ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE
EXAM 2026: COMPLETE UNIVERSITY-LEVEL REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS, DETAILED
RATIONALES & FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING AND SAFETY
QUESTIONS 1 TO 10
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls and is confused. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply a vest restraint to prevent injury
B. Place the client in a room near the nurses’ station
C. Keep all four side rails raised while the client is in bed
D. Administer a sedative medication as prescribed PRN
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: Placing the client near the nurses’ station allows closer observation and is the
least restrictive safety intervention. Restraints should be used only when less restrictive
methods fail and when prescribed according to policy. Raising all four side rails can be
considered a restraint and may increase injury risk if the client attempts to climb over
them. Sedatives may increase confusion and fall risk.
,2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which
action demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. Cleanse the urinary meatus from back to front
B. Keep the dominant hand sterile throughout the procedure
C. Inflate the balloon before urine return is observed
D. Place the sterile catheter tray on the client’s bedside table after touching the table
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: During catheter insertion, the dominant hand remains sterile while the
nondominant hand is used to separate the labia and is considered contaminated after
contact. Cleansing should be performed from front to back. The balloon should be inflated
only after urine return confirms placement in the bladder. Sterile supplies must not contact
nonsterile surfaces.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a stage 3 pressure injury on the sacrum. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Nonblanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat
C. Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle
D. Purple discoloration of intact skin
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: A stage 3 pressure injury involves full-thickness skin loss, and subcutaneous fat
may be visible. Stage 1 is nonblanchable redness of intact skin. Stage 4 includes exposed
bone, tendon, or muscle. Purple or maroon intact skin suggests deep tissue pressure
injury.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about proper use of a cane. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
,A. “I will hold the cane on my weaker side.”
B. “I will move the cane forward at the same time as my weaker leg.”
C. “I will place the cane about 18 inches in front of my foot.”
D. “I will advance my stronger leg first when going up stairs.”
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: The cane is held on the stronger side and advanced with the weaker leg to
provide support and balance. The cane should be placed approximately 6 to 10 inches
forward and lateral to the foot, not 18 inches. When going up stairs, the client should lead
with the stronger leg, followed by the cane and weaker leg.
5. A nurse receives prescriptions for four clients. Which prescription should the nurse
question?
A. Morphine sulfate for a client with severe postoperative pain
B. Enoxaparin for a client after hip replacement surgery
C. Potassium chloride IV push for a client with hypokalemia
D. Albuterol inhaler for a client with wheezing
Answer: [✓] C.
Rationale: Potassium chloride must never be administered by IV push because it can
cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. It must be diluted and infused using an infusion pump
according to facility policy. The other prescriptions are common and appropriate when
clinically indicated.
6. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client who reports pain rated 8 out of 10 after abdominal surgery
B. A client with a blood glucose level of 62 mg/dL who is diaphoretic
C. A client who has not had a bowel movement for 3 days
, D. A client requesting assistance with ambulation before discharge
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: Symptomatic hypoglycemia is an immediate threat to safety and neurologic
function. The nurse should assess and treat this client first. Severe pain is important but
does not take priority over symptomatic hypoglycemia. Constipation and discharge
ambulation are lower priority.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for home
oxygen. Which instruction is most important?
A. “Use petroleum jelly to prevent nasal dryness.”
B. “Store oxygen tanks near a heat source to maintain pressure.”
C. “Post a no-smoking sign near the oxygen equipment.”
D. “Adjust the oxygen flow rate based on shortness of breath.”
Answer: [✓] C.
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, so fire safety is the priority. No-smoking signs
should be posted, and oxygen should be kept away from flames and heat sources.
Petroleum-based products should not be used because they are flammable. The client
should not adjust the flow rate unless instructed by the provider.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving enteral tube feedings. Which action should reduce
the risk of aspiration?
A. Place the client supine during feeding
B. Flush the tube with sterile water every 8 hr only
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees
D. Stop the feeding if bowel sounds are hyperactive
EXAM 2026: COMPLETE UNIVERSITY-LEVEL REVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS, DETAILED
RATIONALES & FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING AND SAFETY
QUESTIONS 1 TO 10
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls and is confused. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply a vest restraint to prevent injury
B. Place the client in a room near the nurses’ station
C. Keep all four side rails raised while the client is in bed
D. Administer a sedative medication as prescribed PRN
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: Placing the client near the nurses’ station allows closer observation and is the
least restrictive safety intervention. Restraints should be used only when less restrictive
methods fail and when prescribed according to policy. Raising all four side rails can be
considered a restraint and may increase injury risk if the client attempts to climb over
them. Sedatives may increase confusion and fall risk.
,2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which
action demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. Cleanse the urinary meatus from back to front
B. Keep the dominant hand sterile throughout the procedure
C. Inflate the balloon before urine return is observed
D. Place the sterile catheter tray on the client’s bedside table after touching the table
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: During catheter insertion, the dominant hand remains sterile while the
nondominant hand is used to separate the labia and is considered contaminated after
contact. Cleansing should be performed from front to back. The balloon should be inflated
only after urine return confirms placement in the bladder. Sterile supplies must not contact
nonsterile surfaces.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a stage 3 pressure injury on the sacrum. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Nonblanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat
C. Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle
D. Purple discoloration of intact skin
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: A stage 3 pressure injury involves full-thickness skin loss, and subcutaneous fat
may be visible. Stage 1 is nonblanchable redness of intact skin. Stage 4 includes exposed
bone, tendon, or muscle. Purple or maroon intact skin suggests deep tissue pressure
injury.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about proper use of a cane. Which statement by the client
indicates understanding?
,A. “I will hold the cane on my weaker side.”
B. “I will move the cane forward at the same time as my weaker leg.”
C. “I will place the cane about 18 inches in front of my foot.”
D. “I will advance my stronger leg first when going up stairs.”
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: The cane is held on the stronger side and advanced with the weaker leg to
provide support and balance. The cane should be placed approximately 6 to 10 inches
forward and lateral to the foot, not 18 inches. When going up stairs, the client should lead
with the stronger leg, followed by the cane and weaker leg.
5. A nurse receives prescriptions for four clients. Which prescription should the nurse
question?
A. Morphine sulfate for a client with severe postoperative pain
B. Enoxaparin for a client after hip replacement surgery
C. Potassium chloride IV push for a client with hypokalemia
D. Albuterol inhaler for a client with wheezing
Answer: [✓] C.
Rationale: Potassium chloride must never be administered by IV push because it can
cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. It must be diluted and infused using an infusion pump
according to facility policy. The other prescriptions are common and appropriate when
clinically indicated.
6. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client who reports pain rated 8 out of 10 after abdominal surgery
B. A client with a blood glucose level of 62 mg/dL who is diaphoretic
C. A client who has not had a bowel movement for 3 days
, D. A client requesting assistance with ambulation before discharge
Answer: [✓] B.
Rationale: Symptomatic hypoglycemia is an immediate threat to safety and neurologic
function. The nurse should assess and treat this client first. Severe pain is important but
does not take priority over symptomatic hypoglycemia. Constipation and discharge
ambulation are lower priority.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for home
oxygen. Which instruction is most important?
A. “Use petroleum jelly to prevent nasal dryness.”
B. “Store oxygen tanks near a heat source to maintain pressure.”
C. “Post a no-smoking sign near the oxygen equipment.”
D. “Adjust the oxygen flow rate based on shortness of breath.”
Answer: [✓] C.
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion, so fire safety is the priority. No-smoking signs
should be posted, and oxygen should be kept away from flames and heat sources.
Petroleum-based products should not be used because they are flammable. The client
should not adjust the flow rate unless instructed by the provider.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving enteral tube feedings. Which action should reduce
the risk of aspiration?
A. Place the client supine during feeding
B. Flush the tube with sterile water every 8 hr only
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees
D. Stop the feeding if bowel sounds are hyperactive
