ATI NURSE LOGIC CLINICAL JUDGEMENT AND
NURSING CONCEPTS EXAM GUIDE 2026 EDITION
A nurse is using clinical reasoning to prioritize care for four
clients. Which action best demonstrates the “analysis” step of
the clinical judgment process?
A. Noting that a client’s blood pressure is 88/52 mm Hg
B. Collecting a client’s pain level using a 0–10 scale
C. Recognizing that a hypotensive client is at risk for falls
D. Delegating oral care to unlicensed assistive personnel
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Analysis involves clustering cues and recognizing
patterns to identify client problems or risks. Option A is data
collection, B is assessment, D is implementation. Only C shows
interpretation of data to form a conclusion.
A nurse receives change-of-shift report on four clients. Which
client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with pneumonia, oxygen saturation 94% on 2 L
, nasal cannula
B. Client with diabetes mellitus, blood glucose 180 mg/dL
C. Client with heart failure, +1 pedal edema and weight gain
of 0.5 kg in 24 hours
D. Client with postoperative abdominal pain, heart rate
118/min and blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Tachycardia with borderline hypotension in a
postoperative client may indicate hypovolemia or bleeding.
This client is unstable. The others have findings that are
abnormal but not immediately life-threatening.
A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for
lisinopril. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will report any swelling of my lips or tongue.”
B. “I can take this medication with food if it upsets my
stomach.”
C. “I will stop taking this medication if I develop a dry
cough.”
D. “I should avoid salt substitutes while taking this medicine.”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A dry cough is a known side effect of ACE
inhibitors but should be reported to the provider, not self-
discontinued abruptly, which can cause rebound hypertension.
The other statements are correct.
,A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). Which of the following tasks should the
nurse delegate?
A. Assessing a client’s ability to swallow after a stroke
B. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Measuring orthostatic blood pressures for a client with
dizziness
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a pain medication
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: UAPs can perform routine measurements
including blood pressure. Assessment, teaching, and
evaluation require licensed nursing judgment and cannot be
delegated.
A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool to call a provider
about a client’s change in condition. Which statement
reflects the “Background” component?
A. “The client’s respiratory rate has increased from 18 to 28
breaths per minute.”
B. “I think the client may be developing pneumonia.”
C. “The client is a 72-year-old with COPD who had a hip
replacement yesterday.”
D. “I recommend obtaining a chest x-ray and starting
antibiotics.”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: SBAR stands for Situation, Background,
Assessment, Recommendation. Background includes relevant
, medical history and admission diagnosis. Option A is
Situation, B is Assessment, D is Recommendation.
A nurse observes another nurse administering a medication
without checking the client’s identification band. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Report the observation to the nurse manager
B. Speak directly to the nurse about the safety breach
C. Complete an incident report
D. Remove the medication from the client’s room
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The first action in a potential safety violation is to
address the concern directly with the involved nurse to prevent
immediate harm, unless the situation is dangerous or the
nurse is impaired. Reporting and documentation follow.
A charge nurse is discussing critical thinking with a group of
new graduates. Which of the following statements by a new
graduate demonstrates an understanding of critical thinking
in nursing?
A. “Critical thinking means following physician orders without
question.”
B. “I should base my decisions solely on hospital policies.”
C. “Critical thinking involves questioning assumptions and
considering alternatives.”
D. “Critical thinking is only necessary during emergencies.”
NURSING CONCEPTS EXAM GUIDE 2026 EDITION
A nurse is using clinical reasoning to prioritize care for four
clients. Which action best demonstrates the “analysis” step of
the clinical judgment process?
A. Noting that a client’s blood pressure is 88/52 mm Hg
B. Collecting a client’s pain level using a 0–10 scale
C. Recognizing that a hypotensive client is at risk for falls
D. Delegating oral care to unlicensed assistive personnel
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Analysis involves clustering cues and recognizing
patterns to identify client problems or risks. Option A is data
collection, B is assessment, D is implementation. Only C shows
interpretation of data to form a conclusion.
A nurse receives change-of-shift report on four clients. Which
client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with pneumonia, oxygen saturation 94% on 2 L
, nasal cannula
B. Client with diabetes mellitus, blood glucose 180 mg/dL
C. Client with heart failure, +1 pedal edema and weight gain
of 0.5 kg in 24 hours
D. Client with postoperative abdominal pain, heart rate
118/min and blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Tachycardia with borderline hypotension in a
postoperative client may indicate hypovolemia or bleeding.
This client is unstable. The others have findings that are
abnormal but not immediately life-threatening.
A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for
lisinopril. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will report any swelling of my lips or tongue.”
B. “I can take this medication with food if it upsets my
stomach.”
C. “I will stop taking this medication if I develop a dry
cough.”
D. “I should avoid salt substitutes while taking this medicine.”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A dry cough is a known side effect of ACE
inhibitors but should be reported to the provider, not self-
discontinued abruptly, which can cause rebound hypertension.
The other statements are correct.
,A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an unlicensed assistive
personnel (UAP). Which of the following tasks should the
nurse delegate?
A. Assessing a client’s ability to swallow after a stroke
B. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
C. Measuring orthostatic blood pressures for a client with
dizziness
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a pain medication
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: UAPs can perform routine measurements
including blood pressure. Assessment, teaching, and
evaluation require licensed nursing judgment and cannot be
delegated.
A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool to call a provider
about a client’s change in condition. Which statement
reflects the “Background” component?
A. “The client’s respiratory rate has increased from 18 to 28
breaths per minute.”
B. “I think the client may be developing pneumonia.”
C. “The client is a 72-year-old with COPD who had a hip
replacement yesterday.”
D. “I recommend obtaining a chest x-ray and starting
antibiotics.”
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: SBAR stands for Situation, Background,
Assessment, Recommendation. Background includes relevant
, medical history and admission diagnosis. Option A is
Situation, B is Assessment, D is Recommendation.
A nurse observes another nurse administering a medication
without checking the client’s identification band. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Report the observation to the nurse manager
B. Speak directly to the nurse about the safety breach
C. Complete an incident report
D. Remove the medication from the client’s room
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The first action in a potential safety violation is to
address the concern directly with the involved nurse to prevent
immediate harm, unless the situation is dangerous or the
nurse is impaired. Reporting and documentation follow.
A charge nurse is discussing critical thinking with a group of
new graduates. Which of the following statements by a new
graduate demonstrates an understanding of critical thinking
in nursing?
A. “Critical thinking means following physician orders without
question.”
B. “I should base my decisions solely on hospital policies.”
C. “Critical thinking involves questioning assumptions and
considering alternatives.”
D. “Critical thinking is only necessary during emergencies.”
