1|Page
ATI CBC LEVEL 2 EXAM MASTERY 2026
## COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE TEST WITH
OVER 250+ QUESTIONS & DETAILED
RATIONALES
# MODULE 1: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING (Questions 1-40)
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving positive end-expiratory pressure
(PEEP) via mechanical ventilation. The nurse should monitor the client for which
of the following adverse effects of PEEP?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pleural effusion
D. Atelectasis
**Answer: A. Tension pneumothorax**
**Rationale:** PEEP increases intrathoracic pressure, which can cause barotrauma
leading to pneumothorax. The nurse should monitor lung sounds hourly for
indications of tension pneumothorax, such as tracheal deviation, absent breath
sounds on one side, and distended neck veins .
,2|Page
**Wrong Answers Explanation:**
- **B. Pulmonary embolism:** Not directly caused by PEEP; PE results from
thrombus formation.
- **C. Pleural effusion:** Not a direct adverse effect of PEEP.
- **D. Atelectasis:** PEEP actually helps prevent atelectasis by keeping alveoli
open.
---
**Question 2**
A nurse is assessing a client who received 2 units of packed RBCs 48 hours ago.
Which finding should indicate to the nurse that the therapy has been effective?
A. Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL
B. Hematocrit 32%
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
D. Heart rate 88 bpm
---
**Answer: A. Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL**
**Rationale:** The primary goal of packed RBC transfusion is to increase
hemoglobin levels. Normal hemoglobin for females is 12-16 g/dL and for males is
14-18 g/dL. A hemoglobin of 14.9 g/dL indicates the therapy has been effective .
,3|Page
**Wrong Answers Explanation:**
- **B. Hematocrit 32%:** This is below normal (37-52%) and indicates continued
anemia.
- **C. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg:** While stable BP is good, it does not
specifically indicate effectiveness of RBC therapy.
- **D. Heart rate 88 bpm:** Tachycardia may persist despite transfusion;
hemoglobin is the definitive indicator.
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is caring for a client who has fluid volume overload. Which of the
following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Measure the client's daily weight
B. Assess the client's lung sounds
C. Evaluate the client's intake and output
D. Monitor the client's level of consciousness
---
**Answer: A. Measure the client's daily weight**
, 4|Page
**Rationale:** Measuring daily weight is a routine, non-invasive task that can be
delegated to AP. Assessment of lung sounds, evaluation of intake and output, and
monitoring LOC require nursing clinical judgment .
**Wrong Answers Explanation:**
- **B. Assess the client's lung sounds:** Requires nursing assessment skills.
- **C. Evaluate the client's intake and output:** Requires nursing judgment.
- **D. Monitor the client's level of consciousness:** Requires nursing assessment.
---
**Question 4**
A nurse is preparing to administer mannitol 0.2 g/kg IV bolus over 5 min as a test
dose to a client who has severe oliguria. The client weighs 198 lb. What is the
amount in grams the nurse should administer? (Round to the nearest whole
number.)
A. 18 g
B. 20 g
C. 22 g
D. 16 g
---
**Answer: A. 18 g**
ATI CBC LEVEL 2 EXAM MASTERY 2026
## COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE TEST WITH
OVER 250+ QUESTIONS & DETAILED
RATIONALES
# MODULE 1: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING (Questions 1-40)
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving positive end-expiratory pressure
(PEEP) via mechanical ventilation. The nurse should monitor the client for which
of the following adverse effects of PEEP?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pleural effusion
D. Atelectasis
**Answer: A. Tension pneumothorax**
**Rationale:** PEEP increases intrathoracic pressure, which can cause barotrauma
leading to pneumothorax. The nurse should monitor lung sounds hourly for
indications of tension pneumothorax, such as tracheal deviation, absent breath
sounds on one side, and distended neck veins .
,2|Page
**Wrong Answers Explanation:**
- **B. Pulmonary embolism:** Not directly caused by PEEP; PE results from
thrombus formation.
- **C. Pleural effusion:** Not a direct adverse effect of PEEP.
- **D. Atelectasis:** PEEP actually helps prevent atelectasis by keeping alveoli
open.
---
**Question 2**
A nurse is assessing a client who received 2 units of packed RBCs 48 hours ago.
Which finding should indicate to the nurse that the therapy has been effective?
A. Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL
B. Hematocrit 32%
C. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg
D. Heart rate 88 bpm
---
**Answer: A. Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL**
**Rationale:** The primary goal of packed RBC transfusion is to increase
hemoglobin levels. Normal hemoglobin for females is 12-16 g/dL and for males is
14-18 g/dL. A hemoglobin of 14.9 g/dL indicates the therapy has been effective .
,3|Page
**Wrong Answers Explanation:**
- **B. Hematocrit 32%:** This is below normal (37-52%) and indicates continued
anemia.
- **C. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg:** While stable BP is good, it does not
specifically indicate effectiveness of RBC therapy.
- **D. Heart rate 88 bpm:** Tachycardia may persist despite transfusion;
hemoglobin is the definitive indicator.
---
**Question 3**
A nurse is caring for a client who has fluid volume overload. Which of the
following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Measure the client's daily weight
B. Assess the client's lung sounds
C. Evaluate the client's intake and output
D. Monitor the client's level of consciousness
---
**Answer: A. Measure the client's daily weight**
, 4|Page
**Rationale:** Measuring daily weight is a routine, non-invasive task that can be
delegated to AP. Assessment of lung sounds, evaluation of intake and output, and
monitoring LOC require nursing clinical judgment .
**Wrong Answers Explanation:**
- **B. Assess the client's lung sounds:** Requires nursing assessment skills.
- **C. Evaluate the client's intake and output:** Requires nursing judgment.
- **D. Monitor the client's level of consciousness:** Requires nursing assessment.
---
**Question 4**
A nurse is preparing to administer mannitol 0.2 g/kg IV bolus over 5 min as a test
dose to a client who has severe oliguria. The client weighs 198 lb. What is the
amount in grams the nurse should administer? (Round to the nearest whole
number.)
A. 18 g
B. 20 g
C. 22 g
D. 16 g
---
**Answer: A. 18 g**
