ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026
Proctored Exam – 150-Question Practice Exam
Section I: Fundamentals and Safety (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
Rationale: The "Right Client" is the priority to ensure medication is given to the correct
person using two identifiers. Giving medication to the wrong client is a serious never-event
error.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Decreased skin turgor
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor is a classic sign of fluid volume deficit due to loss of
interstitial fluid. A bounding pulse, crackles, and hypertension indicate fluid volume excess.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a prescription for incentive
spirometry. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, hold 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
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep lung expansion. The correct technique is
slow, deep inhalation, holding the breath, then slow exhalation.
4. A nurse is caring for a client 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
Rationale: Keeping essential items within reach reduces the need for the client to get out of
bed unnecessarily, lowering 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
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
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
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
Rationale: Oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention.
9. A charge nurse observes a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change. Which
action 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 table edge
D. Sets up the sterile field before applying sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sterile field must be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the table edge, as edges are
considered unsterile.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent suction. Which
finding indicates 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
Rationale: A soft, non-distended abdomen indicates effective gastric decompression.
11. A nurse is assessing a client 2 days postoperative following total hip arthroplasty. The nurse
observes a 5 cm area of bright red drainage on the dressing. Which action 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
Rationale: Marking the drainage allows objective monitoring for ongoing bleeding without
disrupting the surgical site.
12. A nurse is teaching a client with type 2 diabetes about foot care. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will soak my feet in warm water for 20 minutes daily."
B. "I will trim my toenails straight across."
C. "I will apply lotion between my toes."
D. "I will walk barefoot only inside my home."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trimming toenails straight across prevents ingrown nails and reduces skin
breakdown risk.
13. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is the highest priority
before initiating the transfusion?
A. Obtain baseline vital signs.
B. Prime the IV tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
C. Verify the client's identity and blood product with another nurse.
D. Assess the client's lung sounds.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Verifying client identity and blood product with another nurse is the highest
priority to prevent hemolytic transfusion reaction.
Proctored Exam – 150-Question Practice Exam
Section I: Fundamentals and Safety (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
Rationale: The "Right Client" is the priority to ensure medication is given to the correct
person using two identifiers. Giving medication to the wrong client is a serious never-event
error.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid volume deficit. Which finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Decreased skin turgor
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor is a classic sign of fluid volume deficit due to loss of
interstitial fluid. A bounding pulse, crackles, and hypertension indicate fluid volume excess.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a prescription for incentive
spirometry. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece, hold 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
Rationale: Incentive spirometry encourages deep lung expansion. The correct technique is
slow, deep inhalation, holding the breath, then slow exhalation.
4. A nurse is caring for a client 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
Rationale: Keeping essential items within reach reduces the need for the client to get out of
bed unnecessarily, lowering 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
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
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
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
Rationale: Oxygen saturation of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate
intervention.
9. A charge nurse observes a newly licensed nurse perform a sterile dressing change. Which
action 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 table edge
D. Sets up the sterile field before applying sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sterile field must be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the table edge, as edges are
considered unsterile.
10. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube set to low intermittent suction. Which
finding indicates 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
Rationale: A soft, non-distended abdomen indicates effective gastric decompression.
11. A nurse is assessing a client 2 days postoperative following total hip arthroplasty. The nurse
observes a 5 cm area of bright red drainage on the dressing. Which action 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
Rationale: Marking the drainage allows objective monitoring for ongoing bleeding without
disrupting the surgical site.
12. A nurse is teaching a client with type 2 diabetes about foot care. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I will soak my feet in warm water for 20 minutes daily."
B. "I will trim my toenails straight across."
C. "I will apply lotion between my toes."
D. "I will walk barefoot only inside my home."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Trimming toenails straight across prevents ingrown nails and reduces skin
breakdown risk.
13. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is the highest priority
before initiating the transfusion?
A. Obtain baseline vital signs.
B. Prime the IV tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
C. Verify the client's identity and blood product with another nurse.
D. Assess the client's lung sounds.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Verifying client identity and blood product with another nurse is the highest
priority to prevent hemolytic transfusion reaction.
