ATI BOARD VITALS 2025| COMPLETE EXAM SET (QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS)FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS | ALREADY PASSED!!
Question 1
The nurse is caring for an older adult client. Which symptom is consistent with Cystitis?
A) Fever
B) Hypotension
C) Tachypnea
D) Dysuria/urgency/frequency
E) Tachycardia
Correct Answer: D) Dysuria/urgency/frequency
Rationale: Dysuria/urgency/frequency are symptoms consistent with Cystitis,
Pyelonephritis, and Urosepsis.
Question 2
Which symptom is primarily present in the early/acute phases of pyelonephritis but may be less
prominent in urosepsis?
A) Dysuria
B) Urgency
C) Frequency
D) Hypotension
E) Low back/flank pain
Correct Answer: E) Low back/flank pain
Rationale: Low back or flank pain are primarily present in the early/acute phases of
infection (like Pyelonephritis) and may be less prominent or obvious once the client
has developed sepsis.
,Question 3
Which of the following symptoms is consistent with Urosepsis?
A) Dysuria
B) Urgency
C) Frequency
D) Low back pain
E) Hypotension
Correct Answer: E) Hypotension
Rationale: Hypotension is a symptom consistent only with Urosepsis among the
options listed, indicating systemic involvement.
Question 4
In the context of a UTI, which symptom is considered a systemic sign of illness and
is not typically seen with uncomplicated Cystitis?
A) Dysuria
B) Urgency
C) Frequency
D) Fever
E) Pelvic pain
Correct Answer: D) Fever
Rationale: Cystitis will not present with systemic signs of illness, such as vital sign
changes (i.e., tachypnea, fever, tachycardia).
Question 5
When analyzing cues for an older adult with a suspected UTI, which of the following findings
,requires immediate follow-up?
A) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
B) Oxygen saturation 96% on room air
C) Poor appetite reported by the family
D) Respiratory rate 24/min
E) Pelvic pain 6/10
Correct Answer: D) Respiratory rate 24/min
Rationale: The client's tachypnea (Respiratory rate 24/min) should be prioritized
based on the ABC algorithm, as it may indicate systemic infection like sepsis or
metabolic acidosis.
Question 6
For an older adult client presenting with signs of UTI and systemic infection, which finding
is not considered an immediate priority for follow-up?
A) Temperature 101.8° F (37.8° C)
B) Heart rate 108/min
C) New onset of confusion
D) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
E) Respiratory rate 24/min
Correct Answer: D) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
Rationale: Blood pressure that is still within the standard range is not an immediate
priority in this client compared to tachypnea, fever, and mental status changes.
Question 7
The nurse should recognize that the client's tachypnea in the context of an acute UTI with
, systemic symptoms is a priority because it may indicate:
A) Simple dehydration.
B) Increased metabolic rate from pain.
C) Systemic infection (sepsis) or metabolic acidosis.
D) An expected finding in an uncomplicated UTI.
E) A psychological response to illness.
Correct Answer: C) Systemic infection (sepsis) or metabolic acidosis.
Rationale: Tachypnea is not a typical finding with an acute UTI and may indicate
systemic infection. Sepsis and metabolic acidosis often lead to a compensatory
increase in the respiratory rate to reduce the CO2 level.
Question 8
When prioritizing the plan of care for an older adult with a changing condition, the nurse
should first address the client's:
A) Temperature and nausea.
B) Serum potassium.
C) Blood pressure and temperature.
D) Hypotension and serum lactic acid.
E) Poor appetite.
Correct Answer: D) Hypotension and serum lactic acid.
Rationale: The client's hypotension and elevated lactic acid levels are characteristics
of sepsis that should be recognized and communicated to the rest of the healthcare
team to ensure rapid intervention. Cardiovascular instability should be prioritized.
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS)FREQUENTLY MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS | ALREADY PASSED!!
Question 1
The nurse is caring for an older adult client. Which symptom is consistent with Cystitis?
A) Fever
B) Hypotension
C) Tachypnea
D) Dysuria/urgency/frequency
E) Tachycardia
Correct Answer: D) Dysuria/urgency/frequency
Rationale: Dysuria/urgency/frequency are symptoms consistent with Cystitis,
Pyelonephritis, and Urosepsis.
Question 2
Which symptom is primarily present in the early/acute phases of pyelonephritis but may be less
prominent in urosepsis?
A) Dysuria
B) Urgency
C) Frequency
D) Hypotension
E) Low back/flank pain
Correct Answer: E) Low back/flank pain
Rationale: Low back or flank pain are primarily present in the early/acute phases of
infection (like Pyelonephritis) and may be less prominent or obvious once the client
has developed sepsis.
,Question 3
Which of the following symptoms is consistent with Urosepsis?
A) Dysuria
B) Urgency
C) Frequency
D) Low back pain
E) Hypotension
Correct Answer: E) Hypotension
Rationale: Hypotension is a symptom consistent only with Urosepsis among the
options listed, indicating systemic involvement.
Question 4
In the context of a UTI, which symptom is considered a systemic sign of illness and
is not typically seen with uncomplicated Cystitis?
A) Dysuria
B) Urgency
C) Frequency
D) Fever
E) Pelvic pain
Correct Answer: D) Fever
Rationale: Cystitis will not present with systemic signs of illness, such as vital sign
changes (i.e., tachypnea, fever, tachycardia).
Question 5
When analyzing cues for an older adult with a suspected UTI, which of the following findings
,requires immediate follow-up?
A) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
B) Oxygen saturation 96% on room air
C) Poor appetite reported by the family
D) Respiratory rate 24/min
E) Pelvic pain 6/10
Correct Answer: D) Respiratory rate 24/min
Rationale: The client's tachypnea (Respiratory rate 24/min) should be prioritized
based on the ABC algorithm, as it may indicate systemic infection like sepsis or
metabolic acidosis.
Question 6
For an older adult client presenting with signs of UTI and systemic infection, which finding
is not considered an immediate priority for follow-up?
A) Temperature 101.8° F (37.8° C)
B) Heart rate 108/min
C) New onset of confusion
D) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
E) Respiratory rate 24/min
Correct Answer: D) Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
Rationale: Blood pressure that is still within the standard range is not an immediate
priority in this client compared to tachypnea, fever, and mental status changes.
Question 7
The nurse should recognize that the client's tachypnea in the context of an acute UTI with
, systemic symptoms is a priority because it may indicate:
A) Simple dehydration.
B) Increased metabolic rate from pain.
C) Systemic infection (sepsis) or metabolic acidosis.
D) An expected finding in an uncomplicated UTI.
E) A psychological response to illness.
Correct Answer: C) Systemic infection (sepsis) or metabolic acidosis.
Rationale: Tachypnea is not a typical finding with an acute UTI and may indicate
systemic infection. Sepsis and metabolic acidosis often lead to a compensatory
increase in the respiratory rate to reduce the CO2 level.
Question 8
When prioritizing the plan of care for an older adult with a changing condition, the nurse
should first address the client's:
A) Temperature and nausea.
B) Serum potassium.
C) Blood pressure and temperature.
D) Hypotension and serum lactic acid.
E) Poor appetite.
Correct Answer: D) Hypotension and serum lactic acid.
Rationale: The client's hypotension and elevated lactic acid levels are characteristics
of sepsis that should be recognized and communicated to the rest of the healthcare
team to ensure rapid intervention. Cardiovascular instability should be prioritized.
