ATI Comprehensive Exam with Answers 2026 Graded A

1.  A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is experiencing acute mania. The

nurse obtained a verbal prescription for restraints. Which of the following should the actions the

nurse take?

A.  Request a renewal of the prescription every 8 hr.

B.  Check the client’s peripheral pulse rate every 30 min

C.  Obtain a prescription for restraint within 4 hr.

D.  Document the client’s condition every 15 minutes

1.  A nursing planning care for a school-age child who is 4 hr postoperative following

perforated appendicitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of

care?

a.  Offer small amounts of clear liquids 6 hr following surgery (assess for gag reflex first)

b.  Give cromolyn nebulizer solution every 6 hr (for asthma)

c.  Apply a warm compress to the operative site every 4 hr

d.  Administer analgesics on a scheduled basis for the first 24 hr

2.  A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for a group of clients. Which of the following

clients should the nurse plan to assess first?

a.  A client who has sinus arrhythmia and is receiving cardiac monitoring

b.  A client who has diabetes mellitus and a hemoglobin A1C of 6.8%

c.  A client who has epidural analgesia and weakness in the lower extremities

d.  A client who has a hip fracture and a new onset of tachypnea

3.  A nurse is preparing to apply a transdermal nicotine patch for a client. Which of the

following actions should the nurse tak e?

a.  Shave hairy areas of skin prior to application (apply to hairless, clean & dry areas to promote

absorption; avoid oily or broken skin)

b.  Wear gloves to apply the patch to the client’s skin

c.  Apply the patch within 1 hr of removing it from the protective pouch (apply immediately)

d.  Remove the previous patch and place it in a tissue (fold patch in half with sticky sides

pressed together)

4.  A nurse has just received change-of-shift report for four clients. Which of the following

clients should the nurse assess first?

a.  A client who was just given a glass of orange juice for a low blood glucose level

b.  A client who is schedule for a procedure in 1 hr (can wait)

c.  A client who has 100 mL fluid remaining in his IV bag (can wait)

d.  A client who received a pain medication 30 min ago for postoperative pain

5.  A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intermittent enteral tube feedings. Which of

the following places the client at risk for aspiration?

a.  A history of gastroesophageal reflux disease

b.  Receiving a high osmolarity formula

c.  Sitting in a high-Fowler’s position during the feeding

d.  A residual of 65 mL 1hr postprandial

6.  A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has Cushing’s disease. The

nurse should expect the client to have an increase in which of the following laboratory values?

a.  Serum glucose level- increased   

b.  Serum calcium level-decreased

c.  Lymphocyte count- decreased immune system.

d.  Serum potassium level- decreased

. 8.  A nurse is caring for a client who has severe preeclampsia and is receiving magnesium

sulfate intravenously. The nurse discontinues the magnesium sulfate after the client displaces

toxicity. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

a.  Position the client supine

b.  Prepare an IV bolus of dextrose 5% in water

c.  Administer methylergonovine IM

d.  Administer calcium gluconate IV

Calcium gluconate is given for magnesium sulfate toxicity. Always have an injectable form of

calcium gluconate available when administering magnesium sulfate by IV.

9.  A charge nurse is teaching new staff members about factors that increase a client’s risk to

become violent. Which of the following risk factors should the nurse include as the best predictor

of future violence?

a.  Experiencing delusions

b.  Male gender

c.  Previous violent behavior

d.  A history of being in prison

Risk factors also include: past history of aggression, poor impulse control, and violence.

Comorbidity that leads to acts of violence (psychotic delusions, command hallucinations, violent

angry reactions with cognitive disorders).

Individual Assessment for Violence