ATI Becoming a Professional Nurse Proctored
Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Complete
Exam-Style Questions | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Professional Identity & Ethical Practice (12 Questions)
Q1: A newly licensed RN overhears a senior nurse tell a confused patient with a signed DNR, "Don't
worry, we will do everything possible to keep you alive." The senior nurse later documents "code status
respected." What is the new RN's priority action?
A. Ignore the situation because the senior nurse has more experience.
B. Confront the senior nurse in the hallway in front of other staff.
C. Privately speak with the senior nurse first to clarify the discrepancy. [CORRECT]
D. Immediately report the senior nurse to the Board of Nursing.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority action is respectful, direct peer-to-peer communication to address a potential
ethical violation regarding patient autonomy and truth-telling. ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 requires
nurses to practice with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity of every person, which includes
honoring advance directives. The CJMM layer "take action" supports addressing concerns through the
least restrictive, most professional means first. Distractor A represents professional abandonment and
violates the nurse's duty to advocate; B violates standards of professional communication and creates a
hostile work environment, potentially constituting lateral violence; D is premature—Board of Nursing
reporting is reserved for situations that cannot be resolved through internal channels or that represent
imminent danger to patients, per Nurse Practice Act escalation protocols.
Source: ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 2 Ethical Practice; NCLEX 2026 Test
Plan: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Management of Care.
Q2: A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses blood transfusion based on religious beliefs, even though
the transfusion is medically necessary to prevent death. The patient's family is demanding the
transfusion be given. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A. Administer the transfusion because the family's wishes override the patient's when death is
imminent.
,B. Respect the patient's refusal and notify the physician and hospital ethics committee. [CORRECT]
C. Obtain a court order to override the patient's refusal because the patient lacks decision-making
capacity.
D. Delay the transfusion until the patient changes their mind under family pressure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Competent adult patients have the legal and ethical right to refuse treatment based on
religious or personal beliefs, even if refusal results in death. ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 and
Provision 3 support patient autonomy and self-determination. The nurse must respect the refusal while
ensuring the physician is aware and that ethics consultation is available for complex cases. Distractor A
violates patient autonomy and constitutes battery if treatment is given against the patient's will; C
assumes lack of capacity without evidence—religious refusal does not indicate incapacity; D is coercive
and unethical, applying undue pressure that compromises voluntary informed refusal.
Source: ANA Code of Ethics Provisions 1, 3; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 2 Patient Rights and Informed
Consent; NCLEX 2026: Psychosocial Integrity — Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health.
Q3: A nurse discovers that a colleague has posted a patient photo on social media with the caption
"Another crazy night in the ER." No patient identifiers are visible except the hospital wristband. What is
the nurse's legal obligation?
A. Ignore the post because no name or medical record number is visible.
B. Report the colleague to the nurse manager and document the violation. [CORRECT]
C. Comment on the post asking the colleague to remove it.
D. Take a screenshot for personal records but take no further action.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA violations occur when protected health information (PHI) is disclosed without
authorization, and a hospital wristband constitutes PHI because it can be used to identify the patient
and their treatment location. The nurse has a mandatory obligation to report HIPAA breaches through
institutional channels. Distractor A is incorrect—wristbands are identifiable PHI under HIPAA; C is
insufficient—public commentary draws additional attention to the violation; D fails to fulfill the nurse's
duty to report and protect patient privacy, violating ANA Code of Ethics Provision 3 regarding protection
of patient privacy.
Source: HIPAA Privacy Rule 45 CFR §164.502; ANA Code of Ethics Provision 3; ATI Professional Nursing
Ch. 3 Legal Responsibilities.
,Q4: A nurse is asked by a physician to witness a consent form for a surgical procedure. The patient is
non-English speaking and the consent is in English. The interpreter is not present. What should the nurse
do?
A. Sign as witness because the physician explained the procedure adequately.
B. Refuse to sign and request a qualified medical interpreter before consent is obtained. [CORRECT]
C. Sign as witness but document that the patient did not speak English.
D. Ask the patient's family member to interpret and then sign.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the patient understand the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives in their preferred language. Signing as witness without confirming understanding
constitutes legal and ethical negligence. Federal law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act) and Joint
Commission standards require qualified medical interpreters for informed consent. Distractor A violates
informed consent requirements and creates liability; C documents the violation but does not prevent it;
D violates standards—family members are not qualified interpreters and may have conflicts of interest
or lack medical vocabulary proficiency.
Source: Joint Commission Standards RI.01.03.01; Title VI Civil Rights Act; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 2
Informed Consent; ANA Code of Ethics Provision 3.
Q5: A new graduate nurse is struggling with the transition from student to professional role and feels
"imposter syndrome." Which action best supports professional identity development?
A. Avoid asking questions to prevent appearing incompetent to peers.
B. Engage in reflective practice and seek mentorship from an experienced nurse. [CORRECT]
C. Request reassignment to a less acute unit until confidence improves.
D. Compare performance to other new graduates to establish competence benchmarks.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional identity development requires intentional reflection on practice, values, and
growth areas. Mentorship provides structured support for role transition and reduces burnout risk. ATI
Becoming a Professional Nurse emphasizes reflective practice and mentorship as core components of
new graduate residency programs. Distractor A isolates the nurse and prevents learning, increasing
error risk; C avoids rather than addresses the developmental challenge; D creates unhealthy comparison
and may exacerbate imposter syndrome rather than building authentic professional confidence.
Source: ATI Becoming a Professional Nurse Ch. 6 Transition to Practice; QSEN Competency: Patient-
Centered Care; NCLEX 2026: Psychosocial Integrity — Stress Management.
, Q6: A nurse is caring for a patient with a terminal diagnosis who asks, "Am I dying?" The physician has
not yet discussed prognosis with the patient. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?
A. "I cannot discuss this with you. You need to talk to your doctor."
B. "What has led you to think about this?" [CORRECT]
C. "Yes, you are dying, but the doctor wanted to tell you himself."
D. "Don't worry, we are doing everything we can to cure you."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication requires exploring the patient's concerns without providing
information outside the nurse's scope or contradicting the physician's communication plan. Open-ended
questions allow assessment of the patient's understanding and emotional state, aligning with patient-
centered care and ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 (compassionate care). Distractor A blocks
communication and abandons the patient's emotional needs; C violates the physician's role in delivering
prognostic information and may cause psychological harm; D provides false hope and dishonesty,
violating trust and ethical standards of truth-telling.
Source: ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 5 Therapeutic Communication;
NCLEX 2026: Psychosocial Integrity — End-of-Life Care.
Q7: A nurse observes a colleague taking controlled substance medication from the unit stock for
personal use. The colleague states, "I have a prescription, but I forgot my pills at home." What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Ignore the situation because the colleague has a prescription.
B. Report the incident to the nurse manager immediately. [CORRECT]
C. Confront the colleague and demand they return the medication.
D. Document the observation in the patient's medical record.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diversion of controlled substances is a serious safety violation, patient care risk, and legal
offense. Even with a prescription, self-medicating from unit stock violates institutional policy, state
pharmacy laws, and Board of Nursing regulations. Immediate reporting to the nurse manager initiates
the institutional response protocol and protects patients and the colleague. Distractor A enables
dangerous behavior and violates mandatory reporting obligations; C creates confrontation without
institutional support and may escalate dangerously; D is inappropriate—the medical record documents
patient care, not colleague observations.
Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Complete
Exam-Style Questions | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Professional Identity & Ethical Practice (12 Questions)
Q1: A newly licensed RN overhears a senior nurse tell a confused patient with a signed DNR, "Don't
worry, we will do everything possible to keep you alive." The senior nurse later documents "code status
respected." What is the new RN's priority action?
A. Ignore the situation because the senior nurse has more experience.
B. Confront the senior nurse in the hallway in front of other staff.
C. Privately speak with the senior nurse first to clarify the discrepancy. [CORRECT]
D. Immediately report the senior nurse to the Board of Nursing.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority action is respectful, direct peer-to-peer communication to address a potential
ethical violation regarding patient autonomy and truth-telling. ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 requires
nurses to practice with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity of every person, which includes
honoring advance directives. The CJMM layer "take action" supports addressing concerns through the
least restrictive, most professional means first. Distractor A represents professional abandonment and
violates the nurse's duty to advocate; B violates standards of professional communication and creates a
hostile work environment, potentially constituting lateral violence; D is premature—Board of Nursing
reporting is reserved for situations that cannot be resolved through internal channels or that represent
imminent danger to patients, per Nurse Practice Act escalation protocols.
Source: ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 2 Ethical Practice; NCLEX 2026 Test
Plan: Safe & Effective Care Environment — Management of Care.
Q2: A nurse is caring for a patient who refuses blood transfusion based on religious beliefs, even though
the transfusion is medically necessary to prevent death. The patient's family is demanding the
transfusion be given. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A. Administer the transfusion because the family's wishes override the patient's when death is
imminent.
,B. Respect the patient's refusal and notify the physician and hospital ethics committee. [CORRECT]
C. Obtain a court order to override the patient's refusal because the patient lacks decision-making
capacity.
D. Delay the transfusion until the patient changes their mind under family pressure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Competent adult patients have the legal and ethical right to refuse treatment based on
religious or personal beliefs, even if refusal results in death. ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 and
Provision 3 support patient autonomy and self-determination. The nurse must respect the refusal while
ensuring the physician is aware and that ethics consultation is available for complex cases. Distractor A
violates patient autonomy and constitutes battery if treatment is given against the patient's will; C
assumes lack of capacity without evidence—religious refusal does not indicate incapacity; D is coercive
and unethical, applying undue pressure that compromises voluntary informed refusal.
Source: ANA Code of Ethics Provisions 1, 3; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 2 Patient Rights and Informed
Consent; NCLEX 2026: Psychosocial Integrity — Religious and Spiritual Influences on Health.
Q3: A nurse discovers that a colleague has posted a patient photo on social media with the caption
"Another crazy night in the ER." No patient identifiers are visible except the hospital wristband. What is
the nurse's legal obligation?
A. Ignore the post because no name or medical record number is visible.
B. Report the colleague to the nurse manager and document the violation. [CORRECT]
C. Comment on the post asking the colleague to remove it.
D. Take a screenshot for personal records but take no further action.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA violations occur when protected health information (PHI) is disclosed without
authorization, and a hospital wristband constitutes PHI because it can be used to identify the patient
and their treatment location. The nurse has a mandatory obligation to report HIPAA breaches through
institutional channels. Distractor A is incorrect—wristbands are identifiable PHI under HIPAA; C is
insufficient—public commentary draws additional attention to the violation; D fails to fulfill the nurse's
duty to report and protect patient privacy, violating ANA Code of Ethics Provision 3 regarding protection
of patient privacy.
Source: HIPAA Privacy Rule 45 CFR §164.502; ANA Code of Ethics Provision 3; ATI Professional Nursing
Ch. 3 Legal Responsibilities.
,Q4: A nurse is asked by a physician to witness a consent form for a surgical procedure. The patient is
non-English speaking and the consent is in English. The interpreter is not present. What should the nurse
do?
A. Sign as witness because the physician explained the procedure adequately.
B. Refuse to sign and request a qualified medical interpreter before consent is obtained. [CORRECT]
C. Sign as witness but document that the patient did not speak English.
D. Ask the patient's family member to interpret and then sign.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires that the patient understand the procedure, risks, benefits, and
alternatives in their preferred language. Signing as witness without confirming understanding
constitutes legal and ethical negligence. Federal law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act) and Joint
Commission standards require qualified medical interpreters for informed consent. Distractor A violates
informed consent requirements and creates liability; C documents the violation but does not prevent it;
D violates standards—family members are not qualified interpreters and may have conflicts of interest
or lack medical vocabulary proficiency.
Source: Joint Commission Standards RI.01.03.01; Title VI Civil Rights Act; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 2
Informed Consent; ANA Code of Ethics Provision 3.
Q5: A new graduate nurse is struggling with the transition from student to professional role and feels
"imposter syndrome." Which action best supports professional identity development?
A. Avoid asking questions to prevent appearing incompetent to peers.
B. Engage in reflective practice and seek mentorship from an experienced nurse. [CORRECT]
C. Request reassignment to a less acute unit until confidence improves.
D. Compare performance to other new graduates to establish competence benchmarks.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional identity development requires intentional reflection on practice, values, and
growth areas. Mentorship provides structured support for role transition and reduces burnout risk. ATI
Becoming a Professional Nurse emphasizes reflective practice and mentorship as core components of
new graduate residency programs. Distractor A isolates the nurse and prevents learning, increasing
error risk; C avoids rather than addresses the developmental challenge; D creates unhealthy comparison
and may exacerbate imposter syndrome rather than building authentic professional confidence.
Source: ATI Becoming a Professional Nurse Ch. 6 Transition to Practice; QSEN Competency: Patient-
Centered Care; NCLEX 2026: Psychosocial Integrity — Stress Management.
, Q6: A nurse is caring for a patient with a terminal diagnosis who asks, "Am I dying?" The physician has
not yet discussed prognosis with the patient. What is the nurse's most appropriate response?
A. "I cannot discuss this with you. You need to talk to your doctor."
B. "What has led you to think about this?" [CORRECT]
C. "Yes, you are dying, but the doctor wanted to tell you himself."
D. "Don't worry, we are doing everything we can to cure you."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic communication requires exploring the patient's concerns without providing
information outside the nurse's scope or contradicting the physician's communication plan. Open-ended
questions allow assessment of the patient's understanding and emotional state, aligning with patient-
centered care and ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1 (compassionate care). Distractor A blocks
communication and abandons the patient's emotional needs; C violates the physician's role in delivering
prognostic information and may cause psychological harm; D provides false hope and dishonesty,
violating trust and ethical standards of truth-telling.
Source: ANA Code of Ethics Provision 1; ATI Professional Nursing Ch. 5 Therapeutic Communication;
NCLEX 2026: Psychosocial Integrity — End-of-Life Care.
Q7: A nurse observes a colleague taking controlled substance medication from the unit stock for
personal use. The colleague states, "I have a prescription, but I forgot my pills at home." What is the
nurse's priority action?
A. Ignore the situation because the colleague has a prescription.
B. Report the incident to the nurse manager immediately. [CORRECT]
C. Confront the colleague and demand they return the medication.
D. Document the observation in the patient's medical record.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diversion of controlled substances is a serious safety violation, patient care risk, and legal
offense. Even with a prescription, self-medicating from unit stock violates institutional policy, state
pharmacy laws, and Board of Nursing regulations. Immediate reporting to the nurse manager initiates
the institutional response protocol and protects patients and the colleague. Distractor A enables
dangerous behavior and violates mandatory reporting obligations; C creates confrontation without
institutional support and may escalate dangerously; D is inappropriate—the medical record documents
patient care, not colleague observations.
