ATI COMFORT, REST, AND SLEEP EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 |
COMPREHENSIVE MULTIPLE CHOICE STUDY
GUIDE | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | LATEST ATI
NURSING UPDATE
• This comprehensive 200-question ATI Comfort, Rest, and Sleep exam guide covers
all testable nursing concepts with verified answers and detailed EXPERT
RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding.
• Use this guide by attempting each question first before checking the highlighted
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for active recall, timed practice, or
final review sessions.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who reports difficulty sleeping.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer a prescribed sleep medication
B. Encourage the client to exercise before bedtime
C. Offer the client a warm glass of milk
D. Assess the client's sleep patterns and habits
E. Dim the lights in the client's room
D. Assess the client's sleep patterns and habits
EXPERT RATIONALE: Assessment is always the first step in the nursing process. Before
implementing any intervention, the nurse must gather data about the client's sleep
patterns, habits, and contributing factors to individualize care.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is teaching a client about sleep hygiene. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should take long naps during the day to make up for lost sleep."
B. "I will keep my bedroom cool, dark, and quiet for sleeping."
,C. "I should watch television in bed to help me relax."
D. "Drinking coffee in the evening helps me stay alert for sleep."
E. "I should go to bed at different times each night."
B. "I will keep my bedroom cool, dark, and quiet for sleeping."
EXPERT RATIONALE: A cool, dark, and quiet environment promotes sleep by reducing
stimulation. Consistent environmental conditions are a core component of sleep hygiene
education.
QUESTION 3 Which stage of sleep is associated with dreaming and rapid eye
movement?
A. Stage 1 NREM
B. Stage 2 NREM
C. Stage 3 NREM
D. Stage 4 NREM
E. REM sleep
E. REM sleep
EXPERT RATIONALE: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage where dreaming
occurs. It is characterized by rapid eye movements, muscle atonia, and increased brain
activity similar to wakefulness.
QUESTION 4 A client tells the nurse, "I stop breathing several times during the
night." The nurse recognizes this as a manifestation of which condition?
A. Insomnia
B. Narcolepsy
C. Sleep apnea
D. Restless leg syndrome
,E. Hypersomnia
C. Sleep apnea
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of cessation of
breathing during sleep. Clients often report snoring, waking up gasping, and daytime
fatigue.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is planning care for a hospitalized client who has
difficulty sleeping. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Request a sleeping pill prescription from the provider
B. Group nursing interventions to allow for uninterrupted sleep periods
C. Encourage the client to sleep with the television on
D. Administer a sedative every night at the same time
E. Keep the room brightly lit throughout the night
B. Group nursing interventions to allow for uninterrupted sleep periods
EXPERT RATIONALE: Grouping care activities minimizes interruptions during sleep
cycles, which is the most therapeutic non-pharmacological nursing intervention in a
hospital setting.
QUESTION 6 Which neurotransmitter plays a key role in promoting sleep?
A. Dopamine
B. Epinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Cortisol
E. Acetylcholine
C. Serotonin
, EXPERT RATIONALE: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in
regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is a precursor to melatonin, which directly promotes
sleep onset.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is assessing a client's comfort level using a pain scale.
The client rates their pain as a 7 out of 10. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the pain rating and continue monitoring
B. Reassess pain in two hours
C. Notify the healthcare provider and implement pain management interventions
D. Encourage the client to use distraction techniques
E. Reposition the client and wait for the pain to subside
C. Notify the healthcare provider and implement pain management
interventions
EXPERT RATIONALE: A pain rating of 7/10 indicates severe pain requiring prompt
intervention. The nurse must notify the provider and implement appropriate pain relief
measures to maintain client comfort and safety.
QUESTION 8 Which of the following is a non-pharmacological comfort
measure the nurse can use for a client in pain?
A. Administering morphine sulfate
B. Applying a warm compress to the affected area
C. Requesting a higher dose of analgesic
D. Placing the client in restraints
E. Increasing IV fluid rate
B. Applying a warm compress to the affected area
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026 |
COMPREHENSIVE MULTIPLE CHOICE STUDY
GUIDE | VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | LATEST ATI
NURSING UPDATE
• This comprehensive 200-question ATI Comfort, Rest, and Sleep exam guide covers
all testable nursing concepts with verified answers and detailed EXPERT
RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding.
• Use this guide by attempting each question first before checking the highlighted
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — ideal for active recall, timed practice, or
final review sessions.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who reports difficulty sleeping.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer a prescribed sleep medication
B. Encourage the client to exercise before bedtime
C. Offer the client a warm glass of milk
D. Assess the client's sleep patterns and habits
E. Dim the lights in the client's room
D. Assess the client's sleep patterns and habits
EXPERT RATIONALE: Assessment is always the first step in the nursing process. Before
implementing any intervention, the nurse must gather data about the client's sleep
patterns, habits, and contributing factors to individualize care.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is teaching a client about sleep hygiene. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should take long naps during the day to make up for lost sleep."
B. "I will keep my bedroom cool, dark, and quiet for sleeping."
,C. "I should watch television in bed to help me relax."
D. "Drinking coffee in the evening helps me stay alert for sleep."
E. "I should go to bed at different times each night."
B. "I will keep my bedroom cool, dark, and quiet for sleeping."
EXPERT RATIONALE: A cool, dark, and quiet environment promotes sleep by reducing
stimulation. Consistent environmental conditions are a core component of sleep hygiene
education.
QUESTION 3 Which stage of sleep is associated with dreaming and rapid eye
movement?
A. Stage 1 NREM
B. Stage 2 NREM
C. Stage 3 NREM
D. Stage 4 NREM
E. REM sleep
E. REM sleep
EXPERT RATIONALE: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep is the stage where dreaming
occurs. It is characterized by rapid eye movements, muscle atonia, and increased brain
activity similar to wakefulness.
QUESTION 4 A client tells the nurse, "I stop breathing several times during the
night." The nurse recognizes this as a manifestation of which condition?
A. Insomnia
B. Narcolepsy
C. Sleep apnea
D. Restless leg syndrome
,E. Hypersomnia
C. Sleep apnea
EXPERT RATIONALE: Sleep apnea is characterized by repeated episodes of cessation of
breathing during sleep. Clients often report snoring, waking up gasping, and daytime
fatigue.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is planning care for a hospitalized client who has
difficulty sleeping. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Request a sleeping pill prescription from the provider
B. Group nursing interventions to allow for uninterrupted sleep periods
C. Encourage the client to sleep with the television on
D. Administer a sedative every night at the same time
E. Keep the room brightly lit throughout the night
B. Group nursing interventions to allow for uninterrupted sleep periods
EXPERT RATIONALE: Grouping care activities minimizes interruptions during sleep
cycles, which is the most therapeutic non-pharmacological nursing intervention in a
hospital setting.
QUESTION 6 Which neurotransmitter plays a key role in promoting sleep?
A. Dopamine
B. Epinephrine
C. Serotonin
D. Cortisol
E. Acetylcholine
C. Serotonin
, EXPERT RATIONALE: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in
regulating sleep-wake cycles. It is a precursor to melatonin, which directly promotes
sleep onset.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is assessing a client's comfort level using a pain scale.
The client rates their pain as a 7 out of 10. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Document the pain rating and continue monitoring
B. Reassess pain in two hours
C. Notify the healthcare provider and implement pain management interventions
D. Encourage the client to use distraction techniques
E. Reposition the client and wait for the pain to subside
C. Notify the healthcare provider and implement pain management
interventions
EXPERT RATIONALE: A pain rating of 7/10 indicates severe pain requiring prompt
intervention. The nurse must notify the provider and implement appropriate pain relief
measures to maintain client comfort and safety.
QUESTION 8 Which of the following is a non-pharmacological comfort
measure the nurse can use for a client in pain?
A. Administering morphine sulfate
B. Applying a warm compress to the affected area
C. Requesting a higher dose of analgesic
D. Placing the client in restraints
E. Increasing IV fluid rate
B. Applying a warm compress to the affected area
