ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR FORM D EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Fundamentals for Nursing
Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Nursing Care of Children
Mental Health Nursing
Leadership and Management
Community Health Nursing
Introduction
This comprehensive practice assessment is designed to mirror the rigorous standards of the
national licensure evaluation, focusing on the safe and effective practice of nursing in diverse
clinical settings. The exam assesses a candidate's mastery of core nursing concepts, clinical
judgment, and the ability to prioritize care under various physiological and psychological
stressors. Comprised of scenario-based and knowledge-retrieval multiple-choice questions, the
assessment emphasizes real-world application, ethical decision-making, and regulatory
compliance. Each question requires critical thinking to identify the most appropriate nursing
intervention, ensuring that graduates are prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare
delivery and professional accountability.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
, 1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following an abdominal
hysterectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Demonstrate how to use an incentive spirometer.
B. Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway.
🟢 C. Ask the client to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10.
D. Change the abdominal dressing to check for drainage.
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the nursing process, the first action the nurse should take is to
assess the client. Assessing the client’s pain level allows the nurse to provide appropriate
interventions before attempting more strenuous activities like ambulation.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider before administering the
medication?
🟢 A. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute.
B. Blood pressure of 118/74 mmHg.
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L.
D. Digoxin level of 1.1 ng/mL.
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. It should be withheld,
and the provider notified, if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute to prevent further
bradycardia.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. Which of the
following should the nurse suspect?
A. The system is functioning normally.
B. The client has a pneumothorax that is resolving.
🟢 C. There is an air leak in the system.
D. The suction pressure is set too high.
,🔴 RATIONALE: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak between the
client and the water seal. Intermittent bubbling is expected in a client with a pneumothorax, but
continuous bubbling requires immediate troubleshooting.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
for angina. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Take the medication every 15 minutes until pain subsides.
🟢 C. Place one tablet under the tongue at the onset of chest pain.
D. Discard the tablets if they cause a tingling sensation under the tongue.
🔴 RATIONALE: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be dissolved under the tongue for rapid
absorption. A tingling sensation is common and indicates the medication is potent.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the
following dietary choices is most appropriate for this client?
A. Steak with a baked potato and green beans.
B. Soup and salad with a roll.
🟢 C. Chicken nuggets and a banana.
D. Spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread.
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients in a manic state are often unable to sit still for meals. "Finger foods" that
are high in protein and calories allow the client to eat while moving.
6. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client who is receiving heparin by continuous IV
infusion. Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Hgb 14 g/dL.
🟢 B. aPTT 95 seconds.
C. Platelets 200,000/mm3.
D. INR 1.1.
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for aPTT during heparin therapy is typically 1.5 to 2.5
times the control value (usually 60-80 seconds). A value of 95 seconds is too high and increases
the risk of bleeding.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports sudden, dark red
vaginal bleeding. The client's abdomen is rigid and tender. The nurse should suspect
which of the following conditions?
A. Placenta previa.
🟢 B. Abruptio placentae.
C. Incompetent cervix.
D. Hydatidiform mole.
🔴 RATIONALE: Abruptio placentae is characterized by dark red vaginal bleeding, a board-like,
tender abdomen, and signs of fetal distress. Placenta previa is usually characterized by painless,
bright red bleeding.
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus. Which of the following should the nurse include as a symptom of hypoglycemia?
🟢 A. Diaphoresis.
B. Polyuria.
C. Fruity breath odor.
D. Extreme thirst.
🔴 RATIONALE: Diaphoresis (sweating), shakiness, and confusion are clinical manifestations of
hypoglycemia. Polyuria, fruity breath, and thirst are signs of hyperglycemia.
9. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to maintain surgical asepsis?
A. Reach over the sterile field to pick up supplies.
B. Keep the sterile gloved hands below the waist.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Fundamentals for Nursing
Pharmacology for Nursing Practice
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal-Newborn Nursing
Nursing Care of Children
Mental Health Nursing
Leadership and Management
Community Health Nursing
Introduction
This comprehensive practice assessment is designed to mirror the rigorous standards of the
national licensure evaluation, focusing on the safe and effective practice of nursing in diverse
clinical settings. The exam assesses a candidate's mastery of core nursing concepts, clinical
judgment, and the ability to prioritize care under various physiological and psychological
stressors. Comprised of scenario-based and knowledge-retrieval multiple-choice questions, the
assessment emphasizes real-world application, ethical decision-making, and regulatory
compliance. Each question requires critical thinking to identify the most appropriate nursing
intervention, ensuring that graduates are prepared for the complexities of modern healthcare
delivery and professional accountability.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
, 1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following an abdominal
hysterectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Demonstrate how to use an incentive spirometer.
B. Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway.
🟢 C. Ask the client to rate their pain on a scale of 0 to 10.
D. Change the abdominal dressing to check for drainage.
🔴 RATIONALE: According to the nursing process, the first action the nurse should take is to
assess the client. Assessing the client’s pain level allows the nurse to provide appropriate
interventions before attempting more strenuous activities like ambulation.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider before administering the
medication?
🟢 A. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute.
B. Blood pressure of 118/74 mmHg.
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L.
D. Digoxin level of 1.1 ng/mL.
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. It should be withheld,
and the provider notified, if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute to prevent further
bradycardia.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. Which of the
following should the nurse suspect?
A. The system is functioning normally.
B. The client has a pneumothorax that is resolving.
🟢 C. There is an air leak in the system.
D. The suction pressure is set too high.
,🔴 RATIONALE: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak between the
client and the water seal. Intermittent bubbling is expected in a client with a pneumothorax, but
continuous bubbling requires immediate troubleshooting.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets
for angina. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Take the medication every 15 minutes until pain subsides.
🟢 C. Place one tablet under the tongue at the onset of chest pain.
D. Discard the tablets if they cause a tingling sensation under the tongue.
🔴 RATIONALE: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be dissolved under the tongue for rapid
absorption. A tingling sensation is common and indicates the medication is potent.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the
following dietary choices is most appropriate for this client?
A. Steak with a baked potato and green beans.
B. Soup and salad with a roll.
🟢 C. Chicken nuggets and a banana.
D. Spaghetti with meatballs and garlic bread.
🔴 RATIONALE: Clients in a manic state are often unable to sit still for meals. "Finger foods" that
are high in protein and calories allow the client to eat while moving.
6. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client who is receiving heparin by continuous IV
infusion. Which of the following results should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Hgb 14 g/dL.
🟢 B. aPTT 95 seconds.
C. Platelets 200,000/mm3.
D. INR 1.1.
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for aPTT during heparin therapy is typically 1.5 to 2.5
times the control value (usually 60-80 seconds). A value of 95 seconds is too high and increases
the risk of bleeding.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and reports sudden, dark red
vaginal bleeding. The client's abdomen is rigid and tender. The nurse should suspect
which of the following conditions?
A. Placenta previa.
🟢 B. Abruptio placentae.
C. Incompetent cervix.
D. Hydatidiform mole.
🔴 RATIONALE: Abruptio placentae is characterized by dark red vaginal bleeding, a board-like,
tender abdomen, and signs of fetal distress. Placenta previa is usually characterized by painless,
bright red bleeding.
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
Mellitus. Which of the following should the nurse include as a symptom of hypoglycemia?
🟢 A. Diaphoresis.
B. Polyuria.
C. Fruity breath odor.
D. Extreme thirst.
🔴 RATIONALE: Diaphoresis (sweating), shakiness, and confusion are clinical manifestations of
hypoglycemia. Polyuria, fruity breath, and thirst are signs of hyperglycemia.
9. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to maintain surgical asepsis?
A. Reach over the sterile field to pick up supplies.
B. Keep the sterile gloved hands below the waist.
