ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR FORM B EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
• Management of Care• Safety and Infection Control• Health Promotion and Maintenance• Psychosocial Integrity• Basic Care and Comfort• Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies• Reduction of Risk Potential• Physiological Adaptation
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the readiness of nursing students for professional licensure and entry-level practice. This exam measures the
essential skills and clinical knowledge required to provide safe and effective client care across the lifespan. The assessment utilizes a structured format consisting of multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions designed to challenge the student’s ability to synthesize complex information. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, ethical
decision-making, and clinical judgment. By engaging with these practice questions, candidates can identify knowledge gaps and refine their critical thinking skills in preparation
for high-stakes regulatory examinations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B. Urinary output of 20 mL/hr over the last 2 hours
C. Report of pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
D. Absent bowel sounds in all four quadrants
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: A urinary output of less than 30 mL/hr can indicate hypovolemia or acute kidney injury and requires immediate intervention. Absent bowel sounds and
serosanguineous drainage are common 24 hours post-abdominal surgery.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
B. Take a dose every 15 minutes for up to three doses
C. Store the medication in its original amber glass bottle
D. Stop taking the medication if a headache occurs
🟢 Correct answer C.
🔴 RATIONALE: Nitroglycerin is light-sensitive and must be kept in its original dark container to maintain potency. It should not be chewed, and doses should be taken 5
minutes apart. Headaches are a common side effect.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. Which of the following findings indicates a potential air leak?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
B. Fluctuations in the water level with respiration
,C. Constant bubbling in the suction control chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguineous fluid in 1 hour
🟢 Correct answer A.
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system or from the client's thoracic cavity. Fluctuations (tidaling) are normal, as is
bubbling in the suction control chamber if suction is applied.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s serum potassium level
B. Measure the client’s apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Assess the client for nausea and vomiting
D. Review the client’s most recent digoxin level
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute before administration; if the heart rate is below 60/min, the dose should be withheld and the provider
notified. The other actions are important but secondary to the heart rate check.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the following interventions is the priority?
A. Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy
B. Providing high-calorie finger foods
C. Redirecting the client’s inappropriate behavior
D. Maintaining a quiet, low-stimulus environment
🟢 Correct answer D.
🔴 RATIONALE: While nutrition and behavior management are important, reducing environmental stimuli is the priority to decrease agitation and promote safety during a manic
episode.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to limit?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Whole grain bread
D. Orange juice
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: Spinach is high in Vitamin K, which is the antidote for warfarin. Consuming inconsistent amounts of Vitamin K can decrease the effectiveness of the
anticoagulant therapy.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected cholecystitis. Which of the following clinical manifestations should the nurse expect?
, A. Pain in the left upper quadrant radiating to the back
B. Pain in the right upper quadrant radiating to the right shoulder
C. Tenderness at McBurney's point
D. Hematemesis and melena
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: Cholecystitis typically presents with right upper quadrant pain that may radiate to the right scapula or shoulder, often following the ingestion of fatty foods.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client reports chills and low back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Check the client’s vital signs
C. Stop the transfusion
D. Send the blood bag to the laboratory
🟢 Correct answer C.
🔴 RATIONALE: Chills and back pain are signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse’s first action must be to stop the transfusion to prevent further injury.
9. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has end-stage renal disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Elevated serum creatinine
🟢 Correct answer D.
🔴 RATIONALE: In renal failure, the kidneys cannot effectively filter waste, leading to an increase in serum creatinine and BUN. Clients typically experience hyperkalemia and
hyperphosphatemia.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports a sudden gush of vaginal fluid. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?
A. Evaluate the fluid with Nitrazine paper
B. Perform a sterile vaginal exam
C. Monitor the fetal heart rate
D. Assess the color and odor of the fluid
🟢 Correct answer C.
🔴 RATIONALE: Following the rupture of membranes, the priority is to assess fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate to ensure there is no umbilical cord prolapse.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items should the nurse offer?
A. Vanilla pudding
B. Apple juice
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
• Management of Care• Safety and Infection Control• Health Promotion and Maintenance• Psychosocial Integrity• Basic Care and Comfort• Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies• Reduction of Risk Potential• Physiological Adaptation
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the readiness of nursing students for professional licensure and entry-level practice. This exam measures the
essential skills and clinical knowledge required to provide safe and effective client care across the lifespan. The assessment utilizes a structured format consisting of multiple-
choice and scenario-based questions designed to challenge the student’s ability to synthesize complex information. Emphasis is placed on real-world application, ethical
decision-making, and clinical judgment. By engaging with these practice questions, candidates can identify knowledge gaps and refine their critical thinking skills in preparation
for high-stakes regulatory examinations.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B. Urinary output of 20 mL/hr over the last 2 hours
C. Report of pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
D. Absent bowel sounds in all four quadrants
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: A urinary output of less than 30 mL/hr can indicate hypovolemia or acute kidney injury and requires immediate intervention. Absent bowel sounds and
serosanguineous drainage are common 24 hours post-abdominal surgery.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
B. Take a dose every 15 minutes for up to three doses
C. Store the medication in its original amber glass bottle
D. Stop taking the medication if a headache occurs
🟢 Correct answer C.
🔴 RATIONALE: Nitroglycerin is light-sensitive and must be kept in its original dark container to maintain potency. It should not be chewed, and doses should be taken 5
minutes apart. Headaches are a common side effect.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. Which of the following findings indicates a potential air leak?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
B. Fluctuations in the water level with respiration
,C. Constant bubbling in the suction control chamber
D. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguineous fluid in 1 hour
🟢 Correct answer A.
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system or from the client's thoracic cavity. Fluctuations (tidaling) are normal, as is
bubbling in the suction control chamber if suction is applied.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s serum potassium level
B. Measure the client’s apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Assess the client for nausea and vomiting
D. Review the client’s most recent digoxin level
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute before administration; if the heart rate is below 60/min, the dose should be withheld and the provider
notified. The other actions are important but secondary to the heart rate check.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the following interventions is the priority?
A. Encouraging the client to participate in group therapy
B. Providing high-calorie finger foods
C. Redirecting the client’s inappropriate behavior
D. Maintaining a quiet, low-stimulus environment
🟢 Correct answer D.
🔴 RATIONALE: While nutrition and behavior management are important, reducing environmental stimuli is the priority to decrease agitation and promote safety during a manic
episode.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to limit?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Whole grain bread
D. Orange juice
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: Spinach is high in Vitamin K, which is the antidote for warfarin. Consuming inconsistent amounts of Vitamin K can decrease the effectiveness of the
anticoagulant therapy.
7. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected cholecystitis. Which of the following clinical manifestations should the nurse expect?
, A. Pain in the left upper quadrant radiating to the back
B. Pain in the right upper quadrant radiating to the right shoulder
C. Tenderness at McBurney's point
D. Hematemesis and melena
🟢 Correct answer B.
🔴 RATIONALE: Cholecystitis typically presents with right upper quadrant pain that may radiate to the right scapula or shoulder, often following the ingestion of fatty foods.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client reports chills and low back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Check the client’s vital signs
C. Stop the transfusion
D. Send the blood bag to the laboratory
🟢 Correct answer C.
🔴 RATIONALE: Chills and back pain are signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse’s first action must be to stop the transfusion to prevent further injury.
9. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has end-stage renal disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypophosphatemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Elevated serum creatinine
🟢 Correct answer D.
🔴 RATIONALE: In renal failure, the kidneys cannot effectively filter waste, leading to an increase in serum creatinine and BUN. Clients typically experience hyperkalemia and
hyperphosphatemia.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports a sudden gush of vaginal fluid. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?
A. Evaluate the fluid with Nitrazine paper
B. Perform a sterile vaginal exam
C. Monitor the fetal heart rate
D. Assess the color and odor of the fluid
🟢 Correct answer C.
🔴 RATIONALE: Following the rupture of membranes, the priority is to assess fetal well-being by monitoring the fetal heart rate to ensure there is no umbilical cord prolapse.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items should the nurse offer?
A. Vanilla pudding
B. Apple juice
