ATI PN Exit Examination Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a 24-hour urine
collection. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Begin the collection with the first urine of the day.
B. Discard the first urine of the day and collect all urine for the next 24 hours.
C. Collect urine for 12 hours only.
D. Refrigerate the first urine but keep the rest at room temperature.
Answer: B
Rationale: The first urine of the day is discarded because it contains urine from
before the collection period. All subsequent urine is collected for 24 hours to
measure substances accurately.
2. A client with chronic heart failure reports increased shortness of breath
and swelling in the legs. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a daily weight.
B. Assess lung sounds.
C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
D. Prepare for discharge teaching.
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing lung sounds identifies possible pulmonary edema, which is
an acute complication requiring immediate intervention.
3. Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset of action?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous
,Answer: D
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the
bloodstream, producing the fastest therapeutic effect.
4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client prescribed warfarin. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I will take aspirin for any headaches.”
B. “I should avoid foods high in vitamin K.”
C. “I will double the dose if I miss a dose.”
D. “I do not need to monitor my INR regularly.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin, so clients should
maintain consistent intake and avoid excessive amounts.
5. A client with diabetes mellitus reports a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate.
C. Encourage exercise.
D. Call the provider immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is treated promptly with fast-acting carbohydrates to
raise blood glucose and prevent complications.
6. Which finding in a postoperative client should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
B. Serosanguinous drainage on dressing
C. Temperature 102.4°F (39.1°C)
D. Mild incisional discomfort
,Answer: C
Rationale: A high fever may indicate infection and requires prompt evaluation
and intervention.
7. A client is receiving IV morphine for pain. Which assessment indicates the
nurse should intervene immediately?
A. Respiratory rate 8/min
B. Pain rating 6/10
C. Mild nausea
D. Heart rate 90/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression; a rate below 10/min is a
priority for immediate intervention.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for furosemide.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will take this medication at bedtime.”
B. “I will limit my fluid intake to 500 mL/day.”
C. “I will monitor my weight daily.”
D. “I do not need to monitor potassium levels.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weights help monitor fluid loss and effectiveness of diuretics,
and potassium levels should also be monitored due to risk of hypokalemia.
9. Which laboratory value indicates a client may have iron-deficiency
anemia?
A. Hemoglobin 12.5 g/dL
B. Hematocrit 38%
C. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 70 fL
D. White blood cell count 6,000/mm³
, Answer: C
Rationale: Low MCV indicates microcytic anemia, commonly caused by iron
deficiency.
10. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client prescribed digoxin. Which
instruction is most important?
A. Check pulse daily before taking the medication.
B. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables.
C. Take the medication only when experiencing chest pain.
D. Avoid exercising while on this medication.
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. Clients must check their pulse and
withhold the medication if below the prescribed threshold.
11. Which is the most appropriate action when a client refuses a prescribed
medication?
A. Document refusal and inform the provider.
B. Force the client to take it.
C. Give a double dose the next day.
D. Ignore the refusal.
Answer: A
Rationale: Client autonomy is respected; refusal is documented and the
provider notified for further instructions.
12. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which
intervention helps prevent aspiration?
A. Keep the head of the bed flat during feeding.
B. Verify tube placement before each feeding.
C. Flush the tube only once per day.
D. Remove the tube after each feeding.
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a 24-hour urine
collection. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Begin the collection with the first urine of the day.
B. Discard the first urine of the day and collect all urine for the next 24 hours.
C. Collect urine for 12 hours only.
D. Refrigerate the first urine but keep the rest at room temperature.
Answer: B
Rationale: The first urine of the day is discarded because it contains urine from
before the collection period. All subsequent urine is collected for 24 hours to
measure substances accurately.
2. A client with chronic heart failure reports increased shortness of breath
and swelling in the legs. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a daily weight.
B. Assess lung sounds.
C. Encourage increased fluid intake.
D. Prepare for discharge teaching.
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing lung sounds identifies possible pulmonary edema, which is
an acute complication requiring immediate intervention.
3. Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset of action?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Subcutaneous
D. Intravenous
,Answer: D
Rationale: Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the
bloodstream, producing the fastest therapeutic effect.
4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client prescribed warfarin. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I will take aspirin for any headaches.”
B. “I should avoid foods high in vitamin K.”
C. “I will double the dose if I miss a dose.”
D. “I do not need to monitor my INR regularly.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin, so clients should
maintain consistent intake and avoid excessive amounts.
5. A client with diabetes mellitus reports a blood glucose of 52 mg/dL. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer insulin.
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate.
C. Encourage exercise.
D. Call the provider immediately.
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is treated promptly with fast-acting carbohydrates to
raise blood glucose and prevent complications.
6. Which finding in a postoperative client should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
B. Serosanguinous drainage on dressing
C. Temperature 102.4°F (39.1°C)
D. Mild incisional discomfort
,Answer: C
Rationale: A high fever may indicate infection and requires prompt evaluation
and intervention.
7. A client is receiving IV morphine for pain. Which assessment indicates the
nurse should intervene immediately?
A. Respiratory rate 8/min
B. Pain rating 6/10
C. Mild nausea
D. Heart rate 90/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression; a rate below 10/min is a
priority for immediate intervention.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for furosemide.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will take this medication at bedtime.”
B. “I will limit my fluid intake to 500 mL/day.”
C. “I will monitor my weight daily.”
D. “I do not need to monitor potassium levels.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weights help monitor fluid loss and effectiveness of diuretics,
and potassium levels should also be monitored due to risk of hypokalemia.
9. Which laboratory value indicates a client may have iron-deficiency
anemia?
A. Hemoglobin 12.5 g/dL
B. Hematocrit 38%
C. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) 70 fL
D. White blood cell count 6,000/mm³
, Answer: C
Rationale: Low MCV indicates microcytic anemia, commonly caused by iron
deficiency.
10. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client prescribed digoxin. Which
instruction is most important?
A. Check pulse daily before taking the medication.
B. Increase intake of green leafy vegetables.
C. Take the medication only when experiencing chest pain.
D. Avoid exercising while on this medication.
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. Clients must check their pulse and
withhold the medication if below the prescribed threshold.
11. Which is the most appropriate action when a client refuses a prescribed
medication?
A. Document refusal and inform the provider.
B. Force the client to take it.
C. Give a double dose the next day.
D. Ignore the refusal.
Answer: A
Rationale: Client autonomy is respected; refusal is documented and the
provider notified for further instructions.
12. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which
intervention helps prevent aspiration?
A. Keep the head of the bed flat during feeding.
B. Verify tube placement before each feeding.
C. Flush the tube only once per day.
D. Remove the tube after each feeding.
