ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDITOR 3 EXAM BRAND NEW
VERSION 2027-2028 Q&A EXAM -PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES | COMPLETE
STUDYGUIDE| GUARANTEED PASS | DOWNLOAD INSTANT
PDF 2027-2028
1. A nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after abdominal surgery who suddenly
becomes restless and reports difficulty breathing. The oxygen saturation is 86% on
room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer.
B. Apply supplemental oxygen.
C. Obtain a prescription for a chest x-ray.
D. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
Supplemental oxygen addresses the immediate threat of hypoxemia while the nurse
continues assessing and treating the underlying cause.
2. A client with heart failure has gained 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) over the past 3 days and has
bilateral crackles. Which prescription should the nurse anticipate?
A. Intravenous furosemide
B. Increased oral fluid intake
C. Sodium-containing intravenous fluids
D. Discontinuation of daily weights
Rapid weight gain and crackles indicate fluid overload. IV furosemide promotes diuresis and
decreases pulmonary and systemic congestion.
3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen at 6 L/min
by nasal cannula. The client becomes increasingly drowsy. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Increase oxygen to 10 L/min.
B. Place the client flat in bed.
C. Assess respiratory status and oxygenation and notify the provider.
D. Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag.
Excessive oxygen administration in some clients with severe COPD can worsen carbon dioxide
retention. Drowsiness requires prompt respiratory assessment and intervention.
, 4. A client admitted with pneumonia has a temperature of 39.4°C (102.9°F), blood
pressure of 84/48 mm Hg, and heart rate of 124/min. Which finding requires the
nurse's priority response?
A. Productive cough
B. Temperature elevation
C. Hypotension
D. Decreased appetite
Hypotension in a client with infection can indicate septic shock and inadequate tissue
perfusion, making circulation the immediate priority.
5. A postoperative client suddenly reports sharp chest pain and severe shortness of
breath. The heart rate is 132/min and oxygen saturation is 82%. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pneumothorax caused by positioning
Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxemia are classic findings
associated with pulmonary embolism.
6. A client with a gastrointestinal hemorrhage has a blood pressure of 78/44 mm Hg,
heart rate of 138/min, and cool clammy skin. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate first?
A. Administration of isotonic IV fluid
B. Administration of an oral antacid
C. Ambulation to assess tolerance
D. Restriction of all IV fluids
The client is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. Rapid isotonic fluid replacement supports
circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
7. A conscious client with diabetes mellitus becomes shaky, diaphoretic, and confused.
The blood glucose is 52 mg/dL. Which intervention should the nurse provide?
A. Administer long-acting insulin.
B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate.
C. Encourage the client to exercise.
D. Restrict oral intake until the glucose rises.
, A conscious client with symptomatic hypoglycemia should receive approximately 15 g of
rapid-acting carbohydrate, followed by reassessment of glucose.
8. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis has a serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A. Continuous cardiac monitoring
B. IV fluid replacement
C. Potassium replacement
D. Continuous IV regular insulin infusion
Insulin drives potassium into cells and can further lower an already dangerous potassium
level. Severe hypokalemia must be corrected before insulin is administered.
9. A client taking levothyroxine reports palpitations, tremors, and difficulty sleeping.
Which finding should the nurse suspect?
A. Excessive thyroid hormone replacement
B. Worsening hypothyroidism
C. Acute adrenal insufficiency
D. Hypocalcemia
Palpitations, tremors, and insomnia can indicate excessive thyroid hormone replacement and
require evaluation of the medication dose.
10. A client with Addison disease develops vomiting, severe weakness, hypotension, and
confusion. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Thyroid storm
B. Myxedema coma
C. Addisonian crisis
D. Hyperparathyroidism
Severe hypotension, gastrointestinal symptoms, weakness, and altered mental status in
adrenal insufficiency are characteristic of an adrenal crisis requiring urgent treatment.
11. A client with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium of 6.4 mEq/L and
peaked T waves on the ECG. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering immediately to protect the heart?
A. Calcium gluconate
B. Ferrous sulfate
C. Sodium chloride tablets
D. Erythropoietin
VERSION 2027-2028 Q&A EXAM -PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS PLUS DETAILED RATIONALES | COMPLETE
STUDYGUIDE| GUARANTEED PASS | DOWNLOAD INSTANT
PDF 2027-2028
1. A nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after abdominal surgery who suddenly
becomes restless and reports difficulty breathing. The oxygen saturation is 86% on
room air. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer.
B. Apply supplemental oxygen.
C. Obtain a prescription for a chest x-ray.
D. Administer the prescribed opioid analgesic.
Supplemental oxygen addresses the immediate threat of hypoxemia while the nurse
continues assessing and treating the underlying cause.
2. A client with heart failure has gained 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) over the past 3 days and has
bilateral crackles. Which prescription should the nurse anticipate?
A. Intravenous furosemide
B. Increased oral fluid intake
C. Sodium-containing intravenous fluids
D. Discontinuation of daily weights
Rapid weight gain and crackles indicate fluid overload. IV furosemide promotes diuresis and
decreases pulmonary and systemic congestion.
3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving oxygen at 6 L/min
by nasal cannula. The client becomes increasingly drowsy. Which action is most
appropriate?
A. Increase oxygen to 10 L/min.
B. Place the client flat in bed.
C. Assess respiratory status and oxygenation and notify the provider.
D. Encourage the client to breathe into a paper bag.
Excessive oxygen administration in some clients with severe COPD can worsen carbon dioxide
retention. Drowsiness requires prompt respiratory assessment and intervention.
, 4. A client admitted with pneumonia has a temperature of 39.4°C (102.9°F), blood
pressure of 84/48 mm Hg, and heart rate of 124/min. Which finding requires the
nurse's priority response?
A. Productive cough
B. Temperature elevation
C. Hypotension
D. Decreased appetite
Hypotension in a client with infection can indicate septic shock and inadequate tissue
perfusion, making circulation the immediate priority.
5. A postoperative client suddenly reports sharp chest pain and severe shortness of
breath. The heart rate is 132/min and oxygen saturation is 82%. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pleural effusion
D. Pneumothorax caused by positioning
Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, and hypoxemia are classic findings
associated with pulmonary embolism.
6. A client with a gastrointestinal hemorrhage has a blood pressure of 78/44 mm Hg,
heart rate of 138/min, and cool clammy skin. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate first?
A. Administration of isotonic IV fluid
B. Administration of an oral antacid
C. Ambulation to assess tolerance
D. Restriction of all IV fluids
The client is showing signs of hypovolemic shock. Rapid isotonic fluid replacement supports
circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
7. A conscious client with diabetes mellitus becomes shaky, diaphoretic, and confused.
The blood glucose is 52 mg/dL. Which intervention should the nurse provide?
A. Administer long-acting insulin.
B. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate.
C. Encourage the client to exercise.
D. Restrict oral intake until the glucose rises.
, A conscious client with symptomatic hypoglycemia should receive approximately 15 g of
rapid-acting carbohydrate, followed by reassessment of glucose.
8. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis has a serum potassium of 3.0 mEq/L. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A. Continuous cardiac monitoring
B. IV fluid replacement
C. Potassium replacement
D. Continuous IV regular insulin infusion
Insulin drives potassium into cells and can further lower an already dangerous potassium
level. Severe hypokalemia must be corrected before insulin is administered.
9. A client taking levothyroxine reports palpitations, tremors, and difficulty sleeping.
Which finding should the nurse suspect?
A. Excessive thyroid hormone replacement
B. Worsening hypothyroidism
C. Acute adrenal insufficiency
D. Hypocalcemia
Palpitations, tremors, and insomnia can indicate excessive thyroid hormone replacement and
require evaluation of the medication dose.
10. A client with Addison disease develops vomiting, severe weakness, hypotension, and
confusion. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Thyroid storm
B. Myxedema coma
C. Addisonian crisis
D. Hyperparathyroidism
Severe hypotension, gastrointestinal symptoms, weakness, and altered mental status in
adrenal insufficiency are characteristic of an adrenal crisis requiring urgent treatment.
11. A client with chronic kidney disease has a serum potassium of 6.4 mEq/L and
peaked T waves on the ECG. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering immediately to protect the heart?
A. Calcium gluconate
B. Ferrous sulfate
C. Sodium chloride tablets
D. Erythropoietin
