✅ ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment –
(2025_2026)Level 6
Questions | Correct Answers | Rationales
1. A client with sepsis has BP 78/50 mmHg and
tachycardia. Priority action?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Apply cold compress
C. Encourage oral intake
D. Reposition the client
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV fluids
Rationale: Hypotension in sepsis indicates poor perfusion; rapid fluid resuscitation is priority to
prevent organ failure.
2. A client with acute asthma exacerbation has wheezing
and SpO₂ 89%. First action?
A. Administer short-acting bronchodilator
B. Encourage deep breathing
C. Apply warm compress
D. Call respiratory therapy in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: A. Administer short-acting bronchodilator
Rationale: Rapid bronchodilation improves airway obstruction and oxygenation.
3. A client with hyperkalemia (K⁺ 6.9 mEq/L) has peaked T
waves. Immediate intervention?
,A. Administer IV calcium gluconate
B. Restrict dietary potassium
C. Monitor urine output
D. Administer oral potassium
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV calcium gluconate
Rationale: Calcium stabilizes cardiac membranes and prevents life-threatening arrhythmias.
4. A client with DKA is receiving insulin and IV fluids.
Which lab requires immediate monitoring?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Insulin shifts potassium into cells, increasing risk of hypokalemia.
5. A client with pulmonary embolism is receiving heparin.
Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Sudden drop in BP and shortness of breath
B. Mild leg edema
C. Slight fatigue
D. Nausea
Correct Answer: A. Sudden drop in BP and shortness of breath
Rationale: Could indicate worsening PE or bleeding → emergency intervention needed.
6. A client with CHF is prescribed furosemide. Which lab
requires close monitoring?
A. Potassium
B. Glucose
,C. Calcium
D. WBC count
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause hypokalemia, increasing risk of arrhythmias.
7. A client with Addisonian crisis presents with
hypotension and hyponatremia. First action?
A. Administer IV hydrocortisone
B. Give oral fluids
C. Restrict sodium
D. Administer insulin
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV hydrocortisone
Rationale: Cortisol replacement is life-saving in adrenal crisis.
8. A client with MI develops sudden hypotension and
bradycardia. First action?
A. Assess for cardiogenic shock
B. Administer IV fluids rapidly
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Apply ice packs
Correct Answer: A. Assess for cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Early recognition guides interventions like inotropes or mechanical support.
9. A client post-thyroidectomy develops stridor and
swelling. Priority action?
A. Prepare for airway intervention
B. Provide ice chips
C. Administer oral calcium
D. Encourage deep breathing
, Correct Answer: A. Prepare for airway intervention
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction → emergency intervention needed.
10. A client with liver failure has confusion and asterixis.
Which lab is most relevant?
A. Ammonia
B. Sodium
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: A. Ammonia
Rationale: Elevated ammonia leads to hepatic encephalopathy; monitoring guides treatment.
11. A client with hypovolemic shock has urine output 20
mL/hr. Interpretation?
A. Hypoperfusion
B. Adequate perfusion
C. Fluid overload
D. Normal
Correct Answer: A. Hypoperfusion
Rationale: Urine output <30 mL/hr indicates inadequate renal perfusion.
12. A client with ARDS is mechanically ventilated. Rising
PaCO₂ and decreasing SpO₂ indicate?
A. Inadequate ventilation → notify provider
B. Normal progression
C. Fluid overload
D. Improvement in oxygenation
Correct Answer: A. Inadequate ventilation → notify provider
Rationale: Rapid intervention is required to prevent hypoxia and acidosis.
(2025_2026)Level 6
Questions | Correct Answers | Rationales
1. A client with sepsis has BP 78/50 mmHg and
tachycardia. Priority action?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Apply cold compress
C. Encourage oral intake
D. Reposition the client
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV fluids
Rationale: Hypotension in sepsis indicates poor perfusion; rapid fluid resuscitation is priority to
prevent organ failure.
2. A client with acute asthma exacerbation has wheezing
and SpO₂ 89%. First action?
A. Administer short-acting bronchodilator
B. Encourage deep breathing
C. Apply warm compress
D. Call respiratory therapy in 30 minutes
Correct Answer: A. Administer short-acting bronchodilator
Rationale: Rapid bronchodilation improves airway obstruction and oxygenation.
3. A client with hyperkalemia (K⁺ 6.9 mEq/L) has peaked T
waves. Immediate intervention?
,A. Administer IV calcium gluconate
B. Restrict dietary potassium
C. Monitor urine output
D. Administer oral potassium
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV calcium gluconate
Rationale: Calcium stabilizes cardiac membranes and prevents life-threatening arrhythmias.
4. A client with DKA is receiving insulin and IV fluids.
Which lab requires immediate monitoring?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Insulin shifts potassium into cells, increasing risk of hypokalemia.
5. A client with pulmonary embolism is receiving heparin.
Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Sudden drop in BP and shortness of breath
B. Mild leg edema
C. Slight fatigue
D. Nausea
Correct Answer: A. Sudden drop in BP and shortness of breath
Rationale: Could indicate worsening PE or bleeding → emergency intervention needed.
6. A client with CHF is prescribed furosemide. Which lab
requires close monitoring?
A. Potassium
B. Glucose
,C. Calcium
D. WBC count
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause hypokalemia, increasing risk of arrhythmias.
7. A client with Addisonian crisis presents with
hypotension and hyponatremia. First action?
A. Administer IV hydrocortisone
B. Give oral fluids
C. Restrict sodium
D. Administer insulin
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV hydrocortisone
Rationale: Cortisol replacement is life-saving in adrenal crisis.
8. A client with MI develops sudden hypotension and
bradycardia. First action?
A. Assess for cardiogenic shock
B. Administer IV fluids rapidly
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Apply ice packs
Correct Answer: A. Assess for cardiogenic shock
Rationale: Early recognition guides interventions like inotropes or mechanical support.
9. A client post-thyroidectomy develops stridor and
swelling. Priority action?
A. Prepare for airway intervention
B. Provide ice chips
C. Administer oral calcium
D. Encourage deep breathing
, Correct Answer: A. Prepare for airway intervention
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction → emergency intervention needed.
10. A client with liver failure has confusion and asterixis.
Which lab is most relevant?
A. Ammonia
B. Sodium
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: A. Ammonia
Rationale: Elevated ammonia leads to hepatic encephalopathy; monitoring guides treatment.
11. A client with hypovolemic shock has urine output 20
mL/hr. Interpretation?
A. Hypoperfusion
B. Adequate perfusion
C. Fluid overload
D. Normal
Correct Answer: A. Hypoperfusion
Rationale: Urine output <30 mL/hr indicates inadequate renal perfusion.
12. A client with ARDS is mechanically ventilated. Rising
PaCO₂ and decreasing SpO₂ indicate?
A. Inadequate ventilation → notify provider
B. Normal progression
C. Fluid overload
D. Improvement in oxygenation
Correct Answer: A. Inadequate ventilation → notify provider
Rationale: Rapid intervention is required to prevent hypoxia and acidosis.
