ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2026/2027 – EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. A nurse is receiving a newly admitted client and begins collecting information
about the client's current condition, medications, allergies, and health history.
Which nursing process phase is primarily being performed?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves systematic collection of subjective and objective information
about the client's health status. The collected data provide the foundation for identifying
problems, planning care, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes.
2. A client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pressure. Which finding
requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
B. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
C. Heart rate of 92/min
D. Blood pressure of 138/84 mm Hg
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia and requires immediate
assessment and intervention. The other findings are not as immediately concerning in this
situation.
3. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting assistance with bathing
B. A client with chronic arthritis reporting pain of 6/10
C. A client who developed new-onset confusion and restlessness
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Rationale: New-onset confusion and restlessness can indicate acute deterioration, hypoxia,
infection, metabolic disturbance, or another urgent condition. Airway, breathing, circulation,
and acute neurological changes take priority over routine care needs.
4. A client is prescribed a medication by a route the nurse believes is inappropriate
for the medication formulation. What is the nurse's priority action?
,A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Ask another nurse to administer it
C. Document the concern after administration
D. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider or pharmacist before
administration
Rationale: The nurse has a responsibility to identify and resolve potentially unsafe medication
orders before administration. The medication should not be given until the route and
prescription are verified.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action best helps
prevent a medication error?
A. Relying on recognition of the medication package
B. Comparing the medication label with the medication administration record during the
required verification points
C. Asking the client whether the medication looks familiar
D. Preparing medications for several clients at the same time
Rationale: Systematic comparison of the medication label with the medication administration
record reduces errors involving the wrong medication, dose, route, or client. Familiarity with
packaging should never replace verification procedures.
6. A client receiving an opioid analgesic becomes difficult to arouse and has a
respiratory rate of 8/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Flumazenil
B. Protamine
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory and
central nervous system depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min with decreased responsiveness
indicates potentially life-threatening opioid toxicity.
7. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed a new oral medication.
Which statement by the client indicates an appropriate understanding of
medication safety?
A. "I can stop the medication when I feel better."
B. "I will double the next dose if I forget one."
C. "I will check with my healthcare provider before taking an over-the-counter medication
with it."
D. "I can share the medication with a family member who has similar symptoms."
, Rationale: Over-the-counter medications can interact with prescribed drugs or worsen existing
conditions. Clients should consult a healthcare professional before adding medications or
supplements. Prescribed medications should not be shared or independently discontinued.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous fluids. Which assessment
finding is most suggestive of fluid volume overload?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Decreased urine concentration
D. New bilateral crackles and increasing dyspnea
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles and worsening dyspnea can occur when excess fluid accumulates
in the pulmonary circulation. These findings require prompt assessment and intervention.
9. A client with diabetes mellitus is awake, sweating, trembling, and reports feeling
very hungry. Which action should the nurse take first if the client's blood glucose
is 54 mg/dL?
A. Administer the scheduled insulin
B. Provide a rapidly absorbed source of glucose
C. Encourage the client to ambulate
D. Restrict oral intake
Rationale: The manifestations are consistent with hypoglycemia. An alert client who can safely
swallow should receive a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate to raise blood glucose promptly.
10. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about foot care. Which instruction is
most appropriate?
A. Soak the feet in hot water each evening
B. Trim toenails deeply into the corners
C. Walk barefoot indoors to strengthen the feet
D. Inspect the feet daily for redness, blisters, cuts, or other injuries
Rationale: Diabetes can impair circulation and sensation, increasing the risk of unnoticed foot
injury and infection. Daily inspection helps identify problems early.
11. A client receiving insulin asks why the nurse rotates injection sites within the
same general body area. Which response is appropriate?
A. "Rotation eliminates the need to monitor glucose."
B. "Rotation makes insulin act immediately."
C. "Rotation helps reduce tissue changes that can interfere with consistent insulin
absorption."
D. "Rotation prevents all insulin-related adverse effects."
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is receiving a newly admitted client and begins collecting information
about the client's current condition, medications, allergies, and health history.
Which nursing process phase is primarily being performed?
A. Planning
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Assessment
Rationale: Assessment involves systematic collection of subjective and objective information
about the client's health status. The collected data provide the foundation for identifying
problems, planning care, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes.
2. A client reports sudden shortness of breath and chest pressure. Which finding
requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
B. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F)
C. Heart rate of 92/min
D. Blood pressure of 138/84 mm Hg
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 86% indicates significant hypoxemia and requires immediate
assessment and intervention. The other findings are not as immediately concerning in this
situation.
3. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting assistance with bathing
B. A client with chronic arthritis reporting pain of 6/10
C. A client who developed new-onset confusion and restlessness
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Rationale: New-onset confusion and restlessness can indicate acute deterioration, hypoxia,
infection, metabolic disturbance, or another urgent condition. Airway, breathing, circulation,
and acute neurological changes take priority over routine care needs.
4. A client is prescribed a medication by a route the nurse believes is inappropriate
for the medication formulation. What is the nurse's priority action?
,A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Ask another nurse to administer it
C. Document the concern after administration
D. Clarify the prescription with the prescribing provider or pharmacist before
administration
Rationale: The nurse has a responsibility to identify and resolve potentially unsafe medication
orders before administration. The medication should not be given until the route and
prescription are verified.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action best helps
prevent a medication error?
A. Relying on recognition of the medication package
B. Comparing the medication label with the medication administration record during the
required verification points
C. Asking the client whether the medication looks familiar
D. Preparing medications for several clients at the same time
Rationale: Systematic comparison of the medication label with the medication administration
record reduces errors involving the wrong medication, dose, route, or client. Familiarity with
packaging should never replace verification procedures.
6. A client receiving an opioid analgesic becomes difficult to arouse and has a
respiratory rate of 8/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Flumazenil
B. Protamine
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory and
central nervous system depression. A respiratory rate of 8/min with decreased responsiveness
indicates potentially life-threatening opioid toxicity.
7. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed a new oral medication.
Which statement by the client indicates an appropriate understanding of
medication safety?
A. "I can stop the medication when I feel better."
B. "I will double the next dose if I forget one."
C. "I will check with my healthcare provider before taking an over-the-counter medication
with it."
D. "I can share the medication with a family member who has similar symptoms."
, Rationale: Over-the-counter medications can interact with prescribed drugs or worsen existing
conditions. Clients should consult a healthcare professional before adding medications or
supplements. Prescribed medications should not be shared or independently discontinued.
8. A nurse is caring for a client receiving intravenous fluids. Which assessment
finding is most suggestive of fluid volume overload?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Decreased urine concentration
D. New bilateral crackles and increasing dyspnea
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles and worsening dyspnea can occur when excess fluid accumulates
in the pulmonary circulation. These findings require prompt assessment and intervention.
9. A client with diabetes mellitus is awake, sweating, trembling, and reports feeling
very hungry. Which action should the nurse take first if the client's blood glucose
is 54 mg/dL?
A. Administer the scheduled insulin
B. Provide a rapidly absorbed source of glucose
C. Encourage the client to ambulate
D. Restrict oral intake
Rationale: The manifestations are consistent with hypoglycemia. An alert client who can safely
swallow should receive a rapidly absorbed carbohydrate to raise blood glucose promptly.
10. A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about foot care. Which instruction is
most appropriate?
A. Soak the feet in hot water each evening
B. Trim toenails deeply into the corners
C. Walk barefoot indoors to strengthen the feet
D. Inspect the feet daily for redness, blisters, cuts, or other injuries
Rationale: Diabetes can impair circulation and sensation, increasing the risk of unnoticed foot
injury and infection. Daily inspection helps identify problems early.
11. A client receiving insulin asks why the nurse rotates injection sites within the
same general body area. Which response is appropriate?
A. "Rotation eliminates the need to monitor glucose."
B. "Rotation makes insulin act immediately."
C. "Rotation helps reduce tissue changes that can interfere with consistent insulin
absorption."
D. "Rotation prevents all insulin-related adverse effects."
