ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXIT
EXAM TEST BANK 2026 NGN QUESTIONS,
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES (GRADED A+)
This comprehensive study guide features Next-Generation NCLEX
(NGN) style multiple-choice questions specifically tailored for the ATI
PN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam. Each question is
immediately paired with its verified correct answer and a detailed,
bolded rationale designed to maximize retention and guarantee a
passing score. It serves as an high-yield, turnkey digital asset
optimized for nursing students seeking top-tier preparation materials.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following
an abdominal hysterectomy. Which of the following findings should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Incisional pain rated as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Urinary output of 20 mL/hr over the last 2 hours
C. Serosanguineous drainage on the abdominal dressing
D. Absent bowel sounds in all four quadrants
Answer: B
Rationale: A urinary output of less than 30 mL/hr indicates oliguria,
which can signal acute kidney injury, hypovolemia, or urinary tract
obstruction. This requires immediate provider notification and
intervention. Incisional pain, serosanguineous drainage, and absent
bowel sounds are common, expected findings 24 hours after major
abdominal surgery.
,A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets for angina pectoris.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Take a tablet every 15 minutes until the chest pain stops.
C. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely.
D. Discard the medication bottle 1 year after opening.
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be placed under the tongue
to dissolve for rapid systemic absorption through the oral mucosa;
swallowing it destroys the medication via the first-pass hepatic effect.
Clients should take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses, not
every 15 minutes, and seek emergency care if pain persists.
Nitroglycerin bottles should typically be discarded 3 to 6 months after
opening, not 1 year.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has right-sided heart
failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pulmonary congestion
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Dyspnea on exertion
D. Productive cough with frothy sputum
Answer: B
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous
congestion due to the right ventricle's inability to pump blood
effectively into the pulmonary circulation. This leads to jugular vein
distention, peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly. Pulmonary
congestion, dyspnea, and frothy sputum are clinical manifestations of
left-sided heart failure.
,A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take prior to administration?
A. Assess the client's apical pulse rate for 1 full minute.
B. Check the client's blood pressure in both arms.
C. Monitor the client's axillary temperature.
D. Measure the client's weight using the same scale.
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin decreases the heart rate while increasing
contractility. The nurse must check the apical pulse for 1 full minute
before administration and hold the dose if the heart rate is less than
60/min for an adult (or less than 90/min for an infant) to prevent
severe bradycardia. Blood pressure, temperature, and daily weights
are valuable client data points but do not serve as withholding
parameters for digoxin.
A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who is receiving warfarin
therapy. Which of the following laboratory values indicates that the
therapy is effective?
A. INR of 2.5
B. PTT of 45 seconds
C. Platelet count of 100,000/mm³
D. HbA1c of 6.0%
Answer: A
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to monitor
the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. A therapeutic INR range for a
client on warfarin is typically between 2.0 and 3.0. PTT is used to
monitor heparin therapy, platelets assess blood clotting cell levels,
and HbA1c monitors long-term blood glucose control.
, A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parent of a toddler
who has a new prescription for liquid ferrous sulfate. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medication with a glass of milk to prevent upset
stomach.
B. Mix the medication with formula in the child's bedtime bottle.
C. Administer the medicine through a straw or dropper placed toward
the back of the mouth.
D. Stop giving the medication immediately if the child's stools turn
dark green.
Answer: C
Rationale: Liquid iron preparations can permanently stain a child's
teeth. Administering the medication with a straw or juice dropper
placed toward the back of the mouth prevents contact with the teeth.
Iron should be given with vitamin C (like orange juice) to enhance
absorption; calcium in milk and formula inhibits iron absorption. Dark
green or black stools are a normal, harmless side effect of iron
supplementation.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and notes early
decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth.
B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via a nonrebreather mask.
C. Turn the client onto their left side immediately.
D. Document the finding and continue to monitor.
Answer: D
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression
during contractions and are considered a benign, reassuring finding
that does not require intervention. The nurse should simply document
the pattern and continue monitoring the labor progress. Interventions
EXAM TEST BANK 2026 NGN QUESTIONS,
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES (GRADED A+)
This comprehensive study guide features Next-Generation NCLEX
(NGN) style multiple-choice questions specifically tailored for the ATI
PN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam. Each question is
immediately paired with its verified correct answer and a detailed,
bolded rationale designed to maximize retention and guarantee a
passing score. It serves as an high-yield, turnkey digital asset
optimized for nursing students seeking top-tier preparation materials.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following
an abdominal hysterectomy. Which of the following findings should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Incisional pain rated as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Urinary output of 20 mL/hr over the last 2 hours
C. Serosanguineous drainage on the abdominal dressing
D. Absent bowel sounds in all four quadrants
Answer: B
Rationale: A urinary output of less than 30 mL/hr indicates oliguria,
which can signal acute kidney injury, hypovolemia, or urinary tract
obstruction. This requires immediate provider notification and
intervention. Incisional pain, serosanguineous drainage, and absent
bowel sounds are common, expected findings 24 hours after major
abdominal surgery.
,A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets for angina pectoris.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Take a tablet every 15 minutes until the chest pain stops.
C. Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve completely.
D. Discard the medication bottle 1 year after opening.
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be placed under the tongue
to dissolve for rapid systemic absorption through the oral mucosa;
swallowing it destroys the medication via the first-pass hepatic effect.
Clients should take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses, not
every 15 minutes, and seek emergency care if pain persists.
Nitroglycerin bottles should typically be discarded 3 to 6 months after
opening, not 1 year.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has right-sided heart
failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pulmonary congestion
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Dyspnea on exertion
D. Productive cough with frothy sputum
Answer: B
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous
congestion due to the right ventricle's inability to pump blood
effectively into the pulmonary circulation. This leads to jugular vein
distention, peripheral edema, and hepatomegaly. Pulmonary
congestion, dyspnea, and frothy sputum are clinical manifestations of
left-sided heart failure.
,A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take prior to administration?
A. Assess the client's apical pulse rate for 1 full minute.
B. Check the client's blood pressure in both arms.
C. Monitor the client's axillary temperature.
D. Measure the client's weight using the same scale.
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin decreases the heart rate while increasing
contractility. The nurse must check the apical pulse for 1 full minute
before administration and hold the dose if the heart rate is less than
60/min for an adult (or less than 90/min for an infant) to prevent
severe bradycardia. Blood pressure, temperature, and daily weights
are valuable client data points but do not serve as withholding
parameters for digoxin.
A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client who is receiving warfarin
therapy. Which of the following laboratory values indicates that the
therapy is effective?
A. INR of 2.5
B. PTT of 45 seconds
C. Platelet count of 100,000/mm³
D. HbA1c of 6.0%
Answer: A
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to monitor
the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. A therapeutic INR range for a
client on warfarin is typically between 2.0 and 3.0. PTT is used to
monitor heparin therapy, platelets assess blood clotting cell levels,
and HbA1c monitors long-term blood glucose control.
, A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the parent of a toddler
who has a new prescription for liquid ferrous sulfate. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Administer the medication with a glass of milk to prevent upset
stomach.
B. Mix the medication with formula in the child's bedtime bottle.
C. Administer the medicine through a straw or dropper placed toward
the back of the mouth.
D. Stop giving the medication immediately if the child's stools turn
dark green.
Answer: C
Rationale: Liquid iron preparations can permanently stain a child's
teeth. Administering the medication with a straw or juice dropper
placed toward the back of the mouth prevents contact with the teeth.
Iron should be given with vitamin C (like orange juice) to enhance
absorption; calcium in milk and formula inhibits iron absorption. Dark
green or black stools are a normal, harmless side effect of iron
supplementation.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and notes early
decelerations on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Prepare for an emergency cesarean birth.
B. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via a nonrebreather mask.
C. Turn the client onto their left side immediately.
D. Document the finding and continue to monitor.
Answer: D
Rationale: Early decelerations are caused by fetal head compression
during contractions and are considered a benign, reassuring finding
that does not require intervention. The nurse should simply document
the pattern and continue monitoring the labor progress. Interventions
