RN Comprehensive Predictor Exam | Actual
study Questions and Answers + Expert
Rationales | 2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
1. A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following can be assigned to assistive
personnel (AP)?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Collecting a stool specimen to test for occult blood
C) Performing a wound dressing change
D) Assessing a client's vital signs
Correct Answer: B) Collecting a stool specimen to test for occult blood
Expert Rationale: Collecting a stool specimen is a non-invasive, routine task that falls within the
scope of practice for assistive personnel. Medication administration, wound care, and
assessment are nursing responsibilities that require clinical judgment and cannot be delegated
to APs.
2. A nurse is working on a unit for clients with dementia. Which of the following client
situations requires the nurse to write an incident report?
A) A client refuses to take their morning medications
B) A client is found wandering in the hallway
C) A client is found lying on the floor next to a chair
D) A client is yelling at staff members
Correct Answer: C) A client is found lying on the floor next to a chair
Expert Rationale: An incident report (or occurrence report) is required whenever there is an
unexpected event that could result in harm, such as a fall. The nurse must document the
incident, assess the client, and notify the healthcare provider. Wandering, refusal of
medications, and yelling are behaviors that require interventions but do not necessarily require
an incident report unless harm occurs.
3. A nurse is discharging a client who was admitted for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
mellitus. The client is independent and lives alone. Which of the following should be included
in the discharge plan?
A) Refer the client to a diabetic support group
,B) Arrange for home health aide services daily
C) Recommend the client move to an assisted living facility
D) Schedule blood glucose monitoring every 4 hours
Correct Answer: A) Refer the client to a diabetic support group
Expert Rationale: A newly diagnosed client with type 2 diabetes who is independent and lives
alone would benefit from a support group to help with education, coping, and self-
management. Home health aides are not necessary for an independent client. Moving to
assisted living is not indicated. Blood glucose monitoring frequency depends on the client's
treatment regimen.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose level of
60 mg/dL. For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor?
A) Clammy skin
B) Polyuria
C) Polydipsia
D) Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: A) Clammy skin
Expert Rationale: A blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia. Signs of
hypoglycemia include clammy/cool skin, diaphoresis, tachycardia, confusion, tremors, and
hunger. Polyuria and polydipsia are signs of hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations are associated
with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
5. A female client who is in an abusive marriage discusses with the nurse strategies to prevent
this abuse. Which of the following client statements indicate an understanding of an
appropriate strategy? (Select all that apply)
A) "I need to recognize the signs that my husband is becoming abusive."
B) "I need to hide money so I can leave if necessary."
C) "I need to identify what triggers my husband's anger to prevent his abuse."
D) "I should keep a written record of the abuse."
E) "I should confront my husband about his behavior."
Correct Answer: A, C
Expert Rationale: The client should recognize the signs of impending abuse and identify triggers
to help prevent escalation. The other options are less appropriate: hiding money may be a
safety measure but is not a prevention strategy; confronting an abuser can escalate violence;
keeping a record is documentation, not prevention.
,6. A charge nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing to administer noon insulin to a
client. The nurse observes that the assistive personnel (AP) has not documented the client's
blood glucose level. Which of the following actions should the charge nurse take first?
A) Administer the insulin without checking the blood glucose
B) Report the AP to the nurse manager
C) Document that the blood glucose was not checked
D) Determine if the AP has completed the assignment
Correct Answer: D) Determine if the AP has completed the assignment
Expert Rationale: The first action is to determine if the AP has completed the task but failed to
document it, or if it was not done. The nurse should gather more information before taking
further action. Patient safety is the priority—insulin should not be administered without
knowing the blood glucose level.
7. A client is scheduled for an outpatient colonoscopy. Which of the following actions is a
nursing responsibility in the informed consent process?
A) Verify that there is a signed and witnessed consent form in the client's chart
B) Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure to the client
C) Obtain the client's verbal consent for the procedure
D) Determine if the client is competent to sign the consent
Correct Answer: A) Verify that there is a signed and witnessed consent form in the client's chart
Expert Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature on the
consent form and ensure the client has signed the form voluntarily. The provider is responsible
for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse should also ensure the
client understands the information, but the provider must obtain consent.
8. A nurse smells alcohol on the breath of an assistive personnel (AP) during report. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Confront the AP directly and ask if they have been drinking
B) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
C) Report the situation to the nurse manager
D) Ask the AP to leave the unit immediately
Correct Answer: C) Report the situation to the nurse manager
Expert Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. The nurse should report any suspicion of
, impairment to the nurse manager, who can address the situation appropriately. Confronting the
AP is not within the nurse's scope of authority, and ignoring the situation puts patients at risk.
9. A nurse from a medical-surgical unit is floating to a postpartum unit. Which of the following
clients is an appropriate assignment for the nurse to accept?
A) A client who is 2 hours postpartum with heavy bleeding
B) A client who had a cesarean delivery 24 hours ago
C) A client who is breastfeeding and reports breast engorgement
D) A client who is 12 hours postpartum with a temperature of 101°F
Correct Answer: B) A client who had a cesarean delivery 24 hours ago
Expert Rationale: A client who had a cesarean delivery 24 hours ago is considered stable for a
floating nurse who may not have extensive postpartum experience. Heavy bleeding, infection
(fever), and breastfeeding issues require specialized assessment and intervention.
10. A nurse in a provider's office is collecting data from a parent of an infant who is being
screened for cystic fibrosis. Which of the following supports a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis?
A) Frothy stools
B) Projectile vomiting
C) Ribbon-like stools
D) Currant jelly stools
Correct Answer: A) Frothy stools
Expert Rationale: Cystic fibrosis causes pancreatic insufficiency, leading to poor fat absorption
and frothy, foul-smelling, greasy stools (steatorrhea). Projectile vomiting is associated with
pyloric stenosis. Ribbon-like stools are seen in Hirschsprung disease. Currant jelly stools are seen
in intussusception.
11. When caring for an assigned group of clients, the nurse should wear gloves when:
A) Performing oral hygiene
B) Taking a client's temperature
C) Feeding a client
D) Ambulating a client
Correct Answer: A) Performing oral hygiene
Expert Rationale: Standard precautions require the use of gloves whenever there is potential
contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Oral hygiene involves
study Questions and Answers + Expert
Rationales | 2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
1. A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following can be assigned to assistive
personnel (AP)?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Collecting a stool specimen to test for occult blood
C) Performing a wound dressing change
D) Assessing a client's vital signs
Correct Answer: B) Collecting a stool specimen to test for occult blood
Expert Rationale: Collecting a stool specimen is a non-invasive, routine task that falls within the
scope of practice for assistive personnel. Medication administration, wound care, and
assessment are nursing responsibilities that require clinical judgment and cannot be delegated
to APs.
2. A nurse is working on a unit for clients with dementia. Which of the following client
situations requires the nurse to write an incident report?
A) A client refuses to take their morning medications
B) A client is found wandering in the hallway
C) A client is found lying on the floor next to a chair
D) A client is yelling at staff members
Correct Answer: C) A client is found lying on the floor next to a chair
Expert Rationale: An incident report (or occurrence report) is required whenever there is an
unexpected event that could result in harm, such as a fall. The nurse must document the
incident, assess the client, and notify the healthcare provider. Wandering, refusal of
medications, and yelling are behaviors that require interventions but do not necessarily require
an incident report unless harm occurs.
3. A nurse is discharging a client who was admitted for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes
mellitus. The client is independent and lives alone. Which of the following should be included
in the discharge plan?
A) Refer the client to a diabetic support group
,B) Arrange for home health aide services daily
C) Recommend the client move to an assisted living facility
D) Schedule blood glucose monitoring every 4 hours
Correct Answer: A) Refer the client to a diabetic support group
Expert Rationale: A newly diagnosed client with type 2 diabetes who is independent and lives
alone would benefit from a support group to help with education, coping, and self-
management. Home health aides are not necessary for an independent client. Moving to
assisted living is not indicated. Blood glucose monitoring frequency depends on the client's
treatment regimen.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose level of
60 mg/dL. For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor?
A) Clammy skin
B) Polyuria
C) Polydipsia
D) Kussmaul respirations
Correct Answer: A) Clammy skin
Expert Rationale: A blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL indicates hypoglycemia. Signs of
hypoglycemia include clammy/cool skin, diaphoresis, tachycardia, confusion, tremors, and
hunger. Polyuria and polydipsia are signs of hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations are associated
with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
5. A female client who is in an abusive marriage discusses with the nurse strategies to prevent
this abuse. Which of the following client statements indicate an understanding of an
appropriate strategy? (Select all that apply)
A) "I need to recognize the signs that my husband is becoming abusive."
B) "I need to hide money so I can leave if necessary."
C) "I need to identify what triggers my husband's anger to prevent his abuse."
D) "I should keep a written record of the abuse."
E) "I should confront my husband about his behavior."
Correct Answer: A, C
Expert Rationale: The client should recognize the signs of impending abuse and identify triggers
to help prevent escalation. The other options are less appropriate: hiding money may be a
safety measure but is not a prevention strategy; confronting an abuser can escalate violence;
keeping a record is documentation, not prevention.
,6. A charge nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing to administer noon insulin to a
client. The nurse observes that the assistive personnel (AP) has not documented the client's
blood glucose level. Which of the following actions should the charge nurse take first?
A) Administer the insulin without checking the blood glucose
B) Report the AP to the nurse manager
C) Document that the blood glucose was not checked
D) Determine if the AP has completed the assignment
Correct Answer: D) Determine if the AP has completed the assignment
Expert Rationale: The first action is to determine if the AP has completed the task but failed to
document it, or if it was not done. The nurse should gather more information before taking
further action. Patient safety is the priority—insulin should not be administered without
knowing the blood glucose level.
7. A client is scheduled for an outpatient colonoscopy. Which of the following actions is a
nursing responsibility in the informed consent process?
A) Verify that there is a signed and witnessed consent form in the client's chart
B) Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure to the client
C) Obtain the client's verbal consent for the procedure
D) Determine if the client is competent to sign the consent
Correct Answer: A) Verify that there is a signed and witnessed consent form in the client's chart
Expert Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature on the
consent form and ensure the client has signed the form voluntarily. The provider is responsible
for explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse should also ensure the
client understands the information, but the provider must obtain consent.
8. A nurse smells alcohol on the breath of an assistive personnel (AP) during report. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Confront the AP directly and ask if they have been drinking
B) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
C) Report the situation to the nurse manager
D) Ask the AP to leave the unit immediately
Correct Answer: C) Report the situation to the nurse manager
Expert Rationale: Patient safety is the priority. The nurse should report any suspicion of
, impairment to the nurse manager, who can address the situation appropriately. Confronting the
AP is not within the nurse's scope of authority, and ignoring the situation puts patients at risk.
9. A nurse from a medical-surgical unit is floating to a postpartum unit. Which of the following
clients is an appropriate assignment for the nurse to accept?
A) A client who is 2 hours postpartum with heavy bleeding
B) A client who had a cesarean delivery 24 hours ago
C) A client who is breastfeeding and reports breast engorgement
D) A client who is 12 hours postpartum with a temperature of 101°F
Correct Answer: B) A client who had a cesarean delivery 24 hours ago
Expert Rationale: A client who had a cesarean delivery 24 hours ago is considered stable for a
floating nurse who may not have extensive postpartum experience. Heavy bleeding, infection
(fever), and breastfeeding issues require specialized assessment and intervention.
10. A nurse in a provider's office is collecting data from a parent of an infant who is being
screened for cystic fibrosis. Which of the following supports a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis?
A) Frothy stools
B) Projectile vomiting
C) Ribbon-like stools
D) Currant jelly stools
Correct Answer: A) Frothy stools
Expert Rationale: Cystic fibrosis causes pancreatic insufficiency, leading to poor fat absorption
and frothy, foul-smelling, greasy stools (steatorrhea). Projectile vomiting is associated with
pyloric stenosis. Ribbon-like stools are seen in Hirschsprung disease. Currant jelly stools are seen
in intussusception.
11. When caring for an assigned group of clients, the nurse should wear gloves when:
A) Performing oral hygiene
B) Taking a client's temperature
C) Feeding a client
D) Ambulating a client
Correct Answer: A) Performing oral hygiene
Expert Rationale: Standard precautions require the use of gloves whenever there is potential
contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin. Oral hygiene involves
