ATI COMPREHENSIVE PN PREDICTOR |
2026/2027 TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE FOR
GRADE A+
___________________________________________________
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which
finding is most consistent with right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles in the lung bases
B. Orthopnea
C. Peripheral edema
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to peripheral
edema, jugular vein distention, and hepatomegaly. Left-sided failure causes pulmonary
symptoms such as crackles and orthopnea.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
enoxaparin. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will inject the medication into my abdomen.”
B. “I will not take aspirin while using this medication.”
C. “I will massage the injection site after giving the shot.”
D. “I will call my provider if I notice excessive bruising.”
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Massaging the injection site can increase bleeding and bruising. The client
should not massage the site. Injecting into the abdomen, avoiding aspirin, and reporting
excessive bruising are correct.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours postoperative following a coronary
artery bypass graft. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 88 beats per minute
C. Oxygen saturation 86% on room air
D. Temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxemia (O2 sat <90%) after cardiac surgery may indicate a pulmonary
complication such as atelectasis, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism and requires
immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-residue diet.
Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Whole grain bread
B. Fresh strawberries
C. White rice
D. Popcorn
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A low-residue diet limits fiber. White rice is low in fiber. Whole grains, fresh
fruits with seeds, and popcorn are high in residue and should be avoided.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube for a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the length of tubing to be inserted
B. Lubricate the tip of the tube with water-soluble gel
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Explain the procedure to the client
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Explaining the procedure to the client is the first step to obtain cooperation
and reduce anxiety. Positioning, measuring, and lubricating come after.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Heat intolerance
B. Weight loss
C. Diarrhea
D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes bradycardia, weight gain, constipation, and cold
intolerance. Heat intolerance, weight loss, and diarrhea are seen in hyperthyroidism.
,7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which adverse effect should the client report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Swelling of the tongue
C. Dizziness when standing
D. Fatigue
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema (swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat) is a medical emergency
associated with ACE inhibitors. Dry cough is common but not emergent.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed
drainage system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Document this as a normal finding
B. Clamp the chest tube immediately
C. Check the system for an air leak
D. Increase the suction pressure
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak. The
nurse should assess the system for loose connections or cracks. Tidaling is normal.
9. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of appendicitis. Which finding
is most indicative of peritonitis?
A. Rebound tenderness and abdominal rigidity
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Low-grade fever
D. Right lower quadrant pain
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Rebound tenderness and abdominal rigidity are signs of peritonitis, a serious
complication of appendicitis. Pain, nausea, and fever are common but not specific to
perforation.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which over-the-counter medication should the client avoid?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Loratadine
C. Ibuprofen
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ibuprofen (NSAID) increases the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Acetaminophen is safer for pain. Antihistamines do not interact significantly.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client
reports low back pain and chills. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the transfusion
B. Slow the infusion rate
, C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Notify the provider
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Low back pain and chills suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse
must stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further complications.
12. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of hyperkalemia. Which ECG
change should the nurse expect?
A. Prolonged QT interval
B. U waves
C. Tall peaked T waves
D. ST segment depression
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves. Prolonged QT is seen in
hypocalcemia; U waves in hypokalemia.
13. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for albuterol
metered-dose inhaler. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Shake the inhaler for 10 seconds before use.”
B. “Inhale as quickly and deeply as possible.”
C. “Rinse your mouth with water after using the inhaler.”
D. “Wait 5 seconds between puffs if taking two puffs.”
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth prevents oral candidiasis (thrush). The inhaler should be
shaken for 5 seconds, inhaled slowly, and wait 15–30 seconds between puffs.
14. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding of stoma care?
A. “I will clean the stoma with soap and water.”
B. “I expect the stoma to be dark red.”
C. “I will change the pouch every day.”
D. “I will apply powder directly to the stoma if it becomes irritated.”
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The stoma should be cleaned with mild soap and water. A healthy stoma is
pink and moist. Pouches can be left in place for 3–7 days. Powder should be applied to
peristomal skin, not the stoma.
15. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours post-thyroidectomy. The client
reports tingling around the mouth and fingers. Which laboratory value should the
nurse check first?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum magnesium
Correct answer: A
2026/2027 TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE FOR
GRADE A+
___________________________________________________
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which
finding is most consistent with right-sided heart failure?
A. Crackles in the lung bases
B. Orthopnea
C. Peripheral edema
D. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic congestion, leading to peripheral
edema, jugular vein distention, and hepatomegaly. Left-sided failure causes pulmonary
symptoms such as crackles and orthopnea.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
enoxaparin. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will inject the medication into my abdomen.”
B. “I will not take aspirin while using this medication.”
C. “I will massage the injection site after giving the shot.”
D. “I will call my provider if I notice excessive bruising.”
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Massaging the injection site can increase bleeding and bruising. The client
should not massage the site. Injecting into the abdomen, avoiding aspirin, and reporting
excessive bruising are correct.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours postoperative following a coronary
artery bypass graft. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
B. Heart rate 88 beats per minute
C. Oxygen saturation 86% on room air
D. Temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Hypoxemia (O2 sat <90%) after cardiac surgery may indicate a pulmonary
complication such as atelectasis, pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism and requires
immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-residue diet.
Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Whole grain bread
B. Fresh strawberries
C. White rice
D. Popcorn
Correct answer: C
Rationale: A low-residue diet limits fiber. White rice is low in fiber. Whole grains, fresh
fruits with seeds, and popcorn are high in residue and should be avoided.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube for a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the length of tubing to be inserted
B. Lubricate the tip of the tube with water-soluble gel
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Explain the procedure to the client
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Explaining the procedure to the client is the first step to obtain cooperation
and reduce anxiety. Positioning, measuring, and lubricating come after.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Heat intolerance
B. Weight loss
C. Diarrhea
D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes bradycardia, weight gain, constipation, and cold
intolerance. Heat intolerance, weight loss, and diarrhea are seen in hyperthyroidism.
,7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which adverse effect should the client report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Swelling of the tongue
C. Dizziness when standing
D. Fatigue
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema (swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat) is a medical emergency
associated with ACE inhibitors. Dry cough is common but not emergent.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed
drainage system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Document this as a normal finding
B. Clamp the chest tube immediately
C. Check the system for an air leak
D. Increase the suction pressure
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak. The
nurse should assess the system for loose connections or cracks. Tidaling is normal.
9. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of appendicitis. Which finding
is most indicative of peritonitis?
A. Rebound tenderness and abdominal rigidity
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Low-grade fever
D. Right lower quadrant pain
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Rebound tenderness and abdominal rigidity are signs of peritonitis, a serious
complication of appendicitis. Pain, nausea, and fever are common but not specific to
perforation.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which over-the-counter medication should the client avoid?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Loratadine
C. Ibuprofen
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ibuprofen (NSAID) increases the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Acetaminophen is safer for pain. Antihistamines do not interact significantly.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client
reports low back pain and chills. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the transfusion
B. Slow the infusion rate
, C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Notify the provider
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Low back pain and chills suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse
must stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further complications.
12. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of hyperkalemia. Which ECG
change should the nurse expect?
A. Prolonged QT interval
B. U waves
C. Tall peaked T waves
D. ST segment depression
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves. Prolonged QT is seen in
hypocalcemia; U waves in hypokalemia.
13. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for albuterol
metered-dose inhaler. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Shake the inhaler for 10 seconds before use.”
B. “Inhale as quickly and deeply as possible.”
C. “Rinse your mouth with water after using the inhaler.”
D. “Wait 5 seconds between puffs if taking two puffs.”
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth prevents oral candidiasis (thrush). The inhaler should be
shaken for 5 seconds, inhaled slowly, and wait 15–30 seconds between puffs.
14. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding of stoma care?
A. “I will clean the stoma with soap and water.”
B. “I expect the stoma to be dark red.”
C. “I will change the pouch every day.”
D. “I will apply powder directly to the stoma if it becomes irritated.”
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The stoma should be cleaned with mild soap and water. A healthy stoma is
pink and moist. Pouches can be left in place for 3–7 days. Powder should be applied to
peristomal skin, not the stoma.
15. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours post-thyroidectomy. The client
reports tingling around the mouth and fingers. Which laboratory value should the
nurse check first?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum magnesium
Correct answer: A
