2026 ATI Comprehensive Predictor Final Exam
180 Questions and Answers|2026 ATI
Comprehensive
Section I: Fundamentals of Nursing and Safety (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following rights of
medication administration should the nurse prioritize to prevent medication errors?
A. Right to refuse
B. Right assessment
C. Right documentation
D. Right client
Correct Answer: D. Right client
Rationale: While all rights are important, the "Right Client" is the priority to ensure the
medication is given to the correct person using two identifiers. Giving medication to the wrong
client is a serious, never-event error. The other rights are also crucial but follow the correct
identification of the client.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Decreased skin turgor
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C. Decreased skin turgor
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor is a classic sign of fluid volume deficit (dehydration) due to
the loss of interstitial fluid. A bounding pulse, crackles, and hypertension are manifestations of
fluid volume excess.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a prescription for incentive
spirometry. The nurse should instruct the client to perform which of the following actions?
A. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, hold your breath for 3 seconds, then
exhale slowly."
,B. "Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece, then inhale normally."
C. "Take rapid, shallow breaths through the mouthpiece."
D. "Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouthpiece."
Correct Answer: A. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, hold your breath
for 3 seconds, then exhale slowly."
Rationale: The purpose of incentive spirometry is to encourage deep lung expansion and
prevent atelectasis. The correct technique is a slow, deep inhalation, holding the breath to
allow for gas exchange, and then a slow exhalation.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place frequently used items within reach
C. Encourage the client to walk without assistance
D. Keep the room dark at night
Correct Answer: B. Place frequently used items within reach
Rationale: Keeping essential items within reach reduces the need for the client to get out of
bed unnecessarily and lowers fall risk.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action best verifies the client's
identity?
A. Ask the client's room number
B. Check the client's diagnosis
C. Use two approved identifiers
D. Ask another nurse to identify the client
Correct Answer: C. Use two approved identifiers
Rationale: Two approved identifiers reduce the risk of medication being administered to
the wrong client.
6. Which action is most effective for preventing transmission of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for every client interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
,C. Restricting all visitors
D. Wearing a mask during every procedure
Correct Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the primary measure for reducing transmission of infectious
organisms in healthcare settings.
7. A client has a pressure injury risk due to immobility. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened bony areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the client in one position
D. Restrict protein intake
Correct Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure and helps prevent tissue
ischemia and pressure injury.
8. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation 88% in a client with respiratory distress
B. Temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F)
C. Heart rate 78/min
D. Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A. Oxygen saturation 88% in a client with respiratory distress
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. The other values are within normal limits.
9. A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change. Which
of the following actions should the charge nurse identify as a breach of sterile technique?
A. Opens the sterile package away from the body
B. Holds sterile objects above the waist
C. Places the sterile field within 2.5 cm (1 in) of the edge of the table
D. Sets up the sterile field before applying sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C. Places the sterile field within 2.5 cm (1 in) of the edge of the table
, Rationale: A sterile field must be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the edge of the table, as the
edges are considered unsterile. Opening the package away from the body, holding objects
above the waist, and setting up the field before gloving are all appropriate sterile techniques.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent suction.
Which of the following findings indicates that the tube is functioning properly?
A. The client reports persistent nausea.
B. The pH of the aspirated gastric fluid is 7.5.
C. The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended.
D. There is continuous bubbling in the suction canister.
Correct Answer: C. The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended.
Rationale: A soft, non-distended abdomen indicates effective gastric decompression.
Nausea suggests poor function, a pH of 7.5 is too alkaline for gastric contents, and continuous
bubbling in the canister is not expected with low intermittent suction.
11. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty.
The nurse observes that the client's surgical dressing has a 5 cm area of bright red drainage.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the surgeon immediately.
B. Reinforce the dressing with sterile gauze.
C. Mark the perimeter of the drainage on the dressing.
D. Change the dressing completely.
Correct Answer: C. Mark the perimeter of the drainage on the dressing.
Rationale: Marking the drainage allows the healthcare team to objectively monitor for
ongoing or increased bleeding without disrupting the surgical site or introducing infection.
Complete dressing changes or immediate notifications are typically reserved for excessive,
rapidly expanding, or foul-smelling drainage.
12. A nurse is teaching a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will soak my feet in warm water for 20 minutes daily.
B. I will trim my toenails straight across.
180 Questions and Answers|2026 ATI
Comprehensive
Section I: Fundamentals of Nursing and Safety (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following rights of
medication administration should the nurse prioritize to prevent medication errors?
A. Right to refuse
B. Right assessment
C. Right documentation
D. Right client
Correct Answer: D. Right client
Rationale: While all rights are important, the "Right Client" is the priority to ensure the
medication is given to the correct person using two identifiers. Giving medication to the wrong
client is a serious, never-event error. The other rights are also crucial but follow the correct
identification of the client.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Decreased skin turgor
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C. Decreased skin turgor
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor is a classic sign of fluid volume deficit (dehydration) due to
the loss of interstitial fluid. A bounding pulse, crackles, and hypertension are manifestations of
fluid volume excess.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a prescription for incentive
spirometry. The nurse should instruct the client to perform which of the following actions?
A. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, hold your breath for 3 seconds, then
exhale slowly."
,B. "Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece, then inhale normally."
C. "Take rapid, shallow breaths through the mouthpiece."
D. "Inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouthpiece."
Correct Answer: A. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, hold your breath
for 3 seconds, then exhale slowly."
Rationale: The purpose of incentive spirometry is to encourage deep lung expansion and
prevent atelectasis. The correct technique is a slow, deep inhalation, holding the breath to
allow for gas exchange, and then a slow exhalation.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place frequently used items within reach
C. Encourage the client to walk without assistance
D. Keep the room dark at night
Correct Answer: B. Place frequently used items within reach
Rationale: Keeping essential items within reach reduces the need for the client to get out of
bed unnecessarily and lowers fall risk.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action best verifies the client's
identity?
A. Ask the client's room number
B. Check the client's diagnosis
C. Use two approved identifiers
D. Ask another nurse to identify the client
Correct Answer: C. Use two approved identifiers
Rationale: Two approved identifiers reduce the risk of medication being administered to
the wrong client.
6. Which action is most effective for preventing transmission of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for every client interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
,C. Restricting all visitors
D. Wearing a mask during every procedure
Correct Answer: B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate times
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the primary measure for reducing transmission of infectious
organisms in healthcare settings.
7. A client has a pressure injury risk due to immobility. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened bony areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the client in one position
D. Restrict protein intake
Correct Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure and helps prevent tissue
ischemia and pressure injury.
8. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Oxygen saturation 88% in a client with respiratory distress
B. Temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F)
C. Heart rate 78/min
D. Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
Correct Answer: A. Oxygen saturation 88% in a client with respiratory distress
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention. The other values are within normal limits.
9. A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change. Which
of the following actions should the charge nurse identify as a breach of sterile technique?
A. Opens the sterile package away from the body
B. Holds sterile objects above the waist
C. Places the sterile field within 2.5 cm (1 in) of the edge of the table
D. Sets up the sterile field before applying sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C. Places the sterile field within 2.5 cm (1 in) of the edge of the table
, Rationale: A sterile field must be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the edge of the table, as the
edges are considered unsterile. Opening the package away from the body, holding objects
above the waist, and setting up the field before gloving are all appropriate sterile techniques.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent suction.
Which of the following findings indicates that the tube is functioning properly?
A. The client reports persistent nausea.
B. The pH of the aspirated gastric fluid is 7.5.
C. The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended.
D. There is continuous bubbling in the suction canister.
Correct Answer: C. The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended.
Rationale: A soft, non-distended abdomen indicates effective gastric decompression.
Nausea suggests poor function, a pH of 7.5 is too alkaline for gastric contents, and continuous
bubbling in the canister is not expected with low intermittent suction.
11. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty.
The nurse observes that the client's surgical dressing has a 5 cm area of bright red drainage.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the surgeon immediately.
B. Reinforce the dressing with sterile gauze.
C. Mark the perimeter of the drainage on the dressing.
D. Change the dressing completely.
Correct Answer: C. Mark the perimeter of the drainage on the dressing.
Rationale: Marking the drainage allows the healthcare team to objectively monitor for
ongoing or increased bleeding without disrupting the surgical site or introducing infection.
Complete dressing changes or immediate notifications are typically reserved for excessive,
rapidly expanding, or foul-smelling drainage.
12. A nurse is teaching a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. I will soak my feet in warm water for 20 minutes daily.
B. I will trim my toenails straight across.
