ATI RN Capstone
Comprehensive Predictor Exam
Questions & Answers| Latest| Guaranteed Pass
,1. The RN charge nurse is making assignments for the shift. Which client
should be assigned to the LPN/LVN?
A. A client who is 2 hours post-op from a cardiac catheterization requiring
frequent site checks
B. A newly admitted client with an unstable psychiatric crisis
C. A stable client requiring routine wound care and vital signs
D. A client requiring initial teaching for a new colostomy
Correct Answer: C. A stable client requiring routine wound care and vital
signs
Rationale: LPNs/LVNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes,
such as routine wound care. Unstable, newly admitted, or teaching-intensive
clients requiring assessment and independent nursing judgment should be
assigned to the RN.
2. Using the ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) framework, which client
should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. A client with a respiratory rate of 18 and clear lung sounds
B. A client with new-onset stridor and increased work of breathing
C. A client requesting pain medication for a 4/10 pain score
D. A client due for a routine dressing change
Correct Answer: B. A client with new-onset stridor and increased work of
breathing
Rationale: Stridor and increased work of breathing indicate an airway
compromise, which takes priority over stable respiratory status, pain
management, and routine tasks according to the ABC priority framework.
3. The nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a new client's admission history
B. Ambulating a stable post-operative client
C. Administering an IV antibiotic
D. Teaching a client how to self-administer insulin
,Correct Answer: B. Ambulating a stable post-operative client
Rationale: UAPs can perform tasks that do not require nursing judgment,
such as ambulation of a stable client, taking vital signs, and basic hygiene
care. Assessment, medication administration, and client teaching require
licensed nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to UAP.
4. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A. A client 3 days post-op with a pain score of 5/10
B. A client with a new prescription for routine morning medications
C. A client with a chest tube whose drainage suddenly increased from 20
mL/hr to 150 mL/hr
D. A client scheduled for discharge teaching this morning
Correct Answer: C. A client with a chest tube whose drainage suddenly
increased from 20 mL/hr to 150 mL/hr
Rationale: A sudden significant increase in chest tube drainage may indicate
active hemorrhage, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate
assessment and intervention, taking priority over pain management, routine
medications, or discharge teaching.
5. Which situation requires the nurse to use SBAR communication when
contacting the healthcare provider?
A. Documenting routine vital signs in the chart
B. Reporting a significant change in a client's condition
C. Reviewing the client's daily meal preferences
D. Scheduling routine follow-up appointments
Correct Answer: B. Reporting a significant change in a client's condition
Rationale: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a
structured communication tool used specifically for reporting significant clinical
changes or urgent concerns to ensure clear, concise, and actionable
information transfer.
6. A nurse is planning care using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which
client need should be addressed FIRST?
, A. A client's request for spiritual counseling
B. A client's need for oxygen due to low SpO2
C. A client's concern about body image after surgery
D. A client's desire for family visitation
Correct Answer: B. A client's need for oxygen due to low SpO2
Rationale: Physiological needs, including oxygenation, are the foundation of
Maslow's hierarchy and take priority over safety, love/belonging, esteem, or
self-actualization needs such as spiritual care, body image, or social needs.
7. The nurse manager notices increased medication errors on the unit.
Which action best reflects a systems-based approach to quality
improvement?
A. Publicly reprimand the nurses involved in the errors
B. Conduct a root cause analysis to identify system factors contributing to
errors
C. Terminate the nurses with the most errors
D. Ignore the pattern since errors are inevitable
Correct Answer: B. Conduct a root cause analysis to identify system
factors contributing to errors
Rationale: A root cause analysis is a systematic, non-punitive approach that
examines underlying system and process factors contributing to errors,
promoting a culture of safety rather than blame, which is more effective in
preventing recurrence.
8. Which client assignment is most appropriate for a newly licensed RN
during orientation?
A. A client in active septic shock requiring vasopressor titration
B. A stable client scheduled for discharge teaching
C. A client requiring emergent intubation
D. A client with a rapidly deteriorating neurological status
Correct Answer: B. A stable client scheduled for discharge teaching
Rationale: Newly licensed nurses should be assigned stable clients with
predictable outcomes while building competence and confidence; complex,
unstable, or emergent situations require experienced nurse assignment or
Comprehensive Predictor Exam
Questions & Answers| Latest| Guaranteed Pass
,1. The RN charge nurse is making assignments for the shift. Which client
should be assigned to the LPN/LVN?
A. A client who is 2 hours post-op from a cardiac catheterization requiring
frequent site checks
B. A newly admitted client with an unstable psychiatric crisis
C. A stable client requiring routine wound care and vital signs
D. A client requiring initial teaching for a new colostomy
Correct Answer: C. A stable client requiring routine wound care and vital
signs
Rationale: LPNs/LVNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes,
such as routine wound care. Unstable, newly admitted, or teaching-intensive
clients requiring assessment and independent nursing judgment should be
assigned to the RN.
2. Using the ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) framework, which client
should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. A client with a respiratory rate of 18 and clear lung sounds
B. A client with new-onset stridor and increased work of breathing
C. A client requesting pain medication for a 4/10 pain score
D. A client due for a routine dressing change
Correct Answer: B. A client with new-onset stridor and increased work of
breathing
Rationale: Stridor and increased work of breathing indicate an airway
compromise, which takes priority over stable respiratory status, pain
management, and routine tasks according to the ABC priority framework.
3. The nurse is delegating tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Which task is appropriate to delegate?
A. Assessing a new client's admission history
B. Ambulating a stable post-operative client
C. Administering an IV antibiotic
D. Teaching a client how to self-administer insulin
,Correct Answer: B. Ambulating a stable post-operative client
Rationale: UAPs can perform tasks that do not require nursing judgment,
such as ambulation of a stable client, taking vital signs, and basic hygiene
care. Assessment, medication administration, and client teaching require
licensed nursing judgment and cannot be delegated to UAP.
4. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A. A client 3 days post-op with a pain score of 5/10
B. A client with a new prescription for routine morning medications
C. A client with a chest tube whose drainage suddenly increased from 20
mL/hr to 150 mL/hr
D. A client scheduled for discharge teaching this morning
Correct Answer: C. A client with a chest tube whose drainage suddenly
increased from 20 mL/hr to 150 mL/hr
Rationale: A sudden significant increase in chest tube drainage may indicate
active hemorrhage, a life-threatening complication requiring immediate
assessment and intervention, taking priority over pain management, routine
medications, or discharge teaching.
5. Which situation requires the nurse to use SBAR communication when
contacting the healthcare provider?
A. Documenting routine vital signs in the chart
B. Reporting a significant change in a client's condition
C. Reviewing the client's daily meal preferences
D. Scheduling routine follow-up appointments
Correct Answer: B. Reporting a significant change in a client's condition
Rationale: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is a
structured communication tool used specifically for reporting significant clinical
changes or urgent concerns to ensure clear, concise, and actionable
information transfer.
6. A nurse is planning care using Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Which
client need should be addressed FIRST?
, A. A client's request for spiritual counseling
B. A client's need for oxygen due to low SpO2
C. A client's concern about body image after surgery
D. A client's desire for family visitation
Correct Answer: B. A client's need for oxygen due to low SpO2
Rationale: Physiological needs, including oxygenation, are the foundation of
Maslow's hierarchy and take priority over safety, love/belonging, esteem, or
self-actualization needs such as spiritual care, body image, or social needs.
7. The nurse manager notices increased medication errors on the unit.
Which action best reflects a systems-based approach to quality
improvement?
A. Publicly reprimand the nurses involved in the errors
B. Conduct a root cause analysis to identify system factors contributing to
errors
C. Terminate the nurses with the most errors
D. Ignore the pattern since errors are inevitable
Correct Answer: B. Conduct a root cause analysis to identify system
factors contributing to errors
Rationale: A root cause analysis is a systematic, non-punitive approach that
examines underlying system and process factors contributing to errors,
promoting a culture of safety rather than blame, which is more effective in
preventing recurrence.
8. Which client assignment is most appropriate for a newly licensed RN
during orientation?
A. A client in active septic shock requiring vasopressor titration
B. A stable client scheduled for discharge teaching
C. A client requiring emergent intubation
D. A client with a rapidly deteriorating neurological status
Correct Answer: B. A stable client scheduled for discharge teaching
Rationale: Newly licensed nurses should be assigned stable clients with
predictable outcomes while building competence and confidence; complex,
unstable, or emergent situations require experienced nurse assignment or
