ATI COMPREHENSIVE PN PREDICTOR |
2026/2027 TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE FOR
GRADE A+
___________________________________________________
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-sodium diet.
Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Canned tuna
B. Fresh grilled chicken breast
C. Frozen lasagna
D. Pickled beets
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Fresh, unprocessed foods are low in sodium. Canned, frozen processed meals,
and pickled foods are high in sodium.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
enoxaparin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will inject the medication into my arm muscle.”
B. “I will massage the injection site after giving the shot.”
C. “I will not take aspirin while using this medication.”
D. “I will stop the injections if I see a small bruise.”
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Enoxaparin increases bleeding risk; aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided.
Inject subcutaneously into the abdomen, do not massage, and do not stop for minor
bruising.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day postoperative following a bowel
resection. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider first?
A. Temperature 99.8°F (37.7°C)
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
C. Urinary output of 25 mL over 2 hours
D. Pain rated 3 on a 0–10 scale
Correct answer: C
*Rationale: Low urine output (<30 mL/hr) may indicate dehydration or acute kidney
injury and requires immediate reporting. Mild fever and pain are expected
postoperatively.*
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain signed informed consent
B. Verify the client’s blood type with the transfusion record
C. Start a 20-gauge IV line
D. Check vital signs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Verification of blood type and compatibility with the transfusion record is the
first and most critical step to prevent hemolytic reaction.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which finding
is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion (crackles). Right-sided
failure causes systemic congestion (JVD, edema, hepatomegaly).
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for warfarin.
Which over-the-counter medication is safest for occasional headache?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Naproxen
C. Acetaminophen
D. Aspirin
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Acetaminophen does not affect bleeding risk. NSAIDs and aspirin increase
bleeding risk with warfarin.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with a closed head injury. Which finding is the
earliest sign of increased intracranial pressure?
A. Widened pulse pressure
B. Bradycardia
C. Change in level of consciousness
,D. Decerebrate posturing
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Change in level of consciousness is the earliest and most sensitive sign of
increased ICP. Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, widened pulse pressure) occurs
later.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube on continuous suction.
Which laboratory finding indicates a potential complication?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Chloride 100 mEq/L
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct answer: B
*Rationale: NG suction removes gastric acid, leading to hypokalemia and metabolic
alkalosis. Potassium <3.5 mEq/L requires intervention.*
9. A nurse is preparing to administer an enema to an adult client. Place the steps in
the correct order.
1. Insert the tubing 7–10 cm into the rectum
2. Lubricate the tip of the enema tubing
3. Position the client in Sims’ position
4. Hang the enema container 45 cm above the anus
A. 3, 2, 4, 1
B. 2, 3, 1, 4
C. 4, 2, 3, 1
D. 1, 3, 2, 4
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Correct order: Sims’ position → lubricate tip → hang container → insert
tubing.
10. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which action is correct?
A. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
B. Remove gloves before removing the gown
C. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
D. Wear a gown and gloves for all client contact
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves. MRSA does not require airborne
precautions. Remove gown first, then gloves.
11. A nurse is assessing a client 6 hours after a total hip arthroplasty. Which
finding requires immediate notification of the provider?
A. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
B. Pain rated 4 on a 0–10 scale
C. Temperature 99.4°F (37.4°C)
, D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on dressing
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxemia (O2 sat <90%) after hip surgery may indicate pulmonary embolism,
a life-threatening complication.
12. A nurse is providing education to a client with gout about dietary changes.
Which food should the client avoid?
A. Fresh cherries
B. Low-fat yogurt
C. Beef liver
D. Whole wheat bread
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Organ meats (beef liver) are high in purines, which increase uric acid and
trigger gout flares.
13. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. Which finding
should the nurse report immediately?
A. Red man syndrome (flushing of the neck and face)
B. Tinnitus and hearing loss
C. Infiltration at the IV site
D. Nausea after the infusion
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Tinnitus and hearing loss indicate ototoxicity, a serious and potentially
irreversible adverse effect of vancomycin.
14. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of type
1 diabetes. Which statement indicates understanding of hypoglycemia treatment?
A. “I will drink orange juice if my blood sugar is 60 mg/dL.”
B. “I will take an extra dose of insulin before exercising.”
C. “I will skip my next meal if my blood sugar is 180 mg/dL.”
D. “I will eat a glucose tablet if I feel shaky and weak.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hypoglycemia (shaky, weak, blood glucose <70) requires fast-acting
carbohydrate. A glucose tablet provides a precise dose. Orange juice is acceptable but less
controlled.
15. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of meningitis. Which finding
is most concerning?
A. Nuchal rigidity
B. Photophobia
C. Petechial rash on the trunk
D. Headache
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A petechial rash in meningitis suggests meningococcal septicemia, which is
life-threatening and requires immediate antibiotics.
2026/2027 TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE FOR
GRADE A+
___________________________________________________
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-sodium diet.
Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Canned tuna
B. Fresh grilled chicken breast
C. Frozen lasagna
D. Pickled beets
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Fresh, unprocessed foods are low in sodium. Canned, frozen processed meals,
and pickled foods are high in sodium.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
enoxaparin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will inject the medication into my arm muscle.”
B. “I will massage the injection site after giving the shot.”
C. “I will not take aspirin while using this medication.”
D. “I will stop the injections if I see a small bruise.”
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Enoxaparin increases bleeding risk; aspirin and NSAIDs should be avoided.
Inject subcutaneously into the abdomen, do not massage, and do not stop for minor
bruising.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day postoperative following a bowel
resection. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider first?
A. Temperature 99.8°F (37.7°C)
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
C. Urinary output of 25 mL over 2 hours
D. Pain rated 3 on a 0–10 scale
Correct answer: C
*Rationale: Low urine output (<30 mL/hr) may indicate dehydration or acute kidney
injury and requires immediate reporting. Mild fever and pain are expected
postoperatively.*
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain signed informed consent
B. Verify the client’s blood type with the transfusion record
C. Start a 20-gauge IV line
D. Check vital signs
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Verification of blood type and compatibility with the transfusion record is the
first and most critical step to prevent hemolytic reaction.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which finding
is most consistent with left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular vein distention
B. Peripheral edema
C. Crackles in the lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion (crackles). Right-sided
failure causes systemic congestion (JVD, edema, hepatomegaly).
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for warfarin.
Which over-the-counter medication is safest for occasional headache?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Naproxen
C. Acetaminophen
D. Aspirin
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Acetaminophen does not affect bleeding risk. NSAIDs and aspirin increase
bleeding risk with warfarin.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with a closed head injury. Which finding is the
earliest sign of increased intracranial pressure?
A. Widened pulse pressure
B. Bradycardia
C. Change in level of consciousness
,D. Decerebrate posturing
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Change in level of consciousness is the earliest and most sensitive sign of
increased ICP. Cushing’s triad (hypertension, bradycardia, widened pulse pressure) occurs
later.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube on continuous suction.
Which laboratory finding indicates a potential complication?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Chloride 100 mEq/L
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Correct answer: B
*Rationale: NG suction removes gastric acid, leading to hypokalemia and metabolic
alkalosis. Potassium <3.5 mEq/L requires intervention.*
9. A nurse is preparing to administer an enema to an adult client. Place the steps in
the correct order.
1. Insert the tubing 7–10 cm into the rectum
2. Lubricate the tip of the enema tubing
3. Position the client in Sims’ position
4. Hang the enema container 45 cm above the anus
A. 3, 2, 4, 1
B. 2, 3, 1, 4
C. 4, 2, 3, 1
D. 1, 3, 2, 4
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Correct order: Sims’ position → lubricate tip → hang container → insert
tubing.
10. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which action is correct?
A. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
B. Remove gloves before removing the gown
C. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
D. Wear a gown and gloves for all client contact
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves. MRSA does not require airborne
precautions. Remove gown first, then gloves.
11. A nurse is assessing a client 6 hours after a total hip arthroplasty. Which
finding requires immediate notification of the provider?
A. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
B. Pain rated 4 on a 0–10 scale
C. Temperature 99.4°F (37.4°C)
, D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on dressing
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Hypoxemia (O2 sat <90%) after hip surgery may indicate pulmonary embolism,
a life-threatening complication.
12. A nurse is providing education to a client with gout about dietary changes.
Which food should the client avoid?
A. Fresh cherries
B. Low-fat yogurt
C. Beef liver
D. Whole wheat bread
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Organ meats (beef liver) are high in purines, which increase uric acid and
trigger gout flares.
13. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. Which finding
should the nurse report immediately?
A. Red man syndrome (flushing of the neck and face)
B. Tinnitus and hearing loss
C. Infiltration at the IV site
D. Nausea after the infusion
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Tinnitus and hearing loss indicate ototoxicity, a serious and potentially
irreversible adverse effect of vancomycin.
14. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of type
1 diabetes. Which statement indicates understanding of hypoglycemia treatment?
A. “I will drink orange juice if my blood sugar is 60 mg/dL.”
B. “I will take an extra dose of insulin before exercising.”
C. “I will skip my next meal if my blood sugar is 180 mg/dL.”
D. “I will eat a glucose tablet if I feel shaky and weak.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hypoglycemia (shaky, weak, blood glucose <70) requires fast-acting
carbohydrate. A glucose tablet provides a precise dose. Orange juice is acceptable but less
controlled.
15. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of meningitis. Which finding
is most concerning?
A. Nuchal rigidity
B. Photophobia
C. Petechial rash on the trunk
D. Headache
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A petechial rash in meningitis suggests meningococcal septicemia, which is
life-threatening and requires immediate antibiotics.
