ATI PN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2026/2027
– NGN Format | 180 Authentic Questions
with 100% Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | A+ Graded
SECTION I — FUNDAMENTALS & SAFETY (1–20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a client's 0900 medications. Which action best
demonstrates the "rights" of medication administration?
A. Documenting the medication before administration
B. Verifying the client using two identifiers
C. Preparing all medications for the shift at once
D. Leaving the medication at the bedside for the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the client with two identifiers (name and DOB or MRN)
is a core "right" and prevents misidentification errors. Documenting before
administration (A) risks falsifying the record if the dose is refused or held. Pre-
pouring a full shift's medications (C) increases error risk and is not best practice.
Leaving medication at the bedside (D) is unsafe — the nurse must observe the
client take it.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which statement by the
client indicates correct understanding of ostomy care?
A. "I should change the pouch every day."
B. "I should clean the skin around the stoma with alcohol."
C. "I should measure the stoma each time I change the wafer."
D. "I should expect stool to come from the stoma immediately after surgery."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The stoma shrinks over 6–8 weeks postoperatively, so the wafer
opening must be measured and cut to fit each time to prevent skin breakdown.
Pouches are typically changed every 3–7 days, not daily (A). Alcohol is drying and
,irritating to peristomal skin; warm water is used (B). Initially the stoma may not
function for 2–3 days until peristalsis returns (D).
3. SATA A nurse is implementing fall precautions for an older adult. Which
interventions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position
B. Apply a bed alarm for a client at high risk
C. Use a floor mat beside the bed
D. Restrain the client to prevent getting up
E. Ensure the call light is within reach
F. Keep the side rails up on all four sides
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Low bed height, bed alarms, floor mats, and an accessible call light
are evidence-based fall precautions. Restraints (D) require a provider order, are a
last resort, and increase injury risk. Full four-side rails (F) are considered a
restraint and can cause entrapment/injury; typically only two upper rails are used
for repositioning.
4. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the PQRST method. Which question
reflects the "R" component?
A. "What makes the pain better or worse?"
B. "Where is the pain located?"
C. "How would you describe the pain?"
D. "When did the pain start?"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PQRST = Provocation/Palliation (what makes it better/worse),
Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing. "What makes it better or worse" is
Provocation/Palliation. B is Region, C is Quality, D is Timing.
5. A client is admitted with dehydration. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Decreased urine output with dark amber color
C. Moist mucous membranes
D. Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dehydration causes concentrated urine (dark amber) and oliguria as
the kidneys conserve water. Bounding pulse, moist mucous membranes, and rapid
weight gain are signs of fluid overload, not deficit.
6. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action breaks sterile
technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Holding sterile items above waist level
C. Reaching over the sterile field with a non-sterile arm
D. Using sterile gloves to arrange sterile supplies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it, because the nurse's
arm is not sterile and shed microorganisms fall into the field. The other actions are
consistent with sterile technique.
7. A client with dysphagia is at risk for aspiration. Which intervention is the
priority?
A. Provide thin liquids with meals
B. Position the client upright at 90 degrees during meals
C. Encourage large bites to stimulate swallowing
D. Offer a straw with all liquids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-Fowler's/upright positioning uses gravity to keep food
moving downward and is the priority aspiration precaution. Thin liquids (A) and
straws (D) increase aspiration risk; thickened liquids and no straws are preferred.
Large bites (C) increase choking risk.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
client avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Plain rice
D. Grilled chicken without seasoning
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium due to added salt as a
preservative. Fresh fruits, plain rice, and unseasoned grilled chicken are low-
sodium choices.
9. A nurse notes a client's IV site is cool, pale, and swollen. What is the priority
action?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Apply a warm compress and continue the infusion
C. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
D. Massage the site
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cool, pale, swollen tissue indicates infiltration (fluid in tissue). The
nurse must stop the infusion, remove the catheter, elevate the extremity, and apply
a compress per protocol. Continuing or increasing the rate worsens infiltration;
massaging can damage tissue.
10. A nurse is documenting in the client's chart. Which entry is appropriate?
A. "Client is being difficult about medications."
B. "Client refused 0900 metoprolol; stated 'I feel dizzy.' Provider notified."
C. "Client seems off today."
D. "Client probably didn't take meds at home."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective, factual documentation includes what was observed,
what the client said (in quotes), and what actions were taken. Subjective labels
("difficult," "off," "probably") are inappropriate and legally indefensible.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action
prevents CAUTI?
A. Irrigating the catheter routinely
B. Keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
C. Disconnecting the tubing to obtain specimens
D. Changing the catheter every 24 hours
– NGN Format | 180 Authentic Questions
with 100% Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | A+ Graded
SECTION I — FUNDAMENTALS & SAFETY (1–20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a client's 0900 medications. Which action best
demonstrates the "rights" of medication administration?
A. Documenting the medication before administration
B. Verifying the client using two identifiers
C. Preparing all medications for the shift at once
D. Leaving the medication at the bedside for the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the client with two identifiers (name and DOB or MRN)
is a core "right" and prevents misidentification errors. Documenting before
administration (A) risks falsifying the record if the dose is refused or held. Pre-
pouring a full shift's medications (C) increases error risk and is not best practice.
Leaving medication at the bedside (D) is unsafe — the nurse must observe the
client take it.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which statement by the
client indicates correct understanding of ostomy care?
A. "I should change the pouch every day."
B. "I should clean the skin around the stoma with alcohol."
C. "I should measure the stoma each time I change the wafer."
D. "I should expect stool to come from the stoma immediately after surgery."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The stoma shrinks over 6–8 weeks postoperatively, so the wafer
opening must be measured and cut to fit each time to prevent skin breakdown.
Pouches are typically changed every 3–7 days, not daily (A). Alcohol is drying and
,irritating to peristomal skin; warm water is used (B). Initially the stoma may not
function for 2–3 days until peristalsis returns (D).
3. SATA A nurse is implementing fall precautions for an older adult. Which
interventions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position
B. Apply a bed alarm for a client at high risk
C. Use a floor mat beside the bed
D. Restrain the client to prevent getting up
E. Ensure the call light is within reach
F. Keep the side rails up on all four sides
Correct Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Low bed height, bed alarms, floor mats, and an accessible call light
are evidence-based fall precautions. Restraints (D) require a provider order, are a
last resort, and increase injury risk. Full four-side rails (F) are considered a
restraint and can cause entrapment/injury; typically only two upper rails are used
for repositioning.
4. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the PQRST method. Which question
reflects the "R" component?
A. "What makes the pain better or worse?"
B. "Where is the pain located?"
C. "How would you describe the pain?"
D. "When did the pain start?"
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PQRST = Provocation/Palliation (what makes it better/worse),
Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing. "What makes it better or worse" is
Provocation/Palliation. B is Region, C is Quality, D is Timing.
5. A client is admitted with dehydration. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Decreased urine output with dark amber color
C. Moist mucous membranes
D. Weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dehydration causes concentrated urine (dark amber) and oliguria as
the kidneys conserve water. Bounding pulse, moist mucous membranes, and rapid
weight gain are signs of fluid overload, not deficit.
6. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action breaks sterile
technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Holding sterile items above waist level
C. Reaching over the sterile field with a non-sterile arm
D. Using sterile gloves to arrange sterile supplies
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it, because the nurse's
arm is not sterile and shed microorganisms fall into the field. The other actions are
consistent with sterile technique.
7. A client with dysphagia is at risk for aspiration. Which intervention is the
priority?
A. Provide thin liquids with meals
B. Position the client upright at 90 degrees during meals
C. Encourage large bites to stimulate swallowing
D. Offer a straw with all liquids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-Fowler's/upright positioning uses gravity to keep food
moving downward and is the priority aspiration precaution. Thin liquids (A) and
straws (D) increase aspiration risk; thickened liquids and no straws are preferred.
Large bites (C) increase choking risk.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
client avoid?
A. Fresh apples
B. Canned soup
C. Plain rice
D. Grilled chicken without seasoning
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium due to added salt as a
preservative. Fresh fruits, plain rice, and unseasoned grilled chicken are low-
sodium choices.
9. A nurse notes a client's IV site is cool, pale, and swollen. What is the priority
action?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Apply a warm compress and continue the infusion
C. Stop the infusion and remove the IV
D. Massage the site
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cool, pale, swollen tissue indicates infiltration (fluid in tissue). The
nurse must stop the infusion, remove the catheter, elevate the extremity, and apply
a compress per protocol. Continuing or increasing the rate worsens infiltration;
massaging can damage tissue.
10. A nurse is documenting in the client's chart. Which entry is appropriate?
A. "Client is being difficult about medications."
B. "Client refused 0900 metoprolol; stated 'I feel dizzy.' Provider notified."
C. "Client seems off today."
D. "Client probably didn't take meds at home."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Objective, factual documentation includes what was observed,
what the client said (in quotes), and what actions were taken. Subjective labels
("difficult," "off," "probably") are inappropriate and legally indefensible.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action
prevents CAUTI?
A. Irrigating the catheter routinely
B. Keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
C. Disconnecting the tubing to obtain specimens
D. Changing the catheter every 24 hours
