PN ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM | ALL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE
Question 1
A PN (Practical Nurse) is supervising a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the PN to delegate to the UAP?
A) Performing an initial skin assessment on a new admission.
B) Providing discharge instructions to a client who had a cholecystectomy.
C) Assisting a client with a stable gait to ambulate in the hallway.
D) Regulating the flow rate of an intravenous infusion.
E) Evaluating the effectiveness of a client's pain medication.
Correct Answer: C) Assisting a client with a stable gait to ambulate in the hallway.
Rationale: The scope of practice for a UAP includes assisting stable clients with activities of
daily living (ADLs), such as ambulation, feeding, and bathing. Assessment, teaching,
regulation of IV medications, and evaluation of clinical outcomes are responsibilities of the
licensed nurse (PN or RN) and cannot be delegated to unlicensed personnel.
Question 2
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A) Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
B) INR 5.2
C) Platelets 200,000/mm³
D) Prothrombin time (PT) 18 seconds
E) WBC count 8,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B) INR 5.2
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for a client on warfarin is typically 2.0 to 3.0. An INR
of 5.2 is significantly elevated and places the client at a high risk for spontaneous bleeding.
The nurse should notify the provider, anticipate an order to hold the dose, and possibly
administer Vitamin K (the antidote).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the
following snacks is most appropriate for this client?
A) A bowl of chicken noodle soup
B) A dish of vanilla ice cream
C) A celery stick with peanut butter
D) Sliced watermelon
E) A cup of hot tea
Correct Answer: C) A celery stick with peanut butter
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often experience psychomotor agitation and are unable
to sit down to eat. "Finger foods" that are high in protein and calories allow the client to
, 2
maintain nutrition while on the move. Celery with peanut butter provides necessary
nutrients in a portable format, unlike soup or ice cream which require sitting and utensils.
Question 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 blood pressure.
B) Measure the client's apical pulse for 60 seconds.
C) Review the client's most recent serum creatinine level.
D) Check the client's capillary refill time.
E) Weigh the client using the same scale as yesterday.
Correct Answer: B) Measure the client's apical pulse for 60 seconds.
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. The priority action is to
assess the apical pulse for a full minute. If the heart rate is less than 60 bpm in an adult (or
less than 90 in an infant), the medication should be withheld and the provider notified to
prevent bradycardia and digoxin toxicity.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postpartum and has saturated a perineal pad in 15
minutes. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Notify the charge nurse.
B) Administer oxytocin IV.
C) Massage the fundus.
D) Increase the IV fluid rate.
E) Request a hemoglobin and hematocrit level.
Correct Answer: C) Massage the fundus.
Rationale: Saturating a pad in 15 minutes or less indicates heavy postpartum hemorrhage.
The most common cause is uterine atony. Massaging the fundus promotes uterine
contraction and helps compress bleeding vessels. This is the immediate, life-saving nursing
intervention before calling for help or administering medications.
Question 6
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet with a client who has hypertension.
Which of the following food choices by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) Canned tomato soup
B) Deli turkey slices
C) Frozen pepperoni pizza
D) Fresh baked chicken breast
E) Soy sauce for seasoning
Correct Answer: D) Fresh baked chicken breast
Rationale: Fresh meats are naturally low in sodium compared to processed, canned, or
, 3
frozen foods. Canned soups, deli meats, frozen pizzas, and soy sauce are all extremely high
in sodium (added for preservation and flavor) and should be avoided by clients with
hypertension or heart failure.
Question 7
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a suspected head injury. Which of the following
is the earliest indicator of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A) Widening pulse pressure
B) Decerebrate posturing
C) Altered level of consciousness (LOC)
D) Fixed and dilated pupils
E) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: C) Altered level of consciousness (LOC)
Rationale: The brain is highly sensitive to changes in oxygenation and pressure. Irritability,
restlessness, or confusion are the very first signs that ICP is rising. Cushing's triad
(widening pulse pressure, bradycardia) and pupil changes are late signs indicating brain
stem compression and imminent herniation.
Question 8
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for albuterol and
beclomethasone inhalers. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Use the beclomethasone first, wait 5 minutes, then use albuterol.
B) Use the albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use beclomethasone.
C) Use both inhalers simultaneously to save time.
D) Rinse your mouth only after using the albuterol.
E) The beclomethasone is used for acute "rescue" attacks.
Correct Answer: B) Use the albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use beclomethasone.
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator (short-acting beta agonist) that opens the airways.
Using it first allows the second medication, beclomethasone (a corticosteroid), to penetrate
deeper into the lung tissue. The client must also rinse their mouth after beclomethasone to
prevent oral candidiasis (thrush).
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who is in Buck’s traction. Which of the following nursing
interventions is a priority?
A) Remove the weights for 5 minutes every hour to rest the limb.
B) Ensure the weights are hanging freely off the floor.
C) Keep the client in a high-Fowler’s position.
D) Apply a heating pad to the affected extremity.
E) Adjust the traction knots so they touch the pulley.
Correct Answer: B) Ensure the weights are hanging freely off the floor.
, 4
Rationale: For traction to be effective, the weight must remain constant and unimpeded. If
weights touch the floor or the bed frame, the traction pull is lost, which can lead to muscle
spasms and misalignment. Weights should never be removed without a provider's order.
Question 10
A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to verify tube placement?
A) Inject 30 mL of air into the tube and listen for a "whoosh."
B) Observe the color of the aspirated contents.
C) Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric secretions.
D) Place the end of the tube in a cup of water to check for bubbles.
E) Ask the client to speak their name.
Correct Answer: C) Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric secretions.
Rationale: While X-ray is the gold standard for initial placement, checking the pH of
aspirate (usually <5.0) is the most reliable bedside method to verify placement before each
feeding. The "air bolus" method is no longer considered evidence-based as it cannot
reliably distinguish between the stomach and the lungs.
Question 11
A nurse is collecting data from a child who has tonsillitis. Which of the following findings is a
manifestation of potential hemorrhage post-tonsillectomy?
A) Refusal to drink fluids
B) Frequent swallowing
C) Reports of a sore throat
D) Scabbing at the back of the throat
E) A low-grade fever of 100.2°F (37.9°C)
Correct Answer: B) Frequent swallowing
Rationale: Frequent, continuous swallowing is the classic sign of bleeding following a
tonsillectomy, even if the child is asleep. Blood trickling down the back of the throat
triggers the swallowing reflex. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate
notification of the surgeon.
Question 12
A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of furosemide 40 mg IV bolus. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse check before administration?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) White blood cell count
D) Hemoglobin
E) Platelet count
Correct Answer: B) Serum potassium
ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST UPDATE
Question 1
A PN (Practical Nurse) is supervising a Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the PN to delegate to the UAP?
A) Performing an initial skin assessment on a new admission.
B) Providing discharge instructions to a client who had a cholecystectomy.
C) Assisting a client with a stable gait to ambulate in the hallway.
D) Regulating the flow rate of an intravenous infusion.
E) Evaluating the effectiveness of a client's pain medication.
Correct Answer: C) Assisting a client with a stable gait to ambulate in the hallway.
Rationale: The scope of practice for a UAP includes assisting stable clients with activities of
daily living (ADLs), such as ambulation, feeding, and bathing. Assessment, teaching,
regulation of IV medications, and evaluation of clinical outcomes are responsibilities of the
licensed nurse (PN or RN) and cannot be delegated to unlicensed personnel.
Question 2
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A) Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
B) INR 5.2
C) Platelets 200,000/mm³
D) Prothrombin time (PT) 18 seconds
E) WBC count 8,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B) INR 5.2
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for a client on warfarin is typically 2.0 to 3.0. An INR
of 5.2 is significantly elevated and places the client at a high risk for spontaneous bleeding.
The nurse should notify the provider, anticipate an order to hold the dose, and possibly
administer Vitamin K (the antidote).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is in the manic phase of bipolar disorder. Which of the
following snacks is most appropriate for this client?
A) A bowl of chicken noodle soup
B) A dish of vanilla ice cream
C) A celery stick with peanut butter
D) Sliced watermelon
E) A cup of hot tea
Correct Answer: C) A celery stick with peanut butter
Rationale: Clients in a manic state often experience psychomotor agitation and are unable
to sit down to eat. "Finger foods" that are high in protein and calories allow the client to
, 2
maintain nutrition while on the move. Celery with peanut butter provides necessary
nutrients in a portable format, unlike soup or ice cream which require sitting and utensils.
Question 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 blood pressure.
B) Measure the client's apical pulse for 60 seconds.
C) Review the client's most recent serum creatinine level.
D) Check the client's capillary refill time.
E) Weigh the client using the same scale as yesterday.
Correct Answer: B) Measure the client's apical pulse for 60 seconds.
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. The priority action is to
assess the apical pulse for a full minute. If the heart rate is less than 60 bpm in an adult (or
less than 90 in an infant), the medication should be withheld and the provider notified to
prevent bradycardia and digoxin toxicity.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postpartum and has saturated a perineal pad in 15
minutes. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Notify the charge nurse.
B) Administer oxytocin IV.
C) Massage the fundus.
D) Increase the IV fluid rate.
E) Request a hemoglobin and hematocrit level.
Correct Answer: C) Massage the fundus.
Rationale: Saturating a pad in 15 minutes or less indicates heavy postpartum hemorrhage.
The most common cause is uterine atony. Massaging the fundus promotes uterine
contraction and helps compress bleeding vessels. This is the immediate, life-saving nursing
intervention before calling for help or administering medications.
Question 6
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet with a client who has hypertension.
Which of the following food choices by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) Canned tomato soup
B) Deli turkey slices
C) Frozen pepperoni pizza
D) Fresh baked chicken breast
E) Soy sauce for seasoning
Correct Answer: D) Fresh baked chicken breast
Rationale: Fresh meats are naturally low in sodium compared to processed, canned, or
, 3
frozen foods. Canned soups, deli meats, frozen pizzas, and soy sauce are all extremely high
in sodium (added for preservation and flavor) and should be avoided by clients with
hypertension or heart failure.
Question 7
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a suspected head injury. Which of the following
is the earliest indicator of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
A) Widening pulse pressure
B) Decerebrate posturing
C) Altered level of consciousness (LOC)
D) Fixed and dilated pupils
E) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: C) Altered level of consciousness (LOC)
Rationale: The brain is highly sensitive to changes in oxygenation and pressure. Irritability,
restlessness, or confusion are the very first signs that ICP is rising. Cushing's triad
(widening pulse pressure, bradycardia) and pupil changes are late signs indicating brain
stem compression and imminent herniation.
Question 8
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for albuterol and
beclomethasone inhalers. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Use the beclomethasone first, wait 5 minutes, then use albuterol.
B) Use the albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use beclomethasone.
C) Use both inhalers simultaneously to save time.
D) Rinse your mouth only after using the albuterol.
E) The beclomethasone is used for acute "rescue" attacks.
Correct Answer: B) Use the albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use beclomethasone.
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator (short-acting beta agonist) that opens the airways.
Using it first allows the second medication, beclomethasone (a corticosteroid), to penetrate
deeper into the lung tissue. The client must also rinse their mouth after beclomethasone to
prevent oral candidiasis (thrush).
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who is in Buck’s traction. Which of the following nursing
interventions is a priority?
A) Remove the weights for 5 minutes every hour to rest the limb.
B) Ensure the weights are hanging freely off the floor.
C) Keep the client in a high-Fowler’s position.
D) Apply a heating pad to the affected extremity.
E) Adjust the traction knots so they touch the pulley.
Correct Answer: B) Ensure the weights are hanging freely off the floor.
, 4
Rationale: For traction to be effective, the weight must remain constant and unimpeded. If
weights touch the floor or the bed frame, the traction pull is lost, which can lead to muscle
spasms and misalignment. Weights should never be removed without a provider's order.
Question 10
A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric (NG) tube. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to verify tube placement?
A) Inject 30 mL of air into the tube and listen for a "whoosh."
B) Observe the color of the aspirated contents.
C) Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric secretions.
D) Place the end of the tube in a cup of water to check for bubbles.
E) Ask the client to speak their name.
Correct Answer: C) Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric secretions.
Rationale: While X-ray is the gold standard for initial placement, checking the pH of
aspirate (usually <5.0) is the most reliable bedside method to verify placement before each
feeding. The "air bolus" method is no longer considered evidence-based as it cannot
reliably distinguish between the stomach and the lungs.
Question 11
A nurse is collecting data from a child who has tonsillitis. Which of the following findings is a
manifestation of potential hemorrhage post-tonsillectomy?
A) Refusal to drink fluids
B) Frequent swallowing
C) Reports of a sore throat
D) Scabbing at the back of the throat
E) A low-grade fever of 100.2°F (37.9°C)
Correct Answer: B) Frequent swallowing
Rationale: Frequent, continuous swallowing is the classic sign of bleeding following a
tonsillectomy, even if the child is asleep. Blood trickling down the back of the throat
triggers the swallowing reflex. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate
notification of the surgeon.
Question 12
A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of furosemide 40 mg IV bolus. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse check before administration?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) White blood cell count
D) Hemoglobin
E) Platelet count
Correct Answer: B) Serum potassium
