ATI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM Questions and
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is prescribed furosemide. Which
finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Decreased peripheral edema
C. Increased heart rate
D. Elevated potassium level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid overload, leading to
decreased edema. It typically lowers blood pressure, may cause hypokalemia (not
hyperkalemia), and does not increase heart rate as a primary effect.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia. Which ECG change should the nurse
expect?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST elevation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes flattened T waves and possible U waves. Peaked T
waves are associated with hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Pain rating of 6/10
B. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
C. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
D. Heart rate of 98 bpm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Urine output less than 30 mL/hr indicates possible renal impairment or
hypovolemia and requires immediate intervention. Other findings are expected
postoperative variations.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin administration. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will inject insulin into my thigh and massage the area."
B. "I will rotate injection sites within the same region."
C. "I will reuse needles to save cost."
, D. "I will inject insulin at the same exact spot daily."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rotating sites within the same region ensures consistent absorption.
Massaging alters absorption, reusing needles increases infection risk, and using the
same spot causes lipodystrophy.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with COPD. Which finding is expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Barrel chest
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Cyanosis of lips only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A barrel chest is common in COPD due to air trapping. Tachycardia and
increased respiratory effort are more typical than decreased respiratory rate.
6. A nurse is administering heparin. Which lab value should be monitored?
A. INR
B. PT
C. aPTT
D. Platelet count only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy. INR is used for warfarin.
Platelets are also monitored but not the primary indicator of dosage effectiveness.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which finding requires intervention?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Intermittent bubbling during expiration
C. Drainage of 50 mL/hr
D. Tidaling in the chamber
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak. Intermittent bubbling and
tidaling are expected findings.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus. Which symptom indicates
hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Dry skin
C. Diaphoresis
D. Fruity breath odor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diaphoresis is a classic sign of hypoglycemia. Polyuria and fruity breath
are associated with hyperglycemia.
,9. A nurse is caring for a client receiving blood transfusion. Which symptom indicates a
transfusion reaction?
A. Mild fever
B. Hypotension
C. Flank pain
D. Headache
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flank pain is a key sign of hemolytic transfusion reaction. It requires
immediate discontinuation of the transfusion.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which position is
appropriate?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Head elevated 30 degrees
D. Prone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head promotes venous drainage and reduces ICP.
Trendelenburg and supine positions increase ICP.
11. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding is normal?
A. Heart rate 90 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 60/min
C. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
D. Temperature 35°C (95°F)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 30–60/min is normal for newborns. Other values are
abnormal.
12. A nurse is caring for a client with anemia. Which symptom is expected?
A. Hypertension
B. Fatigue
C. Weight gain
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fatigue occurs due to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity. Hypertension
and weight gain are not typical.
13. A nurse is administering morphine. Which side effect is most concerning?
A. Constipation
, B. Respiratory depression
C. Nausea
D. Drowsiness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening and requires immediate
intervention.
14. A nurse is teaching about infection control. Which action is correct?
A. Use alcohol-based sanitizer for all infections
B. Wash hands after removing gloves
C. Wear gloves for all patient contact
D. Reuse PPE if clean
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene after glove removal is essential. Alcohol sanitizers are not
effective for all pathogens like C. difficile.
15. A nurse is caring for a client with hyperkalemia. Which medication is expected?
A. Furosemide
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
C. Potassium chloride
D. Spironolactone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate lowers potassium levels. Others may
increase or not directly reduce potassium.
16. A nurse is caring for a client post-thyroidectomy. Which finding indicates a
complication?
A. Hoarseness
B. Mild pain
C. Small drainage
D. Sleepiness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hoarseness may indicate laryngeal nerve damage and requires immediate
attention.
17. A nurse is caring for a client with asthma. Which medication is for quick relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Albuterol
C. Montelukast
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used for immediate relief.
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct.
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is prescribed furosemide. Which
finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Decreased peripheral edema
C. Increased heart rate
D. Elevated potassium level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid overload, leading to
decreased edema. It typically lowers blood pressure, may cause hypokalemia (not
hyperkalemia), and does not increase heart rate as a primary effect.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia. Which ECG change should the nurse
expect?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Widened QRS complex
C. Flattened T waves
D. ST elevation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypokalemia causes flattened T waves and possible U waves. Peaked T
waves are associated with hyperkalemia, not hypokalemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Pain rating of 6/10
B. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
C. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
D. Heart rate of 98 bpm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Urine output less than 30 mL/hr indicates possible renal impairment or
hypovolemia and requires immediate intervention. Other findings are expected
postoperative variations.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin administration. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will inject insulin into my thigh and massage the area."
B. "I will rotate injection sites within the same region."
C. "I will reuse needles to save cost."
, D. "I will inject insulin at the same exact spot daily."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rotating sites within the same region ensures consistent absorption.
Massaging alters absorption, reusing needles increases infection risk, and using the
same spot causes lipodystrophy.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with COPD. Which finding is expected?
A. Bradycardia
B. Barrel chest
C. Decreased respiratory rate
D. Cyanosis of lips only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A barrel chest is common in COPD due to air trapping. Tachycardia and
increased respiratory effort are more typical than decreased respiratory rate.
6. A nurse is administering heparin. Which lab value should be monitored?
A. INR
B. PT
C. aPTT
D. Platelet count only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy. INR is used for warfarin.
Platelets are also monitored but not the primary indicator of dosage effectiveness.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which finding requires intervention?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Intermittent bubbling during expiration
C. Drainage of 50 mL/hr
D. Tidaling in the chamber
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak. Intermittent bubbling and
tidaling are expected findings.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus. Which symptom indicates
hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Dry skin
C. Diaphoresis
D. Fruity breath odor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diaphoresis is a classic sign of hypoglycemia. Polyuria and fruity breath
are associated with hyperglycemia.
,9. A nurse is caring for a client receiving blood transfusion. Which symptom indicates a
transfusion reaction?
A. Mild fever
B. Hypotension
C. Flank pain
D. Headache
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Flank pain is a key sign of hemolytic transfusion reaction. It requires
immediate discontinuation of the transfusion.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with increased intracranial pressure. Which position is
appropriate?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
C. Head elevated 30 degrees
D. Prone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Elevating the head promotes venous drainage and reduces ICP.
Trendelenburg and supine positions increase ICP.
11. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding is normal?
A. Heart rate 90 bpm
B. Respiratory rate 60/min
C. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
D. Temperature 35°C (95°F)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 30–60/min is normal for newborns. Other values are
abnormal.
12. A nurse is caring for a client with anemia. Which symptom is expected?
A. Hypertension
B. Fatigue
C. Weight gain
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Fatigue occurs due to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity. Hypertension
and weight gain are not typical.
13. A nurse is administering morphine. Which side effect is most concerning?
A. Constipation
, B. Respiratory depression
C. Nausea
D. Drowsiness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening and requires immediate
intervention.
14. A nurse is teaching about infection control. Which action is correct?
A. Use alcohol-based sanitizer for all infections
B. Wash hands after removing gloves
C. Wear gloves for all patient contact
D. Reuse PPE if clean
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene after glove removal is essential. Alcohol sanitizers are not
effective for all pathogens like C. difficile.
15. A nurse is caring for a client with hyperkalemia. Which medication is expected?
A. Furosemide
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
C. Potassium chloride
D. Spironolactone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate lowers potassium levels. Others may
increase or not directly reduce potassium.
16. A nurse is caring for a client post-thyroidectomy. Which finding indicates a
complication?
A. Hoarseness
B. Mild pain
C. Small drainage
D. Sleepiness
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hoarseness may indicate laryngeal nerve damage and requires immediate
attention.
17. A nurse is caring for a client with asthma. Which medication is for quick relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Albuterol
C. Montelukast
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator used for immediate relief.
