VATI Green Light Comprehensive
Predictor 2026: Practice Q&A with
Rationales for Forms A, B, & C
1. A nurse is admitting a client who has antisocial personality disorder.
Which client behavior should the nurse identify as consistent with this
disorder?
A. Compulsive attention to details
B. Avoids interacting with others
C. Uses others for personal gain
D. Socially awkward in group situations
Correct Answer: C. Uses others for personal gain
Rationale: Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often exhibit
manipulative behaviors, using others to achieve personal goals or benefits.
This is a hallmark of the disorder.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
, C. Isolate the client to decrease stimuli
D. Administer PRN antipsychotic medication immediately
Correct Answer: B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
Rationale: The priority is to assess the content of the hallucinations to
determine if the client is at risk for harm to self or others. Hallucinations
commanding self-harm are a psychiatric emergency.
3. A nurse is providing therapeutic communication to a client with
paranoid delusions. Which statement is most appropriate?
A. "I know you believe others are after you, but that's not true."
B. "You seem frightened. Tell me what is happening."
C. "Why do you think people are trying to hurt you?"
D. "Let's focus on something else to take your mind off it."
Correct Answer: B. "You seem frightened. Tell me what is happening."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's feelings without
challenging the delusion. Arguing with delusions or asking "why" questions
can increase anxiety and reinforce the delusion.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which
intervention should be included?
A. Weigh the client daily before breakfast
B. Allow the client to choose meals independently
, C. Monitor the client for 1 hour after meals
D. Encourage the client to exercise to increase appetite
Correct Answer: C. Monitor the client for 1 hour after meals
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa may purge after meals. Monitoring
for 1 hour post-meal helps prevent purging behaviors. Weight should be
monitored but not daily (typically 2-3 times weekly) to avoid fixation on
weight.
5. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed an SSRI. The
nurse should include which instruction?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach"
B. "You may feel better within 24-48 hours"
C. "Report any thoughts of self-harm immediately"
D. "Discontinue the medication if you feel drowsy"
Correct Answer: C. "Report any thoughts of self-harm immediately"
Rationale: SSRIs may increase the risk of suicidal ideation, especially in
young adults during the initial weeks of treatment. Clients should be
educated about this risk and instructed to report any worsening depression
or suicidal thoughts.
6. A client at 36 weeks gestation with complete placenta previa is
admitted with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Rupture the amniotic sac
B. Medicate the client for pain
, C. Prepare the client for a cesarean section
D. Perform a vaginal exam
Correct Answer: C. Prepare the client for a cesarean section
Rationale: Complete placenta previa with active labor is an indication for
cesarean delivery. Vaginal exams are contraindicated as they can cause
severe hemorrhage.
7. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who has a boggy uterus
and heavy lochia. What is the priority action?
A. Administer prescribed oxytocin
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Check vital signs
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B. Massage the uterine fundus
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, the most common
cause of postpartum hemorrhage. The priority is to massage the fundus to
stimulate uterine contraction before administering medications or notifying
the provider.
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a breastfeeding client with mastitis.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Stop breastfeeding until the infection resolves"
Predictor 2026: Practice Q&A with
Rationales for Forms A, B, & C
1. A nurse is admitting a client who has antisocial personality disorder.
Which client behavior should the nurse identify as consistent with this
disorder?
A. Compulsive attention to details
B. Avoids interacting with others
C. Uses others for personal gain
D. Socially awkward in group situations
Correct Answer: C. Uses others for personal gain
Rationale: Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often exhibit
manipulative behaviors, using others to achieve personal goals or benefits.
This is a hallmark of the disorder.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who is experiencing
auditory hallucinations. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Tell the client the voices are not real
B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
, C. Isolate the client to decrease stimuli
D. Administer PRN antipsychotic medication immediately
Correct Answer: B. Ask the client what the voices are saying
Rationale: The priority is to assess the content of the hallucinations to
determine if the client is at risk for harm to self or others. Hallucinations
commanding self-harm are a psychiatric emergency.
3. A nurse is providing therapeutic communication to a client with
paranoid delusions. Which statement is most appropriate?
A. "I know you believe others are after you, but that's not true."
B. "You seem frightened. Tell me what is happening."
C. "Why do you think people are trying to hurt you?"
D. "Let's focus on something else to take your mind off it."
Correct Answer: B. "You seem frightened. Tell me what is happening."
Rationale: This response acknowledges the client's feelings without
challenging the delusion. Arguing with delusions or asking "why" questions
can increase anxiety and reinforce the delusion.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client with anorexia nervosa. Which
intervention should be included?
A. Weigh the client daily before breakfast
B. Allow the client to choose meals independently
, C. Monitor the client for 1 hour after meals
D. Encourage the client to exercise to increase appetite
Correct Answer: C. Monitor the client for 1 hour after meals
Rationale: Clients with anorexia nervosa may purge after meals. Monitoring
for 1 hour post-meal helps prevent purging behaviors. Weight should be
monitored but not daily (typically 2-3 times weekly) to avoid fixation on
weight.
5. A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed an SSRI. The
nurse should include which instruction?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach"
B. "You may feel better within 24-48 hours"
C. "Report any thoughts of self-harm immediately"
D. "Discontinue the medication if you feel drowsy"
Correct Answer: C. "Report any thoughts of self-harm immediately"
Rationale: SSRIs may increase the risk of suicidal ideation, especially in
young adults during the initial weeks of treatment. Clients should be
educated about this risk and instructed to report any worsening depression
or suicidal thoughts.
6. A client at 36 weeks gestation with complete placenta previa is
admitted with contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute. Which
action should the nurse take?
A. Rupture the amniotic sac
B. Medicate the client for pain
, C. Prepare the client for a cesarean section
D. Perform a vaginal exam
Correct Answer: C. Prepare the client for a cesarean section
Rationale: Complete placenta previa with active labor is an indication for
cesarean delivery. Vaginal exams are contraindicated as they can cause
severe hemorrhage.
7. A nurse is caring for a postpartum client who has a boggy uterus
and heavy lochia. What is the priority action?
A. Administer prescribed oxytocin
B. Massage the uterine fundus
C. Check vital signs
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B. Massage the uterine fundus
Rationale: A boggy uterus indicates uterine atony, the most common
cause of postpartum hemorrhage. The priority is to massage the fundus to
stimulate uterine contraction before administering medications or notifying
the provider.
8. A nurse is providing teaching to a breastfeeding client with mastitis.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Stop breastfeeding until the infection resolves"
