ATI RN CONCEPT-BASED
ASSESSMENT LEVEL 1 EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure who has
bilateral lower extremity edema. Which action should the nurse
take first?
a. Apply compression stockings
b. Elevate the legs
c. Weigh the client daily
d. Assess lung sounds
d. Assess lung sounds
Rationale: Assessing lung sounds is a priority to evaluate for pulmonary
edema, which can be life-threatening.
2. A client reports a new onset of chest pain radiating to the left
arm. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
, a. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
b. Obtain vital signs
c. Notify the healthcare provider
d. Place the client on continuous ECG monitoring
b. Obtain vital signs
Rationale: Assessing vital signs provides immediate information about
the client’s cardiovascular status and potential instability.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a morning dose of medications.
Which client should receive the medication first?
a. A client with type 2 diabetes scheduled for insulin before
breakfast
b. A client with hypertension scheduled for lisinopril
c. A client with osteoarthritis scheduled for ibuprofen
d. A client with hyperlipidemia scheduled for atorvastatin
a. A client with type 2 diabetes scheduled for insulin before breakfast
Rationale: Administering insulin before meals prevents hypoglycemia
and is time-sensitive.
4. A client receiving IV fluids develops swelling at the insertion site.
What is the priority nursing action?
a. Apply warm compress
b. Stop the infusion
c. Notify the healthcare provider
d. Document the finding
b. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Stopping the infusion prevents further infiltration and
potential tissue damage.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about proper use of an incentive
spirometer. Which instruction is correct?
, a. Exhale slowly after using the device
b. Inhale slowly through the device
c. Use the device once a day
d. Hold your breath for 10 seconds after exhaling
b. Inhale slowly through the device
Rationale: Slow inhalation maximizes lung expansion and helps prevent
atelectasis.
6. A client with a prescription for a new medication reports nausea
and dizziness. What should the nurse do first?
a. Document the client’s symptoms
b. Hold the medication and notify the provider
c. Encourage the client to rest
d. Offer food to reduce nausea
b. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Potential adverse effects must be addressed immediately to
prevent harm.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected urinary tract
infection. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
a. Dysuria
b. Flank pain
c. Urinary frequency
d. Mild hematuria
b. Flank pain
Rationale: Flank pain may indicate pyelonephritis, which can progress
rapidly and require prompt treatment.
8. A client is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Which
action should the nurse take if the client’s oxygen saturation
drops to 88%?
, a. Increase flow to 3 L/min
b. Assess the client’s respiratory status
c. Notify the provider immediately
d. Encourage deep breathing
b. Assess the client’s respiratory status
Rationale: Assessment is the priority to determine the cause of hypoxia
before adjusting oxygen.
9. A nurse is caring for a client postoperatively who has a nasogastric
tube. The nurse notes the tube is not draining. What is the best
initial action?
a. Irrigate the tube
b. Check tube placement
c. Reposition the client
d. Notify the provider
b. Check tube placement
Rationale: Ensuring correct placement is critical before attempting
other interventions to prevent injury or aspiration.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about dietary sodium restriction.
Which food choice indicates understanding?
a. Canned soup
b. Fresh vegetables
c. Processed cheese
d. Deli meats
b. Fresh vegetables
Rationale: Fresh vegetables are low in sodium and appropriate for a
sodium-restricted diet.
11. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol via nebulizer.
The nurse should instruct the client to:
ASSESSMENT LEVEL 1 EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client with congestive heart failure who has
bilateral lower extremity edema. Which action should the nurse
take first?
a. Apply compression stockings
b. Elevate the legs
c. Weigh the client daily
d. Assess lung sounds
d. Assess lung sounds
Rationale: Assessing lung sounds is a priority to evaluate for pulmonary
edema, which can be life-threatening.
2. A client reports a new onset of chest pain radiating to the left
arm. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
, a. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
b. Obtain vital signs
c. Notify the healthcare provider
d. Place the client on continuous ECG monitoring
b. Obtain vital signs
Rationale: Assessing vital signs provides immediate information about
the client’s cardiovascular status and potential instability.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a morning dose of medications.
Which client should receive the medication first?
a. A client with type 2 diabetes scheduled for insulin before
breakfast
b. A client with hypertension scheduled for lisinopril
c. A client with osteoarthritis scheduled for ibuprofen
d. A client with hyperlipidemia scheduled for atorvastatin
a. A client with type 2 diabetes scheduled for insulin before breakfast
Rationale: Administering insulin before meals prevents hypoglycemia
and is time-sensitive.
4. A client receiving IV fluids develops swelling at the insertion site.
What is the priority nursing action?
a. Apply warm compress
b. Stop the infusion
c. Notify the healthcare provider
d. Document the finding
b. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Stopping the infusion prevents further infiltration and
potential tissue damage.
5. A nurse is teaching a client about proper use of an incentive
spirometer. Which instruction is correct?
, a. Exhale slowly after using the device
b. Inhale slowly through the device
c. Use the device once a day
d. Hold your breath for 10 seconds after exhaling
b. Inhale slowly through the device
Rationale: Slow inhalation maximizes lung expansion and helps prevent
atelectasis.
6. A client with a prescription for a new medication reports nausea
and dizziness. What should the nurse do first?
a. Document the client’s symptoms
b. Hold the medication and notify the provider
c. Encourage the client to rest
d. Offer food to reduce nausea
b. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Potential adverse effects must be addressed immediately to
prevent harm.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected urinary tract
infection. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
a. Dysuria
b. Flank pain
c. Urinary frequency
d. Mild hematuria
b. Flank pain
Rationale: Flank pain may indicate pyelonephritis, which can progress
rapidly and require prompt treatment.
8. A client is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Which
action should the nurse take if the client’s oxygen saturation
drops to 88%?
, a. Increase flow to 3 L/min
b. Assess the client’s respiratory status
c. Notify the provider immediately
d. Encourage deep breathing
b. Assess the client’s respiratory status
Rationale: Assessment is the priority to determine the cause of hypoxia
before adjusting oxygen.
9. A nurse is caring for a client postoperatively who has a nasogastric
tube. The nurse notes the tube is not draining. What is the best
initial action?
a. Irrigate the tube
b. Check tube placement
c. Reposition the client
d. Notify the provider
b. Check tube placement
Rationale: Ensuring correct placement is critical before attempting
other interventions to prevent injury or aspiration.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about dietary sodium restriction.
Which food choice indicates understanding?
a. Canned soup
b. Fresh vegetables
c. Processed cheese
d. Deli meats
b. Fresh vegetables
Rationale: Fresh vegetables are low in sodium and appropriate for a
sodium-restricted diet.
11. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol via nebulizer.
The nurse should instruct the client to:
