1
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM
2026-27 LATEST UPDATED VERSION
NOTE: THIS STUDY GUIDE IS SOURCED FROM SCREENSHOTS EXAM VERSION
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has crackles in
the lung bases, jugular vein distention, and 3+ pitting edema. Which
dietary restriction is most important?
A. Fluid restriction to 1 L/day
B. Low-fat diet
C. Low-sodium diet
D. Low-carbohydrate diet
,2
Answer: C. Low-sodium diet
,3
Rationale: Sodium restriction is the cornerstone of heart failure
management
because sodium causes fluid retention, worsening edema, JVD, and
crackles. Fluid restriction (A) may be added but is not the primary
dietary change. Low-fat (B) and low-carb (D) do not directly address
fluid overload.
2. A nurse is assessing a client 6 hours after a total hip arthroplasty.
Which finding requires immediate notification of the provider?
A. Pain level 5 on a 0-10 scale
B. Urine output of 60 mL in the past 2 hours
C. Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air
D. Mild swelling of the operative leg
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air
, 4
Rationale: Post-operative hypoxia (SpO₂ <90%) is a priority concern; it
may indicate pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or atelectasis. Pain (A)
is expected. Urine output 30 mL/hr (B) is adequate. Mild swelling (D) is
expected post-op.
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM
2026-27 LATEST UPDATED VERSION
NOTE: THIS STUDY GUIDE IS SOURCED FROM SCREENSHOTS EXAM VERSION
Section 1: Medical-Surgical Nursing (Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has crackles in
the lung bases, jugular vein distention, and 3+ pitting edema. Which
dietary restriction is most important?
A. Fluid restriction to 1 L/day
B. Low-fat diet
C. Low-sodium diet
D. Low-carbohydrate diet
,2
Answer: C. Low-sodium diet
,3
Rationale: Sodium restriction is the cornerstone of heart failure
management
because sodium causes fluid retention, worsening edema, JVD, and
crackles. Fluid restriction (A) may be added but is not the primary
dietary change. Low-fat (B) and low-carb (D) do not directly address
fluid overload.
2. A nurse is assessing a client 6 hours after a total hip arthroplasty.
Which finding requires immediate notification of the provider?
A. Pain level 5 on a 0-10 scale
B. Urine output of 60 mL in the past 2 hours
C. Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air
D. Mild swelling of the operative leg
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 89% on room air
, 4
Rationale: Post-operative hypoxia (SpO₂ <90%) is a priority concern; it
may indicate pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or atelectasis. Pain (A)
is expected. Urine output 30 mL/hr (B) is adequate. Mild swelling (D) is
expected post-op.
