https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE EXAMINATION –
QUESTIONS With ANSWERs and Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING (Questions)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who
develops pulmonary edema. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A) Heart rate of 88 bpm
B) Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
C) Mild crackles at the lung bases
D) Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
ANSWER: B
Rationale: SpO₂ of 86% indicates severe hypoxemia requiring
immediate oxygen therapy and intervention.
2. A patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension asks the
nurse about lifestyle modifications. Which response is most
appropriate?
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
A) "You only need to take medication."
B) "Reduce sodium intake, exercise regularly, and maintain a
healthy weight."
C) "Avoid all fats in your diet."
D) "No lifestyle changes are needed."
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Lifestyle modifications include sodium reduction,
exercise, weight management, and limiting alcohol.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. The chest
tube accidentally becomes disconnected from the drainage
system. What is the priority action?
A) Clamp the chest tube immediately
B) Place the end of the tube in sterile water
C) Notify the physician
D) Cover the insertion site with gauze
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Placing the tube in sterile water creates a water seal
and prevents pneumothorax until reconnection.
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
4. A patient with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 45
mg/dL and is conscious. What should the nurse administer
first?
A) Insulin
B) 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
C) A high-protein snack
D) Nothing; recheck in 1 hour
ANSWER: B
Rationale: For conscious hypoglycemic patients, give 15 g of
fast-acting carbs (e.g., glucose tablets, juice).
5. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which finding is most concerning?
A) Bilateral leg swelling
B) Unilateral calf pain, warmth, and swelling
C) Mild ankle edema
D) Varicose veins
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Unilateral calf pain, warmth, and swelling are classic
signs of DVT.
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level
of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage potassium-rich foods
B) Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for treatment
C) Administer IV fluids
D) No action needed
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K⁺ >6.0) is life-threatening; immediate
provider notification is essential.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient after a thyroidectomy. Which
finding suggests hypocalcemia?
A) Bradycardia
B) Numbness and tingling around the mouth (Chvostek's sign)
C) Hypertension
D) Constipation
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability
(Chvostek's sign, Trousseau's sign).
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR PRACTICE EXAMINATION –
QUESTIONS With ANSWERs and Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING (Questions)
1. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who
develops pulmonary edema. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A) Heart rate of 88 bpm
B) Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
C) Mild crackles at the lung bases
D) Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
ANSWER: B
Rationale: SpO₂ of 86% indicates severe hypoxemia requiring
immediate oxygen therapy and intervention.
2. A patient with a new diagnosis of hypertension asks the
nurse about lifestyle modifications. Which response is most
appropriate?
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
A) "You only need to take medication."
B) "Reduce sodium intake, exercise regularly, and maintain a
healthy weight."
C) "Avoid all fats in your diet."
D) "No lifestyle changes are needed."
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Lifestyle modifications include sodium reduction,
exercise, weight management, and limiting alcohol.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient with a chest tube. The chest
tube accidentally becomes disconnected from the drainage
system. What is the priority action?
A) Clamp the chest tube immediately
B) Place the end of the tube in sterile water
C) Notify the physician
D) Cover the insertion site with gauze
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Placing the tube in sterile water creates a water seal
and prevents pneumothorax until reconnection.
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
4. A patient with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 45
mg/dL and is conscious. What should the nurse administer
first?
A) Insulin
B) 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
C) A high-protein snack
D) Nothing; recheck in 1 hour
ANSWER: B
Rationale: For conscious hypoglycemic patients, give 15 g of
fast-acting carbs (e.g., glucose tablets, juice).
5. A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which finding is most concerning?
A) Bilateral leg swelling
B) Unilateral calf pain, warmth, and swelling
C) Mild ankle edema
D) Varicose veins
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Unilateral calf pain, warmth, and swelling are classic
signs of DVT.
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/Performance
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level
of 6.2 mEq/L. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Encourage potassium-rich foods
B) Notify the healthcare provider and prepare for treatment
C) Administer IV fluids
D) No action needed
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (K⁺ >6.0) is life-threatening; immediate
provider notification is essential.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient after a thyroidectomy. Which
finding suggests hypocalcemia?
A) Bradycardia
B) Numbness and tingling around the mouth (Chvostek's sign)
C) Hypertension
D) Constipation
ANSWER: B
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability
(Chvostek's sign, Trousseau's sign).
