RN VATI Leadership & Management Practice Assessment 2026/2027 version with
correct answers with rationales
1. The charge nurse is assigning clients to the nursing staff. Which client is most
appropriate for a newly licensed RN?
A. A client 24 hours post-appendectomy with stable vital signs.
B. A client requiring continuous titration of a vasoactive infusion.
C. A client admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis.
D. A client with chest pain awaiting thrombolytic therapy.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Newly licensed RNs should initially care for stable clients with predictable outcomes.
Clients requiring complex assessments or critical interventions should be assigned to
experienced nurses.
2. Which task can the RN safely delegate to an experienced UAP?
A. Obtain routine vital signs for a stable postoperative client.
B. Assess a client's pain level after medication administration.
C. Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
D. Develop the nursing care plan.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: UAPs may perform routine, noninvasive tasks such as obtaining vital signs.
Assessment, teaching, and care planning remain the RN's responsibility.
3. Which task is appropriate for delegation to an LPN/LVN?
A. Administer routine oral medications to a stable client, according to facility policy.
B. Perform the initial admission assessment.
C. Create the nursing plan of care.
D. Evaluate a client's response to a new treatment plan.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: LPN/LVNs can provide routine nursing care and administer medications within their
scope of practice. Initial assessments and evaluations are RN responsibilities.
,4. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client reporting sudden shortness of breath after surgery.
B. A client requesting assistance to the bathroom.
C. A client asking for discharge instructions.
D. A client requesting a snack.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath may indicate a life-threatening pulmonary embolism or
other acute complication and requires immediate assessment.
5. A nurse receives four client assignments. Which client is the priority?
A. A client with a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L and peaked T waves.
B. A client with chronic osteoarthritis pain rated 5/10.
C. A client requesting a dressing change.
D. A client awaiting routine discharge.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes is potentially life-threatening because of the
risk of fatal dysrhythmias.
6. Which action by the nurse demonstrates effective time management?
A. Prioritize care using client acuity and anticipated needs.
B. Complete tasks in the order received.
C. Perform all documentation at the end of the shift.
D. Delay medication administration until all assessments are complete.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Effective time management includes prioritizing based on client acuity and
organizing care efficiently.
7. Which client should be assigned to the charge nurse?
,A. A client receiving multiple titratable vasoactive infusions.
B. A stable postoperative client awaiting discharge.
C. A client with controlled hypertension.
D. A client requiring routine wound care.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Charge nurses or highly experienced nurses should manage clients requiring complex
clinical judgment and frequent reassessment.
8. A nurse discovers another nurse has documented medications that were never
administered. What should the nurse do first?
A. Report the incident according to facility policy.
B. Ignore the documentation.
C. Confront the nurse publicly.
D. Delete the documentation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falsification of documentation is a serious patient safety and ethical issue that must
be reported through the appropriate chain of command.
9. Which ethical principle is demonstrated when the nurse respects a client's
right to refuse treatment?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes a competent client's right to make informed decisions about
their healthcare.
10. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication. Which action is the
priority?
, A. Assess the client immediately and notify the provider according to policy.
B. Document only if symptoms occur.
C. Wait until the end of the shift to report the error.
D. Ask another nurse to document the medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Client safety is the priority. The nurse should assess the client, implement appropriate
interventions, and follow facility reporting procedures.
11. Which client requires airborne precautions?
A. A client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.
B. A client with influenza.
C. A client with MRSA in a wound.
D. A client with RSV.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including an airborne infection isolation
room and a fit-tested N95 respirator.
12. Which client should be placed in a private room?
A. A client with active Clostridioides difficile infection.
B. A client with stable hypertension.
C. A client recovering from cataract surgery.
D. A client with chronic arthritis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with C. difficile should be placed on contact precautions, ideally in a private
room.
13. Which statement by a nurse requires intervention by the charge nurse?
A. "I'll document the medication after I administer it."
B. "I'll chart the medication now so I don't forget later."
C. "I'll verify the client's identity before giving medications."
D. "I'll assess allergies before administering antibiotics."
correct answers with rationales
1. The charge nurse is assigning clients to the nursing staff. Which client is most
appropriate for a newly licensed RN?
A. A client 24 hours post-appendectomy with stable vital signs.
B. A client requiring continuous titration of a vasoactive infusion.
C. A client admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis.
D. A client with chest pain awaiting thrombolytic therapy.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Newly licensed RNs should initially care for stable clients with predictable outcomes.
Clients requiring complex assessments or critical interventions should be assigned to
experienced nurses.
2. Which task can the RN safely delegate to an experienced UAP?
A. Obtain routine vital signs for a stable postoperative client.
B. Assess a client's pain level after medication administration.
C. Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
D. Develop the nursing care plan.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: UAPs may perform routine, noninvasive tasks such as obtaining vital signs.
Assessment, teaching, and care planning remain the RN's responsibility.
3. Which task is appropriate for delegation to an LPN/LVN?
A. Administer routine oral medications to a stable client, according to facility policy.
B. Perform the initial admission assessment.
C. Create the nursing plan of care.
D. Evaluate a client's response to a new treatment plan.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: LPN/LVNs can provide routine nursing care and administer medications within their
scope of practice. Initial assessments and evaluations are RN responsibilities.
,4. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client reporting sudden shortness of breath after surgery.
B. A client requesting assistance to the bathroom.
C. A client asking for discharge instructions.
D. A client requesting a snack.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath may indicate a life-threatening pulmonary embolism or
other acute complication and requires immediate assessment.
5. A nurse receives four client assignments. Which client is the priority?
A. A client with a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L and peaked T waves.
B. A client with chronic osteoarthritis pain rated 5/10.
C. A client requesting a dressing change.
D. A client awaiting routine discharge.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes is potentially life-threatening because of the
risk of fatal dysrhythmias.
6. Which action by the nurse demonstrates effective time management?
A. Prioritize care using client acuity and anticipated needs.
B. Complete tasks in the order received.
C. Perform all documentation at the end of the shift.
D. Delay medication administration until all assessments are complete.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Effective time management includes prioritizing based on client acuity and
organizing care efficiently.
7. Which client should be assigned to the charge nurse?
,A. A client receiving multiple titratable vasoactive infusions.
B. A stable postoperative client awaiting discharge.
C. A client with controlled hypertension.
D. A client requiring routine wound care.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Charge nurses or highly experienced nurses should manage clients requiring complex
clinical judgment and frequent reassessment.
8. A nurse discovers another nurse has documented medications that were never
administered. What should the nurse do first?
A. Report the incident according to facility policy.
B. Ignore the documentation.
C. Confront the nurse publicly.
D. Delete the documentation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Falsification of documentation is a serious patient safety and ethical issue that must
be reported through the appropriate chain of command.
9. Which ethical principle is demonstrated when the nurse respects a client's
right to refuse treatment?
A. Autonomy
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
D. Fidelity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Autonomy recognizes a competent client's right to make informed decisions about
their healthcare.
10. A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication. Which action is the
priority?
, A. Assess the client immediately and notify the provider according to policy.
B. Document only if symptoms occur.
C. Wait until the end of the shift to report the error.
D. Ask another nurse to document the medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Client safety is the priority. The nurse should assess the client, implement appropriate
interventions, and follow facility reporting procedures.
11. Which client requires airborne precautions?
A. A client with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis.
B. A client with influenza.
C. A client with MRSA in a wound.
D. A client with RSV.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including an airborne infection isolation
room and a fit-tested N95 respirator.
12. Which client should be placed in a private room?
A. A client with active Clostridioides difficile infection.
B. A client with stable hypertension.
C. A client recovering from cataract surgery.
D. A client with chronic arthritis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with C. difficile should be placed on contact precautions, ideally in a private
room.
13. Which statement by a nurse requires intervention by the charge nurse?
A. "I'll document the medication after I administer it."
B. "I'll chart the medication now so I don't forget later."
C. "I'll verify the client's identity before giving medications."
D. "I'll assess allergies before administering antibiotics."
