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ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE EXAM
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE & SAFETY (Questions 1-25)
1. A charge nurse is making client assignments on a medical-surgical unit. Which client
should the charge nurse assign to a newly licensed registered nurse who has just
completed orientation?
• A. A 68-year-old client with diabetes who requires wound care for a stage 3 pressure
ulcer.
• B. A 45-year-old client who is 2 days post-operative from a total knee replacement
and is stable.
• C. A 72-year-old client with heart failure who is receiving a continuous infusion of
dobutamine.
• D. A 58-year-old client with a chest tube following a thoracotomy for lung cancer.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The newly licensed RN should be assigned to a stable client with predictable
outcomes. A post-operative total knee replacement client is stable and requires standard post-
operative care. Clients with complex wounds (A), titratable IV drips (C), or chest tubes (D)
require more experienced nurses with advanced assessment skills.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action is
most critical to prevent a life-threatening transfusion reaction?
• A. Obtaining the client's baseline vital signs before the transfusion.
• B. Pre-medicating the client with diphenhydramine to prevent allergic reactions.
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• C. Verifying the client's identity and blood product compatibility with another
licensed nurse.
• D. Ensuring the blood is infused within 4 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most critical action to prevent a fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction is
verifying the client's identity and blood product compatibility with another licensed nurse.
This two-nurse verification process ensures the correct blood is given to the correct client.
Pre-medication (B) can mask early signs of a reaction, and vital signs (A) are important but
secondary to verification.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection.
The client asks the nurse why all of their urine needs to be collected. What is the nurse's
best response?
• A. "This test measures how much urine your kidneys produce in a full 24-hour
period."
• B. "The test will help us determine if your kidneys are filtering waste products
properly."
• C. "Collecting all of your urine ensures the laboratory gets an accurate measurement
of the substances in your urine."
• D. "Your healthcare provider ordered this test to check for the presence of a urinary
tract infection."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The purpose of a 24-hour urine collection is to measure the total excretion of
specific substances (creatinine, protein, electrolytes) over a full day. Collecting all urine
ensures an accurate and complete sample for analysis. The other options are incomplete or
incorrect explanations.
4. A nurse discovers that a colleague has documented a blood glucose result in the
client's electronic health record before the test was actually performed. What is the
nurse's most appropriate initial action?
• A. Report the colleague to the state board of nursing immediately.
• B. Discuss the issue with the colleague privately and remind them of the importance
of accurate documentation.
• C. Document the discrepancy in the client's chart and notify the nurse manager.
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• D. Ignore the incident to avoid creating conflict with the colleague.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first address the issue directly with the colleague in a private,
professional manner to reinforce the importance of accurate documentation. This is a peer-to-
peer accountability issue. If the behavior continues, the nurse should escalate to the nurse
manager (C). Reporting to the board (A) is premature.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for gastric decompression.
Which action is most important to ensure proper tube placement before initiating the
feeding?
• A. Auscultate for a "whoosh" sound while injecting air into the tube.
• B. Aspirate gastric contents and check the pH level of the aspirate.
• C. Measure the length of the tube from the client's nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process.
• D. Verify the tube placement with an abdominal x-ray.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An abdominal x-ray is the gold standard for confirming NG tube placement and is
the most definitive method to ensure the tube is in the stomach and not the lungs. While
auscultation (A) and pH testing (B) are used, they are not as reliable. Measuring the tube (C)
is done before insertion, but x-ray verification is the most important safety step before
feeding.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is on a continuous IV infusion of normal saline. The
nurse notes that the IV site is cool, pale, and swollen, and the infusion pump is beeping
with an "occlusion" alarm. What is the nurse's priority action?
• A. Reposition the client's arm and restart the infusion pump.
• B. Discontinue the IV infusion and restart a new IV in the other arm.
• C. Flush the IV with 5 mL of normal saline to restore patency.
• D. Apply a warm compress to the site to promote circulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The findings of cool, pale, and swollen skin with an occlusion alarm indicate that
the IV has infiltrated. The nurse must discontinue the IV immediately to prevent further
tissue damage and restart a new IV in a different location. Repositioning (A) and flushing (C)
will not resolve the infiltration.
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7. A nurse is teaching a client about the proper use of a cane. Which action by the client
demonstrates correct technique?
• A. The client holds the cane on the weaker side of the body.
• B. The client holds the cane on the stronger side of the body.
• C. The client moves the cane forward at the same time as the weaker leg.
• D. The client advances the cane and the stronger leg together.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cane should be held on the stronger side of the body to provide support and
reduce weight-bearing on the weaker leg. The cane and the weaker leg should move forward
together, followed by the stronger leg. Holding the cane on the weaker side (A) is incorrect.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative and has a prescription for patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine. The client's family member expresses
concern that the client is sleeping and asks the nurse if they should press the button for
the client. What is the nurse's best response?
• A. "It's important for your family member to rest, so it's fine for you to press the
button if they are asleep."
• B. "The pump is programmed to deliver medication automatically, so there is no need
for you to press the button."
• C. "Only the client should press the button to ensure safety and prevent accidental
overdose."
• D. "You can press the button if the client is experiencing pain, but only if they give
you permission."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The PCA pump is designed for the client to self-administer medication when they
experience pain. Only the client should press the button to prevent accidental overdose and
respiratory depression. The pump does not automatically administer medication (B), and
family members should not press the button (A, D).
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and a Do Not Resuscitate
(DNR) order. The client's family is insisting that "everything be done" to save the
client's life. What is the nurse's most appropriate initial response?
ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS LATEST VERSION
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE EXAM
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE & SAFETY (Questions 1-25)
1. A charge nurse is making client assignments on a medical-surgical unit. Which client
should the charge nurse assign to a newly licensed registered nurse who has just
completed orientation?
• A. A 68-year-old client with diabetes who requires wound care for a stage 3 pressure
ulcer.
• B. A 45-year-old client who is 2 days post-operative from a total knee replacement
and is stable.
• C. A 72-year-old client with heart failure who is receiving a continuous infusion of
dobutamine.
• D. A 58-year-old client with a chest tube following a thoracotomy for lung cancer.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The newly licensed RN should be assigned to a stable client with predictable
outcomes. A post-operative total knee replacement client is stable and requires standard post-
operative care. Clients with complex wounds (A), titratable IV drips (C), or chest tubes (D)
require more experienced nurses with advanced assessment skills.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action is
most critical to prevent a life-threatening transfusion reaction?
• A. Obtaining the client's baseline vital signs before the transfusion.
• B. Pre-medicating the client with diphenhydramine to prevent allergic reactions.
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• C. Verifying the client's identity and blood product compatibility with another
licensed nurse.
• D. Ensuring the blood is infused within 4 hours to prevent bacterial growth.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most critical action to prevent a fatal hemolytic transfusion reaction is
verifying the client's identity and blood product compatibility with another licensed nurse.
This two-nurse verification process ensures the correct blood is given to the correct client.
Pre-medication (B) can mask early signs of a reaction, and vital signs (A) are important but
secondary to verification.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection.
The client asks the nurse why all of their urine needs to be collected. What is the nurse's
best response?
• A. "This test measures how much urine your kidneys produce in a full 24-hour
period."
• B. "The test will help us determine if your kidneys are filtering waste products
properly."
• C. "Collecting all of your urine ensures the laboratory gets an accurate measurement
of the substances in your urine."
• D. "Your healthcare provider ordered this test to check for the presence of a urinary
tract infection."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The purpose of a 24-hour urine collection is to measure the total excretion of
specific substances (creatinine, protein, electrolytes) over a full day. Collecting all urine
ensures an accurate and complete sample for analysis. The other options are incomplete or
incorrect explanations.
4. A nurse discovers that a colleague has documented a blood glucose result in the
client's electronic health record before the test was actually performed. What is the
nurse's most appropriate initial action?
• A. Report the colleague to the state board of nursing immediately.
• B. Discuss the issue with the colleague privately and remind them of the importance
of accurate documentation.
• C. Document the discrepancy in the client's chart and notify the nurse manager.
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• D. Ignore the incident to avoid creating conflict with the colleague.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should first address the issue directly with the colleague in a private,
professional manner to reinforce the importance of accurate documentation. This is a peer-to-
peer accountability issue. If the behavior continues, the nurse should escalate to the nurse
manager (C). Reporting to the board (A) is premature.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for gastric decompression.
Which action is most important to ensure proper tube placement before initiating the
feeding?
• A. Auscultate for a "whoosh" sound while injecting air into the tube.
• B. Aspirate gastric contents and check the pH level of the aspirate.
• C. Measure the length of the tube from the client's nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process.
• D. Verify the tube placement with an abdominal x-ray.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An abdominal x-ray is the gold standard for confirming NG tube placement and is
the most definitive method to ensure the tube is in the stomach and not the lungs. While
auscultation (A) and pH testing (B) are used, they are not as reliable. Measuring the tube (C)
is done before insertion, but x-ray verification is the most important safety step before
feeding.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is on a continuous IV infusion of normal saline. The
nurse notes that the IV site is cool, pale, and swollen, and the infusion pump is beeping
with an "occlusion" alarm. What is the nurse's priority action?
• A. Reposition the client's arm and restart the infusion pump.
• B. Discontinue the IV infusion and restart a new IV in the other arm.
• C. Flush the IV with 5 mL of normal saline to restore patency.
• D. Apply a warm compress to the site to promote circulation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The findings of cool, pale, and swollen skin with an occlusion alarm indicate that
the IV has infiltrated. The nurse must discontinue the IV immediately to prevent further
tissue damage and restart a new IV in a different location. Repositioning (A) and flushing (C)
will not resolve the infiltration.
, Page 4 of 88
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the proper use of a cane. Which action by the client
demonstrates correct technique?
• A. The client holds the cane on the weaker side of the body.
• B. The client holds the cane on the stronger side of the body.
• C. The client moves the cane forward at the same time as the weaker leg.
• D. The client advances the cane and the stronger leg together.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The cane should be held on the stronger side of the body to provide support and
reduce weight-bearing on the weaker leg. The cane and the weaker leg should move forward
together, followed by the stronger leg. Holding the cane on the weaker side (A) is incorrect.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative and has a prescription for patient-
controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine. The client's family member expresses
concern that the client is sleeping and asks the nurse if they should press the button for
the client. What is the nurse's best response?
• A. "It's important for your family member to rest, so it's fine for you to press the
button if they are asleep."
• B. "The pump is programmed to deliver medication automatically, so there is no need
for you to press the button."
• C. "Only the client should press the button to ensure safety and prevent accidental
overdose."
• D. "You can press the button if the client is experiencing pain, but only if they give
you permission."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The PCA pump is designed for the client to self-administer medication when they
experience pain. Only the client should press the button to prevent accidental overdose and
respiratory depression. The pump does not automatically administer medication (B), and
family members should not press the button (A, D).
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and a Do Not Resuscitate
(DNR) order. The client's family is insisting that "everything be done" to save the
client's life. What is the nurse's most appropriate initial response?
