ATI Testing Level 2 Proctored Exam Prep
2026 Questions and Answers | Nursing
Study Guide with Practice Questions,
Verified Rationales, NCLEX Review & Critical
Thinking Success Guide
• This guide contains 300 practice questions designed to simulate the ATI Level 2
Proctored Exam experience, with verified EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical
reasoning and deepen your understanding of core nursing concepts.
• Each question follows a structured format with bolded stems, five answer options
(A–E), a clearly marked correct answer, and an evidence-based EXPERT RATIONALE
to help you study smarter and perform confidently on exam day.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Urine output of 200 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
D. Weight loss of 1 kg in 24 hours
E. Heart rate of 78 beats/min
Correct Answer: C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
A serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L is below the normal range of 3.5–5.0 mEq/L and
indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and
must be reported to the provider immediately.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following
findings is the priority?
A. Respiratory rate of 22/min
,B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F)
D. Productive cough with yellow sputum
E. Crackles in the left lower lobe
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority
framework, an oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and is the most
critical finding requiring immediate intervention. Normal SpO2 is 95–100%, and
values below 90% indicate significant compromise.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which of the
following actions by the nurse demonstrates safe medication administration?
A. Preparing medications for multiple clients at one time
B. Documenting medication administration before giving the drug
C. Scanning the client's armband prior to administration
D. Crushing all oral medications and mixing with applesauce
E. Leaving medications at the bedside for the client to take later
Correct Answer: C. Scanning the client's armband prior to administration
EXPERT RATIONALE: Scanning the client's armband verifies two patient identifiers
and is a critical step in the rights of medication administration to prevent
medication errors. The other options represent unsafe practices that violate
established medication safety protocols.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. The client reports pain of 7/10. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
,B. Reposition the client for comfort
C. Perform a complete pain assessment
D. Notify the provider of the pain level
E. Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
Correct Answer: C. Perform a complete pain assessment
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before administering any intervention, the nurse must fully
assess the pain using OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing, Severity) to ensure the
appropriate intervention is selected and to establish a baseline for evaluating
effectiveness.
5. A nurse is teaching a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus about foot care.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will soak my feet in hot water every night."
B. "I will cut my toenails in a curved shape."
C. "I will inspect my feet daily for sores or cuts."
D. "I will wear sandals when walking outdoors."
E. "I will apply lotion between my toes after bathing."
Correct Answer: C. "I will inspect my feet daily for sores or cuts."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Daily foot inspection is essential for diabetic clients due to
peripheral neuropathy, which reduces sensation and the ability to detect injury.
Early detection of wounds prevents infection and serious complications such as
amputation. Soaking feet, cutting nails in curves, wearing sandals, and applying
lotion between toes are all unsafe practices.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion who develops
chills, low back pain, and fever 15 minutes after the transfusion starts. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine IV
C. Stop the transfusion immediately
D. Notify the blood bank
E. Obtain a urine specimen
Correct Answer: C. Stop the transfusion immediately
EXPERT RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of an acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction, which is a medical emergency. The nurse's priority action is to stop the
transfusion immediately to prevent further hemolysis and renal failure. The IV line
should be maintained with normal saline after stopping the blood.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Which of the following findings are early signs of increasing ICP? (Select the
best single answer)
A. Bradycardia and widening pulse pressure
B. Dilated and fixed pupils bilaterally
C. Restlessness and slight confusion
D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
E. Decerebrate posturing
Correct Answer: C. Restlessness and slight confusion
EXPERT RATIONALE: Early signs of increased ICP include subtle changes such as
restlessness, slight confusion, and personality changes. Bradycardia with widening
pulse pressure (Cushing's triad), dilated pupils, abnormal breathing patterns, and
posturing are all late signs indicating severe neurological deterioration.
2026 Questions and Answers | Nursing
Study Guide with Practice Questions,
Verified Rationales, NCLEX Review & Critical
Thinking Success Guide
• This guide contains 300 practice questions designed to simulate the ATI Level 2
Proctored Exam experience, with verified EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce clinical
reasoning and deepen your understanding of core nursing concepts.
• Each question follows a structured format with bolded stems, five answer options
(A–E), a clearly marked correct answer, and an evidence-based EXPERT RATIONALE
to help you study smarter and perform confidently on exam day.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Urine output of 200 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
D. Weight loss of 1 kg in 24 hours
E. Heart rate of 78 beats/min
Correct Answer: C. Serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
A serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L is below the normal range of 3.5–5.0 mEq/L and
indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and
must be reported to the provider immediately.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following
findings is the priority?
A. Respiratory rate of 22/min
,B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F)
D. Productive cough with yellow sputum
E. Crackles in the left lower lobe
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority
framework, an oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and is the most
critical finding requiring immediate intervention. Normal SpO2 is 95–100%, and
values below 90% indicate significant compromise.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which of the
following actions by the nurse demonstrates safe medication administration?
A. Preparing medications for multiple clients at one time
B. Documenting medication administration before giving the drug
C. Scanning the client's armband prior to administration
D. Crushing all oral medications and mixing with applesauce
E. Leaving medications at the bedside for the client to take later
Correct Answer: C. Scanning the client's armband prior to administration
EXPERT RATIONALE: Scanning the client's armband verifies two patient identifiers
and is a critical step in the rights of medication administration to prevent
medication errors. The other options represent unsafe practices that violate
established medication safety protocols.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. The client reports pain of 7/10. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
,B. Reposition the client for comfort
C. Perform a complete pain assessment
D. Notify the provider of the pain level
E. Apply a warm compress to the abdomen
Correct Answer: C. Perform a complete pain assessment
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before administering any intervention, the nurse must fully
assess the pain using OLDCARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing, Severity) to ensure the
appropriate intervention is selected and to establish a baseline for evaluating
effectiveness.
5. A nurse is teaching a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus about foot care.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will soak my feet in hot water every night."
B. "I will cut my toenails in a curved shape."
C. "I will inspect my feet daily for sores or cuts."
D. "I will wear sandals when walking outdoors."
E. "I will apply lotion between my toes after bathing."
Correct Answer: C. "I will inspect my feet daily for sores or cuts."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Daily foot inspection is essential for diabetic clients due to
peripheral neuropathy, which reduces sensation and the ability to detect injury.
Early detection of wounds prevents infection and serious complications such as
amputation. Soaking feet, cutting nails in curves, wearing sandals, and applying
lotion between toes are all unsafe practices.
, 6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion who develops
chills, low back pain, and fever 15 minutes after the transfusion starts. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine IV
C. Stop the transfusion immediately
D. Notify the blood bank
E. Obtain a urine specimen
Correct Answer: C. Stop the transfusion immediately
EXPERT RATIONALE: The client is exhibiting signs of an acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction, which is a medical emergency. The nurse's priority action is to stop the
transfusion immediately to prevent further hemolysis and renal failure. The IV line
should be maintained with normal saline after stopping the blood.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Which of the following findings are early signs of increasing ICP? (Select the
best single answer)
A. Bradycardia and widening pulse pressure
B. Dilated and fixed pupils bilaterally
C. Restlessness and slight confusion
D. Cheyne-Stokes respirations
E. Decerebrate posturing
Correct Answer: C. Restlessness and slight confusion
EXPERT RATIONALE: Early signs of increased ICP include subtle changes such as
restlessness, slight confusion, and personality changes. Bradycardia with widening
pulse pressure (Cushing's triad), dilated pupils, abnormal breathing patterns, and
posturing are all late signs indicating severe neurological deterioration.
