☑ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exam 2025–2026 volume 1 & 2 – 180 Questions
(Full-Length Simulation) well written A+.☑
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours post–cardiac catheterization via the femoral
artery. The client reports numbness in the foot. What should the nurse do first?
A. Apply warm compresses to the foot
B. Check the pedal pulses and assess the insertion site
C. Elevate the affected leg
D. Document the finding as expected
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑B
Rationale: Numbness after a femoral catheterization can indicate arterial occlusion or a developing hematoma
compressing the artery. The nurse needs to assess pedal pulses, skin color, temperature, and the insertion site
immediately. This is not an expected finding—it's a potential emergency.
,2. A client with heart failure is being discharged. Which statement shows the client
understands weight monitoring?
A. “I will weigh myself every morning after breakfast.”
B. “I will call my doctor if I gain more than 2 pounds in a day.”
C. “I will weigh myself once a week at the same time.”
D. “I will wear different clothes each time I weigh myself.”
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑B
Rationale: Daily weight is the best way to monitor fluid retention. A gain of 2–3 pounds in 24 hours or 5 pounds in a week
signals worsening heart failure and should be reported right away. Weighing should be done at the same time each day,
on the same scale, with minimal clothing, before eating.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I will take ibuprofen if I get a headache.”
B. “I will eat plenty of spinach and kale to stay healthy.”
C. “I will get my INR checked regularly as ordered.”
D. “I will stop the medication if I notice bruising.”
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑C
Rationale: INR monitoring is essential to keep warfarin in the safe and effective range. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs
,increase bleeding risk and should be avoided. Spinach and kale are high in vitamin K, which can make warfarin less
effective. Bruising is a common side effect, but stopping the medication without talking to the provider is dangerous.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube after lung surgery. The drainage collection
chamber has 1,200 mL of bloody drainage in the past 4 hours. What should the nurse do?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Clamp the chest tube immediately
C. Notify the provider right away
D. Empty the drainage chamber
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑C
Rationale: More than 100 mL per hour of bloody drainage is considered excessive and could indicate internal bleeding.
The provider needs to be notified immediately. Never clamp a chest tube unless specifically ordered—it can cause a
tension pneumothorax.
5. A client with bipolar disorder is taking lithium. The nurse reviews the morning lab
results. Which finding is most concerning?
, A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium level 128 mEq/L
C. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
D. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑B
Rationale: Low sodium (hyponatremia) causes the kidneys to hold onto lithium, leading to toxicity—even if the lithium
level is still in the therapeutic range. Clients on lithium need to maintain normal sodium and fluid intake.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a head injury. Which finding is the earliest sign of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Pupils fixed and dilated
B. Decerebrate posturing
C. Change in level of consciousness
D. Cushing’s triad
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑C
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness—such as confusion, restlessness, or drowsiness—is the earliest and most
sensitive sign of increased ICP. Pupil changes, posturing, and Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, irregular
respirations) appear later.
(Full-Length Simulation) well written A+.☑
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours post–cardiac catheterization via the femoral
artery. The client reports numbness in the foot. What should the nurse do first?
A. Apply warm compresses to the foot
B. Check the pedal pulses and assess the insertion site
C. Elevate the affected leg
D. Document the finding as expected
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑B
Rationale: Numbness after a femoral catheterization can indicate arterial occlusion or a developing hematoma
compressing the artery. The nurse needs to assess pedal pulses, skin color, temperature, and the insertion site
immediately. This is not an expected finding—it's a potential emergency.
,2. A client with heart failure is being discharged. Which statement shows the client
understands weight monitoring?
A. “I will weigh myself every morning after breakfast.”
B. “I will call my doctor if I gain more than 2 pounds in a day.”
C. “I will weigh myself once a week at the same time.”
D. “I will wear different clothes each time I weigh myself.”
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑B
Rationale: Daily weight is the best way to monitor fluid retention. A gain of 2–3 pounds in 24 hours or 5 pounds in a week
signals worsening heart failure and should be reported right away. Weighing should be done at the same time each day,
on the same scale, with minimal clothing, before eating.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I will take ibuprofen if I get a headache.”
B. “I will eat plenty of spinach and kale to stay healthy.”
C. “I will get my INR checked regularly as ordered.”
D. “I will stop the medication if I notice bruising.”
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑C
Rationale: INR monitoring is essential to keep warfarin in the safe and effective range. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs
,increase bleeding risk and should be avoided. Spinach and kale are high in vitamin K, which can make warfarin less
effective. Bruising is a common side effect, but stopping the medication without talking to the provider is dangerous.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube after lung surgery. The drainage collection
chamber has 1,200 mL of bloody drainage in the past 4 hours. What should the nurse do?
A. Document the finding as normal
B. Clamp the chest tube immediately
C. Notify the provider right away
D. Empty the drainage chamber
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑C
Rationale: More than 100 mL per hour of bloody drainage is considered excessive and could indicate internal bleeding.
The provider needs to be notified immediately. Never clamp a chest tube unless specifically ordered—it can cause a
tension pneumothorax.
5. A client with bipolar disorder is taking lithium. The nurse reviews the morning lab
results. Which finding is most concerning?
, A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium level 128 mEq/L
C. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
D. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑B
Rationale: Low sodium (hyponatremia) causes the kidneys to hold onto lithium, leading to toxicity—even if the lithium
level is still in the therapeutic range. Clients on lithium need to maintain normal sodium and fluid intake.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a head injury. Which finding is the earliest sign of
increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A. Pupils fixed and dilated
B. Decerebrate posturing
C. Change in level of consciousness
D. Cushing’s triad
☑ ☑ Answer: ☑C
Rationale: A change in level of consciousness—such as confusion, restlessness, or drowsiness—is the earliest and most
sensitive sign of increased ICP. Pupil changes, posturing, and Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, irregular
respirations) appear later.
