Page 1 of 117
ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR RETAKE EXAM GUIDE AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Retake Exam — 250 MCQs with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
The ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Retake Exam is a 180-item standardized assessment (150
scored + 30 pretest) aligned with the NCLEX-PN test plan. The ten content domains and their
approximate question distributions are:
1. Management of Care (15–20%) — Delegation, prioritization, assignment, legal/ethical
issues, client rights, advocacy, advance directives.
2. Safety and Infection Control (10–15%) — Standard precautions, transmission-based
precautions, restraint use, fall prevention, injury prevention, safe medication
administration.
3. Health Promotion and Maintenance (8–12%) — Developmental stages, health
screening, immunization schedules, prenatal care, newborn care, lifestyle counseling.
4. Psychosocial Integrity (8–12%) — Therapeutic communication, mental health disorders,
coping mechanisms, grief and loss, crisis intervention, substance use.
5. Basic Care and Comfort (6–12%) — Mobility, nutrition, elimination, rest and sleep,
comfort interventions, hygiene, pain management.
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6. Pharmacological Therapies (13–19%) — Drug classifications, adverse effects,
interactions, dosage calculation, IV therapy, blood products, medication reconciliation.
7. Reduction of Risk Potential (9–15%) — Laboratory values, diagnostic procedures,
complications prevention, preoperative and postoperative care, potential for alterations
in body systems.
8. Physiological Adaptation (11–17%) — Pathophysiology, medical emergencies, fluid and
electrolyte balance, chronic conditions, hemodynamics.
9. Maternal and Newborn Nursing — Antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn
assessment, complications of pregnancy and birth.
10. Pediatric Nursing — Growth and development, pediatric assessments, common
pediatric disorders, medication administration, family-centered care.
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1–35)
1. A PN is caring for four clients at the start of the shift and must determine which client
requires immediate assessment based on the ABC priority framework. Which client should
the PN assess first?
A) A client with diabetes requesting pain medication for neuropathy
B) A client with COPD who has a new cough producing green sputum
C) A client who is post-operative day one with new-onset confusion and a blood pressure of
88/50
D) A client with a fractured tibia requesting assistance to the bathroom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New-onset confusion combined with hypotension (BP 88/50) suggests possible
sepsis, hemorrhage, or shock — an unstable and immediately life-threatening finding. The ABC
framework (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy guide prioritization, and
circulation precedes stable complaints. The client with COPD has a change in sputum that
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requires attention but is not immediately life-threatening. The clients requesting pain
medication and bathroom assistance are stable and can wait.
2. A charge nurse is assigning client care for the shift and must determine which client is most
appropriate to assign to a PN under RN supervision based on scope of practice.
A) A client newly diagnosed with unstable angina who is receiving a titratable heparin drip
B) A client with stable congestive heart failure who is receiving daily furosemide
C) A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia
D) A client with a chest tube who has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A stable CHF client on routine diuretic therapy has predictable outcomes and is
within the PN scope of practice. PNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes under
RN supervision. Titratable drips, blood transfusions, and chest tube troubleshooting are
typically RN scope because they require complex assessment and monitoring.
3. A PN is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP) and must select the task that is most
appropriate to delegate based on the AP's scope of practice.
A) Assessing a client's capillary refill in the affected extremity
B) Teaching a client how to keep a cast dry while showering
C) Assisting a client with ambulation to the bathroom
D) Evaluating a client's pain level using the 0–10 numeric scale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is a standard, stable task that falls within the AP scope of
practice. The PN cannot delegate assessment, evaluation, or teaching as these require
professional nursing judgment. Capillary refill assessment, client teaching, and pain evaluation
all require nursing licensure.
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4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a valid do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, and the client's
daughter demands that the nurse initiate CPR despite the order. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Start CPR because the daughter is the legal surrogate decision-maker
B) Respect the DNR order and not initiate CPR
C) Call the provider for clarification before taking any action
D) Start CPR until the provider arrives at the bedside
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A DNR order is legally binding and must be respected. A family member cannot
override a valid DNR order without a court order. The nurse should follow the DNR order and
not initiate CPR. If there is any question about the validity of the order, the nurse should clarify
with the provider, but the DNR remains in effect until modified.
5. A PN is supervising an assistive personnel (AP) who is providing care to a client on contact
precautions due to a Clostridium difficile infection. Which action by the AP requires
intervention by the PN?
A) The AP performs hand hygiene with soap and water after removing gloves
B) The AP wears a gown and gloves when entering the client's room
C) The AP uses an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after removing gloves
D) The AP dedicates equipment to the client's room for exclusive use
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and
water must be used because the mechanical action of washing physically removes the spores.
The AP should perform hand hygiene with soap and water after removing gloves. Wearing a
gown and gloves and dedicating equipment are appropriate contact precautions.
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ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR RETAKE EXAM GUIDE AND
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST EDITION 2026
ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Retake Exam — 250 MCQs with Rationales
Summarized 10-Point Exam Coverage
The ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Retake Exam is a 180-item standardized assessment (150
scored + 30 pretest) aligned with the NCLEX-PN test plan. The ten content domains and their
approximate question distributions are:
1. Management of Care (15–20%) — Delegation, prioritization, assignment, legal/ethical
issues, client rights, advocacy, advance directives.
2. Safety and Infection Control (10–15%) — Standard precautions, transmission-based
precautions, restraint use, fall prevention, injury prevention, safe medication
administration.
3. Health Promotion and Maintenance (8–12%) — Developmental stages, health
screening, immunization schedules, prenatal care, newborn care, lifestyle counseling.
4. Psychosocial Integrity (8–12%) — Therapeutic communication, mental health disorders,
coping mechanisms, grief and loss, crisis intervention, substance use.
5. Basic Care and Comfort (6–12%) — Mobility, nutrition, elimination, rest and sleep,
comfort interventions, hygiene, pain management.
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6. Pharmacological Therapies (13–19%) — Drug classifications, adverse effects,
interactions, dosage calculation, IV therapy, blood products, medication reconciliation.
7. Reduction of Risk Potential (9–15%) — Laboratory values, diagnostic procedures,
complications prevention, preoperative and postoperative care, potential for alterations
in body systems.
8. Physiological Adaptation (11–17%) — Pathophysiology, medical emergencies, fluid and
electrolyte balance, chronic conditions, hemodynamics.
9. Maternal and Newborn Nursing — Antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, newborn
assessment, complications of pregnancy and birth.
10. Pediatric Nursing — Growth and development, pediatric assessments, common
pediatric disorders, medication administration, family-centered care.
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1–35)
1. A PN is caring for four clients at the start of the shift and must determine which client
requires immediate assessment based on the ABC priority framework. Which client should
the PN assess first?
A) A client with diabetes requesting pain medication for neuropathy
B) A client with COPD who has a new cough producing green sputum
C) A client who is post-operative day one with new-onset confusion and a blood pressure of
88/50
D) A client with a fractured tibia requesting assistance to the bathroom
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New-onset confusion combined with hypotension (BP 88/50) suggests possible
sepsis, hemorrhage, or shock — an unstable and immediately life-threatening finding. The ABC
framework (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy guide prioritization, and
circulation precedes stable complaints. The client with COPD has a change in sputum that
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requires attention but is not immediately life-threatening. The clients requesting pain
medication and bathroom assistance are stable and can wait.
2. A charge nurse is assigning client care for the shift and must determine which client is most
appropriate to assign to a PN under RN supervision based on scope of practice.
A) A client newly diagnosed with unstable angina who is receiving a titratable heparin drip
B) A client with stable congestive heart failure who is receiving daily furosemide
C) A client requiring a blood transfusion for symptomatic anemia
D) A client with a chest tube who has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A stable CHF client on routine diuretic therapy has predictable outcomes and is
within the PN scope of practice. PNs can care for stable clients with predictable outcomes under
RN supervision. Titratable drips, blood transfusions, and chest tube troubleshooting are
typically RN scope because they require complex assessment and monitoring.
3. A PN is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP) and must select the task that is most
appropriate to delegate based on the AP's scope of practice.
A) Assessing a client's capillary refill in the affected extremity
B) Teaching a client how to keep a cast dry while showering
C) Assisting a client with ambulation to the bathroom
D) Evaluating a client's pain level using the 0–10 numeric scale
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is a standard, stable task that falls within the AP scope of
practice. The PN cannot delegate assessment, evaluation, or teaching as these require
professional nursing judgment. Capillary refill assessment, client teaching, and pain evaluation
all require nursing licensure.
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4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a valid do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, and the client's
daughter demands that the nurse initiate CPR despite the order. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Start CPR because the daughter is the legal surrogate decision-maker
B) Respect the DNR order and not initiate CPR
C) Call the provider for clarification before taking any action
D) Start CPR until the provider arrives at the bedside
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A DNR order is legally binding and must be respected. A family member cannot
override a valid DNR order without a court order. The nurse should follow the DNR order and
not initiate CPR. If there is any question about the validity of the order, the nurse should clarify
with the provider, but the DNR remains in effect until modified.
5. A PN is supervising an assistive personnel (AP) who is providing care to a client on contact
precautions due to a Clostridium difficile infection. Which action by the AP requires
intervention by the PN?
A) The AP performs hand hygiene with soap and water after removing gloves
B) The AP wears a gown and gloves when entering the client's room
C) The AP uses an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after removing gloves
D) The AP dedicates equipment to the client's room for exclusive use
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and
water must be used because the mechanical action of washing physically removes the spores.
The AP should perform hand hygiene with soap and water after removing gloves. Wearing a
gown and gloves and dedicating equipment are appropriate contact precautions.
4|Page
