NGN ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Retake Exam
Complete Question and Answer Guide (Versions
1–4)Verified 2026 Edition ATI RN Comprehensive
Predictor Exit Exam With 150 Questions (Across 4
Versions) Multiple Choice, Multiple Response,
NGN Case Studies
VERSION 1 (Questions 1-37)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?
A) Polyuria
B) Polydipsia
C) Polyphagia
D) Weight gain
E) Fatigue
CORRECT ANSWERS: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Classic manifestations of type 1 diabetes mellitus include the "three Ps":
polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive
hunger). Fatigue is also common due to cellular starvation. Weight loss, not gain, is
expected due to fluid loss and catabolism.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse to withhold the medication?
,A) Heart rate 68/min
B) Apical pulse 52/min
C) Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
D) Blood pressure 130/82 mm Hg
E) Report of nausea
CORRECT ANSWERS: B, E
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60/min (bradycardia)
or if the client reports nausea, vomiting, or visual disturbances (signs of digoxin toxicity).
Normal heart rate (68/min), potassium (4.0), and blood pressure (130/82) are
acceptable.
QUESTION 3
A client is receiving IV heparin therapy. The nurse should monitor which of the following
laboratory values to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness?
A) aPTT
B) PT/INR
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin
E) Hematocrit
CORRECT ANSWERS: A
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor heparin
therapy. The therapeutic goal is 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal control value. PT/INR is used
for warfarin monitoring. Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia but does not evaluate therapeutic effectiveness.
QUESTION 4
,A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should avoid foods that cause gas, such as beans and cabbage."
B) "I should change my ostomy pouch when it is one-third full."
C) "I can resume sexual activity when I feel ready."
D) "I should take my pouch off and let my skin air out for 30 minutes."
E) "I should use warm water to clean around my stoma."
CORRECT ANSWERS: B
Rationale: The client should change the ostomy pouch when it is one-half to two-thirds
full to prevent leakage. Changing at one-third full is unnecessary and wastes supplies.
The other statements are appropriate for colostomy care.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A) Keep the drainage system below the level of the chest
B) Clamp the chest tube when ambulating the client
C) Strip the chest tube to maintain patency
D) Empty the drainage chamber daily
E) Connect the chest tube to suction
CORRECT ANSWERS: A
Rationale: The drainage system should be kept below the level of the chest to facilitate
gravity drainage. Chest tubes should never be clamped except for brief periods to
change the drainage system. Stripping chest tubes is not recommended due to risk of
increased intrathoracic pressure and tissue damage.
, QUESTION 6
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse anticipate?
A) Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B) Administer IV calcium gluconate
C) Restrict dietary potassium
D) Administer insulin with dextrose
E) Administer IV normal saline
CORRECT ANSWERS: A, C, D
Rationale: For hyperkalemia (potassium >5.0 mEq/L), interventions include Kayexalate
to bind potassium in the GI tract, dietary potassium restriction, and insulin with dextrose
to shift potassium into cells. Calcium gluconate is given for cardiac stabilization but
does not lower potassium. Normal saline does not treat hyperkalemia.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing a client who has COPD. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A) Barrel-shaped chest
B) Clubbing of fingers
C) Pursed-lip breathing
D) Decreased breath sounds
E) Cyanosis
CORRECT ANSWERS: A, B, C, D, E
Complete Question and Answer Guide (Versions
1–4)Verified 2026 Edition ATI RN Comprehensive
Predictor Exit Exam With 150 Questions (Across 4
Versions) Multiple Choice, Multiple Response,
NGN Case Studies
VERSION 1 (Questions 1-37)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?
A) Polyuria
B) Polydipsia
C) Polyphagia
D) Weight gain
E) Fatigue
CORRECT ANSWERS: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Classic manifestations of type 1 diabetes mellitus include the "three Ps":
polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive
hunger). Fatigue is also common due to cellular starvation. Weight loss, not gain, is
expected due to fluid loss and catabolism.
QUESTION 2
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse to withhold the medication?
,A) Heart rate 68/min
B) Apical pulse 52/min
C) Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
D) Blood pressure 130/82 mm Hg
E) Report of nausea
CORRECT ANSWERS: B, E
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60/min (bradycardia)
or if the client reports nausea, vomiting, or visual disturbances (signs of digoxin toxicity).
Normal heart rate (68/min), potassium (4.0), and blood pressure (130/82) are
acceptable.
QUESTION 3
A client is receiving IV heparin therapy. The nurse should monitor which of the following
laboratory values to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness?
A) aPTT
B) PT/INR
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin
E) Hematocrit
CORRECT ANSWERS: A
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor heparin
therapy. The therapeutic goal is 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal control value. PT/INR is used
for warfarin monitoring. Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia but does not evaluate therapeutic effectiveness.
QUESTION 4
,A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should avoid foods that cause gas, such as beans and cabbage."
B) "I should change my ostomy pouch when it is one-third full."
C) "I can resume sexual activity when I feel ready."
D) "I should take my pouch off and let my skin air out for 30 minutes."
E) "I should use warm water to clean around my stoma."
CORRECT ANSWERS: B
Rationale: The client should change the ostomy pouch when it is one-half to two-thirds
full to prevent leakage. Changing at one-third full is unnecessary and wastes supplies.
The other statements are appropriate for colostomy care.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A) Keep the drainage system below the level of the chest
B) Clamp the chest tube when ambulating the client
C) Strip the chest tube to maintain patency
D) Empty the drainage chamber daily
E) Connect the chest tube to suction
CORRECT ANSWERS: A
Rationale: The drainage system should be kept below the level of the chest to facilitate
gravity drainage. Chest tubes should never be clamped except for brief periods to
change the drainage system. Stripping chest tubes is not recommended due to risk of
increased intrathoracic pressure and tissue damage.
, QUESTION 6
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse anticipate?
A) Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
B) Administer IV calcium gluconate
C) Restrict dietary potassium
D) Administer insulin with dextrose
E) Administer IV normal saline
CORRECT ANSWERS: A, C, D
Rationale: For hyperkalemia (potassium >5.0 mEq/L), interventions include Kayexalate
to bind potassium in the GI tract, dietary potassium restriction, and insulin with dextrose
to shift potassium into cells. Calcium gluconate is given for cardiac stabilization but
does not lower potassium. Normal saline does not treat hyperkalemia.
QUESTION 7
A nurse is assessing a client who has COPD. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A) Barrel-shaped chest
B) Clubbing of fingers
C) Pursed-lip breathing
D) Decreased breath sounds
E) Cyanosis
CORRECT ANSWERS: A, B, C, D, E
