ATI NCLEX Review Questions,

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ATI NCLEX Review Questions, Answers, & Rationales | Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified

A client receiving IV gentamicin has a serum creatinine of 2.3 mg/dL. What should the nurse do?✔✔Hold the medication and notify the provider.**Rationale:** Gentamicin is nephrotoxic. Elevated creatinine indicates possible kidney damage.

A client post-op day 1 following abdominal surgery reports gas pains and abdominal bloating.What is the most appropriate nursing action?✔✔Assist the client to ambulate in the hallway.**Rationale:** Early ambulation helps stimulate bowel activity and relieves gas.

A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for NPO status and has a nasogastric tube for decompression. The client asks for ice chips. What should the nurse do?✔✔Explain the reason for NPO and withhold ice chips.**Rationale:** Ice chips can be absorbed and stimulate gastric activity, which is contraindicated during decompression.

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A nurse finds a client with a history of diabetes confused, sweaty, and trembling. What is the nurse's immediate action?✔✔Check the client’s blood glucose.**Rationale:** These are signs of hypoglycemia; assessment is the first step before intervention.

A client with a chest tube accidentally disconnects it from the drainage system. What should the nurse do immediately?✔✔Submerge the end of the tubing in sterile water.**Rationale:** This creates a water seal to prevent air from entering the pleural space.

A client newly prescribed lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What should the nurse advise?✔✔Notify the provider about the side effect.**Rationale:** A dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors; a different class may be needed.

A nurse is preparing to administer timolol eye drops to a client with glaucoma. What is an important action?✔✔Apply pressure to the nasolacrimal duct after instillation.**Rationale:** This prevents systemic absorption and reduces side effects like bradycardia. 2 / 3

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A client receiving tube feeding develops diarrhea. What is the best nursing action?✔✔Check the feeding rate and formula concentration.**Rationale:** Diarrhea can result from rapid administration or hyperosmolar formula.

A client newly diagnosed with hypertension asks how to lower blood pressure without medication. What should the nurse recommend?✔✔Reduce salt intake and perform moderate exercise regularly.**Rationale:** Lifestyle changes can help control hypertension and reduce the need for medication.

A nurse enters a room and finds smoke coming from a malfunctioning infusion pump. What is the first action?✔✔Remove the client from the room.**Rationale:** In a fire, the priority is to rescue the client (RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish).

A nurse is caring for a client with myasthenia gravis who reports increased muscle weakness.What is the priority action?

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