ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2023/2026] QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Core Domains:
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction:
This comprehensive assessment is meticulously designed to evaluate the readiness of nursing candidates for the
rigors of professional practice. It measures proficiency across a spectrum of essential competencies, from
foundational pathophysiological concepts to complex clinical judgment and prioritization. The examination
employs a rigorous multiple-choice and scenario-based format, challenging candidates to apply theoretical
knowledge to realistic patient care situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, decision-making, and the
ability to synthesize data to ensure safe, effective, and holistic patient outcomes. Success on this predictor indicates
a robust preparedness for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level nursing practice.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-sodium diet. Which of the following
food choices by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Grilled chicken breast
C. Dill pickles
D. Processed cheese slices
🟢 B. Grilled chicken breast
🔴 RATIONALE: Grilled chicken breast is a fresh, unprocessed protein that is naturally low in sodium. Canned
soups, pickles, and processed cheeses are all high in sodium due to preservatives and processing methods,
making them inappropriate choices for a low-sodium diet.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following an abdominal hysterectomy. Which of
the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B. Client reports pain at the incision site
C. Temperature of 38.9°C (102°F)
D. Client reports nausea
🟢 C. Temperature of 38.9°C (102°F)
🔴 RATIONALE: An elevated temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) is a significant finding that suggests a potential
infection, which is a life-threatening complication. While the other findings (drainage, pain, nausea) are
,important to address, they are expected or less critical. Using the ABCs and the "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs"
or "Safety" framework, a fever indicating a systemic infection is the priority to report for immediate intervention.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client. The client states, "I don't want to take that
pill." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Crush the pill and mix it with applesauce
B. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
C. Tell the client it is for their own good
D. Document the refusal and discard the medication
🟢 B. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must first assess the reason for the refusal, as it could be due to side effects, fear, or
a lack of understanding. The nurse should respect the client's right to refuse but must explore the rationale to
provide education, reassurance, or a solution. Crushing a medication without verifying if it is safe to do so (e.g.,
enteric-coated or extended-release) could be harmful. Telling the client it's for their own good is a form of
coercion and disrespects autonomy.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the
following over-the-counter medications should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Guaifenesin
🟢 B. Ibuprofen
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that increases the risk of
gastrointestinal bleeding, which is additive to the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Acetaminophen can be used
cautiously but is not as high a risk for bleeding. Diphenhydramine and guaifenesin do not have significant
interactions with warfarin.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's IV site. Which of the following findings indicates the need to discontinue the
IV?
A. A one-inch area of blanching around the insertion site
B. A palpable cord along the vein
C. A small amount of clear drainage at the insertion site
D. The client reports pain of 2 on a scale of 0 to 10
🟢 B. A palpable cord along the vein
🔴 RATIONALE: A palpable cord (hard, cord-like vein) is a classic sign of phlebitis, which is an inflammation of
the vein. This necessitates immediate discontinuation of the IV and application of a warm compress. Blanching
(A) can indicate infiltration, but pain and coolness are more prominent signs. Clear drainage may be serous fluid
from a small infection or mechanical irritation. Pain at an IV site is common but a pain score of 2 may not be an
immediate reason for discontinuation without other signs.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to continuous suction. Which of
the following findings indicates that the tube is correctly placed?
A. The client is able to talk without difficulty
B. The aspirate has a pH of 4
C. The nurse can hear air injected with a syringe
D. The tube is taped securely to the client's nose
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Core Domains:
Management of Care
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction:
This comprehensive assessment is meticulously designed to evaluate the readiness of nursing candidates for the
rigors of professional practice. It measures proficiency across a spectrum of essential competencies, from
foundational pathophysiological concepts to complex clinical judgment and prioritization. The examination
employs a rigorous multiple-choice and scenario-based format, challenging candidates to apply theoretical
knowledge to realistic patient care situations. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, decision-making, and the
ability to synthesize data to ensure safe, effective, and holistic patient outcomes. Success on this predictor indicates
a robust preparedness for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level nursing practice.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-sodium diet. Which of the following
food choices by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Grilled chicken breast
C. Dill pickles
D. Processed cheese slices
🟢 B. Grilled chicken breast
🔴 RATIONALE: Grilled chicken breast is a fresh, unprocessed protein that is naturally low in sodium. Canned
soups, pickles, and processed cheeses are all high in sodium due to preservatives and processing methods,
making them inappropriate choices for a low-sodium diet.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days post-operative following an abdominal hysterectomy. Which of
the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B. Client reports pain at the incision site
C. Temperature of 38.9°C (102°F)
D. Client reports nausea
🟢 C. Temperature of 38.9°C (102°F)
🔴 RATIONALE: An elevated temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) is a significant finding that suggests a potential
infection, which is a life-threatening complication. While the other findings (drainage, pain, nausea) are
,important to address, they are expected or less critical. Using the ABCs and the "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs"
or "Safety" framework, a fever indicating a systemic infection is the priority to report for immediate intervention.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client. The client states, "I don't want to take that
pill." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Crush the pill and mix it with applesauce
B. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
C. Tell the client it is for their own good
D. Document the refusal and discard the medication
🟢 B. Ask the client why they are refusing the medication
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must first assess the reason for the refusal, as it could be due to side effects, fear, or
a lack of understanding. The nurse should respect the client's right to refuse but must explore the rationale to
provide education, reassurance, or a solution. Crushing a medication without verifying if it is safe to do so (e.g.,
enteric-coated or extended-release) could be harmful. Telling the client it's for their own good is a form of
coercion and disrespects autonomy.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the
following over-the-counter medications should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Guaifenesin
🟢 B. Ibuprofen
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that increases the risk of
gastrointestinal bleeding, which is additive to the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Acetaminophen can be used
cautiously but is not as high a risk for bleeding. Diphenhydramine and guaifenesin do not have significant
interactions with warfarin.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's IV site. Which of the following findings indicates the need to discontinue the
IV?
A. A one-inch area of blanching around the insertion site
B. A palpable cord along the vein
C. A small amount of clear drainage at the insertion site
D. The client reports pain of 2 on a scale of 0 to 10
🟢 B. A palpable cord along the vein
🔴 RATIONALE: A palpable cord (hard, cord-like vein) is a classic sign of phlebitis, which is an inflammation of
the vein. This necessitates immediate discontinuation of the IV and application of a warm compress. Blanching
(A) can indicate infiltration, but pain and coolness are more prominent signs. Clear drainage may be serous fluid
from a small infection or mechanical irritation. Pain at an IV site is common but a pain score of 2 may not be an
immediate reason for discontinuation without other signs.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to continuous suction. Which of
the following findings indicates that the tube is correctly placed?
A. The client is able to talk without difficulty
B. The aspirate has a pH of 4
C. The nurse can hear air injected with a syringe
D. The tube is taped securely to the client's nose
