ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR
EXAMINATION NCLEX-RN
READINESS & NURSING
COMPETENCY COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 100
CERTIFICATION-LEVEL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
The ATI Comprehensive Predictor Examination is designed to evaluate nursing students'
readiness for the NCLEX-RN examination and entry-level professional nursing practice. This
comprehensive examination assesses critical thinking, clinical judgment, patient safety,
nursing process application, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, medical-surgical
nursing, maternal-newborn nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, leadership,
delegation, prioritization, and professional responsibilities.
The examination reflects current nursing standards and focuses on the integration of
knowledge across multiple nursing specialties. Questions are designed to simulate the
complexity and decision-making required in real-world clinical settings and on the ATI
Comprehensive Predictor and NCLEX-style examinations.
Content areas covered include:
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
,• Pharmacology
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Leadership and Management
• Delegation and Supervision
• Prioritization of Care
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Safety and Risk Reduction
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Physiological Adaptation
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Ethical and Legal Nursing Practice
• Communication and Documentation
• NCLEX-RN Readiness Competencies
, PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question One
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
B. Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
C. Temperature of 99.1°F (37.3°C)
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
Correct Answer: A. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: Using the ABC priority framework, impaired oxygenation requires immediate
intervention. An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates inadequate oxygen delivery and places
the client at risk for respiratory compromise. Pain and mild postoperative findings are
expected, but hypoxemia is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring prompt
assessment and intervention.
Question Two
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which assessment finding indicates fluid
volume excess?
A. Bilateral crackles in the lung bases
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Decreased jugular venous distention
D. Hypotension with poor skin turgor
Correct Answer: A. Bilateral crackles in the lung bases
Rationale: Heart failure commonly results in fluid accumulation within the lungs.
Crackles indicate pulmonary congestion due to excess fluid. Dry mucous membranes and
poor skin turgor suggest fluid deficit rather than fluid overload.
, Question Three
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client with diabetes mellitus. When
should the nurse administer the medication?
A. Within 15 minutes before a meal
B. At bedtime
C. One hour before meals
D. Two hours after meals
Correct Answer: A. Within 15 minutes before a meal
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working quickly after
administration. Giving it within 15 minutes before meals helps prevent hyperglycemia
while reducing the risk of hypoglycemia from delayed food intake.
Question Four
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client scheduled for discharge teaching
D. A client requiring a dressing change
Correct Answer: A. A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
Rationale: Chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate acute coronary syndrome
or myocardial infarction. Using prioritization frameworks such as ABCs and Maslow's
hierarchy, this client requires immediate assessment because the condition may be life-
threatening.
Question Five
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client prescribed warfarin. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
EXAMINATION NCLEX-RN
READINESS & NURSING
COMPETENCY COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 100
CERTIFICATION-LEVEL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES
DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
The ATI Comprehensive Predictor Examination is designed to evaluate nursing students'
readiness for the NCLEX-RN examination and entry-level professional nursing practice. This
comprehensive examination assesses critical thinking, clinical judgment, patient safety,
nursing process application, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, medical-surgical
nursing, maternal-newborn nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, leadership,
delegation, prioritization, and professional responsibilities.
The examination reflects current nursing standards and focuses on the integration of
knowledge across multiple nursing specialties. Questions are designed to simulate the
complexity and decision-making required in real-world clinical settings and on the ATI
Comprehensive Predictor and NCLEX-style examinations.
Content areas covered include:
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
,• Pharmacology
• Maternal-Newborn Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Mental Health Nursing
• Leadership and Management
• Delegation and Supervision
• Prioritization of Care
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Safety and Risk Reduction
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Physiological Adaptation
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Ethical and Legal Nursing Practice
• Communication and Documentation
• NCLEX-RN Readiness Competencies
, PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Question One
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
B. Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
C. Temperature of 99.1°F (37.3°C)
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
Correct Answer: A. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: Using the ABC priority framework, impaired oxygenation requires immediate
intervention. An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates inadequate oxygen delivery and places
the client at risk for respiratory compromise. Pain and mild postoperative findings are
expected, but hypoxemia is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring prompt
assessment and intervention.
Question Two
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which assessment finding indicates fluid
volume excess?
A. Bilateral crackles in the lung bases
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Decreased jugular venous distention
D. Hypotension with poor skin turgor
Correct Answer: A. Bilateral crackles in the lung bases
Rationale: Heart failure commonly results in fluid accumulation within the lungs.
Crackles indicate pulmonary congestion due to excess fluid. Dry mucous membranes and
poor skin turgor suggest fluid deficit rather than fluid overload.
, Question Three
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a client with diabetes mellitus. When
should the nurse administer the medication?
A. Within 15 minutes before a meal
B. At bedtime
C. One hour before meals
D. Two hours after meals
Correct Answer: A. Within 15 minutes before a meal
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working quickly after
administration. Giving it within 15 minutes before meals helps prevent hyperglycemia
while reducing the risk of hypoglycemia from delayed food intake.
Question Four
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
B. A client requesting pain medication
C. A client scheduled for discharge teaching
D. A client requiring a dressing change
Correct Answer: A. A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
Rationale: Chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate acute coronary syndrome
or myocardial infarction. Using prioritization frameworks such as ABCs and Maslow's
hierarchy, this client requires immediate assessment because the condition may be life-
threatening.
Question Five
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client prescribed warfarin. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
