ATI RN Concept-Based Assessment
Level 1 Final Exam – Version 1 | 2026/2027
75 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Already Graded A+ | 100% Verified
Section 1: Foundational Nursing Concepts
1. Which nursing theorist is best known for defining nursing as "assisting the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to health that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary
strength, will, or knowledge"?
A. Virginia Henderson
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Florence Nightingale
D. Martha Rogers
Correct Answer: A. Virginia Henderson
Rationale: Virginia Henderson's definition of nursing emphasizes assisting the individual with activities
they would normally perform independently if they had the ability. This focus on independence aligns with
her Needs Theory. Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory centers on the client's self-care agency;
Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing and focused on environmental modification; Martha
Rogers developed the Science of Unitary Human Beings.
2. A nursing student is learning about evidence-based practice (EBP). Which statement best describes
EBP?
A. Relying solely on the nurse's clinical experience when making care decisions
B. Integrating current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
C. Following physician orders exactly as written without modification
D. Using traditional nursing practices that have been passed down over time
Correct Answer: B. Integrating current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient
preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence with the nurse's clinical
expertise and the client's values and preferences. Relying solely on experience ignores current evidence;
blindly following orders does not incorporate critical thinking; and traditional practices without evidence
may not be safe or effective.
3. A nurse is working in an interdisciplinary team. Which role is unique to the registered nurse on this
team?
A. Prescribing medications for the client
B. Performing diagnostic imaging procedures
1
,C. Coordinating client care and providing direct bedside nursing care
D. Ordering laboratory tests and interpreting the results
Correct Answer: C. Coordinating client care and providing direct bedside nursing care
Rationale: The registered nurse's unique role within the interdisciplinary team is to coordinate holistic
client care and provide direct bedside nursing care, serving as the primary advocate for the client.
Prescribing medications and ordering tests are provider roles; diagnostic imaging is performed by
radiologic technologists.
4. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, which principle is the nurse's
primary commitment?
A. The physician's treatment plan
B. The institution's policies and procedures
C. The client's health, safety, and rights
D. The nursing profession's public image
Correct Answer: C. The client's health, safety, and rights
Rationale: Provision 2 of the ANA Code of Ethics states that the nurse's primary commitment is to the
client, who may be an individual, family, group, community, or population. While institutional policies and
interprofessional collaboration are important, the client's well-being remains the nurse's highest priority.
5. Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory proposes that nursing is needed when a client is unable to
perform which of the following?
A. Self-care activities to maintain health
B. Physician-ordered treatments independently
C. Diagnostic testing without assistance
D. Transportation to healthcare facilities
Correct Answer: A. Self-care activities to maintain health
Rationale: Orem's theory states that individuals normally engage in self-care to maintain health and well-
being. When a self-care deficit exists—meaning the client cannot meet their own self-care needs—nursing
is required. The theory focuses on self-care agency, self-care requisites, and the therapeutic self-care
demand.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in a long-term care facility. Which healthcare delivery model is most
commonly used in this setting?
A. Primary nursing model
B. Team nursing model
C. Functional nursing model
D. Case management model
Correct Answer: C. Functional nursing model
Rationale: The functional nursing model, which assigns tasks based on specific skills, is commonly used in
long-term care settings due to its efficiency in managing large numbers of clients with predictable care
needs. Primary nursing assigns one nurse to manage all aspects of a client's care; team nursing uses a team
leader with members; case management focuses on managing care across settings.
2
, 7. Florence Nightingale's environmental theory identifies which factor as the most important external
influence on health?
A. Social support from family members
B. The physical environment, including ventilation, light, and cleanliness
C. The availability of advanced medical technology
D. The client's genetic predisposition to disease
Correct Answer: B. The physical environment, including ventilation, light, and cleanliness
Rationale: Nightingale's Environmental Theory posits that the physical environment—cleanliness, fresh
air, adequate lighting, pure water, and effective drainage—is the most significant external factor affecting a
patient's recovery. Her work during the Crimean War demonstrated that improved sanitation dramatically
reduced mortality rates.
8. A nursing student asks the instructor about the purpose of the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX-RN). Which response by the instructor is correct?
A. It determines the student's grade point average for nursing school
B. It certifies that the nurse is qualified to practice in a specialty area
C. It assesses the minimum competency needed for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice
D. It evaluates the nurse's ability to perform advanced practice procedures
Correct Answer: C. It assesses the minimum competency needed for safe and effective entry-level
nursing practice
Rationale: The NCLEX-RN evaluates whether a candidate has the minimum knowledge, skills, and
abilities required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. It does not determine GPA, certify
specialty practice, or evaluate advanced practice competency. Passing the NCLEX-RN is required to obtain
licensure as a registered nurse.
Section 2: Basic Care & Comfort
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has been on bed rest for 3 days following surgery. Which intervention
should the nurse implement to prevent a pressure injury?
A. Reposition the client every 4 hours
B. Place a donut-shaped device under the sacrum
C. Massage reddened bony prominences to increase circulation
D. Reposition the client at least every 2 hours and use a pressure-redistributing mattress
Correct Answer: D. Reposition the client at least every 2 hours and use a pressure-redistributing
mattress
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on vulnerable areas, and a pressure-redistributing
mattress reduces interface pressure, making this combination the standard for pressure injury prevention.
Donut-shaped devices cause concentrated pressure and are contraindicated; massaging reddened areas can
cause deeper tissue damage; and 4-hour intervals are too infrequent.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about sleep hygiene. Which statement by the client indicates understanding
of the teaching?
A. "I will exercise vigorously right before bedtime to tire myself out."
3
Level 1 Final Exam – Version 1 | 2026/2027
75 Questions with Correct Answers and Rationales
Already Graded A+ | 100% Verified
Section 1: Foundational Nursing Concepts
1. Which nursing theorist is best known for defining nursing as "assisting the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to health that he would perform unaided if he had the necessary
strength, will, or knowledge"?
A. Virginia Henderson
B. Dorothea Orem
C. Florence Nightingale
D. Martha Rogers
Correct Answer: A. Virginia Henderson
Rationale: Virginia Henderson's definition of nursing emphasizes assisting the individual with activities
they would normally perform independently if they had the ability. This focus on independence aligns with
her Needs Theory. Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory centers on the client's self-care agency;
Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing and focused on environmental modification; Martha
Rogers developed the Science of Unitary Human Beings.
2. A nursing student is learning about evidence-based practice (EBP). Which statement best describes
EBP?
A. Relying solely on the nurse's clinical experience when making care decisions
B. Integrating current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
C. Following physician orders exactly as written without modification
D. Using traditional nursing practices that have been passed down over time
Correct Answer: B. Integrating current research evidence with clinical expertise and patient
preferences
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research evidence with the nurse's clinical
expertise and the client's values and preferences. Relying solely on experience ignores current evidence;
blindly following orders does not incorporate critical thinking; and traditional practices without evidence
may not be safe or effective.
3. A nurse is working in an interdisciplinary team. Which role is unique to the registered nurse on this
team?
A. Prescribing medications for the client
B. Performing diagnostic imaging procedures
1
,C. Coordinating client care and providing direct bedside nursing care
D. Ordering laboratory tests and interpreting the results
Correct Answer: C. Coordinating client care and providing direct bedside nursing care
Rationale: The registered nurse's unique role within the interdisciplinary team is to coordinate holistic
client care and provide direct bedside nursing care, serving as the primary advocate for the client.
Prescribing medications and ordering tests are provider roles; diagnostic imaging is performed by
radiologic technologists.
4. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics, which principle is the nurse's
primary commitment?
A. The physician's treatment plan
B. The institution's policies and procedures
C. The client's health, safety, and rights
D. The nursing profession's public image
Correct Answer: C. The client's health, safety, and rights
Rationale: Provision 2 of the ANA Code of Ethics states that the nurse's primary commitment is to the
client, who may be an individual, family, group, community, or population. While institutional policies and
interprofessional collaboration are important, the client's well-being remains the nurse's highest priority.
5. Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Deficit Theory proposes that nursing is needed when a client is unable to
perform which of the following?
A. Self-care activities to maintain health
B. Physician-ordered treatments independently
C. Diagnostic testing without assistance
D. Transportation to healthcare facilities
Correct Answer: A. Self-care activities to maintain health
Rationale: Orem's theory states that individuals normally engage in self-care to maintain health and well-
being. When a self-care deficit exists—meaning the client cannot meet their own self-care needs—nursing
is required. The theory focuses on self-care agency, self-care requisites, and the therapeutic self-care
demand.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in a long-term care facility. Which healthcare delivery model is most
commonly used in this setting?
A. Primary nursing model
B. Team nursing model
C. Functional nursing model
D. Case management model
Correct Answer: C. Functional nursing model
Rationale: The functional nursing model, which assigns tasks based on specific skills, is commonly used in
long-term care settings due to its efficiency in managing large numbers of clients with predictable care
needs. Primary nursing assigns one nurse to manage all aspects of a client's care; team nursing uses a team
leader with members; case management focuses on managing care across settings.
2
, 7. Florence Nightingale's environmental theory identifies which factor as the most important external
influence on health?
A. Social support from family members
B. The physical environment, including ventilation, light, and cleanliness
C. The availability of advanced medical technology
D. The client's genetic predisposition to disease
Correct Answer: B. The physical environment, including ventilation, light, and cleanliness
Rationale: Nightingale's Environmental Theory posits that the physical environment—cleanliness, fresh
air, adequate lighting, pure water, and effective drainage—is the most significant external factor affecting a
patient's recovery. Her work during the Crimean War demonstrated that improved sanitation dramatically
reduced mortality rates.
8. A nursing student asks the instructor about the purpose of the National Council Licensure Examination
(NCLEX-RN). Which response by the instructor is correct?
A. It determines the student's grade point average for nursing school
B. It certifies that the nurse is qualified to practice in a specialty area
C. It assesses the minimum competency needed for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice
D. It evaluates the nurse's ability to perform advanced practice procedures
Correct Answer: C. It assesses the minimum competency needed for safe and effective entry-level
nursing practice
Rationale: The NCLEX-RN evaluates whether a candidate has the minimum knowledge, skills, and
abilities required for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. It does not determine GPA, certify
specialty practice, or evaluate advanced practice competency. Passing the NCLEX-RN is required to obtain
licensure as a registered nurse.
Section 2: Basic Care & Comfort
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has been on bed rest for 3 days following surgery. Which intervention
should the nurse implement to prevent a pressure injury?
A. Reposition the client every 4 hours
B. Place a donut-shaped device under the sacrum
C. Massage reddened bony prominences to increase circulation
D. Reposition the client at least every 2 hours and use a pressure-redistributing mattress
Correct Answer: D. Reposition the client at least every 2 hours and use a pressure-redistributing
mattress
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on vulnerable areas, and a pressure-redistributing
mattress reduces interface pressure, making this combination the standard for pressure injury prevention.
Donut-shaped devices cause concentrated pressure and are contraindicated; massaging reddened areas can
cause deeper tissue damage; and 4-hour intervals are too infrequent.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about sleep hygiene. Which statement by the client indicates understanding
of the teaching?
A. "I will exercise vigorously right before bedtime to tire myself out."
3
