ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR
2026 EXIT EXAM WITH NGN
QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS, AND
RATIONALES GRADED A+
Question 1
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who presents with a
suspected opioid overdose. The client is somnolent, has a respiratory rate of
7/min, and pinpoint pupils. Which of the following prescriptions should the
nurse anticipate executing first?
A. Initiate a continuous intravenous normal saline infusion.
B. Administer naloxone intravenously.
C. Obtain a blood sample for an arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: The client exhibits classic signs of opioid toxicity:
respiratory depression, central nervous system depression, and miosis. The
, immediate priority is to restore adequate respiratory function by
administering naloxone, a rapid-acting opioid antagonist. Airway and
breathing interventions take precedence over fluid administration, diagnostic
testing, or urinary catheterization.
Question 2
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse prepare a sterile field for a
central venous line dressing change. Which of the following actions by the
newly licensed nurse requires immediate intervention?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from their body.
B. Maintaining a 2.5-cm (1-inch) unsterile border around the edge of the field.
C. Placing the sterile field package below their waist level on a bedside table.
D. Dropping sterile gauze pads directly into the center of the sterile field.
VERIFIED ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: A sterile field must always be maintained at or above waist
level. Any sterile object or field placed below waist level is automatically
considered contaminated. Opening flaps away from the body, maintaining a
1-inch unsterile border, and dropping items cleanly onto the field are correct
aseptic techniques.
Question 3
, A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily to a client with
heart failure. Which of the following assessments must the nurse perform prior
to administering this medication?
A. Measure the client's blood pressure in both arms.
B. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute.
C. Review the client’s blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level.
D. Check the client’s axial temperature.
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that decreases the heart rate
while increasing myocardial contractility. The nurse must auscultate the
apical pulse for 1 full minute before administration. If the apical pulse is less
than 60 beats per minute in an adult, the dose must be withheld, and the
healthcare provider notified to prevent bradycardia and toxicity.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client who has
been vomiting continuously for 24 hours. The results are: pH 7.51, PaCO2 44
mmHg, HCO3 31 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret these findings as which of
the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
, VERIFIED ANSWER: D
EXPLANATION: A pH of 7.51 indicates alkalosis (normal is 7.35–7.45). The
HCO3 is elevated at 31 mEq/L (normal is 22–26 mEq/L), which indicates a
metabolic origin. The PaCO2 is within the normal range (35–45 mmHg),
meaning there is no respiratory compensation. Loss of gastric secretions from
severe vomiting results in a significant loss of hydrochloric acid, causing
metabolic alkalosis.
Question 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Increase your intake of dark green leafy vegetables.
B. Use a firm-bristled toothbrush to maintain oral hygiene.
C. Report any black, tarry stools to your provider immediately.
D. Take aspirin if you experience a mild headache.
VERIFIED ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that increases the risk of
bleeding. Black, tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal hemorrhage and must be
reported immediately. Clients should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin
K (found in leafy greens) rather than increasing it, use a soft toothbrush to
prevent bleeding gums, and avoid aspirin or other NSAIDs due to an additive
risk of bleeding.
2026 EXIT EXAM WITH NGN
QUESTIONS, VERIFIED ANSWERS, AND
RATIONALES GRADED A+
Question 1
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who presents with a
suspected opioid overdose. The client is somnolent, has a respiratory rate of
7/min, and pinpoint pupils. Which of the following prescriptions should the
nurse anticipate executing first?
A. Initiate a continuous intravenous normal saline infusion.
B. Administer naloxone intravenously.
C. Obtain a blood sample for an arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.
D. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: The client exhibits classic signs of opioid toxicity:
respiratory depression, central nervous system depression, and miosis. The
, immediate priority is to restore adequate respiratory function by
administering naloxone, a rapid-acting opioid antagonist. Airway and
breathing interventions take precedence over fluid administration, diagnostic
testing, or urinary catheterization.
Question 2
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse prepare a sterile field for a
central venous line dressing change. Which of the following actions by the
newly licensed nurse requires immediate intervention?
A. Opening the outermost flap of the sterile kit away from their body.
B. Maintaining a 2.5-cm (1-inch) unsterile border around the edge of the field.
C. Placing the sterile field package below their waist level on a bedside table.
D. Dropping sterile gauze pads directly into the center of the sterile field.
VERIFIED ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: A sterile field must always be maintained at or above waist
level. Any sterile object or field placed below waist level is automatically
considered contaminated. Opening flaps away from the body, maintaining a
1-inch unsterile border, and dropping items cleanly onto the field are correct
aseptic techniques.
Question 3
, A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily to a client with
heart failure. Which of the following assessments must the nurse perform prior
to administering this medication?
A. Measure the client's blood pressure in both arms.
B. Auscultate the apical pulse for 1 full minute.
C. Review the client’s blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level.
D. Check the client’s axial temperature.
VERIFIED ANSWER: B
EXPLANATION: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that decreases the heart rate
while increasing myocardial contractility. The nurse must auscultate the
apical pulse for 1 full minute before administration. If the apical pulse is less
than 60 beats per minute in an adult, the dose must be withheld, and the
healthcare provider notified to prevent bradycardia and toxicity.
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client who has
been vomiting continuously for 24 hours. The results are: pH 7.51, PaCO2 44
mmHg, HCO3 31 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret these findings as which of
the following acid-base imbalances?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
C. Metabolic acidosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
, VERIFIED ANSWER: D
EXPLANATION: A pH of 7.51 indicates alkalosis (normal is 7.35–7.45). The
HCO3 is elevated at 31 mEq/L (normal is 22–26 mEq/L), which indicates a
metabolic origin. The PaCO2 is within the normal range (35–45 mmHg),
meaning there is no respiratory compensation. Loss of gastric secretions from
severe vomiting results in a significant loss of hydrochloric acid, causing
metabolic alkalosis.
Question 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching?
A. Increase your intake of dark green leafy vegetables.
B. Use a firm-bristled toothbrush to maintain oral hygiene.
C. Report any black, tarry stools to your provider immediately.
D. Take aspirin if you experience a mild headache.
VERIFIED ANSWER: C
EXPLANATION: Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that increases the risk of
bleeding. Black, tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal hemorrhage and must be
reported immediately. Clients should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin
K (found in leafy greens) rather than increasing it, use a soft toothbrush to
prevent bleeding gums, and avoid aspirin or other NSAIDs due to an additive
risk of bleeding.
