VATI Comprehensive Predictor Exam Test Bank |
Complete Actual Exam Study Guide with 100%
Verified Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
| Latest Updated Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
A RN in a clinic is assessing a patient whose partner died 4 months ago. Which of the
following statements indicates that the patient is at risk for complicated grief?
A. "I wish I had been nicer and more generous with my wife before she died."
B. "I told my wife to go to the doctor, but she wouldn't listen to me."
C. "I think about my wife all the time when I go on outings with my family."
D. "I feel so empty without my wife that it's hard to get up every morning."
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should identify that when a client has difficulty carrying on
normal activities following a loss, this is an indication that there is a risk for complicated
grief.
Question 2
A RN in a MH facility is caring for a patient who has generalized anxiety disorder.
Which of the following statements should the RN make?
A. "We'll assist you with making decisions."
B. "Someone will work with you when you have flashbacks."
C. "You'll be going through aversion therapy to help you cope."
D. "The therapy will help you control your impulses."
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients who have generalized anxiety disorder are often indecisive and
dread making decisions. Therefore, the nurse should reassure the client that they will
receive help with making decisions.
Question 3
A RN in the labor and delivery unit is caring for a patient who is undergoing external
fetal monitoring. The RN observes that the FHR begins to slow after the start of a
contraction and the lowest rate occurs after the peak of the contraction. Which of the
following actions should the RN take first?
A. Administer oxygen via face mask.
B. Increase the rate of IV fluids.
C. Place the patient in lateral position.
D. Notify the provider.
pg. 1
,Answer: C
Rationale: This is a late deceleration and is associated with fetal hypoxemia due to
insufficient placental perfusion. Placing the patient in the lateral position is the first
action the nurse should take.
Question 4
A RN in the emergency department is assessing a patient who has cocaine intoxication.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pinpoint pupils
B. Drowsiness
C. Nystagmus
D. Hypervigilance
Answer: D
Rationale: Paranoid behavior is an expected finding for a client who has cocaine
intoxication.
Question 5
A RN is planning to implement relaxation strategies with a young child prior to a painful
procedure. Which of the following actions should the RN take?
A. Ask the child to hold his breath and then blow it out slowly.
B. Ask the child to describe a pleasurable event.
C. Bounce the child gently while holding him upright.
D. Rock the child in long rhythmic movements.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse can implement relaxation strategies by sitting with the child in a
well-supported position, such as against the chest, and then rocking or swaying back
and forth in long, wide movements.
Question 6
A RN is assessing a teen who received a sodium polystyrene sulfonate enema. Which of
the following indicates effectiveness of the medication?
A. Report of increased thirst.
B. Serum potassium of 4.1 mEq/L.
C. Onset of loose stools within 15 min of administration.
D. Increase in sodium level.
Answer: B
Rationale: This medication is used to treat hyperkalemia by exchanging sodium and
potassium in the gut. The potassium value indicates that the medication is effective.
pg. 2
,Question 7
A RN is admitting an infant who has intussusception. Which of the following findings
should the RN expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Vomiting
B. Lethargy
C. Constipation
D. Currant jelly stools
E. Abdominal distention
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Vomiting occurs as a result of the obstruction that occurs when a segment
of the bowel telescopes within another bowel segment. Lethargy occurs because the
infant is in severe pain and cries inconsolably, leading to exhaustion. Currant jelly stools
are a classic sign of intussusception.
Question 8
A RN is caring for a patient who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 6 years
and the provider has started tapering off the dosage. The RN should monitor the patient
for which of the following manifestations of tardive dyskinesia?
A. Muscular weakness
B. Muscle spasms
C. Involuntary tongue protrusion
D. Uncontrolled rolling of the eyes
Answer: C
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia begins with mouth and facial movements and then
progresses to involve other muscle groups. This adverse effect is potentially irreversible.
Question 9
A RN on a MH unit observes a patient who has acute mania hit another patient. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Call the provider to obtain an immediate prescription for restraint.
B. Prepare to administer benzodiazepine IM.
C. Call for a team of staff members to help with the situation.
D. Check the client who was hit for injuries.
Answer: C
Rationale: The greatest risk is injury to the client and others. Therefore, the first action
the nurse should take is to call for assistance to prevent further injury to themselves or
others.
pg. 3
, Question 10
A charge nurse is preparing an educational session for a group of new nurses to review
patient rights under the law. Which of the following statements should the RN make?
A. "Information regarding clients should remain confidential until after their death."
B. "Failure to report suspected maltreatment or neglect of a disabled adult is a felony in
all states."
C. "As long as client identity is disguised, their health information can be shared
between professionals on the internet."
D. "In the event a client threatens harm to others, medications can be administered
without consent."
Answer: D
Rationale: During an emergency situation, if the client is threatening harm to self or
others, medications can be administered without the client's consent and without a
court order.
Question 11
A RN is assessing a newly admitted patient who has generalized anxiety disorder and
states, "I drink alcohol to forget the pain." The patient is exhibiting a maladaptive
response to which of the following defense mechanisms?
A. Rationalization
B. Conversion
C. Projection
D. Suppression
Answer: A
Rationale: Rationalization is a defense mechanism by which a person covers up a real
or perceived problem or weakness. This client is attempting to justify alcohol use by
explaining that it helps to relieve pain.
Question 12
A RN is planning care for a patient who has deep partial-thickness and full-thickness
thermal burns over 40% of his total body surface and is in the acute phase of burn
injury. Which of the following interventions should the RN include in the plan?
A. Initiate ROM exercises.
B. Use clean technique to provide wound care.
C. Place the patient on a low-protein diet.
D. Maintain the patient on bed rest.
Answer: A
Rationale: Range of motion exercises should be initiated to maintain mobility and
prevent contractures.
pg. 4
Complete Actual Exam Study Guide with 100%
Verified Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales
| Latest Updated Edition 2026/2027
Question 1
A RN in a clinic is assessing a patient whose partner died 4 months ago. Which of the
following statements indicates that the patient is at risk for complicated grief?
A. "I wish I had been nicer and more generous with my wife before she died."
B. "I told my wife to go to the doctor, but she wouldn't listen to me."
C. "I think about my wife all the time when I go on outings with my family."
D. "I feel so empty without my wife that it's hard to get up every morning."
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should identify that when a client has difficulty carrying on
normal activities following a loss, this is an indication that there is a risk for complicated
grief.
Question 2
A RN in a MH facility is caring for a patient who has generalized anxiety disorder.
Which of the following statements should the RN make?
A. "We'll assist you with making decisions."
B. "Someone will work with you when you have flashbacks."
C. "You'll be going through aversion therapy to help you cope."
D. "The therapy will help you control your impulses."
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients who have generalized anxiety disorder are often indecisive and
dread making decisions. Therefore, the nurse should reassure the client that they will
receive help with making decisions.
Question 3
A RN in the labor and delivery unit is caring for a patient who is undergoing external
fetal monitoring. The RN observes that the FHR begins to slow after the start of a
contraction and the lowest rate occurs after the peak of the contraction. Which of the
following actions should the RN take first?
A. Administer oxygen via face mask.
B. Increase the rate of IV fluids.
C. Place the patient in lateral position.
D. Notify the provider.
pg. 1
,Answer: C
Rationale: This is a late deceleration and is associated with fetal hypoxemia due to
insufficient placental perfusion. Placing the patient in the lateral position is the first
action the nurse should take.
Question 4
A RN in the emergency department is assessing a patient who has cocaine intoxication.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pinpoint pupils
B. Drowsiness
C. Nystagmus
D. Hypervigilance
Answer: D
Rationale: Paranoid behavior is an expected finding for a client who has cocaine
intoxication.
Question 5
A RN is planning to implement relaxation strategies with a young child prior to a painful
procedure. Which of the following actions should the RN take?
A. Ask the child to hold his breath and then blow it out slowly.
B. Ask the child to describe a pleasurable event.
C. Bounce the child gently while holding him upright.
D. Rock the child in long rhythmic movements.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse can implement relaxation strategies by sitting with the child in a
well-supported position, such as against the chest, and then rocking or swaying back
and forth in long, wide movements.
Question 6
A RN is assessing a teen who received a sodium polystyrene sulfonate enema. Which of
the following indicates effectiveness of the medication?
A. Report of increased thirst.
B. Serum potassium of 4.1 mEq/L.
C. Onset of loose stools within 15 min of administration.
D. Increase in sodium level.
Answer: B
Rationale: This medication is used to treat hyperkalemia by exchanging sodium and
potassium in the gut. The potassium value indicates that the medication is effective.
pg. 2
,Question 7
A RN is admitting an infant who has intussusception. Which of the following findings
should the RN expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Vomiting
B. Lethargy
C. Constipation
D. Currant jelly stools
E. Abdominal distention
Answer: A, B, D
Rationale: Vomiting occurs as a result of the obstruction that occurs when a segment
of the bowel telescopes within another bowel segment. Lethargy occurs because the
infant is in severe pain and cries inconsolably, leading to exhaustion. Currant jelly stools
are a classic sign of intussusception.
Question 8
A RN is caring for a patient who has been taking an antipsychotic medication for 6 years
and the provider has started tapering off the dosage. The RN should monitor the patient
for which of the following manifestations of tardive dyskinesia?
A. Muscular weakness
B. Muscle spasms
C. Involuntary tongue protrusion
D. Uncontrolled rolling of the eyes
Answer: C
Rationale: Tardive dyskinesia begins with mouth and facial movements and then
progresses to involve other muscle groups. This adverse effect is potentially irreversible.
Question 9
A RN on a MH unit observes a patient who has acute mania hit another patient. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Call the provider to obtain an immediate prescription for restraint.
B. Prepare to administer benzodiazepine IM.
C. Call for a team of staff members to help with the situation.
D. Check the client who was hit for injuries.
Answer: C
Rationale: The greatest risk is injury to the client and others. Therefore, the first action
the nurse should take is to call for assistance to prevent further injury to themselves or
others.
pg. 3
, Question 10
A charge nurse is preparing an educational session for a group of new nurses to review
patient rights under the law. Which of the following statements should the RN make?
A. "Information regarding clients should remain confidential until after their death."
B. "Failure to report suspected maltreatment or neglect of a disabled adult is a felony in
all states."
C. "As long as client identity is disguised, their health information can be shared
between professionals on the internet."
D. "In the event a client threatens harm to others, medications can be administered
without consent."
Answer: D
Rationale: During an emergency situation, if the client is threatening harm to self or
others, medications can be administered without the client's consent and without a
court order.
Question 11
A RN is assessing a newly admitted patient who has generalized anxiety disorder and
states, "I drink alcohol to forget the pain." The patient is exhibiting a maladaptive
response to which of the following defense mechanisms?
A. Rationalization
B. Conversion
C. Projection
D. Suppression
Answer: A
Rationale: Rationalization is a defense mechanism by which a person covers up a real
or perceived problem or weakness. This client is attempting to justify alcohol use by
explaining that it helps to relieve pain.
Question 12
A RN is planning care for a patient who has deep partial-thickness and full-thickness
thermal burns over 40% of his total body surface and is in the acute phase of burn
injury. Which of the following interventions should the RN include in the plan?
A. Initiate ROM exercises.
B. Use clean technique to provide wound care.
C. Place the patient on a low-protein diet.
D. Maintain the patient on bed rest.
Answer: A
Rationale: Range of motion exercises should be initiated to maintain mobility and
prevent contractures.
pg. 4
