ATI Comprehensive Predictor & NCLEX Study Guide 2026/2027
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is monitoring a client who has been taking lithium carbonate for
bipolar disorder. Which of the following serum lithium levels should the nurse
identify as being within the therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 to 0.4 mEq/L
B. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
can indicate toxicity.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a sign
of magnesium toxicity?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg
C. Absence of deep tendon reflexes
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium sulfate toxicity.
Other signs include respiratory depression and decreased urine output.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following manifestations is a characteristic sign of digoxin toxicity?
A. Yellow-green halos around lights
B. Tinnitus
C. Dry cough
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as yellow or green halos, as well as nausea and
vomiting, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parents of a child with celiac
disease. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?
A. Rice cakes
B. Rye crackers
C. Whole wheat bread
D. Barley soup
Answer: A
Rationale: Celiac disease requires a gluten-free diet. Rice, corn, and potatoes are gluten-
free, while wheat, rye, and barley must be avoided.
5. A nurse is preparing to care for a client who has active pulmonary
tuberculosis. Which of the following precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a private room with
negative pressure and the use of an N95 respirator mask.
, 6. A nurse in the emergency department is triaging clients. Which of the
following clients should the nurse prioritize for immediate care?
A. A client with a simple fracture of the radius
B. A client with a 102.2°F fever and a productive cough
C. A client with chest pressure and diaphoresis
D. A client with a superficial burn on the forearm
Answer: C
Rationale: Chest pressure and diaphoresis are signs of potential myocardial infarction and
require immediate intervention (Emergent/Red tag).
7. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has placenta
previa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
B. Rigid, board-like abdomen
C. Severe abdominal pain
D. Intermittent uterine contractions
Answer: A
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red bleeding. A rigid
abdomen and pain are signs of abruptio placentae.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who is in the third trimester and has abruptio
placentae. Which of the following findings is expected?
A. Persistent uterine tenderness and rigidity
B. Soft, non-tender uterus
C. Painless vaginal bleeding
D. Fetal heart rate within normal limits
Answer: A
Rationale: Abruptio placentae involves the premature separation of the placenta, causing a
rigid, painful abdomen and dark red bleeding.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is monitoring a client who has been taking lithium carbonate for
bipolar disorder. Which of the following serum lithium levels should the nurse
identify as being within the therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 to 0.4 mEq/L
B. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5 mEq/L
can indicate toxicity.
2. A nurse is caring for a client receiving magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as a sign
of magnesium toxicity?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Blood pressure of 150/96 mmHg
C. Absence of deep tendon reflexes
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium sulfate toxicity.
Other signs include respiratory depression and decreased urine output.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following manifestations is a characteristic sign of digoxin toxicity?
A. Yellow-green halos around lights
B. Tinnitus
C. Dry cough
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as yellow or green halos, as well as nausea and
vomiting, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
4. A nurse is providing dietary teaching to the parents of a child with celiac
disease. Which of the following food choices should the nurse recommend?
A. Rice cakes
B. Rye crackers
C. Whole wheat bread
D. Barley soup
Answer: A
Rationale: Celiac disease requires a gluten-free diet. Rice, corn, and potatoes are gluten-
free, while wheat, rye, and barley must be avoided.
5. A nurse is preparing to care for a client who has active pulmonary
tuberculosis. Which of the following precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: B
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a private room with
negative pressure and the use of an N95 respirator mask.
, 6. A nurse in the emergency department is triaging clients. Which of the
following clients should the nurse prioritize for immediate care?
A. A client with a simple fracture of the radius
B. A client with a 102.2°F fever and a productive cough
C. A client with chest pressure and diaphoresis
D. A client with a superficial burn on the forearm
Answer: C
Rationale: Chest pressure and diaphoresis are signs of potential myocardial infarction and
require immediate intervention (Emergent/Red tag).
7. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has placenta
previa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Painless, bright red vaginal bleeding
B. Rigid, board-like abdomen
C. Severe abdominal pain
D. Intermittent uterine contractions
Answer: A
Rationale: Placenta previa is characterized by painless, bright red bleeding. A rigid
abdomen and pain are signs of abruptio placentae.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who is in the third trimester and has abruptio
placentae. Which of the following findings is expected?
A. Persistent uterine tenderness and rigidity
B. Soft, non-tender uterus
C. Painless vaginal bleeding
D. Fetal heart rate within normal limits
Answer: A
Rationale: Abruptio placentae involves the premature separation of the placenta, causing a
rigid, painful abdomen and dark red bleeding.
