ATI Comprehensive Predictor Practice Exam 1 2026
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for lisinopril. Which of the
following findings is an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Increased heart rate
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Weight gain
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a persistent, dry, nonproductive
cough due to the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for lithium carbonate. Which
of the following lab values should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium levels must be maintained because lithium excretion is linked to
sodium; low sodium can lead to lithium toxicity.
,3. A nurse is planning care for a client with a chest tube. Which of the following
actions should the nurse include?
A. Empty the collection chamber every 8 hours
B. Maintain the drainage system in an upright position
C. Keep the drainage system above the level of the chest
D. Clamp the chest tube when the client is ambulating
Answer: B
Rationale: The drainage system must remain upright and below the level of the chest to
ensure proper drainage and prevent backflow.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a gluten-free diet. Which of the following
foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Corn bread
B. Rice cakes
C. Potatoes
D. Wheat crackers
Answer: D
Rationale: Wheat contains gluten and must be avoided by clients with celiac disease; corn,
rice, and potatoes are gluten-free.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following
assessments should the nurse perform first?
A. Auscultate lung sounds
B. Measure blood pressure
C. Check the apical pulse for 1 minute
D. Check for peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute; the medication should
be withheld if the heart rate is less than 60/min in adults.
, 6. A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Assessing a client’s pain level
B. Providing discharge teaching
C. Taking vital signs on a stable client
D. Adjusting the rate of an infusion pump
Answer: C
Rationale: Vital signs on stable clients are within the scope of practice for AP; assessment,
teaching, and IV management are the responsibility of the RN.
7. A client is 4 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of
the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
A. Pain level of 6 on a 1-10 scale
B. Urinary output of 100 mL over 4 hours
C. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
D. Sudden shortness of breath
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath can indicate a pulmonary embolism, a life-
threatening complication of orthopedic surgery.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the active stage of labor. The fetal heart
rate monitor shows late decelerations. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
B. Apply oxygen at 8 to 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for lisinopril. Which of the
following findings is an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Increased heart rate
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Weight gain
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a persistent, dry, nonproductive
cough due to the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for lithium carbonate. Which
of the following lab values should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: Sodium levels must be maintained because lithium excretion is linked to
sodium; low sodium can lead to lithium toxicity.
,3. A nurse is planning care for a client with a chest tube. Which of the following
actions should the nurse include?
A. Empty the collection chamber every 8 hours
B. Maintain the drainage system in an upright position
C. Keep the drainage system above the level of the chest
D. Clamp the chest tube when the client is ambulating
Answer: B
Rationale: The drainage system must remain upright and below the level of the chest to
ensure proper drainage and prevent backflow.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a gluten-free diet. Which of the following
foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Corn bread
B. Rice cakes
C. Potatoes
D. Wheat crackers
Answer: D
Rationale: Wheat contains gluten and must be avoided by clients with celiac disease; corn,
rice, and potatoes are gluten-free.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following
assessments should the nurse perform first?
A. Auscultate lung sounds
B. Measure blood pressure
C. Check the apical pulse for 1 minute
D. Check for peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute; the medication should
be withheld if the heart rate is less than 60/min in adults.
, 6. A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Assessing a client’s pain level
B. Providing discharge teaching
C. Taking vital signs on a stable client
D. Adjusting the rate of an infusion pump
Answer: C
Rationale: Vital signs on stable clients are within the scope of practice for AP; assessment,
teaching, and IV management are the responsibility of the RN.
7. A client is 4 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of
the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?
A. Pain level of 6 on a 1-10 scale
B. Urinary output of 100 mL over 4 hours
C. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
D. Sudden shortness of breath
Answer: D
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath can indicate a pulmonary embolism, a life-
threatening complication of orthopedic surgery.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the active stage of labor. The fetal heart
rate monitor shows late decelerations. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the oxytocin infusion rate
B. Apply oxygen at 8 to 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Perform a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse
Answer: B
