,ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM 2026 – NGN-STYLE
PRACTICE QUESTIONS (1-250)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. The client's blood pressure
is 158/94 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
• A) Administer an antihypertensive medication immediately.
• B) Retake the blood pressure in the same arm after 2 minutes.
• C) Notify the provider immediately.
• D) Document the finding and continue the assessment.
Correct Answer: B) Retake the blood pressure in the same arm after 2
minutes.
Rationale: When a single blood pressure reading is elevated, the nurse should
first verify the reading by retaking the measurement after allowing the client
to rest for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps rule out factors such as anxiety, incorrect
cuff size, or improper positioning that may have caused a falsely elevated
reading. Only after confirming the reading should the nurse proceed with
further actions such as notifying the provider or administering medications .
2. A client is on fall precautions. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
• A) Keep the bed in the lowest position.
• B) Raise all four side rails.
• C) Place a fall risk bracelet on the client.
• D) Ensure the call light is within reach.
,Correct Answer: A) Keep the bed in the lowest position, C) Place a fall
risk bracelet on the client, D) Ensure the call light is within reach.
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the distance and
potential injury if a client attempts to get out of bed. A fall risk bracelet alerts
all staff to the client's risk status. The call light within reach enables the client
to request assistance. Raising all four side rails is considered a restraint and
can actually increase fall risk if the client attempts to climb over them .
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the Z-track
method. Which of the following is the correct technique?
• A) Pull the skin laterally before injection and release after injection.
• B) Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle.
• C) Use a 25-gauge needle for administration.
• D) Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
Correct Answer: A) Pull the skin laterally before injection and release
after injection.
Rationale: The Z-track method involves pulling the skin laterally to displace
subcutaneous tissue, which seals the needle track and prevents medication
leakage into subcutaneous tissue. The needle is typically inserted at a 90-
degree angle for intramuscular injections. Aspiration is no longer
recommended for most IM injections .
4. A client is receiving continuous enteral feeding via a nasogastric
tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
aspiration?
• A) Place the client in a supine position during feeding.
• B) Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees.
, • C) Administer bolus feedings rather than continuous.
• D) Check residual volumes every 8 hours only.
Correct Answer: B) Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees.
Rationale: To prevent aspiration in clients receiving enteral feedings, the head
of the bed should be elevated to at least 30 to 45 degrees during feeding and
for at least 30 to 60 minutes after feeding. This position uses gravity to
reduce the risk of gastric contents refluxing into the esophagus and being
aspirated .
5. A nurse is teaching a client about using an incentive spirometer.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A) Inhale slowly and deeply to elevate the cylinder.
• B) Exhale forcefully into the device.
• C) Use the device once every 8 hours.
• D) Hold breath for 2 seconds after exhalation.
Correct Answer: A) Inhale slowly and deeply to elevate the cylinder.
Rationale: An incentive spirometer is used to promote deep breathing and
prevent atelectasis. The client should inhale slowly and deeply to elevate the
cylinder or piston to the target level, hold the breath for 3 to 5 seconds at
maximum inhalation, and then exhale normally .
6. A nurse is performing a pain assessment on a client who is
nonverbal. Which of the following assessment tools is most
appropriate?
• A) Numeric Rating Scale.
• B) Visual Analog Scale.
• C) FACES Pain Scale.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS (1-250)
1. A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. The client's blood pressure
is 158/94 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
• A) Administer an antihypertensive medication immediately.
• B) Retake the blood pressure in the same arm after 2 minutes.
• C) Notify the provider immediately.
• D) Document the finding and continue the assessment.
Correct Answer: B) Retake the blood pressure in the same arm after 2
minutes.
Rationale: When a single blood pressure reading is elevated, the nurse should
first verify the reading by retaking the measurement after allowing the client
to rest for 1 to 2 minutes. This helps rule out factors such as anxiety, incorrect
cuff size, or improper positioning that may have caused a falsely elevated
reading. Only after confirming the reading should the nurse proceed with
further actions such as notifying the provider or administering medications .
2. A client is on fall precautions. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
• A) Keep the bed in the lowest position.
• B) Raise all four side rails.
• C) Place a fall risk bracelet on the client.
• D) Ensure the call light is within reach.
,Correct Answer: A) Keep the bed in the lowest position, C) Place a fall
risk bracelet on the client, D) Ensure the call light is within reach.
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the distance and
potential injury if a client attempts to get out of bed. A fall risk bracelet alerts
all staff to the client's risk status. The call light within reach enables the client
to request assistance. Raising all four side rails is considered a restraint and
can actually increase fall risk if the client attempts to climb over them .
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the Z-track
method. Which of the following is the correct technique?
• A) Pull the skin laterally before injection and release after injection.
• B) Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle.
• C) Use a 25-gauge needle for administration.
• D) Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
Correct Answer: A) Pull the skin laterally before injection and release
after injection.
Rationale: The Z-track method involves pulling the skin laterally to displace
subcutaneous tissue, which seals the needle track and prevents medication
leakage into subcutaneous tissue. The needle is typically inserted at a 90-
degree angle for intramuscular injections. Aspiration is no longer
recommended for most IM injections .
4. A client is receiving continuous enteral feeding via a nasogastric
tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
aspiration?
• A) Place the client in a supine position during feeding.
• B) Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees.
, • C) Administer bolus feedings rather than continuous.
• D) Check residual volumes every 8 hours only.
Correct Answer: B) Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees.
Rationale: To prevent aspiration in clients receiving enteral feedings, the head
of the bed should be elevated to at least 30 to 45 degrees during feeding and
for at least 30 to 60 minutes after feeding. This position uses gravity to
reduce the risk of gastric contents refluxing into the esophagus and being
aspirated .
5. A nurse is teaching a client about using an incentive spirometer.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A) Inhale slowly and deeply to elevate the cylinder.
• B) Exhale forcefully into the device.
• C) Use the device once every 8 hours.
• D) Hold breath for 2 seconds after exhalation.
Correct Answer: A) Inhale slowly and deeply to elevate the cylinder.
Rationale: An incentive spirometer is used to promote deep breathing and
prevent atelectasis. The client should inhale slowly and deeply to elevate the
cylinder or piston to the target level, hold the breath for 3 to 5 seconds at
maximum inhalation, and then exhale normally .
6. A nurse is performing a pain assessment on a client who is
nonverbal. Which of the following assessment tools is most
appropriate?
• A) Numeric Rating Scale.
• B) Visual Analog Scale.
• C) FACES Pain Scale.
