ATI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND RATIONALES
The is a comprehensive nal exit exam for nursing students, part of the ATI (Assessment
Technologies Institute) testing framework. It covers a wide range of nursing topics,
including emergency care, maternal-newborn care, mental health, pharmacology, medical-
surgical nursing, pediatrics, and community health. The questions test clinical knowledge,
critical thinking, and application of nursing interventions.
Question 1
Question: A nurse in an emergency department completes an assessment on an adolescent client
with conduct disorder who threatened suicide to a teacher at school. Which statement should the
nurse include in the assessment?
a) Tell me about your siblings
b) Tell me what kind of music you like
c) Tell me how often do you drink alcohol
d) Tell me about your school schedule
Answer: c) Tell me how often do you drink alcohol
Rationale: In assessing a client with conduct disorder and suicidal ideation, substance use (e.g.,
alcohol) is critical to evaluate, as it can exacerbate mental health issues and increase suicide risk.
Options a, b, and d are less relevant to immediate risk assessment.
Question 2
Question: A nurse is observing bonding to the client and her newborn. Which action by the
client requires the nurse to intervene?
a) Holding the newborn in an en face position
b) Asking the father to change the newborn’s diaper
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,c) Requesting the nurse take the newborn to the nursery so she can rest
d) Viewing the newborn’s actions to be uncooperative
Answer: d) Viewing the newborn’s actions to be uncooperative
Rationale: This perception suggests a potential issue with bonding, as it indicates the mother
may be misinterpreting normal newborn behavior negatively, which could affect attachment.
Options a and b are positive bonding behaviors, and c is a reasonable request for rest.
Question 3
Question: A nurse is caring for a client taking levothyroxine. Which nding indicates the
medication is effective?
a) Weight loss
b) Decreased blood pressure
c) Absence of seizures
d) Decrease in ammation
Answer: a) Weight loss
Rationale: Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism, and effective treatment normalizes
metabolism, often leading to weight loss. The document notes, “this drug acts as T4 and will
normalize the effects of hypothyroidism.” Other options are not directly related to
levothyroxine’s effects.
Question 4
Question: A nurse is planning discharge teaching for cord care for a newborn’s parent. Which
instruction should be included?
a) Contact provider if the cord still turns black
b) Clean the base of the cord with hydrogen peroxide daily
c) Keep the cord dry until it falls off
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,d) The cord stump will fall off in ve days
Answer: c) Keep the cord dry until it falls off
Rationale: The document states, “cord should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection.”
Option a is incorrect (cord naturally turns black), b is wrong (neutral pH cleanser is preferred),
and d is inaccurate (cord falls off in 10-14 days).
Question 5
Question: A nurse is assessing a client in the PACU. Which nding indicates decreased cardiac
output?
a) Shivering
b) Oliguria
c) Bradypnea
d) Constricted pupils
Answer: b) Oliguria
Rationale: Oliguria (low urine output) indicates poor renal perfusion, a sign of decreased cardiac
output. Shivering, bradypnea, and constricted pupils are not directly linked to cardiac output.
Question 6
Question: A nurse is assisting with mass casualty triage after a factory explosion. Which client
should be the priority?
a) A client with massive head trauma
b) A client with full-thickness burns to face and trunk
c) A client with indications of hypovolemic shock
d) A client with an open fracture of the lower extremity
Answer: c) A client with indications of hypovolemic shock
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, Rationale: In triage, hypovolemic shock is an immediate threat to life due to circulatory
collapse, requiring urgent intervention. Other conditions are severe but less immediately life-
threatening.
Question 7
Question: A nurse is receiving a report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
rst?
a) A client with an ileal conduit and mucus in the pouch
b) A client with pleasant arteriovenous additional vibration palpated
c) A client with chronic kidney disease with cloudy dialysate out ow
d) A client with transurethral resection of the prostate with red-tinged urine in the bag
Answer: c) A client with chronic kidney disease with cloudy dialysate out ow
Rationale: Cloudy dialysate suggests infection (e.g., peritonitis), a life-threatening complication
in peritoneal dialysis, requiring immediate assessment. Other ndings are less urgent.
Question 8
Question: A nurse is caring for a client who received the rst dose of lisinopril. Which is an
appropriate nursing intervention?
a) Place cardiac monitoring
b) Monitor the client’s oxygen saturation level
c) Provide standby assist when the client gets out of bed
d) Encourage foods high in potassium
Answer: c) Provide standby assist when the client gets out of bed
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause hypotension, especially after the rst dose,
increasing fall risk. Standby assistance ensures safety.
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QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND RATIONALES
The is a comprehensive nal exit exam for nursing students, part of the ATI (Assessment
Technologies Institute) testing framework. It covers a wide range of nursing topics,
including emergency care, maternal-newborn care, mental health, pharmacology, medical-
surgical nursing, pediatrics, and community health. The questions test clinical knowledge,
critical thinking, and application of nursing interventions.
Question 1
Question: A nurse in an emergency department completes an assessment on an adolescent client
with conduct disorder who threatened suicide to a teacher at school. Which statement should the
nurse include in the assessment?
a) Tell me about your siblings
b) Tell me what kind of music you like
c) Tell me how often do you drink alcohol
d) Tell me about your school schedule
Answer: c) Tell me how often do you drink alcohol
Rationale: In assessing a client with conduct disorder and suicidal ideation, substance use (e.g.,
alcohol) is critical to evaluate, as it can exacerbate mental health issues and increase suicide risk.
Options a, b, and d are less relevant to immediate risk assessment.
Question 2
Question: A nurse is observing bonding to the client and her newborn. Which action by the
client requires the nurse to intervene?
a) Holding the newborn in an en face position
b) Asking the father to change the newborn’s diaper
fi
,c) Requesting the nurse take the newborn to the nursery so she can rest
d) Viewing the newborn’s actions to be uncooperative
Answer: d) Viewing the newborn’s actions to be uncooperative
Rationale: This perception suggests a potential issue with bonding, as it indicates the mother
may be misinterpreting normal newborn behavior negatively, which could affect attachment.
Options a and b are positive bonding behaviors, and c is a reasonable request for rest.
Question 3
Question: A nurse is caring for a client taking levothyroxine. Which nding indicates the
medication is effective?
a) Weight loss
b) Decreased blood pressure
c) Absence of seizures
d) Decrease in ammation
Answer: a) Weight loss
Rationale: Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism, and effective treatment normalizes
metabolism, often leading to weight loss. The document notes, “this drug acts as T4 and will
normalize the effects of hypothyroidism.” Other options are not directly related to
levothyroxine’s effects.
Question 4
Question: A nurse is planning discharge teaching for cord care for a newborn’s parent. Which
instruction should be included?
a) Contact provider if the cord still turns black
b) Clean the base of the cord with hydrogen peroxide daily
c) Keep the cord dry until it falls off
fl fi
,d) The cord stump will fall off in ve days
Answer: c) Keep the cord dry until it falls off
Rationale: The document states, “cord should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection.”
Option a is incorrect (cord naturally turns black), b is wrong (neutral pH cleanser is preferred),
and d is inaccurate (cord falls off in 10-14 days).
Question 5
Question: A nurse is assessing a client in the PACU. Which nding indicates decreased cardiac
output?
a) Shivering
b) Oliguria
c) Bradypnea
d) Constricted pupils
Answer: b) Oliguria
Rationale: Oliguria (low urine output) indicates poor renal perfusion, a sign of decreased cardiac
output. Shivering, bradypnea, and constricted pupils are not directly linked to cardiac output.
Question 6
Question: A nurse is assisting with mass casualty triage after a factory explosion. Which client
should be the priority?
a) A client with massive head trauma
b) A client with full-thickness burns to face and trunk
c) A client with indications of hypovolemic shock
d) A client with an open fracture of the lower extremity
Answer: c) A client with indications of hypovolemic shock
fi fi
, Rationale: In triage, hypovolemic shock is an immediate threat to life due to circulatory
collapse, requiring urgent intervention. Other conditions are severe but less immediately life-
threatening.
Question 7
Question: A nurse is receiving a report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
rst?
a) A client with an ileal conduit and mucus in the pouch
b) A client with pleasant arteriovenous additional vibration palpated
c) A client with chronic kidney disease with cloudy dialysate out ow
d) A client with transurethral resection of the prostate with red-tinged urine in the bag
Answer: c) A client with chronic kidney disease with cloudy dialysate out ow
Rationale: Cloudy dialysate suggests infection (e.g., peritonitis), a life-threatening complication
in peritoneal dialysis, requiring immediate assessment. Other ndings are less urgent.
Question 8
Question: A nurse is caring for a client who received the rst dose of lisinopril. Which is an
appropriate nursing intervention?
a) Place cardiac monitoring
b) Monitor the client’s oxygen saturation level
c) Provide standby assist when the client gets out of bed
d) Encourage foods high in potassium
Answer: c) Provide standby assist when the client gets out of bed
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause hypotension, especially after the rst dose,
increasing fall risk. Standby assistance ensures safety.
fi fi fi fl fl fi
