✅ ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment –
(2025_2026)Level 5
Questions | Correct Answers | Rationales
1. A client with sepsis has a blood pressure of 78/50
mmHg and tachycardia. Priority intervention?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Apply cold compresses
C. Encourage oral intake
D. Reposition the client
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV fluids
Rationale: Hypotension in sepsis indicates poor perfusion → fluid resuscitation is priority.
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: Stabilizes cardiac membranes and prevents arrhythmias.
4. A client with newly diagnosed 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 → 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: Indicates worsening PE or bleeding complication → emergency intervention
required.
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 can cause hypokalemia → 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 medications or mechanical support.
9. A client post-thyroidectomy develops stridor and
swelling. Priority action?
A. Prepare for possible airway intervention
B. Provide ice chips
C. Administer oral calcium
D. Encourage deep breathing
, Correct Answer: A. Prepare for possible airway intervention
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction → airway is priority.
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 finding
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 required to prevent hypoxia and acidosis.
(2025_2026)Level 5
Questions | Correct Answers | Rationales
1. A client with sepsis has a blood pressure of 78/50
mmHg and tachycardia. Priority intervention?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Apply cold compresses
C. Encourage oral intake
D. Reposition the client
Correct Answer: A. Administer IV fluids
Rationale: Hypotension in sepsis indicates poor perfusion → fluid resuscitation is priority.
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: Stabilizes cardiac membranes and prevents arrhythmias.
4. A client with newly diagnosed 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 → 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: Indicates worsening PE or bleeding complication → emergency intervention
required.
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 can cause hypokalemia → 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 medications or mechanical support.
9. A client post-thyroidectomy develops stridor and
swelling. Priority action?
A. Prepare for possible airway intervention
B. Provide ice chips
C. Administer oral calcium
D. Encourage deep breathing
, Correct Answer: A. Prepare for possible airway intervention
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction → airway is priority.
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 finding
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 required to prevent hypoxia and acidosis.
