ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is prescribed furosemide. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as a priority to report to the provider?
A. Urinary output of 50 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure 118/72 mmHg
C. Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
D. Report of muscle weakness and leg cramps
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Muscle weakness and leg cramps are signs of hypokalemia, a
serious adverse effect of loop diuretics like furosemide. This is the priority due to the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks is
appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication
B. Assisting a stable client with post-operative ambulation
,C. Providing discharge teaching to a client
D. Performing an initial admission assessment
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Delegating ambulation of a stable client is within the scope of
practice for an AP. Evaluation, teaching, and assessment require nursing judgment.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of
the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Serum lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
C. BUN 15 mg/dL
D. Serum lithium level 2.1 mEq/L
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity (normal
range 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L), which can lead to seizures and death.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses to take their prescribed medication. Which of the
following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating by respecting the client’s decision?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
, D. Autonomy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy is the right of the client to make their own decisions
regarding healthcare, even if the nurse disagrees.
5. A nurse is observing the surgical incision of a client who is 3 days post-operative and
notices the wound edges have separated and intestines are protruding. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Cover the wound with sterile, saline-soaked dressings
B. Call the provider immediately
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Instruct the client to cough to clear their airway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The first action is to
protect the organs from drying and infection by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked
gauze.
6. A nurse is monitoring a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports feeling shaky and
sweaty. The client’s blood glucose is 55 mg/dL. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is prescribed furosemide. Which of
the following findings should the nurse identify as a priority to report to the provider?
A. Urinary output of 50 mL/hr
B. Blood pressure 118/72 mmHg
C. Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
D. Report of muscle weakness and leg cramps
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Muscle weakness and leg cramps are signs of hypokalemia, a
serious adverse effect of loop diuretics like furosemide. This is the priority due to the risk
of cardiac arrhythmias.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks is
appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication
B. Assisting a stable client with post-operative ambulation
,C. Providing discharge teaching to a client
D. Performing an initial admission assessment
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Delegating ambulation of a stable client is within the scope of
practice for an AP. Evaluation, teaching, and assessment require nursing judgment.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of
the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Serum lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
C. BUN 15 mg/dL
D. Serum lithium level 2.1 mEq/L
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 2.1 mEq/L indicates severe toxicity (normal
range 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L), which can lead to seizures and death.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who refuses to take their prescribed medication. Which of the
following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating by respecting the client’s decision?
A. Nonmaleficence
B. Beneficence
C. Justice
, D. Autonomy
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomy is the right of the client to make their own decisions
regarding healthcare, even if the nurse disagrees.
5. A nurse is observing the surgical incision of a client who is 3 days post-operative and
notices the wound edges have separated and intestines are protruding. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Cover the wound with sterile, saline-soaked dressings
B. Call the provider immediately
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position
D. Instruct the client to cough to clear their airway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Evisceration is a medical emergency. The first action is to
protect the organs from drying and infection by covering them with sterile, saline-soaked
gauze.
6. A nurse is monitoring a client who has diabetes mellitus and reports feeling shaky and
sweaty. The client’s blood glucose is 55 mg/dL. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
