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ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for oxygen at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding indicates the oxygen therapy is
effective?
A. Respiratory rate of 28/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 96%
C. Heart rate of 112/min
D. Cyanosis of the nail beds
Answer: Oxygen saturation of 96%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 96% indicates adequate oxygenation.
Tachypnea, tachycardia, and cyanosis can indicate impaired oxygenation.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has hypokalemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hyperactive reflexes
C. Peaked T waves
D. Facial twitching
Answer: Muscle weakness
,Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation, and
cardiac dysrhythmias. Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which finding should the
nurse report immediately?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
B. Heart rate of 78/min
C. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 1,200 mL/day
Answer: Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and can signal worsening
heart failure.
4. A client taking furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, resulting
in hypokalemia and muscle weakness or cramps.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking warfarin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K."
B. "I should take aspirin for headaches."
C. "I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent."
D. "I can stop the medication when I feel better."
Answer: I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent.
,Rationale: Vitamin K affects warfarin therapy. Clients should maintain a
consistent intake rather than completely eliminate vitamin K-containing foods.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which finding
indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath
C. Tremors and diaphoresis
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: Tremors and diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes sympathetic nervous system manifestations
such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, hunger, and anxiety.
7. A client with diabetes is awake and able to swallow and has a blood glucose
level of 54 mg/dL. What should the nurse provide?
A. 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. 1 unit of regular insulin
C. A high-protein meal only
D. Glucagon IM immediately
Answer: 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious client with hypoglycemia should receive approximately
15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate, followed by reassessment of glucose.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Productive cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Productive cough
, Rationale: Pneumonia commonly causes cough, fever, crackles, dyspnea, and
production of sputum.
9. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which prescription is most
appropriate for a client at risk for carbon dioxide retention?
A. 10 L/min by nonrebreather mask
B. 2 L/min by nasal cannula
C. 15 L/min by face mask
D. 8 L/min by simple mask
Answer: 2 L/min by nasal cannula
Rationale: Low-flow oxygen is commonly used for clients with COPD who are at
risk for carbon dioxide retention. Oxygen should be titrated according to the
prescribed target saturation.
10.A nurse is assessing a client who has a deep vein thrombosis. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bilateral cool feet
B. Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
C. Bounding pulses in both legs
D. Painless ankle edema
Answer: Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
Rationale: DVT commonly presents with unilateral swelling, warmth,
tenderness, and sometimes redness of the affected extremity.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has a stroke. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Difficulty speaking
B. Facial drooping
C. Sudden severe headache
D. Unilateral weakness
ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor
Practice Exam 2026 | 100 Questions &
Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Complete Exam Prep & Study Guide
1. A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for oxygen at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding indicates the oxygen therapy is
effective?
A. Respiratory rate of 28/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 96%
C. Heart rate of 112/min
D. Cyanosis of the nail beds
Answer: Oxygen saturation of 96%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 96% indicates adequate oxygenation.
Tachypnea, tachycardia, and cyanosis can indicate impaired oxygenation.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has hypokalemia. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hyperactive reflexes
C. Peaked T waves
D. Facial twitching
Answer: Muscle weakness
,Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation, and
cardiac dysrhythmias. Peaked T waves are associated with hyperkalemia.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which finding should the
nurse report immediately?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
B. Heart rate of 78/min
C. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 1,200 mL/day
Answer: Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and can signal worsening
heart failure.
4. A client taking furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, resulting
in hypokalemia and muscle weakness or cramps.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who is taking warfarin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K."
B. "I should take aspirin for headaches."
C. "I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent."
D. "I can stop the medication when I feel better."
Answer: I should keep my intake of vitamin K-containing foods consistent.
,Rationale: Vitamin K affects warfarin therapy. Clients should maintain a
consistent intake rather than completely eliminate vitamin K-containing foods.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which finding
indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Fruity breath
C. Tremors and diaphoresis
D. Kussmaul respirations
Answer: Tremors and diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes sympathetic nervous system manifestations
such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, hunger, and anxiety.
7. A client with diabetes is awake and able to swallow and has a blood glucose
level of 54 mg/dL. What should the nurse provide?
A. 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
B. 1 unit of regular insulin
C. A high-protein meal only
D. Glucagon IM immediately
Answer: 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: A conscious client with hypoglycemia should receive approximately
15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate, followed by reassessment of glucose.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Clear breath sounds
B. Productive cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: Productive cough
, Rationale: Pneumonia commonly causes cough, fever, crackles, dyspnea, and
production of sputum.
9. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which prescription is most
appropriate for a client at risk for carbon dioxide retention?
A. 10 L/min by nonrebreather mask
B. 2 L/min by nasal cannula
C. 15 L/min by face mask
D. 8 L/min by simple mask
Answer: 2 L/min by nasal cannula
Rationale: Low-flow oxygen is commonly used for clients with COPD who are at
risk for carbon dioxide retention. Oxygen should be titrated according to the
prescribed target saturation.
10.A nurse is assessing a client who has a deep vein thrombosis. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bilateral cool feet
B. Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
C. Bounding pulses in both legs
D. Painless ankle edema
Answer: Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
Rationale: DVT commonly presents with unilateral swelling, warmth,
tenderness, and sometimes redness of the affected extremity.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has a stroke. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Difficulty speaking
B. Facial drooping
C. Sudden severe headache
D. Unilateral weakness
