ATI RN Comprehensive
Predictor 2026 — Nursing
Fundamentals Study Guide
Questions 1–180 | Comprehensive Exam Preparation | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client who has
dysphagia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Crush all medications and mix them with applesauce
B. Place the medications in a cup for the client to self-administer
C. Consult the pharmacist to determine which medications can be crushed
D. Administer the medications via the client's nasogastric tube
Valid answer:C
Explanation: Not all medications can be crushed (e.g., enteric-coated,
sustained-release). The nurse should consult the pharmacist to determine which
medications are safe to crush. Option A is incorrect because crushing all
medications is unsafe. Option B is incorrect as the client has dysphagia. Option D
is incorrect because not all medications are suitable for NG administration.
1
, 2. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following
abdominal surgery. The client reports a pain level of 8 on a scale of 0 to
10. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
B. Reposition the client to a more comfortable position
C. Assess the client's surgical incision and vital signs
D. Apply a warm compress to the surgical site
Valid answer:C
Explanation: The nurse should first assess the client to determine the cause of
pain and rule out complications such as wound dehiscence or infection.
Administration of analgesic (A) and repositioning (B) should occur after
assessment. Warm compress (D) is not appropriate for a fresh surgical incision
without a healthcare provider's order.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include?
A. "Inhale quickly and deeply after activating the inhaler"
B. "Wait 5 seconds between puffs"
C. "Hold the inhaler 1 to 2 inches away from your mouth"
D. "Exhale fully before placing the inhaler in your mouth"
Valid answer:D
Explanation: The client should exhale fully to empty the lungs before placing
2
,the inhaler in the mouth to allow for maximum inhalation of medication. Option
A is incorrect—the client should inhale slowly and deeply. Option B is
incorrect—the client should wait 1 to 2 minutes between puffs. Option C is
incorrect—the spacer should be 1 to 2 inches away, not the inhaler itself.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of heart failure. Which of
the following findings is the earliest indication of fluid overload?
A. Peripheral oedema
B. Jugular venous distension
C. Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
D. Crackles auscultated in the lung bases
Valid answer:C
Explanation: Daily weight monitoring is the most sensitive indicator of fluid
volume status. A weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours indicates fluid retention
of approximately 1 litre. Peripheral oedema (A), jugular venous distension (B),
and crackles (D) are later signs of fluid overload.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to verify correct placement of
the tube?
A. Aspirate gastric contents and check pH
B. Auscultate for air bubbles over the epigastric area
3
, C. Place the end of the tube in a cup of water and observe for bubbles
D. Obtain an abdominal X-ray
Valid answer:D
Explanation: An abdominal X-ray is the gold standard for confirming NG tube
placement. While aspirating gastric contents with pH testing (A) is a common
bedside method, it is not as definitive as X-ray. Auscultation (B) is no longer
recommended due to unreliability. Observing for bubbles (C) is a method for
confirming endotracheal tube placement, not NG tube placement.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
The client asks, "Why do I need to check my blood sugar before meals?"
Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?
A. "It helps determine if your medication dosage needs adjustment"
B. "It tells you if you are eating the right foods"
C. "It prevents you from having hypoglycaemia"
D. "It helps you lose weight"
Valid answer:A
Explanation: Pre-meal blood glucose monitoring provides information about
the effectiveness of the client's medication regimen and helps guide dosage
adjustments. Option B is incorrect—blood glucose does not directly indicate
food choices. Option C is incorrect—monitoring identifies hypoglycaemia but
does not prevent it alone. Option D is incorrect as blood glucose monitoring is
not a weight-loss tool.
4
Predictor 2026 — Nursing
Fundamentals Study Guide
Questions 1–180 | Comprehensive Exam Preparation | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a client who has
dysphagia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Crush all medications and mix them with applesauce
B. Place the medications in a cup for the client to self-administer
C. Consult the pharmacist to determine which medications can be crushed
D. Administer the medications via the client's nasogastric tube
Valid answer:C
Explanation: Not all medications can be crushed (e.g., enteric-coated,
sustained-release). The nurse should consult the pharmacist to determine which
medications are safe to crush. Option A is incorrect because crushing all
medications is unsafe. Option B is incorrect as the client has dysphagia. Option D
is incorrect because not all medications are suitable for NG administration.
1
, 2. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1 following
abdominal surgery. The client reports a pain level of 8 on a scale of 0 to
10. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the prescribed PRN analgesic
B. Reposition the client to a more comfortable position
C. Assess the client's surgical incision and vital signs
D. Apply a warm compress to the surgical site
Valid answer:C
Explanation: The nurse should first assess the client to determine the cause of
pain and rule out complications such as wound dehiscence or infection.
Administration of analgesic (A) and repositioning (B) should occur after
assessment. Warm compress (D) is not appropriate for a fresh surgical incision
without a healthcare provider's order.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for a
metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include?
A. "Inhale quickly and deeply after activating the inhaler"
B. "Wait 5 seconds between puffs"
C. "Hold the inhaler 1 to 2 inches away from your mouth"
D. "Exhale fully before placing the inhaler in your mouth"
Valid answer:D
Explanation: The client should exhale fully to empty the lungs before placing
2
,the inhaler in the mouth to allow for maximum inhalation of medication. Option
A is incorrect—the client should inhale slowly and deeply. Option B is
incorrect—the client should wait 1 to 2 minutes between puffs. Option C is
incorrect—the spacer should be 1 to 2 inches away, not the inhaler itself.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of heart failure. Which of
the following findings is the earliest indication of fluid overload?
A. Peripheral oedema
B. Jugular venous distension
C. Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
D. Crackles auscultated in the lung bases
Valid answer:C
Explanation: Daily weight monitoring is the most sensitive indicator of fluid
volume status. A weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours indicates fluid retention
of approximately 1 litre. Peripheral oedema (A), jugular venous distension (B),
and crackles (D) are later signs of fluid overload.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to verify correct placement of
the tube?
A. Aspirate gastric contents and check pH
B. Auscultate for air bubbles over the epigastric area
3
, C. Place the end of the tube in a cup of water and observe for bubbles
D. Obtain an abdominal X-ray
Valid answer:D
Explanation: An abdominal X-ray is the gold standard for confirming NG tube
placement. While aspirating gastric contents with pH testing (A) is a common
bedside method, it is not as definitive as X-ray. Auscultation (B) is no longer
recommended due to unreliability. Observing for bubbles (C) is a method for
confirming endotracheal tube placement, not NG tube placement.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
The client asks, "Why do I need to check my blood sugar before meals?"
Which of the following responses should the nurse provide?
A. "It helps determine if your medication dosage needs adjustment"
B. "It tells you if you are eating the right foods"
C. "It prevents you from having hypoglycaemia"
D. "It helps you lose weight"
Valid answer:A
Explanation: Pre-meal blood glucose monitoring provides information about
the effectiveness of the client's medication regimen and helps guide dosage
adjustments. Option B is incorrect—blood glucose does not directly indicate
food choices. Option C is incorrect—monitoring identifies hypoglycaemia but
does not prevent it alone. Option D is incorrect as blood glucose monitoring is
not a weight-loss tool.
4
