ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDITOR EXAM 200
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
This comprehensive 200-question ATI Comprehensive Predictor exam bank is
designed for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.
It covers all core content areas including medical-surgical nursing,
pharmacology, maternity, pediatrics, mental health, and leadership. Each
unique question presents a realistic clinical scenario with multiple-choice
options, a correct answer, and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying
pathophysiology, nursing intervention, or medication mechanism. The content
emphasizes critical thinking, priority setting, delegation, safety, and evidence-
based practice. This resource helps students identify knowledge gaps and
build test-taking confidence.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for
further teaching?
A) "I will rotate my insulin injection sites within one anatomical region."
B) "I will use the abdominal site for my insulin because it absorbs fastest."
C) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer to keep it fresh."
D) "I will check my blood glucose before each meal and at bedtime."
Correct Answer: C) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer to keep it fresh."
Rationale: Insulin should never be frozen, as freezing destroys the insulin
molecule. It should be stored at room temperature once opened or in the
refrigerator when unopened .
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy.
Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A) "I will empty my pouch when it is half full."
B) "I will change my pouch every day to prevent odor."
C) "I will apply a skin barrier around the stoma before attaching the pouch."
D) "I will use soap and water to clean the stoma and the peristomal skin."
,Correct Answer: D) "I will use soap and water to clean the stoma and the
peristomal skin."
Rationale: Mild soap and water are appropriate for cleaning the stoma and
surrounding skin, but alcohol-based products or harsh soaps should be avoided .
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube attached to continuous
suction. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Gastric output of 250 mL in 8 hours.
B) Greenish-yellow drainage.
C) Abdominal distention.
D) pH of gastric aspirate of 3.5.
Correct Answer: C) Abdominal distention.
Rationale: Abdominal distention may indicate a blockage or malfunction of the
nasogastric tube, which requires immediate attention .
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a sealed radiation implant. Which
of the following actions should the nurse include?
A) Place the client in a private room with a dedicated bathroom.
B) Restrict visitors to 30 minutes per day.
C) Limit the nurse's time with the client to 45 minutes per shift.
D) Wear a dosimeter badge at all times.
Correct Answer: D) Wear a dosimeter badge at all times.
Rationale: A dosimeter badge measures cumulative radiation exposure to ensure
staff safety .
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new below-the-knee amputation. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Elevate the residual limb on a pillow for the first 24 hours.
B) Apply ice to the residual limb to reduce edema.
C) Place the client in a prone position for 15-30 minutes every 4 hours.
D) Keep the residual limb wrapped with a dry gauze dressing.
Correct Answer: C) Place the client in a prone position for 15-30 minutes every 4
hours.
Rationale: Prone positioning helps prevent hip flexion contractures .
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take during a seizure?
,A) Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
B) Restrain the client's arms.
C) Position the client on the side.
D) Administer diazepam intravenously.
Correct Answer: C) Position the client on the side.
Rationale: Side-lying positioning helps drain secretions and prevents aspiration .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new permanent tracheostomy. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
A) "Clean the inner cannula with hydrogen peroxide once a week."
B) "Use sterile technique when performing tracheostomy care at home."
C) "Keep the tracheostomy obturator at the bedside."
D) "Suction the tracheostomy every hour while awake."
Correct Answer: C) "Keep the tracheostomy obturator at the bedside."
Rationale: The obturator is used to reinsert the tracheostomy tube if it becomes
dislodged and should be kept near the client at all times .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving enteral feedings through a
nasogastric tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
aspiration?
A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of water before each feeding.
B) Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30-45 degrees.
C) Check the residual volume every 2 hours.
D) Change the feeding bag every 72 hours.
Correct Answer: B) Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30-45 degrees.
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed reduces the risk of regurgitation and
aspiration .
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet.
Which of the following liquids should the nurse allow? (Select all that apply.)
A) Apple juice
B) Orange juice with pulp
C) Chicken broth
D) Gelatin
E) Milk
Correct Answers: A, C, D.
, Rationale: Clear liquids include liquids that are transparent at room temperature,
such as apple juice, broth, and gelatin. Orange juice with pulp and milk are not
clear liquids .
10. A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral IV site. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as an indication of phlebitis?
A) Pallor at the insertion site.
B) Edema and warmth along the vein.
C) Blood leaking from the insertion site.
D) A palpable cord along the vein.
Correct Answer: B) Edema and warmth along the vein.
Rationale: Phlebitis typically presents with redness, warmth, swelling, and
tenderness along the vein .
11. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following client statements indicates
understanding?
A) "I will shake the inhaler for 2 seconds before use."
B) "I will exhale completely before bringing the inhaler to my mouth."
C) "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication."
D) "I will wait 30 seconds between puffs if I need a second puff."
Correct Answer: B) "I will exhale completely before bringing the inhaler to my
mouth."
Rationale: Exhaling fully before inhaling allows deeper penetration of the
medication into the lungs .
12. A nurse is instructing an assistive personnel (AP) about care for a client with a
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Which statement by the AP shows correct
understanding?
A) "If I cannot detect the client's pulse, I will have another staff member check."
B) "If the client does not have a pulse, I will call for the rapid response team
immediately."
C) "I will initiate CPR until the nurse arrives if I cannot detect a pulse."
D) "I will call the nurse to come to the room if I cannot detect the client's pulse."
Correct Answer: D) "I will call the nurse to come to the room if I cannot detect the
client's pulse."
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALE LATEST 2026
This comprehensive 200-question ATI Comprehensive Predictor exam bank is
designed for nursing students preparing for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN.
It covers all core content areas including medical-surgical nursing,
pharmacology, maternity, pediatrics, mental health, and leadership. Each
unique question presents a realistic clinical scenario with multiple-choice
options, a correct answer, and a detailed rationale explaining the underlying
pathophysiology, nursing intervention, or medication mechanism. The content
emphasizes critical thinking, priority setting, delegation, safety, and evidence-
based practice. This resource helps students identify knowledge gaps and
build test-taking confidence.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for
further teaching?
A) "I will rotate my insulin injection sites within one anatomical region."
B) "I will use the abdominal site for my insulin because it absorbs fastest."
C) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer to keep it fresh."
D) "I will check my blood glucose before each meal and at bedtime."
Correct Answer: C) "I will keep my insulin in the freezer to keep it fresh."
Rationale: Insulin should never be frozen, as freezing destroys the insulin
molecule. It should be stored at room temperature once opened or in the
refrigerator when unopened .
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy.
Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A) "I will empty my pouch when it is half full."
B) "I will change my pouch every day to prevent odor."
C) "I will apply a skin barrier around the stoma before attaching the pouch."
D) "I will use soap and water to clean the stoma and the peristomal skin."
,Correct Answer: D) "I will use soap and water to clean the stoma and the
peristomal skin."
Rationale: Mild soap and water are appropriate for cleaning the stoma and
surrounding skin, but alcohol-based products or harsh soaps should be avoided .
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube attached to continuous
suction. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A) Gastric output of 250 mL in 8 hours.
B) Greenish-yellow drainage.
C) Abdominal distention.
D) pH of gastric aspirate of 3.5.
Correct Answer: C) Abdominal distention.
Rationale: Abdominal distention may indicate a blockage or malfunction of the
nasogastric tube, which requires immediate attention .
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a sealed radiation implant. Which
of the following actions should the nurse include?
A) Place the client in a private room with a dedicated bathroom.
B) Restrict visitors to 30 minutes per day.
C) Limit the nurse's time with the client to 45 minutes per shift.
D) Wear a dosimeter badge at all times.
Correct Answer: D) Wear a dosimeter badge at all times.
Rationale: A dosimeter badge measures cumulative radiation exposure to ensure
staff safety .
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new below-the-knee amputation. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Elevate the residual limb on a pillow for the first 24 hours.
B) Apply ice to the residual limb to reduce edema.
C) Place the client in a prone position for 15-30 minutes every 4 hours.
D) Keep the residual limb wrapped with a dry gauze dressing.
Correct Answer: C) Place the client in a prone position for 15-30 minutes every 4
hours.
Rationale: Prone positioning helps prevent hip flexion contractures .
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take during a seizure?
,A) Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
B) Restrain the client's arms.
C) Position the client on the side.
D) Administer diazepam intravenously.
Correct Answer: C) Position the client on the side.
Rationale: Side-lying positioning helps drain secretions and prevents aspiration .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new permanent tracheostomy. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
A) "Clean the inner cannula with hydrogen peroxide once a week."
B) "Use sterile technique when performing tracheostomy care at home."
C) "Keep the tracheostomy obturator at the bedside."
D) "Suction the tracheostomy every hour while awake."
Correct Answer: C) "Keep the tracheostomy obturator at the bedside."
Rationale: The obturator is used to reinsert the tracheostomy tube if it becomes
dislodged and should be kept near the client at all times .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving enteral feedings through a
nasogastric tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
aspiration?
A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of water before each feeding.
B) Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30-45 degrees.
C) Check the residual volume every 2 hours.
D) Change the feeding bag every 72 hours.
Correct Answer: B) Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30-45 degrees.
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed reduces the risk of regurgitation and
aspiration .
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet.
Which of the following liquids should the nurse allow? (Select all that apply.)
A) Apple juice
B) Orange juice with pulp
C) Chicken broth
D) Gelatin
E) Milk
Correct Answers: A, C, D.
, Rationale: Clear liquids include liquids that are transparent at room temperature,
such as apple juice, broth, and gelatin. Orange juice with pulp and milk are not
clear liquids .
10. A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral IV site. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as an indication of phlebitis?
A) Pallor at the insertion site.
B) Edema and warmth along the vein.
C) Blood leaking from the insertion site.
D) A palpable cord along the vein.
Correct Answer: B) Edema and warmth along the vein.
Rationale: Phlebitis typically presents with redness, warmth, swelling, and
tenderness along the vein .
11. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following client statements indicates
understanding?
A) "I will shake the inhaler for 2 seconds before use."
B) "I will exhale completely before bringing the inhaler to my mouth."
C) "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication."
D) "I will wait 30 seconds between puffs if I need a second puff."
Correct Answer: B) "I will exhale completely before bringing the inhaler to my
mouth."
Rationale: Exhaling fully before inhaling allows deeper penetration of the
medication into the lungs .
12. A nurse is instructing an assistive personnel (AP) about care for a client with a
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. Which statement by the AP shows correct
understanding?
A) "If I cannot detect the client's pulse, I will have another staff member check."
B) "If the client does not have a pulse, I will call for the rapid response team
immediately."
C) "I will initiate CPR until the nurse arrives if I cannot detect a pulse."
D) "I will call the nurse to come to the room if I cannot detect the client's pulse."
Correct Answer: D) "I will call the nurse to come to the room if I cannot detect the
client's pulse."
