,ATI Predictor 1 (Early Assessment - RN) Exam Questions And
Answers 2026/2027
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE, PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION (15
Questions)
**1.** A nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which
client should the nurse assess first?
A) A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 89% on 2 L/min nasal
cannula
B) A client 2 days post-appendectomy with a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F)
C) A client with heart failure and 3+ pitting edema
D) A client with new-onset confusion and a bounding pulse
**Correct Answer:** D) A client with new-onset confusion and a bounding
pulse
**Rationale:** New-onset confusion with a bounding pulse suggests
hypercapnia or fluid overload affecting cerebral perfusion. A change in
neurological status is always the priority. Option A is an expected finding in
COPD; Option B indicates postoperative inflammation; Option C is a chronic
finding.
---
**2.** A charge nurse is assigning clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which
client should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A) A client with diabetes requiring routine insulin administration
B) A client with pneumonia requiring q4h vital signs
,C) A client with chest tubes and new-onset respiratory distress
D) A client with a UTI requiring IV antibiotics
**Correct Answer:** C) A client with chest tubes and new-onset respiratory
distress
**Rationale:** The client with chest tubes and respiratory distress is unstable
and requires complex assessment and intervention. Stable clients (A, B, D)
can be assigned to LPNs or less experienced RNs under supervision.
---
**3.** Which task is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A) Assessing pain level after medication administration
B) Teaching incentive spirometer use
C) Obtaining vital signs on a stable postoperative client
D) Evaluating wound healing progress
**Correct Answer:** C) Obtaining vital signs on a stable postoperative client
**Rationale:** UAPs can perform noninvasive, routine tasks on stable clients.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require RN judgment and cannot be
delegated.
---
, **4.** A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A) Performing the initial admission assessment
B) Inserting a nasogastric tube for decompression
C) Teaching a diabetic patient about insulin injection
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
**Correct Answer:** B) Inserting a nasogastric tube for decompression
**Rationale:** LPNs can perform stable, standard procedures such as
inserting an NG tube. Initial assessment, teaching, and evaluation of
outcomes require RN-level education and judgment.
---
**5.** A nurse receives change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client
should be seen first?
A) A client with diabetes reporting shakiness and diaphoresis
B) A client requesting PRN pain medication
C) A client awaiting scheduled transport for a CT scan
D) A client with hypertension BP 148/88 mmHg
**Correct Answer:** A) A client with diabetes reporting shakiness and
diaphoresis
Answers 2026/2027
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE, PRIORITIZATION & DELEGATION (15
Questions)
**1.** A nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which
client should the nurse assess first?
A) A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 89% on 2 L/min nasal
cannula
B) A client 2 days post-appendectomy with a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F)
C) A client with heart failure and 3+ pitting edema
D) A client with new-onset confusion and a bounding pulse
**Correct Answer:** D) A client with new-onset confusion and a bounding
pulse
**Rationale:** New-onset confusion with a bounding pulse suggests
hypercapnia or fluid overload affecting cerebral perfusion. A change in
neurological status is always the priority. Option A is an expected finding in
COPD; Option B indicates postoperative inflammation; Option C is a chronic
finding.
---
**2.** A charge nurse is assigning clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which
client should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A) A client with diabetes requiring routine insulin administration
B) A client with pneumonia requiring q4h vital signs
,C) A client with chest tubes and new-onset respiratory distress
D) A client with a UTI requiring IV antibiotics
**Correct Answer:** C) A client with chest tubes and new-onset respiratory
distress
**Rationale:** The client with chest tubes and respiratory distress is unstable
and requires complex assessment and intervention. Stable clients (A, B, D)
can be assigned to LPNs or less experienced RNs under supervision.
---
**3.** Which task is most appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A) Assessing pain level after medication administration
B) Teaching incentive spirometer use
C) Obtaining vital signs on a stable postoperative client
D) Evaluating wound healing progress
**Correct Answer:** C) Obtaining vital signs on a stable postoperative client
**Rationale:** UAPs can perform noninvasive, routine tasks on stable clients.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require RN judgment and cannot be
delegated.
---
, **4.** A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A) Performing the initial admission assessment
B) Inserting a nasogastric tube for decompression
C) Teaching a diabetic patient about insulin injection
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
**Correct Answer:** B) Inserting a nasogastric tube for decompression
**Rationale:** LPNs can perform stable, standard procedures such as
inserting an NG tube. Initial assessment, teaching, and evaluation of
outcomes require RN-level education and judgment.
---
**5.** A nurse receives change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client
should be seen first?
A) A client with diabetes reporting shakiness and diaphoresis
B) A client requesting PRN pain medication
C) A client awaiting scheduled transport for a CT scan
D) A client with hypertension BP 148/88 mmHg
**Correct Answer:** A) A client with diabetes reporting shakiness and
diaphoresis
