ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Practice Exam
2026
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Questions 1-70)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 58/min
B. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
Answer B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
should report this finding immediately. A heart rate of 58/min is slightly low but may be
acceptable; digoxin levels of 0.5-2.0 ng/mL are therapeutic.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of
the following findings indicates the client is experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Blood glucose 45 mg/dL
B. Blood glucose 320 mg/dL
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer A
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose <70 mg/dL. Manifestations include
shakiness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and confusion. Blood glucose of 320 mg/dL indicates
hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations and fruity breath are signs of diabetic ketoacidosis.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis?
A. Place a pillow under the client's knees
B. Maintain the client's legs in adduction
C. Keep the client's hips in flexion at 120 degrees
D. Use an abduction pillow between the client's legs
Answer D
Rationale: An abduction pillow keeps the legs apart and prevents adduction, which can cause
dislocation. The nurse should avoid hip flexion greater than 90 degrees and avoid placing
pillows under the knees.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure and is taking furosemide (Lasix). Which of
the following findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
B. Blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg
C. Heart rate of 52/min
D. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
Answer A
Rationale: Weight loss indicates effective diuresis and fluid removal. A blood pressure of 88/54
mm Hg and heart rate of 52/min indicate possible overdiuresis. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
indicates hypokalemia, an adverse effect.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report immediately?
,A. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Serosanguineous drainage of 50 mL in 24 hours
D. Chest tube secured with tape at the insertion site
Answer B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system.
Tidaling is expected. Serosanguineous drainage is normal. The chest tube should be secured.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has COPD about pursed-lip breathing. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will inhale through my nose and exhale through pursed lips."
B. "I will inhale through pursed lips and exhale through my nose."
C. "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
D. "I will breathe rapidly to increase my oxygen intake."
Answer A
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through
pursed lips. This creates positive pressure in the airways, preventing collapse and improving
oxygen exchange.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased serum amylase
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Hypercalcemia
, D. Hyperglycemia
Answer B
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by elevated serum amylase and lipase.
Hypocalcemia (not hypercalcemia) may occur. Hyperglycemia can occur due to decreased
insulin production, but elevated lipase is the most specific finding.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin (Coumadin). Which of
the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer B
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR (International Normalized Ratio).
Therapeutic INR for most conditions is 2.0-3.0. aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Polyuria
B. Hypernatremia
C. Concentrated urine
D. Decreased urine osmolality
Answer C
2026
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Questions 1-70)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Heart rate of 58/min
B. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
Answer B
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
should report this finding immediately. A heart rate of 58/min is slightly low but may be
acceptable; digoxin levels of 0.5-2.0 ng/mL are therapeutic.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of
the following findings indicates the client is experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Blood glucose 45 mg/dL
B. Blood glucose 320 mg/dL
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer A
Rationale: Hypoglycemia is defined as blood glucose <70 mg/dL. Manifestations include
shakiness, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and confusion. Blood glucose of 320 mg/dL indicates
hyperglycemia. Kussmaul respirations and fruity breath are signs of diabetic ketoacidosis.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis?
A. Place a pillow under the client's knees
B. Maintain the client's legs in adduction
C. Keep the client's hips in flexion at 120 degrees
D. Use an abduction pillow between the client's legs
Answer D
Rationale: An abduction pillow keeps the legs apart and prevents adduction, which can cause
dislocation. The nurse should avoid hip flexion greater than 90 degrees and avoid placing
pillows under the knees.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure and is taking furosemide (Lasix). Which of
the following findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
B. Blood pressure of 88/54 mm Hg
C. Heart rate of 52/min
D. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
Answer A
Rationale: Weight loss indicates effective diuresis and fluid removal. A blood pressure of 88/54
mm Hg and heart rate of 52/min indicate possible overdiuresis. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
indicates hypokalemia, an adverse effect.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report immediately?
,A. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Serosanguineous drainage of 50 mL in 24 hours
D. Chest tube secured with tape at the insertion site
Answer B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system.
Tidaling is expected. Serosanguineous drainage is normal. The chest tube should be secured.
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has COPD about pursed-lip breathing. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will inhale through my nose and exhale through pursed lips."
B. "I will inhale through pursed lips and exhale through my nose."
C. "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling."
D. "I will breathe rapidly to increase my oxygen intake."
Answer A
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing involves inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through
pursed lips. This creates positive pressure in the airways, preventing collapse and improving
oxygen exchange.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased serum amylase
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Hypercalcemia
, D. Hyperglycemia
Answer B
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis is characterized by elevated serum amylase and lipase.
Hypocalcemia (not hypercalcemia) may occur. Hyperglycemia can occur due to decreased
insulin production, but elevated lipase is the most specific finding.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin (Coumadin). Which of
the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Answer B
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR (International Normalized Ratio).
Therapeutic INR for most conditions is 2.0-3.0. aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone
(SIADH). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Polyuria
B. Hypernatremia
C. Concentrated urine
D. Decreased urine osmolality
Answer C
