RN ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR
EXIT ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a potassium-sparing diuretic. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
B. Serum Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Serum Magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
D. Serum Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Potassium-sparing diuretics can lead to hyperkalemia. A serum
potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L is above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L,
indicating a risk for cardiac dysrhythmias.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit your sodium intake to 1 gram per day.
,B. Increase your potassium intake while on this medication.
C. Maintain a consistent sodium intake.
D. Restrict your fluid intake to 1,500 mL per day.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt. A decrease in sodium intake can lead to lithium
retention and toxicity, while an increase in sodium can lead to decreased lithium levels.
Consistency is key.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following
actions is the priority?
A. Obtain the client’s vital signs.
B. Verify the blood product with another nurse.
C. Ensure a 20-gauge IV catheter is in place.
D. Prime the tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Safety is the priority. Verifying the blood product with another
RN ensures the correct unit is given to the correct client, preventing a hemolytic reaction.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a thyroidectomy.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Sore throat when swallowing.
, B. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
C. Laryngeal stridor.
D. Hoarseness when speaking.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Laryngeal stridor is a high-pitched sound indicating airway
obstruction, which is a medical emergency following thyroid surgery due to edema or
nerve damage.
5. A charge nurse is delegating tasks to an Assistive Personnel (AP). Which of the following
tasks is appropriate to delegate?
A. Providing postmortem care.
B. Performing a sterile dressing change.
C. Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication.
D. Assessing a client’s ability to swallow.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Postmortem care is within the scope of practice for an AP.
Assessment, evaluation, and sterile procedures require the clinical judgment of a licensed
nurse.
EXIT ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a potassium-sparing diuretic. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
B. Serum Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Serum Magnesium 2.0 mg/dL
D. Serum Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Potassium-sparing diuretics can lead to hyperkalemia. A serum
potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L is above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L,
indicating a risk for cardiac dysrhythmias.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit your sodium intake to 1 gram per day.
,B. Increase your potassium intake while on this medication.
C. Maintain a consistent sodium intake.
D. Restrict your fluid intake to 1,500 mL per day.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt. A decrease in sodium intake can lead to lithium
retention and toxicity, while an increase in sodium can lead to decreased lithium levels.
Consistency is key.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following
actions is the priority?
A. Obtain the client’s vital signs.
B. Verify the blood product with another nurse.
C. Ensure a 20-gauge IV catheter is in place.
D. Prime the tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Safety is the priority. Verifying the blood product with another
RN ensures the correct unit is given to the correct client, preventing a hemolytic reaction.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a thyroidectomy.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Sore throat when swallowing.
, B. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
C. Laryngeal stridor.
D. Hoarseness when speaking.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Laryngeal stridor is a high-pitched sound indicating airway
obstruction, which is a medical emergency following thyroid surgery due to edema or
nerve damage.
5. A charge nurse is delegating tasks to an Assistive Personnel (AP). Which of the following
tasks is appropriate to delegate?
A. Providing postmortem care.
B. Performing a sterile dressing change.
C. Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication.
D. Assessing a client’s ability to swallow.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Postmortem care is within the scope of practice for an AP.
Assessment, evaluation, and sterile procedures require the clinical judgment of a licensed
nurse.
