• ATI Comprehensive Predictor (RN) 2026 – Full-
Scope Nursing Exam Review, NCLEX-Style
Comprehensive Predictor Questions, Clinical
Judgment & Prioritization, Medical-Surgical,
Pharmacology, Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental
Health, Leadership Concepts, Test-Taking
Strategies, Rationales & High-Yield Preparation for
RN Success
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The nurse
understands that which of the following findings is a late sign of heart failure?
• A) Dyspnea on exertion
• B) Peripheral edema
• C) Elevated blood pressure
• D) Significant weight gain
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Significant weight gain
Rationale: Significant weight gain is a late sign indicating fluid retention and worsening
heart failure.
Question 2:
During a medication administration round, the nurse needs to administer an
anticoagulant. Which of the following lab tests should the nurse review before
administering the medication?
• A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
• B) Prothrombin time (PT)/International normalized ratio (INR)
• C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
• D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale: aPTT provides information on the effectiveness of anticoagulants and must
be monitored prior to administration.
Question 3:
,A nurse is educating a group of clients about the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Which statement by a participant indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I will increase my physical activity."
• B) "I plan to follow a balanced diet."
• C) "I can eat whatever I want as long as I exercise."
• D) "I will monitor my blood glucose levels regularly."
CORRECT ANSWER: C) "I can eat whatever I want as long as I exercise."
Rationale: Diet plays a crucial role in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes, not just
exercise.
Question 4:
A nurse is assessing a client with possible pneumonia. Which clinical finding would
most strongly suggest the presence of pneumonia?
• A) Clear breath sounds
• B) Increased tactile fremitus
• C) Absence of cough
• D) Normal respiratory rate
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Increased tactile fremitus
Rationale: Increased tactile fremitus occurs when lung tissue becomes consolidated, a
common finding in pneumonia.
Question 5:
The nurse is caring for a child with acute otitis media. Which assessment finding
should the nurse anticipate?
• A) Ear pain
• B) Nasal congestion without fever
• C) Decreased appetite with weight loss
• D) Redness of the conjunctiva
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Ear pain
Rationale: Ear pain is a primary symptom of acute otitis media in children due to
inflammation and fluid accumulation.
,Question 6:
A nurse is administering a dose of digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Before
administration, the nurse should check which of the following?
• A) Blood glucose level
• B) Serum potassium level
• C) Heart rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; therefore, the heart rate must be checked
prior to administration.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Which discharge instruction should the nurse include?
• A) "You may resume normal activities immediately."
• B) "Avoid heavy lifting for at least two weeks."
• C) "You can eat fried foods without any issues."
• D) "Remove all bandages after 24 hours."
CORRECT ANSWER: B) "Avoid heavy lifting for at least two weeks."
Rationale: Patients should avoid heavy lifting to prevent complications while healing.
Question 8:
During a routine check-up, a client reveals they have been feeling increasingly
anxious. The nurse recognizes this as a potential indicator of which disorder?
• A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• B) Major Depressive Disorder
• C) Personality Disorder
• D) Schizophrenia
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Persistent anxiety is a hallmark symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Question 9:
, A nurse is performing an assessment of a patient with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding would be consistent with this diagnosis?
• A) Decreased respiratory effort
• B) Increased anterior-posterior (AP) diameter of the chest
• C) Clear lung sounds bilaterally
• D) Hypoventilation
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Increased anterior-posterior (AP) diameter of the chest
Rationale: COPD often leads to a barrel chest appearance due to hyperinflation of the
lungs.
Question 10:
The nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The nurse
should monitor for which of the following as a common side effect?
• A) Hyperglycemia
• B) Hypertension
• C) Weight gain
• D) Neutropenia
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Neutropenia
Rationale: Chemotherapy commonly causes neutropenia, increasing the risk for
infections.
Question 11:
A nurse receives a report that a newly admitted patient has a history of a stroke.
Which of the following assessment findings would the nurse expect?
• A) Hemiparesis
• B) Bradycardia
• C) Hypotension
• D) Respiratory distress
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Hemiparesis
Rationale: Hemiparesis is a common result of stroke affecting muscle strength on one
side of the body.
Scope Nursing Exam Review, NCLEX-Style
Comprehensive Predictor Questions, Clinical
Judgment & Prioritization, Medical-Surgical,
Pharmacology, Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental
Health, Leadership Concepts, Test-Taking
Strategies, Rationales & High-Yield Preparation for
RN Success
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The nurse
understands that which of the following findings is a late sign of heart failure?
• A) Dyspnea on exertion
• B) Peripheral edema
• C) Elevated blood pressure
• D) Significant weight gain
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Significant weight gain
Rationale: Significant weight gain is a late sign indicating fluid retention and worsening
heart failure.
Question 2:
During a medication administration round, the nurse needs to administer an
anticoagulant. Which of the following lab tests should the nurse review before
administering the medication?
• A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
• B) Prothrombin time (PT)/International normalized ratio (INR)
• C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
• D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale: aPTT provides information on the effectiveness of anticoagulants and must
be monitored prior to administration.
Question 3:
,A nurse is educating a group of clients about the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Which statement by a participant indicates a need for further teaching?
• A) "I will increase my physical activity."
• B) "I plan to follow a balanced diet."
• C) "I can eat whatever I want as long as I exercise."
• D) "I will monitor my blood glucose levels regularly."
CORRECT ANSWER: C) "I can eat whatever I want as long as I exercise."
Rationale: Diet plays a crucial role in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes, not just
exercise.
Question 4:
A nurse is assessing a client with possible pneumonia. Which clinical finding would
most strongly suggest the presence of pneumonia?
• A) Clear breath sounds
• B) Increased tactile fremitus
• C) Absence of cough
• D) Normal respiratory rate
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Increased tactile fremitus
Rationale: Increased tactile fremitus occurs when lung tissue becomes consolidated, a
common finding in pneumonia.
Question 5:
The nurse is caring for a child with acute otitis media. Which assessment finding
should the nurse anticipate?
• A) Ear pain
• B) Nasal congestion without fever
• C) Decreased appetite with weight loss
• D) Redness of the conjunctiva
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Ear pain
Rationale: Ear pain is a primary symptom of acute otitis media in children due to
inflammation and fluid accumulation.
,Question 6:
A nurse is administering a dose of digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Before
administration, the nurse should check which of the following?
• A) Blood glucose level
• B) Serum potassium level
• C) Heart rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; therefore, the heart rate must be checked
prior to administration.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Which discharge instruction should the nurse include?
• A) "You may resume normal activities immediately."
• B) "Avoid heavy lifting for at least two weeks."
• C) "You can eat fried foods without any issues."
• D) "Remove all bandages after 24 hours."
CORRECT ANSWER: B) "Avoid heavy lifting for at least two weeks."
Rationale: Patients should avoid heavy lifting to prevent complications while healing.
Question 8:
During a routine check-up, a client reveals they have been feeling increasingly
anxious. The nurse recognizes this as a potential indicator of which disorder?
• A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• B) Major Depressive Disorder
• C) Personality Disorder
• D) Schizophrenia
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Rationale: Persistent anxiety is a hallmark symptom of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Question 9:
, A nurse is performing an assessment of a patient with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which finding would be consistent with this diagnosis?
• A) Decreased respiratory effort
• B) Increased anterior-posterior (AP) diameter of the chest
• C) Clear lung sounds bilaterally
• D) Hypoventilation
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Increased anterior-posterior (AP) diameter of the chest
Rationale: COPD often leads to a barrel chest appearance due to hyperinflation of the
lungs.
Question 10:
The nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer. The nurse
should monitor for which of the following as a common side effect?
• A) Hyperglycemia
• B) Hypertension
• C) Weight gain
• D) Neutropenia
CORRECT ANSWER: D) Neutropenia
Rationale: Chemotherapy commonly causes neutropenia, increasing the risk for
infections.
Question 11:
A nurse receives a report that a newly admitted patient has a history of a stroke.
Which of the following assessment findings would the nurse expect?
• A) Hemiparesis
• B) Bradycardia
• C) Hypotension
• D) Respiratory distress
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Hemiparesis
Rationale: Hemiparesis is a common result of stroke affecting muscle strength on one
side of the body.
