NURS 329ATI PREDICTOR NCLEX PREPARATION QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is
most concerning?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Muscle weakness
C. Irregular heart rate
D. Numbness in extremities
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: A potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which significantly
increases the risk of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
A client scheduled for surgery expresses anxiety about the procedure. Which response by the
nurse is most appropriate?
A. Do not worry, you are in good hands.
B. Tell me more about what specifically concerns you regarding the surgery.
C. Anxiety is a normal reaction to surgery.
D. Would you like me to call your family?
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Open-ended, therapeutic communication allows the client to verbalize specific
fears, facilitating better psychological support.
Which finding in a newborn requires immediate notification of the provider?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Grunting on expiration
C. Molding of the head
,D. Vernix caseosa
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Grunting is a sign of respiratory distress in a newborn and requires immediate
intervention.
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult. Which site is preferred for
a 2 mL volume?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Ventrogluteal
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and most appropriate site for larger volumes
(up to 3 mL) as it is away from major nerves and blood vessels.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found confused and diaphoretic. What is the priority action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Provide a glass of orange juice
D. Obtain vital signs
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must confirm hypoglycemia with a blood glucose reading before
treating the suspected hypoglycemic event.
Which PPE should the nurse prioritize when caring for a client with suspected tuberculosis?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
,C. Sterile gown
D. Face shield
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, necessitating the use of an N95
respirator to protect against droplet nuclei.
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard test used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of warfarin.
When assessing a client with left-sided heart failure, which finding is expected?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Dyspnea
D. Hepatomegaly
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in symptoms
such as dyspnea and cough.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client with hypertension. Which dietary change should be
recommended?
A. Increase intake of canned vegetables
, B. Limit sodium intake
C. Avoid all carbohydrates
D. Increase consumption of red meat
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Reducing sodium intake is a primary lifestyle modification to help lower blood
pressure in hypertensive clients.
A client with a chest tube reports sudden difficulty breathing. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Increase oxygen flow
C. Assess the chest tube system for kinks or occlusions
D. Administer pain medication
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Assessment of the equipment and the client’s airway is the first step when a client
exhibits signs of respiratory distress.
Which action by the nurse demonstrates an understanding of sterile technique?
A. Keeping the sterile field below waist level
B. Reaching over the sterile field
C. Opening the sterile package flaps away from the body first
D. Dropping a sterile item onto the edge of the sterile field
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Opening the furthest flap first ensures that the nurse does not reach over the
sterile field, maintaining sterility.
A nurse is assessing a client with appendicitis. Which area should the nurse palpate last?
A. The area of pain
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which assessment finding is
most concerning?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Muscle weakness
C. Irregular heart rate
D. Numbness in extremities
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: A potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which significantly
increases the risk of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
A client scheduled for surgery expresses anxiety about the procedure. Which response by the
nurse is most appropriate?
A. Do not worry, you are in good hands.
B. Tell me more about what specifically concerns you regarding the surgery.
C. Anxiety is a normal reaction to surgery.
D. Would you like me to call your family?
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Open-ended, therapeutic communication allows the client to verbalize specific
fears, facilitating better psychological support.
Which finding in a newborn requires immediate notification of the provider?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Grunting on expiration
C. Molding of the head
,D. Vernix caseosa
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Grunting is a sign of respiratory distress in a newborn and requires immediate
intervention.
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult. Which site is preferred for
a 2 mL volume?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Ventrogluteal
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: The ventrogluteal site is the safest and most appropriate site for larger volumes
(up to 3 mL) as it is away from major nerves and blood vessels.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is found confused and diaphoretic. What is the priority action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
C. Provide a glass of orange juice
D. Obtain vital signs
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must confirm hypoglycemia with a blood glucose reading before
treating the suspected hypoglycemic event.
Which PPE should the nurse prioritize when caring for a client with suspected tuberculosis?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
,C. Sterile gown
D. Face shield
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, necessitating the use of an N95
respirator to protect against droplet nuclei.
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. PTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard test used to monitor the
therapeutic effect of warfarin.
When assessing a client with left-sided heart failure, which finding is expected?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distension
C. Dyspnea
D. Hepatomegaly
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion, resulting in symptoms
such as dyspnea and cough.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client with hypertension. Which dietary change should be
recommended?
A. Increase intake of canned vegetables
, B. Limit sodium intake
C. Avoid all carbohydrates
D. Increase consumption of red meat
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Reducing sodium intake is a primary lifestyle modification to help lower blood
pressure in hypertensive clients.
A client with a chest tube reports sudden difficulty breathing. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Notify the provider
B. Increase oxygen flow
C. Assess the chest tube system for kinks or occlusions
D. Administer pain medication
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Assessment of the equipment and the client’s airway is the first step when a client
exhibits signs of respiratory distress.
Which action by the nurse demonstrates an understanding of sterile technique?
A. Keeping the sterile field below waist level
B. Reaching over the sterile field
C. Opening the sterile package flaps away from the body first
D. Dropping a sterile item onto the edge of the sterile field
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Opening the furthest flap first ensures that the nurse does not reach over the
sterile field, maintaining sterility.
A nurse is assessing a client with appendicitis. Which area should the nurse palpate last?
A. The area of pain
