ATI PN Comprehensive Exit Exam 2026/2027
| Verified Study Guide Questions & Correct
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete NCLEX-PN Readiness Review & A+
Graded Test Bank (Latest Version)
• This study guide contains 200 verified NCLEX-PN style questions with correct
answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to prepare you for the ATI PN
Comprehensive Exit Exam 2026/2027.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct response, then studying the EXPERT RATIONALE
to reinforce clinical reasoning.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which assessment
finding should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 138/86 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
E. Temperature of 37.2°C
Correct Answer: D. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should withhold digoxin
and notify the provider if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min in an adult, as this
indicates bradycardia and risk of digoxin toxicity.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take aspirin for my headaches."
,B. "I can eat unlimited leafy green vegetables."
C. "I should stop the medication if I notice bruising."
D. "I need to have my INR levels checked regularly."
E. "I will double my dose if I miss one."
Correct Answer: D. "I need to have my INR levels checked regularly."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring to ensure therapeutic
anticoagulation and prevent bleeding or clotting complications. The INR goal for most
indications is 2.0–3.0.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who takes lithium. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild hand tremors
B. Polyuria and polydipsia
C. Coarse tremors, confusion, and vomiting
D. Weight gain of 2 lbs in a week
E. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: C. Coarse tremors, confusion, and vomiting
EXPERT RATIONALE: Coarse tremors, confusion, and vomiting are signs of lithium
toxicity, which is a medical emergency. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (0.6–1.2
mEq/L), and levels above 1.5 mEq/L are toxic.
4. A nurse is administering metformin to a client scheduled for a contrast dye
procedure tomorrow. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Decrease the dose by half
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
,D. Administer with extra fluids
E. Monitor blood glucose more frequently
Correct Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metformin must be held before contrast dye procedures due to
the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, which can impair renal excretion of metformin
and lead to lactic acidosis.
5. A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV vancomycin. Which adverse effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Constipation
C. Red man syndrome
D. Bradycardia
E. Urinary retention
Correct Answer: C. Red man syndrome
EXPERT RATIONALE: Red man syndrome is a common adverse effect of rapid
vancomycin infusion, characterized by flushing, erythema, and pruritus of the face, neck,
and chest. Slowing the infusion rate prevents this reaction.
6. A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV. Which electrolyte should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
E. Phosphorus
, Correct Answer: C. Potassium
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting
through the kidneys, placing the client at risk for hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor
potassium levels and encourage potassium-rich foods or supplements as ordered.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about taking oral iron supplements. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take iron with milk to reduce stomach upset."
B. "Expect your stools to be yellow while taking this medication."
C. "Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption."
D. "Take iron with antacids if you develop heartburn."
E. "Take iron immediately after meals for best results."
Correct Answer: C. "Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in orange juice enhances the
absorption of non-heme iron. Milk, antacids, and calcium decrease iron absorption.
Stools typically become dark/tarry, not yellow.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine. Which action is correct?
A. Mix with regular insulin in the same syringe
B. Administer subcutaneously at the same time each day
C. Administer intravenously if blood glucose exceeds 300 mg/dL
D. Shake the vial vigorously before drawing up
E. Administer 30 minutes before meals
Correct Answer: B. Administer subcutaneously at the same time each day
| Verified Study Guide Questions & Correct
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete NCLEX-PN Readiness Review & A+
Graded Test Bank (Latest Version)
• This study guide contains 200 verified NCLEX-PN style questions with correct
answers and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to prepare you for the ATI PN
Comprehensive Exit Exam 2026/2027.
• Use this material by reading each question carefully, selecting your answer before
checking the highlighted correct response, then studying the EXPERT RATIONALE
to reinforce clinical reasoning.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which assessment
finding should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
provider?
A. Blood pressure of 138/86 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
E. Temperature of 37.2°C
Correct Answer: D. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should withhold digoxin
and notify the provider if the apical pulse is below 60 beats/min in an adult, as this
indicates bradycardia and risk of digoxin toxicity.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take aspirin for my headaches."
,B. "I can eat unlimited leafy green vegetables."
C. "I should stop the medication if I notice bruising."
D. "I need to have my INR levels checked regularly."
E. "I will double my dose if I miss one."
Correct Answer: D. "I need to have my INR levels checked regularly."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring to ensure therapeutic
anticoagulation and prevent bleeding or clotting complications. The INR goal for most
indications is 2.0–3.0.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who takes lithium. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Mild hand tremors
B. Polyuria and polydipsia
C. Coarse tremors, confusion, and vomiting
D. Weight gain of 2 lbs in a week
E. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: C. Coarse tremors, confusion, and vomiting
EXPERT RATIONALE: Coarse tremors, confusion, and vomiting are signs of lithium
toxicity, which is a medical emergency. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (0.6–1.2
mEq/L), and levels above 1.5 mEq/L are toxic.
4. A nurse is administering metformin to a client scheduled for a contrast dye
procedure tomorrow. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Decrease the dose by half
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
,D. Administer with extra fluids
E. Monitor blood glucose more frequently
Correct Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metformin must be held before contrast dye procedures due to
the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy, which can impair renal excretion of metformin
and lead to lactic acidosis.
5. A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV vancomycin. Which adverse effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Constipation
C. Red man syndrome
D. Bradycardia
E. Urinary retention
Correct Answer: C. Red man syndrome
EXPERT RATIONALE: Red man syndrome is a common adverse effect of rapid
vancomycin infusion, characterized by flushing, erythema, and pruritus of the face, neck,
and chest. Slowing the infusion rate prevents this reaction.
6. A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg IV. Which electrolyte should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
E. Phosphorus
, Correct Answer: C. Potassium
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting
through the kidneys, placing the client at risk for hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor
potassium levels and encourage potassium-rich foods or supplements as ordered.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about taking oral iron supplements. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take iron with milk to reduce stomach upset."
B. "Expect your stools to be yellow while taking this medication."
C. "Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption."
D. "Take iron with antacids if you develop heartburn."
E. "Take iron immediately after meals for best results."
Correct Answer: C. "Take iron with orange juice to enhance absorption."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in orange juice enhances the
absorption of non-heme iron. Milk, antacids, and calcium decrease iron absorption.
Stools typically become dark/tarry, not yellow.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine. Which action is correct?
A. Mix with regular insulin in the same syringe
B. Administer subcutaneously at the same time each day
C. Administer intravenously if blood glucose exceeds 300 mg/dL
D. Shake the vial vigorously before drawing up
E. Administer 30 minutes before meals
Correct Answer: B. Administer subcutaneously at the same time each day
