ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
V1–V4 2026 FULL REVIEW STUDY GUIDE
| COMPLETE LEARNING OUTLINE &
PRACTICE THEMES || LATEST EDITION
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test. Which needle size and injection
route should be used?
A. 25-gauge, 5/8 inch, intramuscular
B. 27-gauge, 1/2 inch, subcutaneous
C. 25-gauge, 1 inch, intradermal
D. 27-gauge, 1/2 inch, intradermal
2. The nurse is caring for a client with suspected meningitis. Which room placement is most
appropriate?
A. A private room
B. A semi-private room with a client who has pneumonia
C. A room with negative air pressure
D. A private room with contact and droplet precautions
3. Which client should the nurse assess first after receiving the morning hand-off report?
A. A client scheduled for a colonoscopy in 3 hours.
B. A client with heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
C. A post-op abdominal surgery client with no bowel sounds and abdominal distension.
D. A client with COPD on 2 L/min O2 with an SpO2 of 90%.
4. When delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN), which task is outside the LPN’s
scope?
A. Administering oral medications.
B. Performing a sterile wound dressing change.
C. Initiating the nursing care plan.
D. Monitoring a client receiving continuous IV fluids.
5. Which action by the nurse best ensures correct client identification before administering
medication?
A. Ask the client to state their name.
,B. Check the name on the client’s wristband and ask the client to state their full name and date
of birth.
C. Verify the room number and bed assignment.
D. Ask the family member to confirm the client’s identity.
6. A nurse discovers a fire in a client’s room. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Activate the fire alarm.
B. Evacuate the client.
C. Use the fire extinguisher.
D. Close all doors on the unit.
7. Which client is at greatest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
A. A 30-year-old with a fractured arm.
B. A 45-year-old with an indwelling urinary catheter.
C. A 50-year-old with hypertension.
D. A 60-year-old receiving oral antibiotics.
8. The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. To determine the correct length for
insertion, the nurse should measure from:
A. The tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process.
B. The corner of the mouth to the earlobe to the umbilicus.
C. The tip of the nose to the umbilicus.
D. The earlobe to the xiphoid process.
9. Which finding requires immediate intervention in a client receiving continuous enteral tube
feeding?
A. Gastric residual volume of 150 mL.
B. The head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees.
C. The tube feeding rate is 60 mL/hr.
D. Client reports feeling full.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which PPE is necessary when
entering the client’s room?
A. Gloves only.
B. Gloves and gown.
C. N95 respirator, gloves, gown.
D. Gloves, gown, face shield.
11. When moving a client up in bed, what technique should the nurse use to prevent self-
injury?
,A. Keep feet together and bend at the waist.
B. Use a draw sheet and get help if needed.
C. Ask the client to push with their feet.
D. Stand on the side of the bed and pull the client’s shoulders.
12. The nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention at home. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A. “I’ll use my scatter rugs to prevent slipping.”
B. “I’ll keep my nightlight off to sleep better.”
C. “I’ll wear shoes with nonskid soles.”
D. “I’ll walk across the floor in my socks.”
13. Which action is most important for preventing surgical site infection?
A. Administering prophylactic antibiotics 60 minutes before incision.
B. Shaving the surgical site the night before surgery.
C. Using chlorhexidine wash on the morning of surgery.
D. Applying a sterile dressing immediately after surgery.
14. A client with tuberculosis is on airborne precautions. Which type of room is required?
A. Private room with positive pressure.
B. Private room with negative pressure and door closed.
C. Private room with HEPA filter in hallway.
D. Semi-private room with both clients wearing masks.
15. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication via Z-track technique. The purpose of
this technique is to:
A. Ensure medication reaches subcutaneous tissue.
B. Prevent medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue.
C. Reduce pain during injection.
D. Allow for faster absorption of medication.
16. Which vital sign change is an early indicator of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Increased temperature.
B. Decreased pulse rate.
C. Widening pulse pressure.
D. Increased respiratory rate.
17. A nurse is teaching a client about deep breathing and coughing exercises after surgery.
What is the primary purpose?
A. To control pain.
, B. To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
C. To promote rest.
D. To increase oxygen saturation.
18. Which laboratory value indicates that a client is at risk for bleeding?
A. Hematocrit 32%.
B. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL.
C. Platelet count 90,000/mm³.
D. White blood cell count 12,000/mm³.
19. When communicating with a client who has a hearing impairment, the nurse should:
A. Speak loudly into the client’s ear.
B. Use a normal tone, face the client, and speak clearly.
C. Use written communication only.
D. Limit conversations to reduce frustration.
20. The nurse smells smoke on the unit but sees no visible fire. What is the first action?
A. Search for the source of the smoke.
B. Activate the fire alarm.
C. Call the nursing supervisor.
D. Evacuate all clients.
Section 2: Pharmacology (Questions 21-40)
21. The nurse is administering digoxin. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Apical pulse 58/min.
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg.
C. Respiratory rate 18/min.
D. Pedal edema +1.
22. A client is receiving furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor
for?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypokalemia.
C. Hypernatremia.
D. Hypocalcemia.
23. The nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine. When should this insulin be given?
A. 15 minutes before meals.
V1–V4 2026 FULL REVIEW STUDY GUIDE
| COMPLETE LEARNING OUTLINE &
PRACTICE THEMES || LATEST EDITION
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test. Which needle size and injection
route should be used?
A. 25-gauge, 5/8 inch, intramuscular
B. 27-gauge, 1/2 inch, subcutaneous
C. 25-gauge, 1 inch, intradermal
D. 27-gauge, 1/2 inch, intradermal
2. The nurse is caring for a client with suspected meningitis. Which room placement is most
appropriate?
A. A private room
B. A semi-private room with a client who has pneumonia
C. A room with negative air pressure
D. A private room with contact and droplet precautions
3. Which client should the nurse assess first after receiving the morning hand-off report?
A. A client scheduled for a colonoscopy in 3 hours.
B. A client with heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
C. A post-op abdominal surgery client with no bowel sounds and abdominal distension.
D. A client with COPD on 2 L/min O2 with an SpO2 of 90%.
4. When delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN), which task is outside the LPN’s
scope?
A. Administering oral medications.
B. Performing a sterile wound dressing change.
C. Initiating the nursing care plan.
D. Monitoring a client receiving continuous IV fluids.
5. Which action by the nurse best ensures correct client identification before administering
medication?
A. Ask the client to state their name.
,B. Check the name on the client’s wristband and ask the client to state their full name and date
of birth.
C. Verify the room number and bed assignment.
D. Ask the family member to confirm the client’s identity.
6. A nurse discovers a fire in a client’s room. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Activate the fire alarm.
B. Evacuate the client.
C. Use the fire extinguisher.
D. Close all doors on the unit.
7. Which client is at greatest risk for developing a healthcare-associated infection (HAI)?
A. A 30-year-old with a fractured arm.
B. A 45-year-old with an indwelling urinary catheter.
C. A 50-year-old with hypertension.
D. A 60-year-old receiving oral antibiotics.
8. The nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. To determine the correct length for
insertion, the nurse should measure from:
A. The tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process.
B. The corner of the mouth to the earlobe to the umbilicus.
C. The tip of the nose to the umbilicus.
D. The earlobe to the xiphoid process.
9. Which finding requires immediate intervention in a client receiving continuous enteral tube
feeding?
A. Gastric residual volume of 150 mL.
B. The head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees.
C. The tube feeding rate is 60 mL/hr.
D. Client reports feeling full.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile. Which PPE is necessary when
entering the client’s room?
A. Gloves only.
B. Gloves and gown.
C. N95 respirator, gloves, gown.
D. Gloves, gown, face shield.
11. When moving a client up in bed, what technique should the nurse use to prevent self-
injury?
,A. Keep feet together and bend at the waist.
B. Use a draw sheet and get help if needed.
C. Ask the client to push with their feet.
D. Stand on the side of the bed and pull the client’s shoulders.
12. The nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention at home. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A. “I’ll use my scatter rugs to prevent slipping.”
B. “I’ll keep my nightlight off to sleep better.”
C. “I’ll wear shoes with nonskid soles.”
D. “I’ll walk across the floor in my socks.”
13. Which action is most important for preventing surgical site infection?
A. Administering prophylactic antibiotics 60 minutes before incision.
B. Shaving the surgical site the night before surgery.
C. Using chlorhexidine wash on the morning of surgery.
D. Applying a sterile dressing immediately after surgery.
14. A client with tuberculosis is on airborne precautions. Which type of room is required?
A. Private room with positive pressure.
B. Private room with negative pressure and door closed.
C. Private room with HEPA filter in hallway.
D. Semi-private room with both clients wearing masks.
15. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication via Z-track technique. The purpose of
this technique is to:
A. Ensure medication reaches subcutaneous tissue.
B. Prevent medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissue.
C. Reduce pain during injection.
D. Allow for faster absorption of medication.
16. Which vital sign change is an early indicator of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Increased temperature.
B. Decreased pulse rate.
C. Widening pulse pressure.
D. Increased respiratory rate.
17. A nurse is teaching a client about deep breathing and coughing exercises after surgery.
What is the primary purpose?
A. To control pain.
, B. To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia.
C. To promote rest.
D. To increase oxygen saturation.
18. Which laboratory value indicates that a client is at risk for bleeding?
A. Hematocrit 32%.
B. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL.
C. Platelet count 90,000/mm³.
D. White blood cell count 12,000/mm³.
19. When communicating with a client who has a hearing impairment, the nurse should:
A. Speak loudly into the client’s ear.
B. Use a normal tone, face the client, and speak clearly.
C. Use written communication only.
D. Limit conversations to reduce frustration.
20. The nurse smells smoke on the unit but sees no visible fire. What is the first action?
A. Search for the source of the smoke.
B. Activate the fire alarm.
C. Call the nursing supervisor.
D. Evacuate all clients.
Section 2: Pharmacology (Questions 21-40)
21. The nurse is administering digoxin. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Apical pulse 58/min.
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg.
C. Respiratory rate 18/min.
D. Pedal edema +1.
22. A client is receiving furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor
for?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypokalemia.
C. Hypernatremia.
D. Hypocalcemia.
23. The nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine. When should this insulin be given?
A. 15 minutes before meals.
