ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Test Bank |High-
Yield Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which finding should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hr
B. Blood pressure 130/84 mm Hg
C. Crackles in both lung bases
D. Heart rate 78/min
Answer: C. Crackles in both lung bases
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs and worsening heart failure,
requiring prompt intervention.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has hypoglycemia. Which manifestation should the nurse
expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cool, clammy skin
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: B. Cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing
diaphoresis, shakiness, and cool, clammy skin.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables.”
,B. “I will use a soft-bristle toothbrush.”
C. “I can take aspirin for headaches.”
D. “I do not need blood tests.”
Answer: B. “I will use a soft-bristle toothbrush.”
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; using a soft-bristle toothbrush helps prevent
bleeding.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which assessment finding indicates
improvement?
A. Oxygen saturation 95% on room air
B. Increased sputum production
C. Respiratory rate 32/min
D. Temperature 39°C (102.2°F)
Answer: A. Oxygen saturation 95% on room air
Rationale: Adequate oxygenation indicates improved respiratory function.
Question 5
A nurse should identify that which laboratory value requires immediate follow-up?
A. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. WBC 8,000/mm³
Answer: A. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with diabetes and blood glucose 68 mg/dL
B. Client with COPD requesting pain medication
,C. Client awaiting discharge instructions
D. Client with a healed surgical incision
Answer: A. Client with diabetes and blood glucose 68 mg/dL
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can rapidly become life-threatening and requires immediate
intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding indicates a
transfusion reaction?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Fever and chills
C. Increased appetite
D. Clear urine output
Answer: B. Fever and chills
Rationale: Fever and chills are common manifestations of a transfusion reaction.
Question 8
A nurse is teaching hand hygiene. Which action is appropriate?
A. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
B. Use hot water only
C. Dry hands on clothing
D. Skip handwashing if gloves were worn
Answer: A. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
Rationale: Effective handwashing requires friction and adequate duration.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client with deep vein thrombosis. Which finding is expected?
A. Bilateral leg swelling
B. Cool, pale extremity
C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
, D. Absent peripheral pulses
Answer: C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
Rationale: DVT commonly presents with pain, warmth, and swelling in one extremity.
Question 10
A nurse should place a client who has active tuberculosis in which type of precautions?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles.
Question 11
A nurse is caring for a client after a thyroidectomy. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Hoarseness
B. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Difficulty breathing
D. Mild neck discomfort
Answer: C. Difficulty breathing
Rationale: Airway compromise is a priority following thyroid surgery.
Question 12
A nurse is evaluating a client receiving furosemide. Which outcome indicates
effectiveness?
A. Increased edema
B. Weight loss of 2 lb
C. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
D. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
Yield Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which finding should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hr
B. Blood pressure 130/84 mm Hg
C. Crackles in both lung bases
D. Heart rate 78/min
Answer: C. Crackles in both lung bases
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs and worsening heart failure,
requiring prompt intervention.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has hypoglycemia. Which manifestation should the nurse
expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cool, clammy skin
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: B. Cool, clammy skin
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing
diaphoresis, shakiness, and cool, clammy skin.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. “I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables.”
,B. “I will use a soft-bristle toothbrush.”
C. “I can take aspirin for headaches.”
D. “I do not need blood tests.”
Answer: B. “I will use a soft-bristle toothbrush.”
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; using a soft-bristle toothbrush helps prevent
bleeding.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which assessment finding indicates
improvement?
A. Oxygen saturation 95% on room air
B. Increased sputum production
C. Respiratory rate 32/min
D. Temperature 39°C (102.2°F)
Answer: A. Oxygen saturation 95% on room air
Rationale: Adequate oxygenation indicates improved respiratory function.
Question 5
A nurse should identify that which laboratory value requires immediate follow-up?
A. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
D. WBC 8,000/mm³
Answer: A. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with diabetes and blood glucose 68 mg/dL
B. Client with COPD requesting pain medication
,C. Client awaiting discharge instructions
D. Client with a healed surgical incision
Answer: A. Client with diabetes and blood glucose 68 mg/dL
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can rapidly become life-threatening and requires immediate
intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which finding indicates a
transfusion reaction?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Fever and chills
C. Increased appetite
D. Clear urine output
Answer: B. Fever and chills
Rationale: Fever and chills are common manifestations of a transfusion reaction.
Question 8
A nurse is teaching hand hygiene. Which action is appropriate?
A. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
B. Use hot water only
C. Dry hands on clothing
D. Skip handwashing if gloves were worn
Answer: A. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
Rationale: Effective handwashing requires friction and adequate duration.
Question 9
A nurse is assessing a client with deep vein thrombosis. Which finding is expected?
A. Bilateral leg swelling
B. Cool, pale extremity
C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
, D. Absent peripheral pulses
Answer: C. Unilateral calf pain and swelling
Rationale: DVT commonly presents with pain, warmth, and swelling in one extremity.
Question 10
A nurse should place a client who has active tuberculosis in which type of precautions?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted through airborne particles.
Question 11
A nurse is caring for a client after a thyroidectomy. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Hoarseness
B. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Difficulty breathing
D. Mild neck discomfort
Answer: C. Difficulty breathing
Rationale: Airway compromise is a priority following thyroid surgery.
Question 12
A nurse is evaluating a client receiving furosemide. Which outcome indicates
effectiveness?
A. Increased edema
B. Weight loss of 2 lb
C. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
D. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
