Virtual ATI Comprehensive Predictor Practice
Exam & Study Guide PDF Questions & Answers
2026/ 2027
Section 1: Management of Care (1–20)
1. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client 2 days postoperative reporting incisional pain rated 6/10
B. A client with COPD reporting shortness of breath and a new respiratory rate of 32/min
C. A client requesting assistance to ambulate to the bathroom
D. A client with a urinary tract infection asking about discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway/breathing takes priority using ABCs. A new RR of 32 in a COPD client
indicates respiratory compromise. Pain, ambulation, and discharge teaching are important but
not immediately life-threatening.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN and a UAP. Which task is appropriate for the UAP?
A. Administering oral metformin
B. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
C. Obtaining a client's vital signs and recording intake/output
D. Assessing a client's surgical incision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: UAPs can perform routine, stable tasks such as vital signs and I&O. Medication
administration and teaching require an LPN/RN; assessment requires an RN.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who speaks limited English and needs to sign informed
consent. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Ask the client's adult child to interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
,C. Have the client sign the English consent anyway
D. Delay the procedure indefinitely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires comprehension. A certified medical interpreter
ensures understanding; family members may misinterpret or withhold information. Delaying
indefinitely is unnecessary.
4. A nurse is reviewing an informed consent form signed by a client who received morphine
30 minutes ago. Which action is priority?
A. Witness the signature
B. Notify the provider that the client may not have been competent to consent
C. Proceed with the procedure
D. Document that consent was obtained
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sedation from morphine may impair the client's ability to give informed consent.
The provider must be notified and consent re-obtained when the client is alert.
5. A nurse manager is preparing an in-service on client rights. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "Clients can be restrained without a provider's order in emergencies."
B. "Clients have the right to refuse treatment even if it is life-sustaining."
C. "Minors cannot assent to any treatment."
D. "HIPAA allows sharing information with any family member."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Competent clients may refuse any treatment. Emergency restraints still require a
provider order within a set time. Minors can assent; HIPAA restricts disclosure to those involved
in care.
6. A nurse is assigning clients to rooms. Which client should be placed in a negative-pressure
airborne infection isolation room?
,A. Client with active pulmonary tuberculosis
B. Client with Clostridioides difficile
C. Client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
D. Client with influenza
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions (negative pressure, N95). C. difficile and MRSA
require contact precautions. Influenza requires droplet precautions.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is priority?
A. Verify the client's identity with two identifiers and another nurse
B. Prime the tubing with dextrose 5% in water
C. Administer the blood over 30 minutes
D. Add medications to the blood bag
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Two-nurse verification of client and blood product is essential to prevent
hemolytic reactions. Only 0.9% sodium chloride is compatible; blood is infused slowly over 2–4
hours and never with added medications.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses a blood transfusion.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the transfusion anyway
B. Respect the client's autonomy and document the refusal
C. Ask the family to convince the client
D. Obtain a court order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy supports a competent adult's right to refuse. Forcing treatment
violates consent; courts generally uphold competent refusal.
9. A nurse is reviewing a prescription for a client with a new allergy to penicillin. Which action
should the nurse take first?
, A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Clarify the prescription with the provider
C. Document the allergy in the chart
D. Hold the medication and reassess in 1 hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must clarify a potentially unsafe prescription with the provider before
administration. Documentation and holding alone do not resolve the safety issue.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about advance directives. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "A living will names someone to make decisions for me."
B. "A durable power of attorney for health care names a surrogate decision-maker."
C. "Advance directives can only be completed in the hospital."
D. "Once signed, advance directives cannot be changed."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Durable power of attorney for health care designates a surrogate. A living will
specifies treatments desired. Directives can be completed anywhere and revised at any time
while competent.
11. A nurse is prioritizing care after receiving handoff report. Which client should the nurse
see first?
A. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A client with a new onset of confusion and blood pressure 88/52 mm Hg
C. A client scheduled for discharge teaching
D. A client with a fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New confusion with hypotension suggests shock or hemorrhage—an immediate
threat. Headache, discharge teaching, and a near-normal glucose are lower priority.
12. A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has no insurance and needs medications.
Which referral is most appropriate?
Exam & Study Guide PDF Questions & Answers
2026/ 2027
Section 1: Management of Care (1–20)
1. A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client 2 days postoperative reporting incisional pain rated 6/10
B. A client with COPD reporting shortness of breath and a new respiratory rate of 32/min
C. A client requesting assistance to ambulate to the bathroom
D. A client with a urinary tract infection asking about discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway/breathing takes priority using ABCs. A new RR of 32 in a COPD client
indicates respiratory compromise. Pain, ambulation, and discharge teaching are important but
not immediately life-threatening.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN and a UAP. Which task is appropriate for the UAP?
A. Administering oral metformin
B. Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet
C. Obtaining a client's vital signs and recording intake/output
D. Assessing a client's surgical incision
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: UAPs can perform routine, stable tasks such as vital signs and I&O. Medication
administration and teaching require an LPN/RN; assessment requires an RN.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who speaks limited English and needs to sign informed
consent. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Ask the client's adult child to interpret
B. Use a certified medical interpreter
,C. Have the client sign the English consent anyway
D. Delay the procedure indefinitely
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires comprehension. A certified medical interpreter
ensures understanding; family members may misinterpret or withhold information. Delaying
indefinitely is unnecessary.
4. A nurse is reviewing an informed consent form signed by a client who received morphine
30 minutes ago. Which action is priority?
A. Witness the signature
B. Notify the provider that the client may not have been competent to consent
C. Proceed with the procedure
D. Document that consent was obtained
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sedation from morphine may impair the client's ability to give informed consent.
The provider must be notified and consent re-obtained when the client is alert.
5. A nurse manager is preparing an in-service on client rights. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "Clients can be restrained without a provider's order in emergencies."
B. "Clients have the right to refuse treatment even if it is life-sustaining."
C. "Minors cannot assent to any treatment."
D. "HIPAA allows sharing information with any family member."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Competent clients may refuse any treatment. Emergency restraints still require a
provider order within a set time. Minors can assent; HIPAA restricts disclosure to those involved
in care.
6. A nurse is assigning clients to rooms. Which client should be placed in a negative-pressure
airborne infection isolation room?
,A. Client with active pulmonary tuberculosis
B. Client with Clostridioides difficile
C. Client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
D. Client with influenza
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions (negative pressure, N95). C. difficile and MRSA
require contact precautions. Influenza requires droplet precautions.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is priority?
A. Verify the client's identity with two identifiers and another nurse
B. Prime the tubing with dextrose 5% in water
C. Administer the blood over 30 minutes
D. Add medications to the blood bag
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Two-nurse verification of client and blood product is essential to prevent
hemolytic reactions. Only 0.9% sodium chloride is compatible; blood is infused slowly over 2–4
hours and never with added medications.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is a Jehovah's Witness and refuses a blood transfusion.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the transfusion anyway
B. Respect the client's autonomy and document the refusal
C. Ask the family to convince the client
D. Obtain a court order
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy supports a competent adult's right to refuse. Forcing treatment
violates consent; courts generally uphold competent refusal.
9. A nurse is reviewing a prescription for a client with a new allergy to penicillin. Which action
should the nurse take first?
, A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Clarify the prescription with the provider
C. Document the allergy in the chart
D. Hold the medication and reassess in 1 hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse must clarify a potentially unsafe prescription with the provider before
administration. Documentation and holding alone do not resolve the safety issue.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about advance directives. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. "A living will names someone to make decisions for me."
B. "A durable power of attorney for health care names a surrogate decision-maker."
C. "Advance directives can only be completed in the hospital."
D. "Once signed, advance directives cannot be changed."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Durable power of attorney for health care designates a surrogate. A living will
specifies treatments desired. Directives can be completed anywhere and revised at any time
while competent.
11. A nurse is prioritizing care after receiving handoff report. Which client should the nurse
see first?
A. A client requesting pain medication for a headache
B. A client with a new onset of confusion and blood pressure 88/52 mm Hg
C. A client scheduled for discharge teaching
D. A client with a fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New confusion with hypotension suggests shock or hemorrhage—an immediate
threat. Headache, discharge teaching, and a near-normal glucose are lower priority.
12. A nurse is preparing to discharge a client who has no insurance and needs medications.
Which referral is most appropriate?
