ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exam
180 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a restraints. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a prescription from the provider for the restraints
B. Document the client's behavior prior to applying restraints
C. Attempt alternative measures to prevent harm to the client
D. Explain the reason for restraints to the client's family
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first attempt alternative measures such as reorientation, offering
toileting, or providing diversional activities. Restraints should only be used as a last resort when
client safety is at risk. The least restrictive intervention should be implemented first.
Question 2
A charge nurse is assigning client care tasks to nursing personnel. Which of the following tasks
should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Assessing a client's wound healing
B. Administering a PRN medication for pain
C. Measuring a client's intake and output
D. Developing a client's discharge plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Measuring intake and output is a task that falls within the scope of practice for
assistive personnel. Assessment, medication administration, and discharge planning require
professional nursing judgment and should not be delegated to AP.
,Question 3
A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
A. "Take aspirin for headaches while taking this medication"
B. "Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables"
C. "Notify your provider if you experience dark, tarry stools"
D. "You may stop taking this medication if you feel better"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dark, tarry stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious adverse
effect of warfarin therapy. The client should notify the provider immediately. Aspirin should be
avoided as it increases bleeding risk. Consistent vitamin K intake is important, not increased
intake. Warfarin should never be stopped without provider guidance.
Question 4
A nurse is admitting a client who has tuberculosis. Which of the following types of transmission-
based precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles and requires airborne precautions.
This includes placing the client in a negative pressure room and wearing an N95 respirator.
Contact and droplet precautions are not sufficient for airborne pathogens.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a continuous IV infusion. The nurse notes
that the IV site is red, swollen, and warm to the touch. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress to the site
B. Discontinue the IV infusion
,C. Document the findings in the client's chart
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The signs of redness, swelling, and warmth indicate phlebitis. The nurse should
discontinue the IV infusion immediately to prevent further complications such as infection or
thrombus formation. After discontinuing, the nurse should document and notify the provider.
Question 6
A nurse is providing teaching to a client about advance directives. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "My family can change my advance directives once I sign them"
B. "I can designate a healthcare proxy to make decisions for me"
C. "Advance directives only apply if I am terminally ill"
D. "The provider will automatically know my wishes without an advance directive"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A healthcare proxy is a type of advance directive that allows an individual to
designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated.
Advance directives apply in various situations, not just terminal illness, and the client's wishes
must be documented.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess
first?
A. A client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes and is asking questions about insulin
administration
B. A client who has pneumonia and reports chest pain with coughing
C. A client who has a fractured femur and reports pain rated 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
D. A client who has a history of seizures and is requesting a glass of water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client with pneumonia reporting chest pain with coughing may be experiencing a
pulmonary embolism or pleuritic chest pain, requiring immediate assessment. Airway,
, breathing, and circulation (ABC) should guide prioritization. The other clients have less urgent
needs.
Question 8
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's blood type and crossmatch with another nurse
B. Obtain the client's vital signs
C. Prime the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride
D. Explain the procedure to the client and obtain informed consent
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Verification of blood type and crossmatch with another nurse is the most critical
safety step to prevent transfusion reactions. This should be done prior to initiating the
transfusion. Vital signs should be obtained before the transfusion but after verification.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent deep vein thrombosis
(DVT)?
A. Massage the client's lower extremities daily
B. Place a pillow under the client's knees while in bed
C. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
D. Restrict the client's fluid intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sequential compression devices promote venous return and prevent venous stasis,
reducing the risk of DVT. Massaging extremities can dislodge existing clots. Pillows under knees
can impede venous return. Adequate hydration is important, not restriction.
Question 10
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
180 Practice Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a restraints. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a prescription from the provider for the restraints
B. Document the client's behavior prior to applying restraints
C. Attempt alternative measures to prevent harm to the client
D. Explain the reason for restraints to the client's family
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first attempt alternative measures such as reorientation, offering
toileting, or providing diversional activities. Restraints should only be used as a last resort when
client safety is at risk. The least restrictive intervention should be implemented first.
Question 2
A charge nurse is assigning client care tasks to nursing personnel. Which of the following tasks
should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Assessing a client's wound healing
B. Administering a PRN medication for pain
C. Measuring a client's intake and output
D. Developing a client's discharge plan
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Measuring intake and output is a task that falls within the scope of practice for
assistive personnel. Assessment, medication administration, and discharge planning require
professional nursing judgment and should not be delegated to AP.
,Question 3
A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
A. "Take aspirin for headaches while taking this medication"
B. "Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables"
C. "Notify your provider if you experience dark, tarry stools"
D. "You may stop taking this medication if you feel better"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dark, tarry stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious adverse
effect of warfarin therapy. The client should notify the provider immediately. Aspirin should be
avoided as it increases bleeding risk. Consistent vitamin K intake is important, not increased
intake. Warfarin should never be stopped without provider guidance.
Question 4
A nurse is admitting a client who has tuberculosis. Which of the following types of transmission-
based precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles and requires airborne precautions.
This includes placing the client in a negative pressure room and wearing an N95 respirator.
Contact and droplet precautions are not sufficient for airborne pathogens.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a continuous IV infusion. The nurse notes
that the IV site is red, swollen, and warm to the touch. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress to the site
B. Discontinue the IV infusion
,C. Document the findings in the client's chart
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The signs of redness, swelling, and warmth indicate phlebitis. The nurse should
discontinue the IV infusion immediately to prevent further complications such as infection or
thrombus formation. After discontinuing, the nurse should document and notify the provider.
Question 6
A nurse is providing teaching to a client about advance directives. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "My family can change my advance directives once I sign them"
B. "I can designate a healthcare proxy to make decisions for me"
C. "Advance directives only apply if I am terminally ill"
D. "The provider will automatically know my wishes without an advance directive"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A healthcare proxy is a type of advance directive that allows an individual to
designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated.
Advance directives apply in various situations, not just terminal illness, and the client's wishes
must be documented.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess
first?
A. A client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes and is asking questions about insulin
administration
B. A client who has pneumonia and reports chest pain with coughing
C. A client who has a fractured femur and reports pain rated 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
D. A client who has a history of seizures and is requesting a glass of water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client with pneumonia reporting chest pain with coughing may be experiencing a
pulmonary embolism or pleuritic chest pain, requiring immediate assessment. Airway,
, breathing, and circulation (ABC) should guide prioritization. The other clients have less urgent
needs.
Question 8
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's blood type and crossmatch with another nurse
B. Obtain the client's vital signs
C. Prime the blood administration tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride
D. Explain the procedure to the client and obtain informed consent
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Verification of blood type and crossmatch with another nurse is the most critical
safety step to prevent transfusion reactions. This should be done prior to initiating the
transfusion. Vital signs should be obtained before the transfusion but after verification.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care to prevent deep vein thrombosis
(DVT)?
A. Massage the client's lower extremities daily
B. Place a pillow under the client's knees while in bed
C. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs)
D. Restrict the client's fluid intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sequential compression devices promote venous return and prevent venous stasis,
reducing the risk of DVT. Massaging extremities can dislodge existing clots. Pillows under knees
can impede venous return. Adequate hydration is important, not restriction.
Question 10
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
