ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam
2026/2027 – Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1 — FUNDAMENTALS & SAFETY
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted central venous
catheter. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Dressing is dry and intact
B. Catheter tubing is secured
C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
D. Small amount of dried blood at insertion site
Answer: C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and chest pain after central-line placement can
indicate pneumothorax or another acute complication and require immediate
assessment and intervention. The other findings can be expected or require
routine monitoring.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important for preventing medication errors?
A. Ask another nurse to administer the medication
B. Verify the medication against the prescription and client identifiers
C. Prepare all medications for the entire shift at once
D. Document administration before giving the medication
Answer: B. Verify the medication against the prescription and client identifiers
Rationale: Medication safety requires verification of the medication, dose, route,
timing, and client identity before administration. Documentation should occur
after administration.
,3. A client is at increased risk for falls. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep the bed in the highest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: The call light should be accessible, and the bed should generally be
kept low. Four side rails can function as a restraint and are not routinely
appropriate.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which
hand-hygiene method is most appropriate after care?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
B. Soap and water
C. Chlorhexidine only
D. No hand hygiene if gloves were worn
Answer: B. Soap and water
Rationale: C. difficile forms spores that are not reliably eliminated by alcohol-
based hand sanitizer. Soap-and-water handwashing is required after caring for
affected clients.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis reporting pain of 6/10
B. Client with COPD whose oxygen saturation is 91% and unchanged
C. Client with pneumonia who has new confusion and respiratory rate of 32/min
D. Client requesting assistance with bathing
Answer: C. Client with pneumonia who has new confusion and respiratory rate
of 32/min
,Rationale: New confusion and tachypnea can indicate worsening hypoxemia or
respiratory failure. Airway and breathing take priority.
6. A nurse is inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action reduces
infection risk?
A. Disconnect the closed system every shift
B. Maintain a closed drainage system
C. Place the drainage bag on the bed
D. Irrigate routinely without a prescription
Answer: B. Maintain a closed drainage system
Rationale: Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system reduces catheter-
associated urinary tract infection risk.
7. A client receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula reports nasal dryness.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nostrils
B. Use a water-soluble lubricant
C. Increase oxygen flow without an order
D. Discontinue oxygen
Answer: B. Use a water-soluble lubricant
Rationale: Water-soluble products can relieve dryness. Petroleum-based products
should be avoided around oxygen because of fire risk.
8. Which action demonstrates proper use of standard precautions?
A. Wear gloves for every client interaction
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Use an N95 respirator for all clients
D. Place every client in isolation
Answer: B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
, Rationale: Standard precautions apply to all clients and include hand hygiene and
appropriate PPE based on anticipated exposure.
9. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and back pain.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Flush the blood tubing with saline
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: These findings may indicate an acute transfusion reaction. The
transfusion should be stopped immediately and the client assessed.
10. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic pressure.
11. A nurse is transferring a client from bed to wheelchair. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Keep the wheelchair several feet away
C. Leave the footrests down
D. Pull the client by the arms
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
2026/2027 – Questions and Answers with
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1 — FUNDAMENTALS & SAFETY
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted central venous
catheter. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Dressing is dry and intact
B. Catheter tubing is secured
C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
D. Small amount of dried blood at insertion site
Answer: C. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea and chest pain after central-line placement can
indicate pneumothorax or another acute complication and require immediate
assessment and intervention. The other findings can be expected or require
routine monitoring.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important for preventing medication errors?
A. Ask another nurse to administer the medication
B. Verify the medication against the prescription and client identifiers
C. Prepare all medications for the entire shift at once
D. Document administration before giving the medication
Answer: B. Verify the medication against the prescription and client identifiers
Rationale: Medication safety requires verification of the medication, dose, route,
timing, and client identity before administration. Documentation should occur
after administration.
,3. A client is at increased risk for falls. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep all four side rails raised
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep the bed in the highest position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently
Answer: B. Place the call light within reach
Rationale: The call light should be accessible, and the bed should generally be
kept low. Four side rails can function as a restraint and are not routinely
appropriate.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection. Which
hand-hygiene method is most appropriate after care?
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
B. Soap and water
C. Chlorhexidine only
D. No hand hygiene if gloves were worn
Answer: B. Soap and water
Rationale: C. difficile forms spores that are not reliably eliminated by alcohol-
based hand sanitizer. Soap-and-water handwashing is required after caring for
affected clients.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis reporting pain of 6/10
B. Client with COPD whose oxygen saturation is 91% and unchanged
C. Client with pneumonia who has new confusion and respiratory rate of 32/min
D. Client requesting assistance with bathing
Answer: C. Client with pneumonia who has new confusion and respiratory rate
of 32/min
,Rationale: New confusion and tachypnea can indicate worsening hypoxemia or
respiratory failure. Airway and breathing take priority.
6. A nurse is inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action reduces
infection risk?
A. Disconnect the closed system every shift
B. Maintain a closed drainage system
C. Place the drainage bag on the bed
D. Irrigate routinely without a prescription
Answer: B. Maintain a closed drainage system
Rationale: Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system reduces catheter-
associated urinary tract infection risk.
7. A client receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula reports nasal dryness.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nostrils
B. Use a water-soluble lubricant
C. Increase oxygen flow without an order
D. Discontinue oxygen
Answer: B. Use a water-soluble lubricant
Rationale: Water-soluble products can relieve dryness. Petroleum-based products
should be avoided around oxygen because of fire risk.
8. Which action demonstrates proper use of standard precautions?
A. Wear gloves for every client interaction
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Use an N95 respirator for all clients
D. Place every client in isolation
Answer: B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
, Rationale: Standard precautions apply to all clients and include hand hygiene and
appropriate PPE based on anticipated exposure.
9. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and back pain.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Flush the blood tubing with saline
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: These findings may indicate an acute transfusion reaction. The
transfusion should be stopped immediately and the client assessed.
10. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic pressure.
11. A nurse is transferring a client from bed to wheelchair. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Keep the wheelchair several feet away
C. Leave the footrests down
D. Pull the client by the arms
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
