Page 1 of 103
ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR LEVEL 3 EXIT EXAM
2026- QUESTIONS LATEST 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR LEVEL 3 EXIT EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order but
the family member is demanding that CPR be performed if the client's heart stops
beating. Which of the following actions should the PN take first?
A) Perform CPR if cardiac arrest occurs despite the DNR order to respect family wishes
B) Notify the provider immediately to clarify the DNR status with the family member
C) Document the family's request in the medical record and continue routine
monitoring
D) Explain to the family that the DNR order must be honored and cannot be overridden
Answer: B) Notify the provider immediately to clarify the DNR status with the family
member
Rationale: When a family member requests care that contradicts a legally valid DNR
order, the PN should notify the provider to facilitate communication between the
provider and the family to resolve the conflict. The PN cannot independently override
the DNR order or provide CPR, but should also not dismiss the family's concerns
without proper discussion. Documentation is appropriate but not the priority action .
, Page 2 of 103
Question 2
A charge nurse is making client assignments for a medical-surgical unit. Which of the
following clients should be assigned to the RN rather than the PN?
A) A client with stable congestive heart failure requiring daily furosemide administration
B) A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia with no previous
reactions
C) A client with a PEG tube requiring intermittent enteral feedings every 4 hours
D) A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics for 7 days
Answer: B) A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia with no
previous reactions
Rationale: Blood transfusion administration requires RN-level assessment and
monitoring due to the risk of transfusion reactions and the complexity of the procedure.
PNs may administer stable medications, reinforce teaching, perform routine
monitoring, and care for stable clients with PEG tubes or UTIs. The initial assessment
and blood product verification are RN responsibilities .
Question 3
A practical nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP) on a busy medical-
surgical unit. Which of the following tasks is most appropriate for the PN to delegate to
the AP?
A) Administering a cleansing enema to a client with constipation per provider order
B) Measuring and documenting a client's daily morning vital signs accurately
C) Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter for a client with urinary retention
D) Reinforcing discharge teaching about dietary restrictions with a diabetic client
Answer: B) Measuring and documenting a client's daily morning vital signs
accurately
Rationale: Measuring vital signs is a standard task that falls within the scope of practice
for assistive personnel when the client is stable and the AP has been trained in the
procedure. Enema administration, catheter insertion, and discharge teaching
reinforcement require nursing knowledge and assessment skills that should be
performed by licensed nursing personnel .
Question 4
A PN is assisting with the admission of a client who has a living will and a healthcare
power of attorney. Which of the following actions should the PN take regarding these
legal documents?
, Page 3 of 103
A) Place a copy of both documents in the client's medical record for easy reference
B) Give the original documents back to the family for safekeeping at home
C) File the documents with the hospital's legal department for review
D) Place the documents in the client's personal belongings for security
Answer: A) Place a copy of both documents in the client's medical record for easy
reference
Rationale: Advance directives, including living wills and healthcare powers of attorney,
must be placed in the client's medical record to ensure that all healthcare providers are
aware of the client's wishes regarding end-of-life care and decision-making. Copies
should be made and kept in the chart, while originals may be retained by the facility or
returned to the client .
Question 5
A practical nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery and has just signed
an informed consent form. Which of the following actions should the PN take regarding
the informed consent process?
A) Verify that the consent form is signed and placed in the client's medical record
B) Explain the surgical procedure and its risks in detail to the client before surgery
C) Witness the client signing the consent form after the provider has explained the
procedure
D) Contact the provider if the client has questions about the surgical procedure
Answer: A) Verify that the consent form is signed and placed in the client's medical
record
Rationale: The PN's role in informed consent is to verify that the consent form has been
signed and properly placed in the medical record. The provider is responsible for
explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the client. The PN may
witness the signing only if the provider has already completed the explanation. If the
client has questions, the PN should notify the provider .
Question 6
A practical nurse is preparing to give a change-of-shift report to the oncoming nurse.
Which of the following information should the PN include in the SBAR format for a client
with pneumonia who has a new onset of confusion?
A) The client's room number and dietary preferences for lunch
B) The client's diagnosis, current oxygen saturation, and recent mental status change
, Page 4 of 103
C) The name of the client's primary care provider and family contact information
D) The client's medication list and scheduled diagnostic tests for the next day
Answer: B) The client's diagnosis, current oxygen saturation, and recent mental
status change
Rationale: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is the
standard format for effective and safe communication during handoffs. For a client with
pneumonia and new confusion, the PN should include the client's diagnosis (Situation),
relevant background, the new assessment finding (confusion and oxygen saturation),
and a recommendation. Room numbers, dietary preferences, and family contact
information are not priority handoff information .
Question 7
A charge nurse is assigning clients for the shift. Which of the following clients should be
assigned to the most experienced nurse on the unit?
A) A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes requiring initial insulin pump education
B) A client with stable angina who is scheduled for a cardiac stress test
C) A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral ciprofloxacin
D) A client with a hip fracture who needs assistance with ambulation
Answer: A) A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes requiring initial insulin pump
education
Rationale: Initial client education regarding complex conditions such as diabetes
management with an insulin pump requires RN-level assessment and evaluation of
learning needs. PNs can reinforce teaching but are not responsible for developing the
initial teaching plan or providing comprehensive education for newly diagnosed
conditions. The experienced nurse is best suited for this assignment .
Question 8
A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and requests
information about hospice care. Which of the following statements by the PN is most
appropriate?
A) "Hospice care is only available for clients who have a prognosis of less than 1 month"
B) "Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment"
C) "You cannot receive hospice care if you are still receiving active treatment"
D) "Hospice care is only provided in a hospice facility or nursing home setting"
Answer: B) "Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative
treatment"
ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR LEVEL 3 EXIT EXAM
2026- QUESTIONS LATEST 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR LEVEL 3 EXIT EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-25)
Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order but
the family member is demanding that CPR be performed if the client's heart stops
beating. Which of the following actions should the PN take first?
A) Perform CPR if cardiac arrest occurs despite the DNR order to respect family wishes
B) Notify the provider immediately to clarify the DNR status with the family member
C) Document the family's request in the medical record and continue routine
monitoring
D) Explain to the family that the DNR order must be honored and cannot be overridden
Answer: B) Notify the provider immediately to clarify the DNR status with the family
member
Rationale: When a family member requests care that contradicts a legally valid DNR
order, the PN should notify the provider to facilitate communication between the
provider and the family to resolve the conflict. The PN cannot independently override
the DNR order or provide CPR, but should also not dismiss the family's concerns
without proper discussion. Documentation is appropriate but not the priority action .
, Page 2 of 103
Question 2
A charge nurse is making client assignments for a medical-surgical unit. Which of the
following clients should be assigned to the RN rather than the PN?
A) A client with stable congestive heart failure requiring daily furosemide administration
B) A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia with no previous
reactions
C) A client with a PEG tube requiring intermittent enteral feedings every 4 hours
D) A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral antibiotics for 7 days
Answer: B) A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia with no
previous reactions
Rationale: Blood transfusion administration requires RN-level assessment and
monitoring due to the risk of transfusion reactions and the complexity of the procedure.
PNs may administer stable medications, reinforce teaching, perform routine
monitoring, and care for stable clients with PEG tubes or UTIs. The initial assessment
and blood product verification are RN responsibilities .
Question 3
A practical nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP) on a busy medical-
surgical unit. Which of the following tasks is most appropriate for the PN to delegate to
the AP?
A) Administering a cleansing enema to a client with constipation per provider order
B) Measuring and documenting a client's daily morning vital signs accurately
C) Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter for a client with urinary retention
D) Reinforcing discharge teaching about dietary restrictions with a diabetic client
Answer: B) Measuring and documenting a client's daily morning vital signs
accurately
Rationale: Measuring vital signs is a standard task that falls within the scope of practice
for assistive personnel when the client is stable and the AP has been trained in the
procedure. Enema administration, catheter insertion, and discharge teaching
reinforcement require nursing knowledge and assessment skills that should be
performed by licensed nursing personnel .
Question 4
A PN is assisting with the admission of a client who has a living will and a healthcare
power of attorney. Which of the following actions should the PN take regarding these
legal documents?
, Page 3 of 103
A) Place a copy of both documents in the client's medical record for easy reference
B) Give the original documents back to the family for safekeeping at home
C) File the documents with the hospital's legal department for review
D) Place the documents in the client's personal belongings for security
Answer: A) Place a copy of both documents in the client's medical record for easy
reference
Rationale: Advance directives, including living wills and healthcare powers of attorney,
must be placed in the client's medical record to ensure that all healthcare providers are
aware of the client's wishes regarding end-of-life care and decision-making. Copies
should be made and kept in the chart, while originals may be retained by the facility or
returned to the client .
Question 5
A practical nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery and has just signed
an informed consent form. Which of the following actions should the PN take regarding
the informed consent process?
A) Verify that the consent form is signed and placed in the client's medical record
B) Explain the surgical procedure and its risks in detail to the client before surgery
C) Witness the client signing the consent form after the provider has explained the
procedure
D) Contact the provider if the client has questions about the surgical procedure
Answer: A) Verify that the consent form is signed and placed in the client's medical
record
Rationale: The PN's role in informed consent is to verify that the consent form has been
signed and properly placed in the medical record. The provider is responsible for
explaining the procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the client. The PN may
witness the signing only if the provider has already completed the explanation. If the
client has questions, the PN should notify the provider .
Question 6
A practical nurse is preparing to give a change-of-shift report to the oncoming nurse.
Which of the following information should the PN include in the SBAR format for a client
with pneumonia who has a new onset of confusion?
A) The client's room number and dietary preferences for lunch
B) The client's diagnosis, current oxygen saturation, and recent mental status change
, Page 4 of 103
C) The name of the client's primary care provider and family contact information
D) The client's medication list and scheduled diagnostic tests for the next day
Answer: B) The client's diagnosis, current oxygen saturation, and recent mental
status change
Rationale: SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) is the
standard format for effective and safe communication during handoffs. For a client with
pneumonia and new confusion, the PN should include the client's diagnosis (Situation),
relevant background, the new assessment finding (confusion and oxygen saturation),
and a recommendation. Room numbers, dietary preferences, and family contact
information are not priority handoff information .
Question 7
A charge nurse is assigning clients for the shift. Which of the following clients should be
assigned to the most experienced nurse on the unit?
A) A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes requiring initial insulin pump education
B) A client with stable angina who is scheduled for a cardiac stress test
C) A client with a urinary tract infection receiving oral ciprofloxacin
D) A client with a hip fracture who needs assistance with ambulation
Answer: A) A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes requiring initial insulin pump
education
Rationale: Initial client education regarding complex conditions such as diabetes
management with an insulin pump requires RN-level assessment and evaluation of
learning needs. PNs can reinforce teaching but are not responsible for developing the
initial teaching plan or providing comprehensive education for newly diagnosed
conditions. The experienced nurse is best suited for this assignment .
Question 8
A practical nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and requests
information about hospice care. Which of the following statements by the PN is most
appropriate?
A) "Hospice care is only available for clients who have a prognosis of less than 1 month"
B) "Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatment"
C) "You cannot receive hospice care if you are still receiving active treatment"
D) "Hospice care is only provided in a hospice facility or nursing home setting"
Answer: B) "Hospice care focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative
treatment"
