A) Document the finding and reassess in two hours
B) Encourage the client to drink more fluids
C) Notify the provider and anticipate the need for a bladder scan or catheterization
D) Reassure the client that urinary retention is common after surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A distended bladder after 8 hours indicates urinary retention and
requires provider notification for further intervention. Encouraging fluids or
waiting longer delays necessary treatment and may increase complications.
Question 8
A client with pneumonia is receiving intravenous antibiotics. The nurse notices the
client’s temperature remains elevated despite therapy. Which action demonstrates
critical thinking in evaluating this client’s care?
A) Continue the current plan since antibiotics take time to work
B) Reassess the client for other signs of infection and notify the provider of
persistent fever
C) Provide additional blankets to keep the client comfortable
D) Document the temperature and reassess in the next scheduled check
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent fever indicates the infection may not be responding to
treatment. Critical thinking requires reassessment and provider notification for
possible adjustment in therapy. Comfort measures and routine reassessment are
insufficient without addressing the underlying concern.
Question 9
During a medication pass, a nurse observes another nurse preparing to administer
ATI CRITICAL THINKING EXAM 2026 TEST BANK FOR ATI
PROCTORED EXAM COMPLETE 220 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS,100% CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to care for a client who is scheduled for surgery in the
morning. The client expresses fear by saying that they are worried they may not
wake up after the anesthesia. Which nursing response demonstrates the most
appropriate critical thinking approach to address this concern?
A) Don’t worry, anesthesia is very safe today
B) I understand you are worried, can you tell me more about your specific fears
C) Many clients feel anxious before surgery so this is normal
D) You should trust the anesthesiologist because they know what they are doing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking involves therapeutic communication and patient-
centered care. Option B validates the client’s feelings and invites further dialogue.
The other options either minimize, dismiss, or provide false reassurance, which
does not meet critical thinking standards.
Question 2
A nurse receives a new prescription for a medication but notices that the dosage is
significantly higher than the recommended safe range. Which critical thinking
action should the nurse take first?
A) Document the prescription exactly as written
B) Contact the pharmacy to clarify the order
C) Hold the medication and contact the provider for clarification
D) Ask a colleague for their opinion on the correct dose
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Critical thinking emphasizes client safety as the first priority. The nurse
must hold the medication and verify directly with the provider to prevent a
potential medication error. Consulting others or documenting the incorrect dose
would put the client at risk.
Question 3
During wound care, a nurse observes purulent drainage, swelling, and increased
redness at the incision site. Which action demonstrates critical thinking in
prioritizing care for this client?
A) Clean the wound and apply a new sterile dressing
B) Document the findings and monitor the wound
C) Notify the provider immediately of the changes observed
D) Ask the client if they are feeling more pain than usual
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The presence of purulent drainage and swelling suggests infection. The
priority action is to notify the provider so that further treatment such as cultures or
antibiotics can be initiated. Documentation and reassessment are important but
secondary to timely provider notification.
Question 4
A client with a history of heart failure suddenly reports difficulty breathing while
lying flat in bed. Which nursing action best reflects critical thinking in managing
this situation?
A) Encourage the client to take slow deep breaths while lying down
B) Elevate the head of the bed and assess the client’s oxygen saturation level
C) Reassure the client that this is a common symptom of heart failure
D) Wait to see if the shortness of breath improves without intervention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking prioritizes immediate interventions that relieve
symptoms and promote oxygenation. Elevating the head of the bed and assessing
,3 | Page
oxygen saturation addresses both comfort and safety, while the other options delay
or minimize necessary action.
Question 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client newly diagnosed with type 2
diabetes. The client says they will continue to eat the same foods because they feel
fine. Which critical thinking response by the nurse is most appropriate?
A) That is not safe, you must change your diet immediately
B) Can you share with me what you currently eat in a typical day so we can plan
together
C) You should not eat any sugar or carbohydrates at all
D) If you feel fine you can wait until you feel sick before making changes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical thinking integrates teaching with patient participation. Asking
about the client’s current diet encourages collaboration and helps tailor education
to the client’s needs. The other options are rigid, dismissive, or unsafe.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who refuses to take a newly prescribed medication.
Which action reflects critical thinking in responding to this situation?
A) Insist that the client must take the medication as ordered
B) Document the refusal and move on without addressing the concern
C) Ask the client to explain their reasons for refusing the medication
D) Tell the client that refusing the medication will worsen their condition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Critical thinking requires exploring the underlying reasons for a client’s
refusal to promote informed decision-making. By asking why, the nurse can
identify concerns such as side effects, fear, or misunderstanding and address them
appropriately.
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Question 7
A nurse notices that a postoperative client has not voided for 8 hours. The bladder
feels distended upon palpation. Which action demonstrates the best use of critical
thinking in this situation?
A) Document the finding and reassess in two hours
B) Encourage the client to drink more fluids
C) Notify the provider and anticipate the need for a bladder scan or catheterization
D) Reassure the client that urinary retention is common after surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A distended bladder after 8 hours indicates urinary retention and
requires provider notification for further intervention. Encouraging fluids or
waiting longer delays necessary treatment and may increase complications.
Question 8
A client with pneumonia is receiving intravenous antibiotics. The nurse notices the
client’s temperature remains elevated despite therapy. Which action demonstrates
critical thinking in evaluating this client’s care?
A) Continue the current plan since antibiotics take time to work
B) Reassess the client for other signs of infection and notify the provider of
persistent fever
C) Provide additional blankets to keep the client comfortable
D) Document the temperature and reassess in the next scheduled check
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Persistent fever indicates the infection may not be responding to
treatment. Critical thinking requires reassessment and provider notification for
possible adjustment in therapy. Comfort measures and routine reassessment are
insufficient without addressing the underlying concern.
Question 9
During a medication pass, a nurse observes another nurse preparing to administer
