ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027 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 examination is designed to assess the foundational and applied knowledge essential for the
newly licensed registered nurse. It evaluates critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the ability to prioritize patient
care across various settings. The exam utilizes multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to challenge the
candidate's understanding of nursing theory, legal and ethical standards, and evidence-based practice. Success on
this predictor indicates readiness to synthesize complex information and make sound decisions that promote
optimal patient outcomes in a dynamic healthcare environment. Mastery of the content areas is crucial for
effective and safe professional practice.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication intramuscularly.
B. Expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe before injection.
C. Administer the medication in the client's abdomen.
D. Massage the injection site after administration.
🟢 C. Administer the medication in the client's abdomen.
🔴 RATIONALE: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that must be administered subcutaneously, and
the preferred site is the abdomen. It should not be given IM, air bubbles should not be expelled to avoid
medication loss, and the site should not be massaged to prevent bruising.
2. A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the
following actions by the newly licensed nurse indicates a need for intervention?
A. The nurse opens the sterile kit away from their body.
B. The nurse sets up the sterile field at waist level.
C. The nurse places the sterile dressing within the 1-inch border of the field.
D. The nurse reaches over the sterile field to obtain an item.
🟢 D. The nurse reaches over the sterile field to obtain an item.
🔴 RATIONALE: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it. The 1-inch border is considered non-sterile.
Opening the kit away from the body and maintaining the field at waist level are appropriate sterile techniques.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a sodium level of 155 mEq/L. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A. Dry mucous membranes.
B. Distended neck veins.
C. Peripheral edema.
D. Muscle weakness.
🟢 A. Dry mucous membranes.
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypernatremia (sodium >145 mEq/L) is associated with fluid volume deficit, leading to signs of
dehydration such as dry mucous membranes, increased thirst, and poor skin turgor.
4. A client tells a nurse, "I don't think this surgery is going to help me." Which of the following is an
appropriate therapeutic response by the nurse?
A. "You should not worry; this is a routine procedure."
B. "Why do you feel that way?"
C. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the surgery."
D. "Your doctor is very competent, so you will be fine."
🟢 C. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the surgery."
🔴 RATIONALE: This is an open-ended statement that encourages the client to express their feelings and
concerns, which is therapeutic and promotes communication. "Why" questions can be perceived as accusatory,
and false reassurance is non-therapeutic.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water.
B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents.
C. Check the residual volume.
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
🟢 B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents.
🔴 RATIONALE: The first action is to verify the tube is in the stomach to prevent aspiration. While residual and
head-of-bed elevation are important, confirming placement is the priority before any intervention.
6. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a client's teaching about a low-cholesterol diet. Which of the
following food choices by the client indicates understanding?
A. Fried chicken and french fries.
B. Baked salmon and steamed broccoli.
C. A cheeseburger and onion rings.
D. Macaroni and cheese with a side salad.
🟢 B. Baked salmon and steamed broccoli.
🔴 RATIONALE: Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and is low in saturated fat, while broccoli is
high in fiber, both of which are beneficial in a low-cholesterol diet.
7. A nurse is administering a blood transfusion to a client. After 15 minutes, the client reports chills and low
back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
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 examination is designed to assess the foundational and applied knowledge essential for the
newly licensed registered nurse. It evaluates critical thinking, clinical judgment, and the ability to prioritize patient
care across various settings. The exam utilizes multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to challenge the
candidate's understanding of nursing theory, legal and ethical standards, and evidence-based practice. Success on
this predictor indicates readiness to synthesize complex information and make sound decisions that promote
optimal patient outcomes in a dynamic healthcare environment. Mastery of the content areas is crucial for
effective and safe professional practice.
,Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication intramuscularly.
B. Expel the air bubble from the prefilled syringe before injection.
C. Administer the medication in the client's abdomen.
D. Massage the injection site after administration.
🟢 C. Administer the medication in the client's abdomen.
🔴 RATIONALE: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin that must be administered subcutaneously, and
the preferred site is the abdomen. It should not be given IM, air bubbles should not be expelled to avoid
medication loss, and the site should not be massaged to prevent bruising.
2. A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change. Which of the
following actions by the newly licensed nurse indicates a need for intervention?
A. The nurse opens the sterile kit away from their body.
B. The nurse sets up the sterile field at waist level.
C. The nurse places the sterile dressing within the 1-inch border of the field.
D. The nurse reaches over the sterile field to obtain an item.
🟢 D. The nurse reaches over the sterile field to obtain an item.
🔴 RATIONALE: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it. The 1-inch border is considered non-sterile.
Opening the kit away from the body and maintaining the field at waist level are appropriate sterile techniques.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a sodium level of 155 mEq/L. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A. Dry mucous membranes.
B. Distended neck veins.
C. Peripheral edema.
D. Muscle weakness.
🟢 A. Dry mucous membranes.
🔴 RATIONALE: Hypernatremia (sodium >145 mEq/L) is associated with fluid volume deficit, leading to signs of
dehydration such as dry mucous membranes, increased thirst, and poor skin turgor.
4. A client tells a nurse, "I don't think this surgery is going to help me." Which of the following is an
appropriate therapeutic response by the nurse?
A. "You should not worry; this is a routine procedure."
B. "Why do you feel that way?"
C. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the surgery."
D. "Your doctor is very competent, so you will be fine."
🟢 C. "Tell me more about your concerns regarding the surgery."
🔴 RATIONALE: This is an open-ended statement that encourages the client to express their feelings and
concerns, which is therapeutic and promotes communication. "Why" questions can be perceived as accusatory,
and false reassurance is non-therapeutic.
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water.
B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents.
C. Check the residual volume.
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
🟢 B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents.
🔴 RATIONALE: The first action is to verify the tube is in the stomach to prevent aspiration. While residual and
head-of-bed elevation are important, confirming placement is the priority before any intervention.
6. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a client's teaching about a low-cholesterol diet. Which of the
following food choices by the client indicates understanding?
A. Fried chicken and french fries.
B. Baked salmon and steamed broccoli.
C. A cheeseburger and onion rings.
D. Macaroni and cheese with a side salad.
🟢 B. Baked salmon and steamed broccoli.
🔴 RATIONALE: Salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and is low in saturated fat, while broccoli is
high in fiber, both of which are beneficial in a low-cholesterol diet.
7. A nurse is administering a blood transfusion to a client. After 15 minutes, the client reports chills and low
back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
