ATI Comprehensive Predictor 2026/2027 | Latest
Questions with Detailed Rationale
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is prescribed
furosemide. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Weight loss of 1 lb in 24 hr
B. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure 108/68 mm Hg
D. Urine output 1,200 mL/day
Answer: B. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss. A
potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which increases the risk
for dysrhythmias and requires immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin administration. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will inject regular insulin after meals.”
B. “I will rotate injection sites within the same area.”
C. “I can reuse needles several times.”
D. “I should shake cloudy insulin vigorously.”
Answer: B. “I will rotate injection sites within the same area.”
Rationale:
Rotating sites within the same anatomical area promotes consistent absorption
while preventing lipodystrophy. Regular insulin should usually be given before
meals, needles should not be reused, and cloudy insulin should be rolled gently.
3. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing hypoglycemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cool, clammy skin
,C. Deep respirations
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: B. Cool, clammy skin
Rationale:
Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing diaphoresis,
tremors, tachycardia, and clammy skin. Fruity breath and deep respirations are
associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer prescribed analgesics
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Assess airway patency
D. Assist with ambulation
Answer: C. Assess airway patency
Rationale:
Using the ABC priority framework, airway assessment takes priority after
surgery because respiratory compromise can rapidly become life-threatening.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about lifestyle
modifications. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Limit aerobic activity
C. Stop medication once blood pressure improves
D. Follow a DASH diet
Answer: D. Follow a DASH diet
Rationale:
The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and reduced
sodium intake to help control hypertension.
,6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which
manifestation indicates a transfusion reaction?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Fever and chills
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Fever and chills
Rationale:
Fever and chills are common signs of a transfusion reaction. The nurse should
stop the transfusion immediately and notify the provider.
7. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Heart rate 140/min
C. Respiratory rate 68/min with grunting
D. Vernix on the skin
Answer: C. Respiratory rate 68/min with grunting
Rationale:
Grunting and tachypnea indicate respiratory distress and require immediate
evaluation. Acrocyanosis is common shortly after birth.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has COPD. Which oxygen delivery method
should the nurse use?
A. Nonrebreather mask at 15 L/min
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask at 10 L/min
D. Nasal cannula at 12 L/min
Answer: B. Venturi mask
Rationale:
, A Venturi mask delivers precise oxygen concentrations, making it ideal for
clients with COPD who are at risk for carbon dioxide retention.
9. A nurse is caring for a client taking warfarin. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor?
A. Troponin
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: B. INR
Rationale:
INR monitors the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. Therapeutic
ranges typically fall between 2.0 and 3.0 for most conditions.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of infection. Which finding should
the nurse include?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypothermia
C. Purulent drainage
D. Decreased white blood cell count
Answer: C. Purulent drainage
Rationale:
Purulent drainage is a classic sign of infection. Other common signs include
fever, redness, swelling, and elevated WBC count.
11. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing anaphylaxis. Which medication
should the nurse administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Prednisone
D. Albuterol
Questions with Detailed Rationale
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is prescribed
furosemide. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Weight loss of 1 lb in 24 hr
B. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure 108/68 mm Hg
D. Urine output 1,200 mL/day
Answer: B. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss. A
potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which increases the risk
for dysrhythmias and requires immediate intervention.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin administration. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will inject regular insulin after meals.”
B. “I will rotate injection sites within the same area.”
C. “I can reuse needles several times.”
D. “I should shake cloudy insulin vigorously.”
Answer: B. “I will rotate injection sites within the same area.”
Rationale:
Rotating sites within the same anatomical area promotes consistent absorption
while preventing lipodystrophy. Regular insulin should usually be given before
meals, needles should not be reused, and cloudy insulin should be rolled gently.
3. A nurse is assessing a client experiencing hypoglycemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cool, clammy skin
,C. Deep respirations
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: B. Cool, clammy skin
Rationale:
Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing diaphoresis,
tremors, tachycardia, and clammy skin. Fruity breath and deep respirations are
associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
4. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Administer prescribed analgesics
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Assess airway patency
D. Assist with ambulation
Answer: C. Assess airway patency
Rationale:
Using the ABC priority framework, airway assessment takes priority after
surgery because respiratory compromise can rapidly become life-threatening.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about lifestyle
modifications. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Limit aerobic activity
C. Stop medication once blood pressure improves
D. Follow a DASH diet
Answer: D. Follow a DASH diet
Rationale:
The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and reduced
sodium intake to help control hypertension.
,6. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which
manifestation indicates a transfusion reaction?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Fever and chills
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Fever and chills
Rationale:
Fever and chills are common signs of a transfusion reaction. The nurse should
stop the transfusion immediately and notify the provider.
7. A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Heart rate 140/min
C. Respiratory rate 68/min with grunting
D. Vernix on the skin
Answer: C. Respiratory rate 68/min with grunting
Rationale:
Grunting and tachypnea indicate respiratory distress and require immediate
evaluation. Acrocyanosis is common shortly after birth.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has COPD. Which oxygen delivery method
should the nurse use?
A. Nonrebreather mask at 15 L/min
B. Venturi mask
C. Simple face mask at 10 L/min
D. Nasal cannula at 12 L/min
Answer: B. Venturi mask
Rationale:
, A Venturi mask delivers precise oxygen concentrations, making it ideal for
clients with COPD who are at risk for carbon dioxide retention.
9. A nurse is caring for a client taking warfarin. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor?
A. Troponin
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: B. INR
Rationale:
INR monitors the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. Therapeutic
ranges typically fall between 2.0 and 3.0 for most conditions.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about signs of infection. Which finding should
the nurse include?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypothermia
C. Purulent drainage
D. Decreased white blood cell count
Answer: C. Purulent drainage
Rationale:
Purulent drainage is a classic sign of infection. Other common signs include
fever, redness, swelling, and elevated WBC count.
11. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing anaphylaxis. Which medication
should the nurse administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Prednisone
D. Albuterol
