ATI Comprehensive Predictor Practice Exam 3 2026 |Questions
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal
drainage system. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Fluctuation of the water level in the suction control chamber
B. Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber during coughing
C. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguineous fluid in the first hour
D. Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Answer: D
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system,
which requires immediate intervention. Fluctuation (tidaling) is normal, and occasional
bubbling with coughing is expected.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for lithium carbonate.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day
B. Stop taking the medication if you experience hand tremors
C. Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate fluid intake (2-3 L/day) and consistent sodium intake are crucial for
clients taking lithium to prevent toxicity. Fine hand tremors are common side effects, not a
reason to stop without consulting a provider.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postpartum and has a boggy
uterus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxytocin IV
B. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
C. Notify the provider
D. Massage the fundus
Answer: D
Rationale: The first action for a boggy uterus is to perform fundal massage to stimulate
contraction and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Other actions like voiding or medication
follow if massage is insufficient.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for parenteral
nutrition (PN). Which of the following actions should the nurse include?
A. Change the PN tubing every 72 hours
B. Speed up the infusion rate if it falls behind schedule
C. Monitor the blood glucose level every 4 hours
D. Allow the PN solution to warm to room temperature for 4 hours before hanging
Answer: C
Rationale: PN solutions have high glucose concentrations; therefore, blood glucose
monitoring is required every 4 to 6 hours. Tubing is typically changed every 24 hours with
the bag to prevent infection.
5. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client with chronic kidney disease.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
, Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to excrete magnesium,
leading to hypermagnesemia. Clients also typically experience hyperkalemia,
hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia.
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Lean forward when sitting in a chair
B. Use a raised toilet seat
C. Cross legs at the ankles only
D. Flex the hip more than 90 degrees when dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: A raised toilet seat prevents excessive hip flexion. Clients should avoid flexing
the hip more than 90 degrees, crossing legs, or leaning forward to prevent dislocation.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of tonic-clonic seizures. Which of
the following precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Place the bed in the highest position
B. Keep a padded tongue blade at the bedside
C. Ensure suction equipment is at the bedside
D. Apply restraints to the client’s limbs
Answer: C
Rationale: Suction equipment and oxygen should be available at the bedside for seizure
precautions. Padded tongue blades are contraindicated as they can cause injury, and the
bed should be in the lowest position.
|Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal
drainage system. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider?
A. Fluctuation of the water level in the suction control chamber
B. Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber during coughing
C. Drainage of 50 mL of serosanguineous fluid in the first hour
D. Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber
Answer: D
Rationale: Constant bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system,
which requires immediate intervention. Fluctuation (tidaling) is normal, and occasional
bubbling with coughing is expected.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for lithium carbonate.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day
B. Stop taking the medication if you experience hand tremors
C. Drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid daily
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: C
Rationale: Adequate fluid intake (2-3 L/day) and consistent sodium intake are crucial for
clients taking lithium to prevent toxicity. Fine hand tremors are common side effects, not a
reason to stop without consulting a provider.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postpartum and has a boggy
uterus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxytocin IV
B. Assist the client to the bathroom to void
C. Notify the provider
D. Massage the fundus
Answer: D
Rationale: The first action for a boggy uterus is to perform fundal massage to stimulate
contraction and prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Other actions like voiding or medication
follow if massage is insufficient.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a prescription for parenteral
nutrition (PN). Which of the following actions should the nurse include?
A. Change the PN tubing every 72 hours
B. Speed up the infusion rate if it falls behind schedule
C. Monitor the blood glucose level every 4 hours
D. Allow the PN solution to warm to room temperature for 4 hours before hanging
Answer: C
Rationale: PN solutions have high glucose concentrations; therefore, blood glucose
monitoring is required every 4 to 6 hours. Tubing is typically changed every 24 hours with
the bag to prevent infection.
5. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client with chronic kidney disease.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Answer: B
, Rationale: In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are unable to excrete magnesium,
leading to hypermagnesemia. Clients also typically experience hyperkalemia,
hyperphosphatemia, and hypocalcemia.
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Lean forward when sitting in a chair
B. Use a raised toilet seat
C. Cross legs at the ankles only
D. Flex the hip more than 90 degrees when dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: A raised toilet seat prevents excessive hip flexion. Clients should avoid flexing
the hip more than 90 degrees, crossing legs, or leaning forward to prevent dislocation.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of tonic-clonic seizures. Which of
the following precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Place the bed in the highest position
B. Keep a padded tongue blade at the bedside
C. Ensure suction equipment is at the bedside
D. Apply restraints to the client’s limbs
Answer: C
Rationale: Suction equipment and oxygen should be available at the bedside for seizure
precautions. Padded tongue blades are contraindicated as they can cause injury, and the
bed should be in the lowest position.
