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Comprehensive Nursing ATI Exam Study
Guide
Comprehensive Nursing Concepts (Drexel University)
, Comprehensive ATI Exam Study
Guide
Hi all! My name is Morgan and I recently graduated from Drexel University’s Accelerated
Nursing Program in Philadelphia! This program is 11 months in length, and is designed for
students who have completed a prior degree looking to complete their BSN in less than a year. It
was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I am so thankful for my education and where
I am today!
This study guide is a condensed version of ATI’s Comprehensive Book (pink book) and it
literally got me through the ATI Comprehensive Final Exam with flying colors. Each section is
divided up between topics, and there are subtopics in each section to help facilitate your
learning. Good luck, you got this!
Before we start, take a deep breath. ATI is designed to help you better prepare for the
NCLEX, and while it is daunting, you will slay the ATI if you follow this study guide and
supplement your review with practice questions (from ATI of course!) Set yourself up in a
comfortable room, preferably a quiet one with few distractions. Take frequent breaks, drink lots
of water, and stretch your legs when needed. YOU and your mental health come first. You’ve
got this, we’re rooting for you!
Timeline and How to Study
If you’re in your last quarter/semester, you’ve probably been thinking about preparing for the
ATI Final Exam (or have already started!) Use this timeline as a guide to help space out your
review. Feel free to double up on topics or go in any order you’d like! This timeline worked for
me, but change it up to make it work for you.
Day Monday Tuesday Wednesda Thursday Friday Saturday Sund
y ay
Adult Med
Adult Med Adult Med
Wee Adult Med Surg Adult Med Surg Surg
k1 Fundamentals Surg Surg Endocrine Break
Respiratory Cardiovascular Hematologic,
GI & Renal &
Immune, &
Integumentary
Cancers
Maternity
Maternity
Adult Med Surg Adult Med Diagnostic
Wee Signs of Maternity Maternity
k2 Neuro & Surg Tests & Break
Pregnancy & L&D Postpartum
Musculoskeletal Reproductive Reproductive
Complications
System
Peds
Peds
Wee Maternity Procedures, Mental
k3 Developmental Mental Health Critical Care Break
Newborn Poisoning, & Health
Milestones
Others
Pharm
Pharm Pharm Pharm Pharm
Wee Infectious
k4 Critical Care Calculations & Cardiovascular Neuro & Maternity & Break
Disease &
Conversions & Respiratory Reproductive Psych
Analgesics
,Table of Contents Page #
Fundamentals
● Ethics and Laws 3
● Admissions 5
● Nursing Process 6
○ Lab Values to Know 7
● Patient Needs 8
● Duties of Different Professionals 9
● Death and Dying 10
● Nursing Procedures 10
● Important Considerations 11
● Common Clinical Signs 14
● Safety and Infection Control 15
● Transmission Based Precautions 15
● Nutrition 18
Medical Surgical Nursing
● Respiratory 22
● Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders 25
● Hematologic, Immune, and Cancers 28
● Gastrointestinal System 30
● Renal System 34
● Endocrine System 38
● Neurosensory System 40
● Musculoskeletal System 44
● Integumentary System 47
Maternity
● Diagnostic Tests and Reproductive System 49
● Signs of Pregnancy 51
● Complications During Pregnancy 52
● Labor and Delivery 54
● Postpartum Assessment 56
● Newborn Assessment 57
Pediatrics
● Developmental Milestones 60
● Procedures, Poisoning, & Others 69
Mental Health
● Overview 70
● Disorders 73
● Extrapyramidal Symptoms & Medications 77
Pharmacology
● Overview 78
● Important Drugs 79
● Frequent Monitoring Drugs & Toxicity 82
Diagnostic Lab Tests and Values
, ● Overview 86
Fundamentals
Ethics and Civil Law
● Reporting Act
○ Child and elderly abuse
○ Gunshot wounds
○ Communicable diseases
○ Ophthalmia Neonatorum
○ Phenylketonuria
○ Criminal acts
● Incident Reports
○ NEVER place in a patient's chart
○ If a patient wants to leave AMA, it is the provider's responsibility to advise the
patient of any risks involved when they refuse care
● Advanced Directives
○ Two Types
■ Living will
■ Durable Power of Attorney: transfers all rights to the designated agent
○ Intended to allow patients to have more control over their health care decisions at
the end of life
● Informed Consent
○ Not required in emergency situations
○ Capacity-age (adult), competence (can make choices and understand
consequences)
○ Voluntary
■ Freedom of choice without force, fraud, duress, or coercion
○ Informed consent not to be made under the influence of a drug or alcohol
○ The nurse’s signature as a witness on a consent form indicates that the nurse
observed the informed consent or the clients authorized representative voluntarily
signed the consent form
● When to Question Provider Orders
○ Ambiguous orders
○ Orders that the patient questions
○ Orders when the patient’s condition has changed
○ Orders which do not match with your experience
○ Verbal orders that the doctor has not yet co-signed
● How to Protect your License
○ Do not let anyone else borrow it
○ Do not copy it unless you write COPY on it
Comprehensive Nursing ATI Exam Study
Guide
Comprehensive Nursing Concepts (Drexel University)
, Comprehensive ATI Exam Study
Guide
Hi all! My name is Morgan and I recently graduated from Drexel University’s Accelerated
Nursing Program in Philadelphia! This program is 11 months in length, and is designed for
students who have completed a prior degree looking to complete their BSN in less than a year. It
was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I am so thankful for my education and where
I am today!
This study guide is a condensed version of ATI’s Comprehensive Book (pink book) and it
literally got me through the ATI Comprehensive Final Exam with flying colors. Each section is
divided up between topics, and there are subtopics in each section to help facilitate your
learning. Good luck, you got this!
Before we start, take a deep breath. ATI is designed to help you better prepare for the
NCLEX, and while it is daunting, you will slay the ATI if you follow this study guide and
supplement your review with practice questions (from ATI of course!) Set yourself up in a
comfortable room, preferably a quiet one with few distractions. Take frequent breaks, drink lots
of water, and stretch your legs when needed. YOU and your mental health come first. You’ve
got this, we’re rooting for you!
Timeline and How to Study
If you’re in your last quarter/semester, you’ve probably been thinking about preparing for the
ATI Final Exam (or have already started!) Use this timeline as a guide to help space out your
review. Feel free to double up on topics or go in any order you’d like! This timeline worked for
me, but change it up to make it work for you.
Day Monday Tuesday Wednesda Thursday Friday Saturday Sund
y ay
Adult Med
Adult Med Adult Med
Wee Adult Med Surg Adult Med Surg Surg
k1 Fundamentals Surg Surg Endocrine Break
Respiratory Cardiovascular Hematologic,
GI & Renal &
Immune, &
Integumentary
Cancers
Maternity
Maternity
Adult Med Surg Adult Med Diagnostic
Wee Signs of Maternity Maternity
k2 Neuro & Surg Tests & Break
Pregnancy & L&D Postpartum
Musculoskeletal Reproductive Reproductive
Complications
System
Peds
Peds
Wee Maternity Procedures, Mental
k3 Developmental Mental Health Critical Care Break
Newborn Poisoning, & Health
Milestones
Others
Pharm
Pharm Pharm Pharm Pharm
Wee Infectious
k4 Critical Care Calculations & Cardiovascular Neuro & Maternity & Break
Disease &
Conversions & Respiratory Reproductive Psych
Analgesics
,Table of Contents Page #
Fundamentals
● Ethics and Laws 3
● Admissions 5
● Nursing Process 6
○ Lab Values to Know 7
● Patient Needs 8
● Duties of Different Professionals 9
● Death and Dying 10
● Nursing Procedures 10
● Important Considerations 11
● Common Clinical Signs 14
● Safety and Infection Control 15
● Transmission Based Precautions 15
● Nutrition 18
Medical Surgical Nursing
● Respiratory 22
● Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Disorders 25
● Hematologic, Immune, and Cancers 28
● Gastrointestinal System 30
● Renal System 34
● Endocrine System 38
● Neurosensory System 40
● Musculoskeletal System 44
● Integumentary System 47
Maternity
● Diagnostic Tests and Reproductive System 49
● Signs of Pregnancy 51
● Complications During Pregnancy 52
● Labor and Delivery 54
● Postpartum Assessment 56
● Newborn Assessment 57
Pediatrics
● Developmental Milestones 60
● Procedures, Poisoning, & Others 69
Mental Health
● Overview 70
● Disorders 73
● Extrapyramidal Symptoms & Medications 77
Pharmacology
● Overview 78
● Important Drugs 79
● Frequent Monitoring Drugs & Toxicity 82
Diagnostic Lab Tests and Values
, ● Overview 86
Fundamentals
Ethics and Civil Law
● Reporting Act
○ Child and elderly abuse
○ Gunshot wounds
○ Communicable diseases
○ Ophthalmia Neonatorum
○ Phenylketonuria
○ Criminal acts
● Incident Reports
○ NEVER place in a patient's chart
○ If a patient wants to leave AMA, it is the provider's responsibility to advise the
patient of any risks involved when they refuse care
● Advanced Directives
○ Two Types
■ Living will
■ Durable Power of Attorney: transfers all rights to the designated agent
○ Intended to allow patients to have more control over their health care decisions at
the end of life
● Informed Consent
○ Not required in emergency situations
○ Capacity-age (adult), competence (can make choices and understand
consequences)
○ Voluntary
■ Freedom of choice without force, fraud, duress, or coercion
○ Informed consent not to be made under the influence of a drug or alcohol
○ The nurse’s signature as a witness on a consent form indicates that the nurse
observed the informed consent or the clients authorized representative voluntarily
signed the consent form
● When to Question Provider Orders
○ Ambiguous orders
○ Orders that the patient questions
○ Orders when the patient’s condition has changed
○ Orders which do not match with your experience
○ Verbal orders that the doctor has not yet co-signed
● How to Protect your License
○ Do not let anyone else borrow it
○ Do not copy it unless you write COPY on it
