ATI CRITICAL THINKING EXAM 2026/2027 | FOR ATI PROCTORED EXAM
PREPARATION
ATI Critical Thinking Examination for Nursing
Core Domains: Critical Thinking Levels (Basic, Complex, Commitment), Critical Thinking Skills
(Interpretation, Analysis, Inference, Evaluation, Explanation, Self-Regulation), Priority-Setting
Frameworks (Safety & Risk Reduction, Least Restrictive/Least Invasive, Survival Potential, Acute vs.
Chronic, Urgent vs. Nonurgent, Unstable vs. Stable), Critical Thinking Attitudes, Logical Reasoning &
Deductive Arguments, Clinical Decision-Making, and Test-Taking Strategies for Priority Questions |
Nursing Education & NCLEX-RN® Focus
Exam Structure
The ATI Critical Thinking Exam for the 2026/2027 testing cycle is a comprehensive assessment designed
to evaluate clinical judgment and reasoning skills essential for nursing practice. The exam includes logical
reasoning questions, clinical scenario-based items, and priority-setting questions that require application
of critical thinking frameworks to patient care situations.
Introduction
This ATI Critical Thinking Exam guide for the 2026/2027 academic year provides comprehensive
preparation for the ATI proctored examination. It covers the essential components of critical thinking in
nursing, including levels of critical thinking development, specific critical thinking skills used throughout
the nursing process, priority-setting frameworks for clinical decision-making, and logical reasoning
principles. Mastery of these concepts is essential for success on the ATI proctored exam and for safe,
effective nursing practice.
Answer Format
All correct critical thinking applications, clinical judgments, and logical conclusions must be presented in
bold and green, followed by detailed rationales that explain the underlying critical thinking framework,
priority-setting principles, and clinical reasoning processes that justify each answer.
60 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
1. Critical Thinking Levels
1. Which of the following best describes the basic level of critical thinking in nursing?
A. Applying evidence-based practice guidelines to complex patient scenarios
B. Recognizing the need for additional information before making a decision
C. Following established protocols without questioning their rationale
, D. Evaluating the ethical implications of a clinical decision
C. Following established protocols without questioning their rationale
The basic level of critical thinking involves following rules and routines without deeper analysis or
questioning, such as adhering to protocols or standard procedures.
2. A nurse who analyzes multiple patient cues and synthesizes information to develop a
plan of care is demonstrating which level of critical thinking?
A. Basic
B. Complex
C. Commitment
D. Novice
B. Complex
The complex level of critical thinking involves analyzing, synthesizing, and prioritizing information to
make clinical judgments, such as developing a patient-specific plan of care.
3. Which of the following actions reflects the commitment level of critical thinking?
A. Adhering strictly to physician orders without assessment
B. Advocating for a patient's right to refuse treatment based on ethical principles
C. Documenting vital signs as ordered
D. Following a checklist for patient admission
B. Advocating for a patient's right to refuse treatment based on ethical principles
The commitment level of critical thinking involves integrating ethical, legal, and professional
standards into practice, such as advocating for patient rights and making value-based decisions.
,2. Critical Thinking Skills
4. A nurse reviews a patient's laboratory results and identifies an abnormal potassium
level. This action demonstrates which critical thinking skill?
A. Interpretation
B. Analysis
C. Inference
D. Evaluation
A. Interpretation
Interpretation involves understanding and clarifying the meaning of data, such as recognizing an
abnormal lab value and its significance.
5. A nurse compares two possible interventions for a patient with hypertension and selects
the one with the best evidence-based outcome. This demonstrates which critical thinking
skill?
A. Explanation
B. Evaluation
C. Analysis
D. Self-regulation
B. Evaluation
Evaluation involves assessing the quality, credibility, or relevance of information or interventions,
such as selecting the best evidence-based option.
6. A nurse explains the rationale for administering a medication to a patient. This action
reflects which critical thinking skill?
A. Inference
, B. Explanation
C. Analysis
D. Interpretation
B. Explanation
Explanation involves clearly communicating the reasoning or justification behind a decision or action,
such as explaining the purpose of a medication to a patient.
3. Priority-Setting Frameworks
Scenario: A nurse is caring for four patients. Patient A has a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL, Patient B is 2
days post-op with stable vital signs, Patient C has a new onset of chest pain, and Patient D is requesting
pain medication for chronic back pain.
7. Using the safety and risk reduction framework, which patient should the nurse assess
FIRST?
A. Patient A
B. Patient B
C. Patient C
D. Patient D
C. Patient C
Using the safety and risk reduction framework, the nurse should prioritize the patient with the
highest immediate risk. New onset chest pain suggests a potential cardiac event, which is
life-threatening and requires immediate assessment. Hypoglycemia (Patient A) is also urgent but less
immediately life-threatening than chest pain.
Scenario: A nurse must choose between applying a warm compress or administering an ordered PRN
analgesic for a patient with postoperative pain.
8. According to the least restrictive/least invasive framework, which intervention should
the nurse implement FIRST?
PREPARATION
ATI Critical Thinking Examination for Nursing
Core Domains: Critical Thinking Levels (Basic, Complex, Commitment), Critical Thinking Skills
(Interpretation, Analysis, Inference, Evaluation, Explanation, Self-Regulation), Priority-Setting
Frameworks (Safety & Risk Reduction, Least Restrictive/Least Invasive, Survival Potential, Acute vs.
Chronic, Urgent vs. Nonurgent, Unstable vs. Stable), Critical Thinking Attitudes, Logical Reasoning &
Deductive Arguments, Clinical Decision-Making, and Test-Taking Strategies for Priority Questions |
Nursing Education & NCLEX-RN® Focus
Exam Structure
The ATI Critical Thinking Exam for the 2026/2027 testing cycle is a comprehensive assessment designed
to evaluate clinical judgment and reasoning skills essential for nursing practice. The exam includes logical
reasoning questions, clinical scenario-based items, and priority-setting questions that require application
of critical thinking frameworks to patient care situations.
Introduction
This ATI Critical Thinking Exam guide for the 2026/2027 academic year provides comprehensive
preparation for the ATI proctored examination. It covers the essential components of critical thinking in
nursing, including levels of critical thinking development, specific critical thinking skills used throughout
the nursing process, priority-setting frameworks for clinical decision-making, and logical reasoning
principles. Mastery of these concepts is essential for success on the ATI proctored exam and for safe,
effective nursing practice.
Answer Format
All correct critical thinking applications, clinical judgments, and logical conclusions must be presented in
bold and green, followed by detailed rationales that explain the underlying critical thinking framework,
priority-setting principles, and clinical reasoning processes that justify each answer.
60 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
1. Critical Thinking Levels
1. Which of the following best describes the basic level of critical thinking in nursing?
A. Applying evidence-based practice guidelines to complex patient scenarios
B. Recognizing the need for additional information before making a decision
C. Following established protocols without questioning their rationale
, D. Evaluating the ethical implications of a clinical decision
C. Following established protocols without questioning their rationale
The basic level of critical thinking involves following rules and routines without deeper analysis or
questioning, such as adhering to protocols or standard procedures.
2. A nurse who analyzes multiple patient cues and synthesizes information to develop a
plan of care is demonstrating which level of critical thinking?
A. Basic
B. Complex
C. Commitment
D. Novice
B. Complex
The complex level of critical thinking involves analyzing, synthesizing, and prioritizing information to
make clinical judgments, such as developing a patient-specific plan of care.
3. Which of the following actions reflects the commitment level of critical thinking?
A. Adhering strictly to physician orders without assessment
B. Advocating for a patient's right to refuse treatment based on ethical principles
C. Documenting vital signs as ordered
D. Following a checklist for patient admission
B. Advocating for a patient's right to refuse treatment based on ethical principles
The commitment level of critical thinking involves integrating ethical, legal, and professional
standards into practice, such as advocating for patient rights and making value-based decisions.
,2. Critical Thinking Skills
4. A nurse reviews a patient's laboratory results and identifies an abnormal potassium
level. This action demonstrates which critical thinking skill?
A. Interpretation
B. Analysis
C. Inference
D. Evaluation
A. Interpretation
Interpretation involves understanding and clarifying the meaning of data, such as recognizing an
abnormal lab value and its significance.
5. A nurse compares two possible interventions for a patient with hypertension and selects
the one with the best evidence-based outcome. This demonstrates which critical thinking
skill?
A. Explanation
B. Evaluation
C. Analysis
D. Self-regulation
B. Evaluation
Evaluation involves assessing the quality, credibility, or relevance of information or interventions,
such as selecting the best evidence-based option.
6. A nurse explains the rationale for administering a medication to a patient. This action
reflects which critical thinking skill?
A. Inference
, B. Explanation
C. Analysis
D. Interpretation
B. Explanation
Explanation involves clearly communicating the reasoning or justification behind a decision or action,
such as explaining the purpose of a medication to a patient.
3. Priority-Setting Frameworks
Scenario: A nurse is caring for four patients. Patient A has a blood glucose of 45 mg/dL, Patient B is 2
days post-op with stable vital signs, Patient C has a new onset of chest pain, and Patient D is requesting
pain medication for chronic back pain.
7. Using the safety and risk reduction framework, which patient should the nurse assess
FIRST?
A. Patient A
B. Patient B
C. Patient C
D. Patient D
C. Patient C
Using the safety and risk reduction framework, the nurse should prioritize the patient with the
highest immediate risk. New onset chest pain suggests a potential cardiac event, which is
life-threatening and requires immediate assessment. Hypoglycemia (Patient A) is also urgent but less
immediately life-threatening than chest pain.
Scenario: A nurse must choose between applying a warm compress or administering an ordered PRN
analgesic for a patient with postoperative pain.
8. According to the least restrictive/least invasive framework, which intervention should
the nurse implement FIRST?
