,ATI PN Predictor 1 (Early Assessment - PN) Exam Questions And
Answers 2026/2027
1.** A nurse is caring for four clients at the start of the shift. Which client
should be assessed first?
A) Client with diabetes requesting pain medication for neuropathy
B) Client with COPD who has a new cough producing green sputum
C) Client postoperative day 1 with new-onset confusion and BP 88/50
D) Client with a fractured tibia requesting assistance to the bathroom
**Correct Answer:** C) Client postoperative day 1 with new-onset confusion
and BP 88/50
**Rationale:** New-onset confusion with hypotension indicates a potentially
life-threatening condition such as shock, sepsis, or internal hemorrhage.
Unstable clients always take priority over those with stable or expected
findings. ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) guide prioritization;
hypotension represents a circulation priority.
**2.** A charge nurse is making client assignments on a medical-surgical
unit. Which client should be assigned to a PN (LPN/LVN) under RN
supervision?
A) Client newly diagnosed with unstable angina on a titratable heparin drip
B) Client with stable congestive heart failure receiving daily furosemide
C) Client with a new tracheostomy requiring initial teaching
D) Client with head injury requiring hourly neurological checks
**Correct Answer:** B) Client with stable congestive heart failure receiving
daily furosemide
,**Rationale:** PNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes and
administer routine medications. Unstable clients (A), clients requiring initial
teaching (C), and clients requiring frequent complex assessments (D) should
be assigned to an RN.
**3.** A nurse is planning care for a client following a transurethral resection
of the prostate (TURP). Which intervention should the nurse include?
A) Irrigate the bladder using sterile technique and maintain a closed
drainage system
B) Remove the catheter every 8 hours to prevent urinary tract infection
C) Encourage the client to void spontaneously without the catheter
D) Maintain irrigation solution above the level of the bladder at all times
**Correct Answer:** A) Irrigate the bladder using sterile technique and
maintain a closed drainage system
**Rationale:** Following TURP, continuous bladder irrigation with sterile
technique is essential to prevent clot formation and maintain catheter
patency. A closed drainage system minimizes infection risk. Irrigation
solution should be maintained below bladder level to prevent reflux.
**4.** A client with a tracheostomy tube has thick, dry secretions and
difficulty breathing. What is the nurse's first action?
A) Instill normal saline and suction the airway
B) Call respiratory therapy for an evaluation
C) Change the inner cannula of the tracheostomy
D) Increase the oxygen flow rate to 6 L/min
, **Correct Answer:** A) Instill normal saline and suction the airway
**Rationale:** The priority is always Airway (ABCs). Thick secretions
physically obstructing the airway require immediate suctioning. Saline
instillation helps loosen mucus. Other actions may be appropriate but are not
the first priority.
**5.** A client is admitted with suspected stroke. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A) Obtain a detailed neurological history
B) Check the client's blood glucose level
C) Prepare the client for a CT scan
D) Administer aspirin 325 mg PO
**Correct Answer:** B) Check the client's blood glucose level
**Rationale:** Before diagnosing a stroke, the nurse must rule out
hypoglycemia, which can mimic stroke symptoms. Hypoglycemia is a
reversible cause of neurological symptoms and must be identified and
treated immediately.
**6.** A client has just experienced a generalized seizure. Which action
should the nurse take first during the post-ictal phase?
A) Restrain the client to prevent injury
B) Offer oral fluids immediately
C) Place the client on their side and reorient
Answers 2026/2027
1.** A nurse is caring for four clients at the start of the shift. Which client
should be assessed first?
A) Client with diabetes requesting pain medication for neuropathy
B) Client with COPD who has a new cough producing green sputum
C) Client postoperative day 1 with new-onset confusion and BP 88/50
D) Client with a fractured tibia requesting assistance to the bathroom
**Correct Answer:** C) Client postoperative day 1 with new-onset confusion
and BP 88/50
**Rationale:** New-onset confusion with hypotension indicates a potentially
life-threatening condition such as shock, sepsis, or internal hemorrhage.
Unstable clients always take priority over those with stable or expected
findings. ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) guide prioritization;
hypotension represents a circulation priority.
**2.** A charge nurse is making client assignments on a medical-surgical
unit. Which client should be assigned to a PN (LPN/LVN) under RN
supervision?
A) Client newly diagnosed with unstable angina on a titratable heparin drip
B) Client with stable congestive heart failure receiving daily furosemide
C) Client with a new tracheostomy requiring initial teaching
D) Client with head injury requiring hourly neurological checks
**Correct Answer:** B) Client with stable congestive heart failure receiving
daily furosemide
,**Rationale:** PNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes and
administer routine medications. Unstable clients (A), clients requiring initial
teaching (C), and clients requiring frequent complex assessments (D) should
be assigned to an RN.
**3.** A nurse is planning care for a client following a transurethral resection
of the prostate (TURP). Which intervention should the nurse include?
A) Irrigate the bladder using sterile technique and maintain a closed
drainage system
B) Remove the catheter every 8 hours to prevent urinary tract infection
C) Encourage the client to void spontaneously without the catheter
D) Maintain irrigation solution above the level of the bladder at all times
**Correct Answer:** A) Irrigate the bladder using sterile technique and
maintain a closed drainage system
**Rationale:** Following TURP, continuous bladder irrigation with sterile
technique is essential to prevent clot formation and maintain catheter
patency. A closed drainage system minimizes infection risk. Irrigation
solution should be maintained below bladder level to prevent reflux.
**4.** A client with a tracheostomy tube has thick, dry secretions and
difficulty breathing. What is the nurse's first action?
A) Instill normal saline and suction the airway
B) Call respiratory therapy for an evaluation
C) Change the inner cannula of the tracheostomy
D) Increase the oxygen flow rate to 6 L/min
, **Correct Answer:** A) Instill normal saline and suction the airway
**Rationale:** The priority is always Airway (ABCs). Thick secretions
physically obstructing the airway require immediate suctioning. Saline
instillation helps loosen mucus. Other actions may be appropriate but are not
the first priority.
**5.** A client is admitted with suspected stroke. Which action should the
nurse perform first?
A) Obtain a detailed neurological history
B) Check the client's blood glucose level
C) Prepare the client for a CT scan
D) Administer aspirin 325 mg PO
**Correct Answer:** B) Check the client's blood glucose level
**Rationale:** Before diagnosing a stroke, the nurse must rule out
hypoglycemia, which can mimic stroke symptoms. Hypoglycemia is a
reversible cause of neurological symptoms and must be identified and
treated immediately.
**6.** A client has just experienced a generalized seizure. Which action
should the nurse take first during the post-ictal phase?
A) Restrain the client to prevent injury
B) Offer oral fluids immediately
C) Place the client on their side and reorient
