ATI Exit Exam Retake 2025–2026: 300+ A+
Verified Questions & Rationales to Pass
on the First Attempt
1. A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
Which is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the finding
B) Encourage fluid intake
C) Notify the provider for possible fluid retention
D) Restrict sodium intake
Rationale: Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention and worsening heart
failure, requiring prompt provider notification.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a client on warfarin
therapy?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium
C) INR
D) WBC count
Rationale: INR (International Normalized Ratio) indicates coagulation status and
warfarin effectiveness.
,3. A client taking furosemide develops muscle weakness and irregular
heartbeat. What is the likely cause?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia and
cardiac arrhythmias.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which assessment finding
would require holding the medication?
A) Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B) Temperature 37°C
C) Apical pulse 48 bpm
D) Respiratory rate 20/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; it should be held if the apical pulse is below
60 bpm.
5. A client with COPD has PaO₂ of 55 mmHg. Which action is appropriate?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
C) Provide high-flow oxygen without monitoring
D) Restrict fluids
,Rationale: PaO₂ below 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia; supplemental oxygen is
required.
6. Which finding indicates effective treatment of hyperthyroidism?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Heart rate within normal range
D) Exophthalmos
Rationale: A normal heart rate indicates thyroid hormone levels are controlled.
7. A client is prescribed insulin glargine at bedtime. Which statement
indicates proper understanding?
A) “I will take it with meals.”
B) “I will monitor for rapid hypoglycemia after meals.”
C) “I will take it at the same time every night for steady insulin coverage.”
D) “I can mix it with regular insulin in one syringe.”
Rationale: Glargine is long-acting and should be administered at the same time
daily; it should not be mixed with other insulins.
8. A client with pneumonia has oxygen saturation of 88%. Which is the
priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage coughing exercises
B) Apply supplemental oxygen per provider order
, C) Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
D) Administer antipyretics
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia, requiring
immediate oxygen therapy.
9. Which client is at highest risk for developing pressure ulcers?
A) Ambulatory adult
B) Postoperative day 1 client walking independently
C) Bedridden elderly client with limited mobility
D) Teenager with a sprained ankle
Rationale: Immobility and age increase risk of skin breakdown.
10. Which is the most important teaching point for a client prescribed
metformin?
A) Take with a high-fat meal
B) Report symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise or muscle pain
C) Avoid potassium supplements
D) Skip doses if blood sugar is normal
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication of metformin therapy.
11. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) asks why they must be on
anticoagulants. Which is the best response?
Verified Questions & Rationales to Pass
on the First Attempt
1. A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
Which is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the finding
B) Encourage fluid intake
C) Notify the provider for possible fluid retention
D) Restrict sodium intake
Rationale: Rapid weight gain may indicate fluid retention and worsening heart
failure, requiring prompt provider notification.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor for a client on warfarin
therapy?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Potassium
C) INR
D) WBC count
Rationale: INR (International Normalized Ratio) indicates coagulation status and
warfarin effectiveness.
,3. A client taking furosemide develops muscle weakness and irregular
heartbeat. What is the likely cause?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypernatremia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics can cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia and
cardiac arrhythmias.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which assessment finding
would require holding the medication?
A) Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B) Temperature 37°C
C) Apical pulse 48 bpm
D) Respiratory rate 20/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate; it should be held if the apical pulse is below
60 bpm.
5. A client with COPD has PaO₂ of 55 mmHg. Which action is appropriate?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Administer supplemental oxygen as prescribed
C) Provide high-flow oxygen without monitoring
D) Restrict fluids
,Rationale: PaO₂ below 60 mmHg indicates hypoxemia; supplemental oxygen is
required.
6. Which finding indicates effective treatment of hyperthyroidism?
A) Weight loss
B) Heat intolerance
C) Heart rate within normal range
D) Exophthalmos
Rationale: A normal heart rate indicates thyroid hormone levels are controlled.
7. A client is prescribed insulin glargine at bedtime. Which statement
indicates proper understanding?
A) “I will take it with meals.”
B) “I will monitor for rapid hypoglycemia after meals.”
C) “I will take it at the same time every night for steady insulin coverage.”
D) “I can mix it with regular insulin in one syringe.”
Rationale: Glargine is long-acting and should be administered at the same time
daily; it should not be mixed with other insulins.
8. A client with pneumonia has oxygen saturation of 88%. Which is the
priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage coughing exercises
B) Apply supplemental oxygen per provider order
, C) Monitor vital signs every 4 hours
D) Administer antipyretics
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia, requiring
immediate oxygen therapy.
9. Which client is at highest risk for developing pressure ulcers?
A) Ambulatory adult
B) Postoperative day 1 client walking independently
C) Bedridden elderly client with limited mobility
D) Teenager with a sprained ankle
Rationale: Immobility and age increase risk of skin breakdown.
10. Which is the most important teaching point for a client prescribed
metformin?
A) Take with a high-fat meal
B) Report symptoms of lactic acidosis such as malaise or muscle pain
C) Avoid potassium supplements
D) Skip doses if blood sugar is normal
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious complication of metformin therapy.
11. A client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) asks why they must be on
anticoagulants. Which is the best response?
