ATI COMPREHENSIVE PN PREDICTOR |
2026/2027 TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE FOR
GRADE A+
___________________________________________________
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a clear liquid diet.
Which item should the nurse allow?
A. Orange juice with pulp
B. Cranberry juice
C. Vanilla ice cream
D. Cream of chicken soup
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Clear liquids are transparent and liquid at room temperature. Cranberry juice is
allowed. Orange juice with pulp, ice cream, and cream soup are not clear liquids.
2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client.
Which action demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. Open the catheter kit with sterile gloves already on
B. Clean each labial fold with a single cotton ball using a back-and-forth motion
C. Insert the catheter 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) into the urethra
D. Advance the catheter an additional 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) after urine flows
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After urine flow, advance the catheter further to ensure the balloon is fully in
,the bladder. Open the kit before donning sterile gloves. Clean each labial fold from top to
bottom with a new cotton ball each time.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Diarrhea
B. Weight loss
C. Cold intolerance
D. Tachycardia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, and
bradycardia.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for phenytoin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will take this medication with antacids if I have heartburn.”
B. “I will brush my teeth gently and see my dentist regularly.”
C. “I can stop taking this medication when my seizures stop.”
D. “I will take this medication at bedtime only.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Phenytoin causes gingival hyperplasia; good oral hygiene and regular dental
care are essential. Do not stop abruptly; take consistently as prescribed.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent
suction. The nurse notes that the aspirate has a pH of 6.0. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Continue with the prescribed feeding
B. Flush the tube with 30 mL of air
C. Verify placement with an abdominal X-ray
D. Advance the tube 5 cm further
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Gastric pH is normally ≤5. A pH of 6.0 suggests possible intestinal placement;
X-ray is the gold standard for confirmation.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-operative following a carotid
endarterectomy. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
B. Hoarse voice
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Unilateral neck swelling
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Unilateral neck swelling may indicate a hematoma that can compress the
airway; this is a surgical emergency.
,7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of hypertension
about the DASH diet. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Processed ham
C. Fresh spinach
D. Pickles
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Fresh spinach is low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, and
calcium, consistent with the DASH diet.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine
collection. Which action by the nurse is correct?
A. Discard the first voided specimen and start the collection time
B. Keep the collection container at room temperature
C. Place a sign on the toilet to remind the client to save all urine
D. Collect all urine including the last void at the end of 24 hours
Correct answer: A
Rationale: For a 24-hour urine collection, the first void is discarded, and the collection
begins with that time. Keep the container refrigerated or on ice.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. Weight loss of 5 pounds in 1 month
B. Fine tremor of the hands
C. Thyroid storm (fever, agitation, delirium)
D. Heat intolerance
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Thyroid storm is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. Weight
loss, tremor, and heat intolerance are common but not immediately dangerous.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which over-the-counter medication should the client avoid?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Loratadine
C. Ibuprofen
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ibuprofen (NSAID) increases bleeding risk with warfarin. Acetaminophen is
safer.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of pneumonia. Which finding
indicates that the client may need oxygen therapy?
A. Respiratory rate 18 breaths per minute
B. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
C. Temperature 100.4°F (38°C)
D. Productive cough with yellow sputum
, Correct answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires oxygen
therapy.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain baseline vital signs
B. Verify the client’s identity and blood product with another nurse
C. Start a 20-gauge IV line
D. Administer diphenhydramine as a premedication
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Verification of client identity and blood compatibility with another nurse is the
first and most critical step to prevent a hemolytic reaction.
13. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Positive Chvostek’s sign
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability (Chvostek’s sign, Trousseau’s
sign, hyperreflexia) and prolonged QT interval.
14. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for albuterol
via metered-dose inhaler. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Inhale as fast and deeply as possible when activating the inhaler.”
B. “Rinse your mouth with water after each use.”
C. “Shake the inhaler vigorously for 2 minutes before use.”
D. “Wait 60 seconds between puffs if taking two puffs.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth prevents oral thrush. Inhale slowly; shake for 5 seconds; wait
15–30 seconds between puffs.
15. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed
drainage system. Which finding indicates that the chest tube is functioning
correctly?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
C. Absence of drainage in the collection chamber
D. Subcutaneous emphysema at the insertion site
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Tidaling (fluctuation) in the water seal chamber indicates normal respiratory
variation. Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak.
2026/2027 TESTBANK | LATEST UPDATE FOR
GRADE A+
___________________________________________________
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a clear liquid diet.
Which item should the nurse allow?
A. Orange juice with pulp
B. Cranberry juice
C. Vanilla ice cream
D. Cream of chicken soup
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Clear liquids are transparent and liquid at room temperature. Cranberry juice is
allowed. Orange juice with pulp, ice cream, and cream soup are not clear liquids.
2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client.
Which action demonstrates correct sterile technique?
A. Open the catheter kit with sterile gloves already on
B. Clean each labial fold with a single cotton ball using a back-and-forth motion
C. Insert the catheter 2–3 cm (about 1 inch) into the urethra
D. Advance the catheter an additional 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) after urine flows
Correct answer: D
Rationale: After urine flow, advance the catheter further to ensure the balloon is fully in
,the bladder. Open the kit before donning sterile gloves. Clean each labial fold from top to
bottom with a new cotton ball each time.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Diarrhea
B. Weight loss
C. Cold intolerance
D. Tachycardia
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Hypothyroidism causes cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, and
bradycardia.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for phenytoin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will take this medication with antacids if I have heartburn.”
B. “I will brush my teeth gently and see my dentist regularly.”
C. “I can stop taking this medication when my seizures stop.”
D. “I will take this medication at bedtime only.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Phenytoin causes gingival hyperplasia; good oral hygiene and regular dental
care are essential. Do not stop abruptly; take consistently as prescribed.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent
suction. The nurse notes that the aspirate has a pH of 6.0. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Continue with the prescribed feeding
B. Flush the tube with 30 mL of air
C. Verify placement with an abdominal X-ray
D. Advance the tube 5 cm further
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Gastric pH is normally ≤5. A pH of 6.0 suggests possible intestinal placement;
X-ray is the gold standard for confirmation.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-operative following a carotid
endarterectomy. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
B. Hoarse voice
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Unilateral neck swelling
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Unilateral neck swelling may indicate a hematoma that can compress the
airway; this is a surgical emergency.
,7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of hypertension
about the DASH diet. Which food should the nurse recommend?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Processed ham
C. Fresh spinach
D. Pickles
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Fresh spinach is low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, and
calcium, consistent with the DASH diet.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine
collection. Which action by the nurse is correct?
A. Discard the first voided specimen and start the collection time
B. Keep the collection container at room temperature
C. Place a sign on the toilet to remind the client to save all urine
D. Collect all urine including the last void at the end of 24 hours
Correct answer: A
Rationale: For a 24-hour urine collection, the first void is discarded, and the collection
begins with that time. Keep the container refrigerated or on ice.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which
finding is most concerning?
A. Weight loss of 5 pounds in 1 month
B. Fine tremor of the hands
C. Thyroid storm (fever, agitation, delirium)
D. Heat intolerance
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Thyroid storm is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. Weight
loss, tremor, and heat intolerance are common but not immediately dangerous.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for
warfarin. Which over-the-counter medication should the client avoid?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Loratadine
C. Ibuprofen
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Ibuprofen (NSAID) increases bleeding risk with warfarin. Acetaminophen is
safer.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of pneumonia. Which finding
indicates that the client may need oxygen therapy?
A. Respiratory rate 18 breaths per minute
B. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
C. Temperature 100.4°F (38°C)
D. Productive cough with yellow sputum
, Correct answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates hypoxemia and requires oxygen
therapy.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain baseline vital signs
B. Verify the client’s identity and blood product with another nurse
C. Start a 20-gauge IV line
D. Administer diphenhydramine as a premedication
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Verification of client identity and blood compatibility with another nurse is the
first and most critical step to prevent a hemolytic reaction.
13. A nurse is assessing a client with a new diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Positive Chvostek’s sign
B. Hyperreflexia
C. Prolonged QT interval
D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability (Chvostek’s sign, Trousseau’s
sign, hyperreflexia) and prolonged QT interval.
14. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for albuterol
via metered-dose inhaler. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Inhale as fast and deeply as possible when activating the inhaler.”
B. “Rinse your mouth with water after each use.”
C. “Shake the inhaler vigorously for 2 minutes before use.”
D. “Wait 60 seconds between puffs if taking two puffs.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth prevents oral thrush. Inhale slowly; shake for 5 seconds; wait
15–30 seconds between puffs.
15. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed
drainage system. Which finding indicates that the chest tube is functioning
correctly?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Tidaling in the water seal chamber
C. Absence of drainage in the collection chamber
D. Subcutaneous emphysema at the insertion site
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Tidaling (fluctuation) in the water seal chamber indicates normal respiratory
variation. Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak.
