ATI PN COMPREHENSIVEPREDICTOR
EXIT EXAM 2026
SECTION 1: PRIORITIZATION & ABCs
Q1. A charge nurse is assigning staff for the shift. Which client should be
assigned to an RN rather than a PN (LPN)?
A. A client with stable CHF receiving daily Lasix
B. A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia
C. A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes needing insulin instruction
D. A client with a PEG tube requiring intermittent feedings
Answer: C
Rationale: Client education (specifically initial instruction) falls under the scope of
the RN, as it requires complex assessment and evaluation of learning. PNs can
reinforce teaching but cannot perform initial patient teaching. Task B (hanging
blood) requires RN monitoring. Tasks A and D are stable and within PN scope .
Q2. A PN is caring for four clients. Which client should the PN assess FIRST?
A. Post-op day 2 client requesting pain medication for 4/10 pain
B. Client with COPD with new onset of confusion and BP 88/50
C. Client with diabetes requesting a PRN snack due to hunger
D. Client with fractured tibia asking for help to the bathroom
Answer: B
Rationale: New onset confusion combined with hypotension is a classic sign of
shock (sepsis, hemorrhage, or dehydration). This represents a change in
neurological status and hemodynamic instability, which is the priority .
,Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who reports increased
shortness of breath and swelling in the ankles. Which intervention should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Administer prescribed diuretic
C. Provide a high-sodium snack
D. Increase the room temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms indicate fluid overload. Administering a diuretic (e.g.,
furosemide) directly addresses the cause by reducing preload and pulmonary
congestion .
Q4. A client is admitted with suspected stroke. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Obtain a detailed neurological history
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Prepare for CT scan
D. Administer aspirin
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can mimic stroke symptoms (slurred speech, weakness,
confusion). The nurse must quickly rule out low blood sugar before proceeding
with a stroke workup .
Q5. A client with a new tracheostomy has thick, dry secretions and difficulty
breathing. What is the priority action?
A. Call respiratory therapy
B. Change the inner cannula
C. Instill normal saline and suction
D. Increase oxygen flow rate
Answer: C
, Rationale: The priority is to clear the airway obstruction caused by thick
secretions. Suctioning removes secretions; normal saline helps loosen them.
Oxygen is secondary to airway clearance .
Q6. A client receiving a blood transfusion reports low back pain and chills. What
is the priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately
C. Administer an antihistamine
D. Notify the provider
Answer: B
Rationale: Low back pain and chills indicate a possible acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The nurse must stop the blood immediately to prevent further harm,
keep the IV line patent with saline, and then notify the provider .
Q7. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider FIRST?
A. Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0-10
B. Heart rate of 118/min and BP of 88/52 mm Hg
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia and hypotension indicate possible hemorrhage or shock,
requiring immediate intervention using ABC priority .
SECTION 2: PHARMACOLOGY & MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
Q8. A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which lab finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
EXIT EXAM 2026
SECTION 1: PRIORITIZATION & ABCs
Q1. A charge nurse is assigning staff for the shift. Which client should be
assigned to an RN rather than a PN (LPN)?
A. A client with stable CHF receiving daily Lasix
B. A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia
C. A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes needing insulin instruction
D. A client with a PEG tube requiring intermittent feedings
Answer: C
Rationale: Client education (specifically initial instruction) falls under the scope of
the RN, as it requires complex assessment and evaluation of learning. PNs can
reinforce teaching but cannot perform initial patient teaching. Task B (hanging
blood) requires RN monitoring. Tasks A and D are stable and within PN scope .
Q2. A PN is caring for four clients. Which client should the PN assess FIRST?
A. Post-op day 2 client requesting pain medication for 4/10 pain
B. Client with COPD with new onset of confusion and BP 88/50
C. Client with diabetes requesting a PRN snack due to hunger
D. Client with fractured tibia asking for help to the bathroom
Answer: B
Rationale: New onset confusion combined with hypotension is a classic sign of
shock (sepsis, hemorrhage, or dehydration). This represents a change in
neurological status and hemodynamic instability, which is the priority .
,Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who reports increased
shortness of breath and swelling in the ankles. Which intervention should the
nurse prioritize?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Administer prescribed diuretic
C. Provide a high-sodium snack
D. Increase the room temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: The symptoms indicate fluid overload. Administering a diuretic (e.g.,
furosemide) directly addresses the cause by reducing preload and pulmonary
congestion .
Q4. A client is admitted with suspected stroke. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Obtain a detailed neurological history
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Prepare for CT scan
D. Administer aspirin
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can mimic stroke symptoms (slurred speech, weakness,
confusion). The nurse must quickly rule out low blood sugar before proceeding
with a stroke workup .
Q5. A client with a new tracheostomy has thick, dry secretions and difficulty
breathing. What is the priority action?
A. Call respiratory therapy
B. Change the inner cannula
C. Instill normal saline and suction
D. Increase oxygen flow rate
Answer: C
, Rationale: The priority is to clear the airway obstruction caused by thick
secretions. Suctioning removes secretions; normal saline helps loosen them.
Oxygen is secondary to airway clearance .
Q6. A client receiving a blood transfusion reports low back pain and chills. What
is the priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately
C. Administer an antihistamine
D. Notify the provider
Answer: B
Rationale: Low back pain and chills indicate a possible acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The nurse must stop the blood immediately to prevent further harm,
keep the IV line patent with saline, and then notify the provider .
Q7. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider FIRST?
A. Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0-10
B. Heart rate of 118/min and BP of 88/52 mm Hg
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
D. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia and hypotension indicate possible hemorrhage or shock,
requiring immediate intervention using ABC priority .
SECTION 2: PHARMACOLOGY & MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
Q8. A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which lab finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
