ATI Comprehensive Predictor Assessment 2026–
2027 | 180 Comprehensive Practice Questions &
Detailed Rationales | Latest Edition
The nurse is caring for a patient following an appendectomy. The patient takes a deep
breath, coughs, and then winces in pain. Which of the following statements, if made by
the nurse to the patient, is BEST?
1. "Take three deep breaths, hold your incision, and then cough."
2. "That was good. Do that again and soon it won't hurt as much."
3. "It won't hurt as much if you hold your incision when you cough."
4. "Take another deep breath, hold it, and then cough deeply - Correct Answer - 1.
"Take three deep breaths, hold your incision, and then cough."
A young woman is transferred to a psychiatric crisis unit with a diagnosis of a
dissociative disorder. The nurse knows which of the following comments by the client is
MOST indicative of this disorder?
1. "I keep having recurring nightmares."
2. "I have a headache and my stomach has bothered me for a week."
3. "I always check the door locks three times before I leave home."
4. "I don't know who I am and I don't know where I live." - Correct Answer - 4. "I don't
know who I am and I don't know where I live."
A 23-year-old man is admitted with a subdural hematoma and cerebral edema
after a motorcycle accident. Which of the following symptoms should the
nurse expect to see INITIALLY?
1. Unequal and dilated pupils.
2. Decerebrate posturing.
pg. 1
,3. Grand mal seizures.
4. Decreased level of consciousness. - Correct Answer - 4. Decreased level of
consciousness.
. The nursing team includes two RNs, one LPN/LVN, and one nursing assistant. The
nurse should consider the assignments appropriate if the nursing assistant is assigned
to care for
(1. a client with Alzheimer's requiring assistance with feeding.
2. a client with osteoporosis complaining of burning on urination.
3. a client with scleroderma receiving a tube feeding.
4. a client with cancer who has Cheyne-Stokes respirations.) - Correct Answer - 1. a
client with Alzheimer's requiring assistance with feeding.
An elderly client is returned to her room after an open reduction and internal fixation of
the left femoral head after a fracture. It is MOST important for the nursing care plan to
include that the client
(1. eat a high-protein, low-residue diet.
2. lie on her unoperated side.
3. exercise her arms and legs.
4. cough and deep breathe.) - Correct Answer - 4. cough and deep breathe.
Which of the following is a correctly stated nursing diagnosis for a client with abruptio
placentae?
(1. Infection related to obstetrical trauma.
2. Potential for fetal injury related to abruptio placentae.
3. Potential alteration in tissue perfusion related to depletion of fibrinogen.
4. Fluid volume deficit related to bleeding.) - Correct Answer - 4. Fluid volume deficit
related to bleeding.
pg. 2
,A client is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). To determine the client's tolerance
of this treatment, the nurse should assess for which of the following?
1. A significant increase in pulse rate.
2. A decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
3. Temperature in excess of 98.6°F (37°C).
4. Urine output of at least 30 cc per hour. - Correct Answer - 4.Urine output of at least
30cc per hour.
The client is exhibiting symptoms of myxedema. The nursing assessment should reveal
1. increased pulse rate.
2. decreased temperature.
3. fine tremors.
4. increased radioactive iodine uptake level. - Correct Answer - 2. decreased
temperature
A nonstress test is scheduled for a client at 34-weeks gestation who developed
hypertension, periorbital edema, and proteinuria. Which of the following nursing actions
should be included in the care plan in order to BEST prepare the client for the
diagnostic test?
1. Start an intravenous line for an oxytocin infusion.
2. Obtain a signed consent prior to the procedure.
3. Instruct client to push a button when she feels fetal movement.
4. Attach a spiral electrode to the fetal head. - Correct Answer - 3. Instruct client to push
a button when she feels fetal movement.
Which of the following nursing interventions is MOST important for a 45-year-old woman
with rheumatoid arthritis?
pg. 3
, 1. Provide support to flexed joints with pillows and pads.
2. Position her on her abdomen several times a day.
3. Massage the inflamed joints with creams and oils.
4. Assist her with heat application and ROM exercises. - Correct Answer - 4. Assist her
with heat application and ROM exercises.
The nurse is caring for a young adult admitted to the hospital with a severe head injury.
The nurse should position the patient
1. with his neck in a midline position and the head of the bed elevated 30°.
2. side-lying with his head extended and the bed flat.
3. in high Fowler's position with his head maintained in a neutral position.
4. in semi-Fowler's position with his head turned to the side. - Correct Answer - 1. with
his neck in a midline position and the head of the bed elevated 30°.
The nurse is teaching a 40-year-old man diagnosed with a lower motor neuron disorder
to perform intermittent self-catheterization at home. The nurse should instruct the client
to
1. use a new sterile catheter each time he performs a catheterization.
2. perform the Valsalva maneuver "holding breath and bearing down" before doing the
catheterization.
3. perform the catheterization procedure every 8 hours.
4. limit his fluid intake to reduce the number of times a catheterization is needed. -
Correct Answer - 2. perform the Valsalva maneuver "holding breath and bearing
down" before doing the catheterization.
A client is being discharged with sublingual nitroglycerin (Nitrostat).
The client should be cautioned by the nurse to
pg. 4
2027 | 180 Comprehensive Practice Questions &
Detailed Rationales | Latest Edition
The nurse is caring for a patient following an appendectomy. The patient takes a deep
breath, coughs, and then winces in pain. Which of the following statements, if made by
the nurse to the patient, is BEST?
1. "Take three deep breaths, hold your incision, and then cough."
2. "That was good. Do that again and soon it won't hurt as much."
3. "It won't hurt as much if you hold your incision when you cough."
4. "Take another deep breath, hold it, and then cough deeply - Correct Answer - 1.
"Take three deep breaths, hold your incision, and then cough."
A young woman is transferred to a psychiatric crisis unit with a diagnosis of a
dissociative disorder. The nurse knows which of the following comments by the client is
MOST indicative of this disorder?
1. "I keep having recurring nightmares."
2. "I have a headache and my stomach has bothered me for a week."
3. "I always check the door locks three times before I leave home."
4. "I don't know who I am and I don't know where I live." - Correct Answer - 4. "I don't
know who I am and I don't know where I live."
A 23-year-old man is admitted with a subdural hematoma and cerebral edema
after a motorcycle accident. Which of the following symptoms should the
nurse expect to see INITIALLY?
1. Unequal and dilated pupils.
2. Decerebrate posturing.
pg. 1
,3. Grand mal seizures.
4. Decreased level of consciousness. - Correct Answer - 4. Decreased level of
consciousness.
. The nursing team includes two RNs, one LPN/LVN, and one nursing assistant. The
nurse should consider the assignments appropriate if the nursing assistant is assigned
to care for
(1. a client with Alzheimer's requiring assistance with feeding.
2. a client with osteoporosis complaining of burning on urination.
3. a client with scleroderma receiving a tube feeding.
4. a client with cancer who has Cheyne-Stokes respirations.) - Correct Answer - 1. a
client with Alzheimer's requiring assistance with feeding.
An elderly client is returned to her room after an open reduction and internal fixation of
the left femoral head after a fracture. It is MOST important for the nursing care plan to
include that the client
(1. eat a high-protein, low-residue diet.
2. lie on her unoperated side.
3. exercise her arms and legs.
4. cough and deep breathe.) - Correct Answer - 4. cough and deep breathe.
Which of the following is a correctly stated nursing diagnosis for a client with abruptio
placentae?
(1. Infection related to obstetrical trauma.
2. Potential for fetal injury related to abruptio placentae.
3. Potential alteration in tissue perfusion related to depletion of fibrinogen.
4. Fluid volume deficit related to bleeding.) - Correct Answer - 4. Fluid volume deficit
related to bleeding.
pg. 2
,A client is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). To determine the client's tolerance
of this treatment, the nurse should assess for which of the following?
1. A significant increase in pulse rate.
2. A decrease in diastolic blood pressure.
3. Temperature in excess of 98.6°F (37°C).
4. Urine output of at least 30 cc per hour. - Correct Answer - 4.Urine output of at least
30cc per hour.
The client is exhibiting symptoms of myxedema. The nursing assessment should reveal
1. increased pulse rate.
2. decreased temperature.
3. fine tremors.
4. increased radioactive iodine uptake level. - Correct Answer - 2. decreased
temperature
A nonstress test is scheduled for a client at 34-weeks gestation who developed
hypertension, periorbital edema, and proteinuria. Which of the following nursing actions
should be included in the care plan in order to BEST prepare the client for the
diagnostic test?
1. Start an intravenous line for an oxytocin infusion.
2. Obtain a signed consent prior to the procedure.
3. Instruct client to push a button when she feels fetal movement.
4. Attach a spiral electrode to the fetal head. - Correct Answer - 3. Instruct client to push
a button when she feels fetal movement.
Which of the following nursing interventions is MOST important for a 45-year-old woman
with rheumatoid arthritis?
pg. 3
, 1. Provide support to flexed joints with pillows and pads.
2. Position her on her abdomen several times a day.
3. Massage the inflamed joints with creams and oils.
4. Assist her with heat application and ROM exercises. - Correct Answer - 4. Assist her
with heat application and ROM exercises.
The nurse is caring for a young adult admitted to the hospital with a severe head injury.
The nurse should position the patient
1. with his neck in a midline position and the head of the bed elevated 30°.
2. side-lying with his head extended and the bed flat.
3. in high Fowler's position with his head maintained in a neutral position.
4. in semi-Fowler's position with his head turned to the side. - Correct Answer - 1. with
his neck in a midline position and the head of the bed elevated 30°.
The nurse is teaching a 40-year-old man diagnosed with a lower motor neuron disorder
to perform intermittent self-catheterization at home. The nurse should instruct the client
to
1. use a new sterile catheter each time he performs a catheterization.
2. perform the Valsalva maneuver "holding breath and bearing down" before doing the
catheterization.
3. perform the catheterization procedure every 8 hours.
4. limit his fluid intake to reduce the number of times a catheterization is needed. -
Correct Answer - 2. perform the Valsalva maneuver "holding breath and bearing
down" before doing the catheterization.
A client is being discharged with sublingual nitroglycerin (Nitrostat).
The client should be cautioned by the nurse to
pg. 4
