ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE ADN PREDICTOR
RETAKE 2026 | LEVEL 3 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES | COMPLETE
REVIEW
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE ADN PREDICTOR RETAKE 2026 | LEVEL 3 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES | COMPLETE REVIEW
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• This comprehensive practice exam contains carefully crafted multiple-choice
questions designed to prepare you for the ATI RN Comprehensive exam at Level 3
difficulty, covering all major nursing domains and clinical scenarios
• Study this material by reviewing questions systematically, focusing on
understanding rationales rather than just answers, and practice under timed
conditions to build speed and accuracy for the actual exam
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT SAFETY
Question 1: A nurse is admitting a client to the unit who has a diagnosis of
active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following actions should the
nurse implement FIRST?
A) Request a chest X-ray from the provider
B) Place the client in airborne isolation precautions
C) Obtain sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli testing
D) Instruct the client to cover their mouth when coughing
E) Administer the prescribed antitubercular medications
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Place the client in airborne isolation precautions
RATIONALE: Airborne precautions must be implemented immediately upon
admission or suspicion of active pulmonary tuberculosis to prevent transmission to
,other clients and healthcare workers. This is the priority nursing action before any
other interventions. The tuberculosis bacillus is transmitted through airborne
droplet nuclei when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Isolation
precautions take priority over diagnostic tests, client education, and medication
administration. While the other options are appropriate actions, they are not the
first priority.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous pulse
oximetry monitoring. The alarm sounds indicating an SpO2 of 88%. The client
appears comfortable and is sitting upright reading. What should the nurse do
FIRST?
A) Notify the provider immediately of the low oxygen saturation
B) Apply supplemental oxygen at 2 liters per minute
C) Assess the client's respiratory status and the accuracy of the reading
D) Document the SpO2 reading in the client's chart
E) Reposition the client to a semi-Fowler's position
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Assess the client's respiratory status and the accuracy
of the reading
RATIONALE: Before taking any action in response to an alarm, the nurse must
assess the client's actual clinical condition and verify the accuracy of the equipment
reading. False alarms can occur due to poor sensor placement, client movement,
low battery, or inadequate perfusion at the sensor site. The client's appearance and
comfort level suggest they may not be truly hypoxic. After assessment, the nurse
can then determine if the reading is accurate and what interventions are needed.
Applying oxygen or notifying the provider before verifying the reading could lead to
unnecessary interventions.
,Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a group of
clients. Which of the following actions represents proper application of the
"rights" of medication administration?
A) Administering insulin to the client in room 401 without checking the room
number on the identification band
B) Giving a client their morning medications without checking the medication
administration record against the provider's orders
C) Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers before administering the
prescribed medication
D) Asking the client their name rather than checking their identification band
E) Administering a dose that is close to the prescribed dose when the exact dose is
unavailable
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers
before administering the prescribed medication
RATIONALE: The "rights" of medication administration include verifying the right
client, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. Verifying the client's
identity using two identifiers (such as name and date of birth, or name and medical
record number) is a critical safety measure that prevents medication errors and
adverse events. Options A and D rely on client identification methods that are less
reliable than using identification bands. Option B violates the right medication
principle. Option E violates the right dose principle. Only option C demonstrates
proper application of the rights of medication administration.
Question 4: A nurse is making rounds and observes that a client's intravenous
line has become infiltrated. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A) Continue the infusion and monitor the site closely for signs of infection
B) Notify the provider before discontinuing the IV line
C) Stop the infusion immediately and remove the peripheral IV catheter
, D) Apply ice to the site and elevate the extremity
E) Attempt to flush the line with normal saline
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Stop the infusion immediately and remove the
peripheral IV catheter
RATIONALE: When an IV infiltration is detected, the infusion must be stopped
immediately to prevent further extravasation of fluid into the subcutaneous tissue,
which can cause tissue damage, necrosis, and compartment syndrome. The IV
catheter should be removed promptly. After removal, the nurse should apply a
warm (not cold) compress and elevate the extremity to promote reabsorption and
reduce swelling. A new IV line should be established in a different location.
Notifying the provider is appropriate after taking action to stop the infusion.
Attempting to flush an infiltrated line will cause additional tissue damage.
Question 5: A nursing student is reviewing the principles of Standard
Precautions. Which of the following is NOT considered a Standard Precaution?
A) Wearing gloves when handling blood or body fluids
B) Using airborne precautions for a client with suspected chickenpox
C) Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
D) Using a mask and eye protection when splashing is likely
E) Treating all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Using airborne precautions for a client with suspected
chickenpox
RATIONALE: Standard Precautions are the basic infection control measures that
should be applied to all clients regardless of their diagnosis and include hand
hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, eye protection,
gowns) when appropriate, safe handling of sharps, and treating all blood and body
fluids as potentially infectious. Airborne precautions are transmission-based
precautions that are implemented in addition to Standard Precautions for specific
RETAKE 2026 | LEVEL 3 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES | COMPLETE
REVIEW
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE ADN PREDICTOR RETAKE 2026 | LEVEL 3 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES | COMPLETE REVIEW
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• This comprehensive practice exam contains carefully crafted multiple-choice
questions designed to prepare you for the ATI RN Comprehensive exam at Level 3
difficulty, covering all major nursing domains and clinical scenarios
• Study this material by reviewing questions systematically, focusing on
understanding rationales rather than just answers, and practice under timed
conditions to build speed and accuracy for the actual exam
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & PATIENT SAFETY
Question 1: A nurse is admitting a client to the unit who has a diagnosis of
active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following actions should the
nurse implement FIRST?
A) Request a chest X-ray from the provider
B) Place the client in airborne isolation precautions
C) Obtain sputum samples for acid-fast bacilli testing
D) Instruct the client to cover their mouth when coughing
E) Administer the prescribed antitubercular medications
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Place the client in airborne isolation precautions
RATIONALE: Airborne precautions must be implemented immediately upon
admission or suspicion of active pulmonary tuberculosis to prevent transmission to
,other clients and healthcare workers. This is the priority nursing action before any
other interventions. The tuberculosis bacillus is transmitted through airborne
droplet nuclei when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Isolation
precautions take priority over diagnostic tests, client education, and medication
administration. While the other options are appropriate actions, they are not the
first priority.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous pulse
oximetry monitoring. The alarm sounds indicating an SpO2 of 88%. The client
appears comfortable and is sitting upright reading. What should the nurse do
FIRST?
A) Notify the provider immediately of the low oxygen saturation
B) Apply supplemental oxygen at 2 liters per minute
C) Assess the client's respiratory status and the accuracy of the reading
D) Document the SpO2 reading in the client's chart
E) Reposition the client to a semi-Fowler's position
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Assess the client's respiratory status and the accuracy
of the reading
RATIONALE: Before taking any action in response to an alarm, the nurse must
assess the client's actual clinical condition and verify the accuracy of the equipment
reading. False alarms can occur due to poor sensor placement, client movement,
low battery, or inadequate perfusion at the sensor site. The client's appearance and
comfort level suggest they may not be truly hypoxic. After assessment, the nurse
can then determine if the reading is accurate and what interventions are needed.
Applying oxygen or notifying the provider before verifying the reading could lead to
unnecessary interventions.
,Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a group of
clients. Which of the following actions represents proper application of the
"rights" of medication administration?
A) Administering insulin to the client in room 401 without checking the room
number on the identification band
B) Giving a client their morning medications without checking the medication
administration record against the provider's orders
C) Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers before administering the
prescribed medication
D) Asking the client their name rather than checking their identification band
E) Administering a dose that is close to the prescribed dose when the exact dose is
unavailable
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers
before administering the prescribed medication
RATIONALE: The "rights" of medication administration include verifying the right
client, right medication, right dose, right route, and right time. Verifying the client's
identity using two identifiers (such as name and date of birth, or name and medical
record number) is a critical safety measure that prevents medication errors and
adverse events. Options A and D rely on client identification methods that are less
reliable than using identification bands. Option B violates the right medication
principle. Option E violates the right dose principle. Only option C demonstrates
proper application of the rights of medication administration.
Question 4: A nurse is making rounds and observes that a client's intravenous
line has become infiltrated. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A) Continue the infusion and monitor the site closely for signs of infection
B) Notify the provider before discontinuing the IV line
C) Stop the infusion immediately and remove the peripheral IV catheter
, D) Apply ice to the site and elevate the extremity
E) Attempt to flush the line with normal saline
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: C) Stop the infusion immediately and remove the
peripheral IV catheter
RATIONALE: When an IV infiltration is detected, the infusion must be stopped
immediately to prevent further extravasation of fluid into the subcutaneous tissue,
which can cause tissue damage, necrosis, and compartment syndrome. The IV
catheter should be removed promptly. After removal, the nurse should apply a
warm (not cold) compress and elevate the extremity to promote reabsorption and
reduce swelling. A new IV line should be established in a different location.
Notifying the provider is appropriate after taking action to stop the infusion.
Attempting to flush an infiltrated line will cause additional tissue damage.
Question 5: A nursing student is reviewing the principles of Standard
Precautions. Which of the following is NOT considered a Standard Precaution?
A) Wearing gloves when handling blood or body fluids
B) Using airborne precautions for a client with suspected chickenpox
C) Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact
D) Using a mask and eye protection when splashing is likely
E) Treating all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious
✓ CORRECT ANSWER: B) Using airborne precautions for a client with suspected
chickenpox
RATIONALE: Standard Precautions are the basic infection control measures that
should be applied to all clients regardless of their diagnosis and include hand
hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, eye protection,
gowns) when appropriate, safe handling of sharps, and treating all blood and body
fluids as potentially infectious. Airborne precautions are transmission-based
precautions that are implemented in addition to Standard Precautions for specific
