ATI PN Comprehensive 2017 Proctored
Overview
This exam for the ATI PN Comprehensive Proctored Exam 2017, a 180-question assessment
(150 scored) evaluating LPN competencies in fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing,
pharmacology, maternal-newborn care, mental health, and pediatrics. This exam provides 150
questions (multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, case studies) Topics include patient safety,
infection control, medication administration, health assessment, and ethical/legal considerations.
Answers are in blue.
Questions 1–150: ATI PN Comprehensive Proctored Exam
2017
Fundamentals of Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 20 mg orally to a 6-year-old
child who has difficulty swallowing pills. Available is diphenhydramine 12.5 mg/5
mL oral syrup. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to the nearest
whole number.)
A. 6 mL
B. 8 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 12 mL
Answer: 8 mL
Rationale: Calculate: (20 mg ÷ 12.5 mg) × 5 mL = 8 mL. Rounding to the nearest whole
number gives 8 mL.
2. A nurse is admitting a client who is malnourished. The client states, “My wedding
ring is loose, and I’m worried I’ll lose it.” Which response is appropriate?
A. “I’ll place it in your drawer so it won’t get lost.”
B. “I can pin it to your hospital gown.”
C. “I’ll hold onto it until a family member can take it home.”
D. “I can put it in a locked storage unit for you.”
Answer: I can put it in a locked storage unit for you.
Rationale: Storing valuables in a locked unit follows facility policy, ensuring safety and
preventing loss.
,3. A nurse is teaching about hand hygiene. Which action is most effective in preventing
healthcare-associated infections?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub between patients
B. Washing hands with soap and water for 10 seconds
C. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
D. Cleaning hands only after visible soiling
Answer: Using alcohol-based hand rub between patients
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective and efficient for routine hand hygiene
between patients, reducing infection risk. Soap and water are needed for visible soiling or
C. difficile.
4. A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Assisting with ambulation
C. Evaluating pain levels
D. Developing a care plan
Answer: Assisting with ambulation
Rationale: APs can assist with ambulation, a non-invasive task within their scope.
Medication administration, pain evaluation, and care planning require RN judgment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which dietary instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Avoid all high-fiber foods
B. Chew food thoroughly
C. Consume large meals to promote output
D. Limit fluid intake
Answer: Chew food thoroughly
Rationale: Thorough chewing prevents blockages in a new colostomy. High-fiber foods
are introduced gradually, and fluids are essential.
6. A nurse is assessing a client for orthostatic hypotension. Which finding indicates this
condition?
A. BP 140/90 mm Hg lying, 130/85 mm Hg standing
B. BP 120/80 mm Hg lying, 90/60 mm Hg standing
C. BP 110/70 mm Hg lying, 108/68 mm Hg standing
D. BP 150/100 mm Hg lying, 145/95 mm Hg standing
Answer: BP 120/80 mm Hg lying, 90/60 mm Hg standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop of ≥20 mm Hg systolic or ≥10 mm Hg
diastolic when standing. Option B shows a significant drop.
, 7. A nurse is teaching about fall prevention. Which intervention is most effective?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Ensure the call light is within reach
C. Leave all side rails down
D. Place non-skid socks at the bedside
Answer: Ensure the call light is within reach
Rationale: A call light within reach allows clients to request help, reducing fall risk.
Beds should be low, and side rails may be needed.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a suspected urinary tract infection. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer antibiotics as prescribed
B. Collect a urine sample for culture
C. Encourage fluid intake
D. Teach about perineal hygiene
Answer: Collect a urine sample for culture
Rationale: Collecting a urine culture first confirms the diagnosis and guides antibiotic
therapy, ensuring effective treatment.
9. A nurse is applying restraints to a client who poses a threat to self. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Apply restraints without a provider’s order
B. Secure restraints to the bed frame
C. Leave restraints on indefinitely
D. Use a four-point restraint initially
Answer: Secure restraints to the bed frame
Rationale: Restraints must be secured to the bed frame to ensure safety. A provider’s
order is required, and restraints are time-limited.
10. A nurse is teaching about proper body mechanics. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. Bend at the waist to lift heavy objects
B. Keep the back straight and knees bent when lifting
C. Lift objects away from the body
D. Twist the torso while lifting
Answer: Keep the back straight and knees bent when lifting
Rationale: Proper body mechanics involve keeping the back straight and using leg
muscles to lift, reducing injury risk.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
, 11. A nurse is caring for a client 4 hours postoperative following a hemicolectomy.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rating of 9/10
B. Blood pressure 160/90 mm Hg
C. Oxygen saturation 89%
D. Moderate bright red drainage on the dressing
Answer: Oxygen saturation 89%
Rationale: Oxygen saturation <90% indicates hypoxemia, a priority requiring immediate
intervention to prevent complications.
12. A nurse is reviewing lab values for a client at 34 weeks gestation. Which finding
should the nurse report?
A. Hemoglobin 13.2 g/dL
B. Urine protein 3+
C. Fasting blood glucose 72 mg/dL
D. BUN 15 mg/dL
Answer: Urine protein 3+
Rationale: Urine protein 3+ indicates possible preeclampsia, a serious condition
requiring immediate reporting. Other values are normal.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which dietary restriction should the
nurse emphasize?
A. Low-protein diet
B. Low-sodium diet
C. High-carbohydrate diet
D. Low-fiber diet
Answer: Low-sodium diet
Rationale: A low-sodium diet (≤2,000 mg/day) reduces fluid retention in heart failure,
improving symptoms.
14. A nurse is assessing a client with peripheral arterial disease. Which symptom should
the nurse expect?
A. Leg swelling
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Warm extremities
D. Bounding pulses
Answer: Intermittent claudication
Rationale: Intermittent claudication (leg pain during activity) is a hallmark of peripheral
arterial disease due to reduced blood flow.
15. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Which
teaching point is most important?
Overview
This exam for the ATI PN Comprehensive Proctored Exam 2017, a 180-question assessment
(150 scored) evaluating LPN competencies in fundamentals, medical-surgical nursing,
pharmacology, maternal-newborn care, mental health, and pediatrics. This exam provides 150
questions (multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, case studies) Topics include patient safety,
infection control, medication administration, health assessment, and ethical/legal considerations.
Answers are in blue.
Questions 1–150: ATI PN Comprehensive Proctored Exam
2017
Fundamentals of Nursing
1. A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 20 mg orally to a 6-year-old
child who has difficulty swallowing pills. Available is diphenhydramine 12.5 mg/5
mL oral syrup. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to the nearest
whole number.)
A. 6 mL
B. 8 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 12 mL
Answer: 8 mL
Rationale: Calculate: (20 mg ÷ 12.5 mg) × 5 mL = 8 mL. Rounding to the nearest whole
number gives 8 mL.
2. A nurse is admitting a client who is malnourished. The client states, “My wedding
ring is loose, and I’m worried I’ll lose it.” Which response is appropriate?
A. “I’ll place it in your drawer so it won’t get lost.”
B. “I can pin it to your hospital gown.”
C. “I’ll hold onto it until a family member can take it home.”
D. “I can put it in a locked storage unit for you.”
Answer: I can put it in a locked storage unit for you.
Rationale: Storing valuables in a locked unit follows facility policy, ensuring safety and
preventing loss.
,3. A nurse is teaching about hand hygiene. Which action is most effective in preventing
healthcare-associated infections?
A. Using alcohol-based hand rub between patients
B. Washing hands with soap and water for 10 seconds
C. Wearing gloves for all patient contact
D. Cleaning hands only after visible soiling
Answer: Using alcohol-based hand rub between patients
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are effective and efficient for routine hand hygiene
between patients, reducing infection risk. Soap and water are needed for visible soiling or
C. difficile.
4. A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Assisting with ambulation
C. Evaluating pain levels
D. Developing a care plan
Answer: Assisting with ambulation
Rationale: APs can assist with ambulation, a non-invasive task within their scope.
Medication administration, pain evaluation, and care planning require RN judgment.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which dietary instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Avoid all high-fiber foods
B. Chew food thoroughly
C. Consume large meals to promote output
D. Limit fluid intake
Answer: Chew food thoroughly
Rationale: Thorough chewing prevents blockages in a new colostomy. High-fiber foods
are introduced gradually, and fluids are essential.
6. A nurse is assessing a client for orthostatic hypotension. Which finding indicates this
condition?
A. BP 140/90 mm Hg lying, 130/85 mm Hg standing
B. BP 120/80 mm Hg lying, 90/60 mm Hg standing
C. BP 110/70 mm Hg lying, 108/68 mm Hg standing
D. BP 150/100 mm Hg lying, 145/95 mm Hg standing
Answer: BP 120/80 mm Hg lying, 90/60 mm Hg standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is a drop of ≥20 mm Hg systolic or ≥10 mm Hg
diastolic when standing. Option B shows a significant drop.
, 7. A nurse is teaching about fall prevention. Which intervention is most effective?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Ensure the call light is within reach
C. Leave all side rails down
D. Place non-skid socks at the bedside
Answer: Ensure the call light is within reach
Rationale: A call light within reach allows clients to request help, reducing fall risk.
Beds should be low, and side rails may be needed.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a suspected urinary tract infection. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer antibiotics as prescribed
B. Collect a urine sample for culture
C. Encourage fluid intake
D. Teach about perineal hygiene
Answer: Collect a urine sample for culture
Rationale: Collecting a urine culture first confirms the diagnosis and guides antibiotic
therapy, ensuring effective treatment.
9. A nurse is applying restraints to a client who poses a threat to self. Which action is
most appropriate?
A. Apply restraints without a provider’s order
B. Secure restraints to the bed frame
C. Leave restraints on indefinitely
D. Use a four-point restraint initially
Answer: Secure restraints to the bed frame
Rationale: Restraints must be secured to the bed frame to ensure safety. A provider’s
order is required, and restraints are time-limited.
10. A nurse is teaching about proper body mechanics. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. Bend at the waist to lift heavy objects
B. Keep the back straight and knees bent when lifting
C. Lift objects away from the body
D. Twist the torso while lifting
Answer: Keep the back straight and knees bent when lifting
Rationale: Proper body mechanics involve keeping the back straight and using leg
muscles to lift, reducing injury risk.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
, 11. A nurse is caring for a client 4 hours postoperative following a hemicolectomy.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rating of 9/10
B. Blood pressure 160/90 mm Hg
C. Oxygen saturation 89%
D. Moderate bright red drainage on the dressing
Answer: Oxygen saturation 89%
Rationale: Oxygen saturation <90% indicates hypoxemia, a priority requiring immediate
intervention to prevent complications.
12. A nurse is reviewing lab values for a client at 34 weeks gestation. Which finding
should the nurse report?
A. Hemoglobin 13.2 g/dL
B. Urine protein 3+
C. Fasting blood glucose 72 mg/dL
D. BUN 15 mg/dL
Answer: Urine protein 3+
Rationale: Urine protein 3+ indicates possible preeclampsia, a serious condition
requiring immediate reporting. Other values are normal.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which dietary restriction should the
nurse emphasize?
A. Low-protein diet
B. Low-sodium diet
C. High-carbohydrate diet
D. Low-fiber diet
Answer: Low-sodium diet
Rationale: A low-sodium diet (≤2,000 mg/day) reduces fluid retention in heart failure,
improving symptoms.
14. A nurse is assessing a client with peripheral arterial disease. Which symptom should
the nurse expect?
A. Leg swelling
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Warm extremities
D. Bounding pulses
Answer: Intermittent claudication
Rationale: Intermittent claudication (leg pain during activity) is a hallmark of peripheral
arterial disease due to reduced blood flow.
15. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Which
teaching point is most important?
