ATI RN CONCEPT BASED ASSESSMENT LEVEL 3
PROCTORED EXAM 2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
• practice questions with answers and rationales for the ATI
RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 3 (Forms A & B).
These are organized by topic area and include Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) style questions.
,🚨 Prioritization & Emergency Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
• A. A client with diabetes mellitus reporting a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
• B. A client with heart failure who has gained 2 kg in 24 hours
• C. A client with asthma reporting shortness of breath and wheezing
• D. A client with a UTI reporting burning during urination
Correct Answer: C. A client with asthma reporting shortness of breath and
wheezing
Rationale: This client is experiencing respiratory distress, which is a priority due to the
risk of hypoxia and respiratory failure. The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) always
take precedence.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with septic shock. Which intervention is the
priority?
• A. Start D5W infusion
• B. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
• C. Give oral fluids
• D. Insert an NG tube
Correct Answer: B. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
Rationale: Antibiotics must be started within 1 hour of recognition of septic shock to
reduce mortality. This is a core measure for sepsis management.
,3. A patient presents with a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL, fruity breath odor, and
rapid, deep breathing. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• C. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
• D. Acute pancreatitis
Correct Answer: B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: The classic triad of DKA includes hyperglycemia, fruity breath (ketones), and
Kussmaul respirations (rapid, deep breathing compensating for metabolic acidosis).
4. A nurse is caring for a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which
finding is most concerning?
• A. Dilated pupils unresponsive to light
• B. Blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg
• C. Pulse rate of 72 bpm
• D. Complaint of a mild headache
Correct Answer: A. Dilated pupils unresponsive to light
Rationale: Fixed and dilated pupils indicate severe neurological deterioration and
herniation syndrome, requiring immediate intervention.
💊 Pharmacology
, 5. A client prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation tells the nurse, "I will take
ibuprofen for my headaches." How should the nurse respond?
• A. "That's fine as long as you take it with food."
• B. "Ibuprofen is safe to take with warfarin."
• C. "You should avoid ibuprofen because it increases bleeding risk."
• D. "Take ibuprofen only once a week."
Correct Answer: C. "You should avoid ibuprofen because it increases bleeding
risk."
Rationale: Ibuprofen is an NSAID that can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with
warfarin. The client should use acetaminophen (if approved by their provider) for pain
relief instead.
6. A client receiving digoxin has a serum level of 2.5 ng/mL and reports nausea
and visual changes. What should the nurse do first?
• A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
• B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
• C. Increase potassium intake
• D. Recheck the level in 24 hours
Correct Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity occurs at levels >2.0 ng/mL. Nausea and visual changes
(yellow/green halos) are classic signs of toxicity. The nurse should hold the dose and
notify the provider immediately.
PROCTORED EXAM 2026 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
• practice questions with answers and rationales for the ATI
RN Concept-Based Assessment Level 3 (Forms A & B).
These are organized by topic area and include Next
Generation NCLEX (NGN) style questions.
,🚨 Prioritization & Emergency Nursing
1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
• A. A client with diabetes mellitus reporting a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
• B. A client with heart failure who has gained 2 kg in 24 hours
• C. A client with asthma reporting shortness of breath and wheezing
• D. A client with a UTI reporting burning during urination
Correct Answer: C. A client with asthma reporting shortness of breath and
wheezing
Rationale: This client is experiencing respiratory distress, which is a priority due to the
risk of hypoxia and respiratory failure. The ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) always
take precedence.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with septic shock. Which intervention is the
priority?
• A. Start D5W infusion
• B. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
• C. Give oral fluids
• D. Insert an NG tube
Correct Answer: B. Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
Rationale: Antibiotics must be started within 1 hour of recognition of septic shock to
reduce mortality. This is a core measure for sepsis management.
,3. A patient presents with a blood glucose of 450 mg/dL, fruity breath odor, and
rapid, deep breathing. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
• A. Hypoglycemia
• B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
• C. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
• D. Acute pancreatitis
Correct Answer: B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Rationale: The classic triad of DKA includes hyperglycemia, fruity breath (ketones), and
Kussmaul respirations (rapid, deep breathing compensating for metabolic acidosis).
4. A nurse is caring for a client with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which
finding is most concerning?
• A. Dilated pupils unresponsive to light
• B. Blood pressure of 140/80 mmHg
• C. Pulse rate of 72 bpm
• D. Complaint of a mild headache
Correct Answer: A. Dilated pupils unresponsive to light
Rationale: Fixed and dilated pupils indicate severe neurological deterioration and
herniation syndrome, requiring immediate intervention.
💊 Pharmacology
, 5. A client prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation tells the nurse, "I will take
ibuprofen for my headaches." How should the nurse respond?
• A. "That's fine as long as you take it with food."
• B. "Ibuprofen is safe to take with warfarin."
• C. "You should avoid ibuprofen because it increases bleeding risk."
• D. "Take ibuprofen only once a week."
Correct Answer: C. "You should avoid ibuprofen because it increases bleeding
risk."
Rationale: Ibuprofen is an NSAID that can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with
warfarin. The client should use acetaminophen (if approved by their provider) for pain
relief instead.
6. A client receiving digoxin has a serum level of 2.5 ng/mL and reports nausea
and visual changes. What should the nurse do first?
• A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
• B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
• C. Increase potassium intake
• D. Recheck the level in 24 hours
Correct Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity occurs at levels >2.0 ng/mL. Nausea and visual changes
(yellow/green halos) are classic signs of toxicity. The nurse should hold the dose and
notify the provider immediately.
