ATI RN VATI Comprehensive Predictor
Practice Exam Questions Well Detailed
Answers Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. Which finding should
the nurse report first?
A. 1+ ankle edema
B. Fatigue after activity
C. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
D. Occasional nocturia
Answer: C. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and possible
worsening heart failure.
2. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which oxygen saturation is
generally an appropriate target for a client with chronic CO₂ retention?
A. 70–75%
B. 88–92%
C. 95–100%
D. 100%
Answer: B. 88–92%
Rationale: Many clients with chronic COPD and CO₂ retention are
maintained around 88–92% to provide adequate oxygenation while
avoiding excessive oxygen administration.
3. Which finding is most concerning in a client who received morphine?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
,B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
C. Mild nausea
D. Drowsiness
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause life-threatening respiratory depression. A
respiratory rate of 8/min requires immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. “I can double my dose if I miss one.”
B. “I should keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
C. “I should avoid all green vegetables.”
D. “I don't need blood tests.”
Answer: B. “I should keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
Rationale: Consistent vitamin K intake helps maintain stable
anticoagulation.
5. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor for a client
receiving heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. HbA1c
D. Serum potassium only
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time is commonly used
to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy.
6. A client with diabetes is diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check the blood glucose
,C. Encourage exercise
D. Give the scheduled meal
Answer: B. Check the blood glucose
Rationale: The manifestations are consistent with hypoglycemia, which
should be rapidly confirmed and treated.
7. Which medication is used to treat severe hypoglycemia when the
client cannot swallow?
A. Glucagon
B. Metformin
C. Regular insulin
D. Glipizide
Answer: A. Glucagon
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood glucose and can be administered when
oral carbohydrate cannot safely be given.
8. A client with Addison disease is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Low aldosterone levels reduce potassium excretion,
increasing the risk of hyperkalemia.
9. Which assessment finding is expected in hyperthyroidism?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
, Answer: C. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Increased metabolic activity commonly causes heat
intolerance, weight loss, tachycardia, and diarrhea.
10. Which finding is characteristic of hypothyroidism?
A. Tremors
B. Heat intolerance
C. Weight loss
D. Cold intolerance
Answer: D. Cold intolerance
Rationale: Reduced metabolic activity commonly causes cold
intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, and constipation.
11. A client with a suspected stroke arrives in the emergency
department. Which information is most important?
A. Last bowel movement
B. Time symptoms began
C. Daily fluid intake
D. Usual sleep schedule
Answer: B. Time symptoms began
Rationale: The time of symptom onset helps determine eligibility for
time-sensitive stroke interventions.
12. Which finding is most consistent with increased intracranial
pressure?
A. Hypotension and tachycardia
B. Bradycardia with widening pulse pressure
C. Increased bowel sounds
D. Peripheral edema
Practice Exam Questions Well Detailed
Answers Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure. Which finding should
the nurse report first?
A. 1+ ankle edema
B. Fatigue after activity
C. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
D. Occasional nocturia
Answer: C. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and possible
worsening heart failure.
2. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which oxygen saturation is
generally an appropriate target for a client with chronic CO₂ retention?
A. 70–75%
B. 88–92%
C. 95–100%
D. 100%
Answer: B. 88–92%
Rationale: Many clients with chronic COPD and CO₂ retention are
maintained around 88–92% to provide adequate oxygenation while
avoiding excessive oxygen administration.
3. Which finding is most concerning in a client who received morphine?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
,B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
C. Mild nausea
D. Drowsiness
Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause life-threatening respiratory depression. A
respiratory rate of 8/min requires immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. “I can double my dose if I miss one.”
B. “I should keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
C. “I should avoid all green vegetables.”
D. “I don't need blood tests.”
Answer: B. “I should keep my vitamin K intake consistent.”
Rationale: Consistent vitamin K intake helps maintain stable
anticoagulation.
5. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor for a client
receiving heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. HbA1c
D. Serum potassium only
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: The activated partial thromboplastin time is commonly used
to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy.
6. A client with diabetes is diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check the blood glucose
,C. Encourage exercise
D. Give the scheduled meal
Answer: B. Check the blood glucose
Rationale: The manifestations are consistent with hypoglycemia, which
should be rapidly confirmed and treated.
7. Which medication is used to treat severe hypoglycemia when the
client cannot swallow?
A. Glucagon
B. Metformin
C. Regular insulin
D. Glipizide
Answer: A. Glucagon
Rationale: Glucagon raises blood glucose and can be administered when
oral carbohydrate cannot safely be given.
8. A client with Addison disease is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Low aldosterone levels reduce potassium excretion,
increasing the risk of hyperkalemia.
9. Which assessment finding is expected in hyperthyroidism?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Constipation
, Answer: C. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Increased metabolic activity commonly causes heat
intolerance, weight loss, tachycardia, and diarrhea.
10. Which finding is characteristic of hypothyroidism?
A. Tremors
B. Heat intolerance
C. Weight loss
D. Cold intolerance
Answer: D. Cold intolerance
Rationale: Reduced metabolic activity commonly causes cold
intolerance, fatigue, weight gain, and constipation.
11. A client with a suspected stroke arrives in the emergency
department. Which information is most important?
A. Last bowel movement
B. Time symptoms began
C. Daily fluid intake
D. Usual sleep schedule
Answer: B. Time symptoms began
Rationale: The time of symptom onset helps determine eligibility for
time-sensitive stroke interventions.
12. Which finding is most consistent with increased intracranial
pressure?
A. Hypotension and tachycardia
B. Bradycardia with widening pulse pressure
C. Increased bowel sounds
D. Peripheral edema
