ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor
2023/2026 |Practice Questions with
NGN-Style & Detailed Rationales to
Pass the Exit Exam
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours post-operative from a right total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 88/min
B. Pain level of 4 on a 0-10 scale
C. Oxygen saturation of 91% on 2L nasal cannula
D. Urinary output of 40 mL in the last hour
Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 91% is below the expected reference range (95-
100%) and could indicate early signs of a pulmonary embolism, a critical post-operative
complication. While a heart rate of 88 is within normal limits, pain of 4 is expected, and
40 mL/hr urine output is adequate (at least 30 mL/hr), the low SpO2 is the most urgent
finding requiring immediate intervention.
,2. A charge nurse is assigning tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an
assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the charge nurse
assign to the LPN?
A. Administer a scheduled oral antibiotic to a client.
B. Assist a client with a meal.
C. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen.
D. Perform oral care for an unconscious client.
Answer: A
Rationale: Administering medications, including oral antibiotics, is within the LPN's
scope of practice in most states, provided the client is stable. Assisting with meals (B),
obtaining a urine specimen (C), and performing oral care (D) are appropriate tasks to
delegate to an AP.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables."
B. "I will take ibuprofen for any headaches I get."
C. "I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth."
D. "I will check my blood sugar before each meal."
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. Using a soft
toothbrush minimizes the risk of gum bleeding. Clients should maintain a consistent
intake of vitamin K (found in leafy green vegetables, A), avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen (B)
due to increased bleeding risk, and monitoring blood sugar (D) is unrelated to warfarin
therapy.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased jugular venous distention
B. Weight loss of 2 kg in 1 week
C. Shortness of breath on exertion
D. Increased urine output
Answer: C
Rationale: Shortness of breath on exertion is a classic sign of heart failure due to fluid
accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). Jugular venous distention (JVD)
would be increased (A), weight gain from fluid retention is expected (B), and urine
output is typically decreased (D) due to reduced renal perfusion.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's identity with two identifiers.
B. Check the expiration date of the blood product.
C. Assess the client's vital signs.
D. Initiate an IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Answer: A
Rationale: The first step in the blood administration process, according to the "time-
out" or verification protocol, is to verify the client's identity using two unique identifiers
to ensure the right blood is given to the right patient. While the other steps are crucial,
they occur after the initial identification verification.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours post-operative. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a sign of an infection?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Serosanguineous drainage
D. Warmth and redness around the incision
Answer: D
Rationale: Warmth and redness (erythema) at the incision site are cardinal signs of
localized inflammation and infection. Pain (A) is expected post-op. A temperature of
99°F (B) is within normal limits. Serosanguineous drainage (C) is a normal finding in the
early post-op period.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for furosemide. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication before going to bed."
B. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
C. "Limit your fluid intake to 500 mL per day."
D. "Expect your urine output to decrease."
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium. Clients
should increase their intake of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, oranges, potatoes)
to prevent hypokalemia. The medication should be taken in the morning (A) to avoid
2023/2026 |Practice Questions with
NGN-Style & Detailed Rationales to
Pass the Exit Exam
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 hours post-operative from a right total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 88/min
B. Pain level of 4 on a 0-10 scale
C. Oxygen saturation of 91% on 2L nasal cannula
D. Urinary output of 40 mL in the last hour
Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 91% is below the expected reference range (95-
100%) and could indicate early signs of a pulmonary embolism, a critical post-operative
complication. While a heart rate of 88 is within normal limits, pain of 4 is expected, and
40 mL/hr urine output is adequate (at least 30 mL/hr), the low SpO2 is the most urgent
finding requiring immediate intervention.
,2. A charge nurse is assigning tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and an
assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks should the charge nurse
assign to the LPN?
A. Administer a scheduled oral antibiotic to a client.
B. Assist a client with a meal.
C. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen.
D. Perform oral care for an unconscious client.
Answer: A
Rationale: Administering medications, including oral antibiotics, is within the LPN's
scope of practice in most states, provided the client is stable. Assisting with meals (B),
obtaining a urine specimen (C), and performing oral care (D) are appropriate tasks to
delegate to an AP.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables."
B. "I will take ibuprofen for any headaches I get."
C. "I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth."
D. "I will check my blood sugar before each meal."
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. Using a soft
toothbrush minimizes the risk of gum bleeding. Clients should maintain a consistent
intake of vitamin K (found in leafy green vegetables, A), avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen (B)
due to increased bleeding risk, and monitoring blood sugar (D) is unrelated to warfarin
therapy.
,4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased jugular venous distention
B. Weight loss of 2 kg in 1 week
C. Shortness of breath on exertion
D. Increased urine output
Answer: C
Rationale: Shortness of breath on exertion is a classic sign of heart failure due to fluid
accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). Jugular venous distention (JVD)
would be increased (A), weight gain from fluid retention is expected (B), and urine
output is typically decreased (D) due to reduced renal perfusion.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's identity with two identifiers.
B. Check the expiration date of the blood product.
C. Assess the client's vital signs.
D. Initiate an IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Answer: A
Rationale: The first step in the blood administration process, according to the "time-
out" or verification protocol, is to verify the client's identity using two unique identifiers
to ensure the right blood is given to the right patient. While the other steps are crucial,
they occur after the initial identification verification.
, 6. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours post-operative. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a sign of an infection?
A. Pain at the incision site
B. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Serosanguineous drainage
D. Warmth and redness around the incision
Answer: D
Rationale: Warmth and redness (erythema) at the incision site are cardinal signs of
localized inflammation and infection. Pain (A) is expected post-op. A temperature of
99°F (B) is within normal limits. Serosanguineous drainage (C) is a normal finding in the
early post-op period.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for furosemide. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication before going to bed."
B. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
C. "Limit your fluid intake to 500 mL per day."
D. "Expect your urine output to decrease."
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium. Clients
should increase their intake of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, oranges, potatoes)
to prevent hypokalemia. The medication should be taken in the morning (A) to avoid
