ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam 2026: Next-Gen NGN
Practice Questions & Clinical Rationales
This definitive practical nursing test-preparation guide delivers comprehensive practice
questions, verified answers, and detailed clinical rationales custom-designed for the
2026 ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Proctored Assessment. It features
complete coverage of Next-Generation NCLEX (NGN) alternate-item types, including
case study matrices, drop-down cloze items, select-all-that-apply, and extended hotspot
tasks. Graduating practical and vocational nursing students will master the NCSBN
clinical judgment model, safe and effective care environment protocols, pharmacological
monitoring, and client care prioritization strategies to confidently secure a high passing
predictability score on their final exit block.
Section 1: Safe and Effective Care Environment –
Coordinated Care (Questions 1–40)
Question 1
A PN is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. Which action should the PN take
first?
A) Administer preoperative medications
B) Verify the client has signed the informed consent
C) Remove the client's jewelry
D) Insert an IV catheter
Answer: B) Verify the client has signed the informed consent
Rationale: The first action is to verify that the client has signed the informed consent. This
is a legal requirement before any surgical procedure.
,Question 2
A PN is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Assessing a client's wound
C) Obtaining a client's vital signs
D) Teaching a client about a new medication
Answer: C) Obtaining a client's vital signs
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs is a task that can be delegated to assistive personnel.
Medication administration, assessment, and teaching are PN responsibilities.
Question 3
A PN is caring for a client who speaks a different language. Which action should the PN
take?
A) Use a family member as an interpreter
B) Use a professional medical interpreter
C) Speak loudly and slowly in English
D) Provide written materials in English only
Answer: B) Use a professional medical interpreter
Rationale: A professional medical interpreter should be used to ensure accurate
communication. Family members should not be used as interpreters due to confidentiality
and accuracy concerns.
Question 4
A PN is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the PN assess first?
,A) A client who is scheduled for discharge
B) A client who needs a routine dressing change
C) A client who is reporting chest pain
D) A client who is requesting assistance with ambulation
Answer: C) A client who is reporting chest pain
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate a life-threatening condition such as myocardial
infarction. This client requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 5
Which ethical principle requires the PN to act in the best interest of the client?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Answer: B) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle that requires the nurse to act in the best
interest of the client, promoting good and preventing harm.
Question 6
A PN is caring for a client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Which action
should the PN take?
A) Withhold all comfort measures
B) Perform CPR if the client stops breathing
C) Respect the client's wish and provide comfort care
D) Ask the family to decide about resuscitation
Answer: C) Respect the client's wish and provide comfort care
, Rationale: A DNR order means no cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed if the client
stops breathing or the heart stops. The PN should continue to provide all comfort
measures.
Question 7
A PN is documenting a client's care. Which abbreviation is acceptable to use?
A) U (unit)
B) qd (every day)
C) mL (milliliter)
D) MS (morphine sulfate)
Answer: C) mL (milliliter)
Rationale: The Joint Commission prohibits the use of certain abbreviations, including U,
qd, and MS, because they can be misread. mL is an acceptable abbreviation.
Question 8
A PN is witnessing a client sign an informed consent form. Which action should the PN
take?
A) Explain the procedure to the client
B) Verify the client understands the procedure
C) Sign as a witness after the client signs
D) Obtain the provider's signature first
Answer: C) Sign as a witness after the client signs
Rationale: The PN's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature, not to
explain the procedure (that is the provider's responsibility).
Practice Questions & Clinical Rationales
This definitive practical nursing test-preparation guide delivers comprehensive practice
questions, verified answers, and detailed clinical rationales custom-designed for the
2026 ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Proctored Assessment. It features
complete coverage of Next-Generation NCLEX (NGN) alternate-item types, including
case study matrices, drop-down cloze items, select-all-that-apply, and extended hotspot
tasks. Graduating practical and vocational nursing students will master the NCSBN
clinical judgment model, safe and effective care environment protocols, pharmacological
monitoring, and client care prioritization strategies to confidently secure a high passing
predictability score on their final exit block.
Section 1: Safe and Effective Care Environment –
Coordinated Care (Questions 1–40)
Question 1
A PN is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. Which action should the PN take
first?
A) Administer preoperative medications
B) Verify the client has signed the informed consent
C) Remove the client's jewelry
D) Insert an IV catheter
Answer: B) Verify the client has signed the informed consent
Rationale: The first action is to verify that the client has signed the informed consent. This
is a legal requirement before any surgical procedure.
,Question 2
A PN is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A) Administering oral medications
B) Assessing a client's wound
C) Obtaining a client's vital signs
D) Teaching a client about a new medication
Answer: C) Obtaining a client's vital signs
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs is a task that can be delegated to assistive personnel.
Medication administration, assessment, and teaching are PN responsibilities.
Question 3
A PN is caring for a client who speaks a different language. Which action should the PN
take?
A) Use a family member as an interpreter
B) Use a professional medical interpreter
C) Speak loudly and slowly in English
D) Provide written materials in English only
Answer: B) Use a professional medical interpreter
Rationale: A professional medical interpreter should be used to ensure accurate
communication. Family members should not be used as interpreters due to confidentiality
and accuracy concerns.
Question 4
A PN is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the PN assess first?
,A) A client who is scheduled for discharge
B) A client who needs a routine dressing change
C) A client who is reporting chest pain
D) A client who is requesting assistance with ambulation
Answer: C) A client who is reporting chest pain
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate a life-threatening condition such as myocardial
infarction. This client requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Question 5
Which ethical principle requires the PN to act in the best interest of the client?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Answer: B) Beneficence
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle that requires the nurse to act in the best
interest of the client, promoting good and preventing harm.
Question 6
A PN is caring for a client who has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Which action
should the PN take?
A) Withhold all comfort measures
B) Perform CPR if the client stops breathing
C) Respect the client's wish and provide comfort care
D) Ask the family to decide about resuscitation
Answer: C) Respect the client's wish and provide comfort care
, Rationale: A DNR order means no cardiopulmonary resuscitation is performed if the client
stops breathing or the heart stops. The PN should continue to provide all comfort
measures.
Question 7
A PN is documenting a client's care. Which abbreviation is acceptable to use?
A) U (unit)
B) qd (every day)
C) mL (milliliter)
D) MS (morphine sulfate)
Answer: C) mL (milliliter)
Rationale: The Joint Commission prohibits the use of certain abbreviations, including U,
qd, and MS, because they can be misread. mL is an acceptable abbreviation.
Question 8
A PN is witnessing a client sign an informed consent form. Which action should the PN
take?
A) Explain the procedure to the client
B) Verify the client understands the procedure
C) Sign as a witness after the client signs
D) Obtain the provider's signature first
Answer: C) Sign as a witness after the client signs
Rationale: The PN's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature, not to
explain the procedure (that is the provider's responsibility).
