ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 – Full
Practice Exam (180 Questions with Detailed
Rationales)
The questions span all major areas of nursing practice, including:
Fundamentals of Nursing – Basic care, safety, infection control, and nursing process.
Pharmacology – Medication administration, adverse effects, and therapeutic outcomes.
Medical-Surgical Nursing – Care of adults with acute and chronic health conditions.
Maternal-Newborn Nursing – Antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care.
Pediatric Nursing – Growth and development, pediatric disorders, and family education.
Mental Health Nursing – Psychosocial integrity, therapeutic communication, and crisis
management.
Leadership & Management – Delegation, prioritization, and teamwork.
Community Health Nursing – Health promotion, disease prevention, and public health
interventions.
1. A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client prescribed furosemide for heart failure.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I’ll eat more bananas and oranges.”
B. “I should avoid drinking too much fluid.”
C. “I will limit foods high in potassium.”
D. “I’ll take this medication on an empty stomach.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss; clients should increase potassium intake.
Restricting potassium (C) is incorrect. Fluids are encouraged to avoid dehydration unless
contraindicated.
2. A nurse prepares to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action maintains surgical
asepsis?
A. Place the catheter kit on the client’s bedside table
B. Don clean gloves to open the sterile package
C. Hold the catheter 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the tip when inserting
D. Keep the sterile field above waist level
Answer: D
,Rationale: Keeping sterile items above the waist prevents contamination. Opening with clean
gloves (B) or touching near the tip (C) breaches sterility.
3. A nurse monitors a client who has received morphine for postoperative pain. Which finding
requires immediate action?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Heart rate 100/min
C. Mild itching
D. Drowsiness
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids. Notify provider
and prepare naloxone. Itching and drowsiness are expected.
4. A nurse reinforces teaching about insulin administration. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I’ll rotate injection sites in the same area.”
B. “I’ll massage the site after injecting.”
C. “I’ll inject cold insulin directly from the refrigerator.”
D. “I’ll always mix glargine and regular insulin.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Rotating within one area maintains consistent absorption. Massage can alter
absorption; glargine is not mixed with other insulins.
5. A nurse cares for a client with a stage II pressure injury. Which dressing is appropriate?
A. Transparent film
B. Hydrocolloid dressing
C. Gauze soaked in saline
D. Dry sterile dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrocolloid maintains a moist environment for partial-thickness wounds (stage II).
Transparent film is for intact skin protection.
6. A nurse notes a client’s IV site is red, warm, and painful. What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the IV infusion rate
B. Remove the IV catheter
C. Apply a cold compress
D. Elevate the extremity
Answer: B
,Rationale: Redness and warmth suggest phlebitis; discontinue the IV immediately to prevent
further irritation.
7. A nurse assesses a client receiving digoxin. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Heart rate 54/min
B. Nausea
C. Blurred vision
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: All are signs of digoxin toxicity. Hold the dose and notify the provider.
8. A nurse prepares to administer ear drops to an adult. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the pinna down and back
B. Warm the medication to body temperature
C. Place the drops directly on the tympanic membrane
D. Have the client remain upright
Answer: B
Rationale: Warming prevents dizziness. For adults, pull the pinna up and back (not down).
9. A client prescribed warfarin asks about dietary restrictions. The nurse should say:
A. “Avoid foods rich in vitamin K.”
B. “Limit sodium intake.”
C. “Increase foods high in calcium.”
D. “Avoid dairy products.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K decreases warfarin effectiveness; clients should maintain consistent
intake of vitamin K foods.
10. A nurse assists a client post-thyroidectomy. Which finding suggests hypocalcemia?
A. Muscle twitching
B. Bradycardia
C. Dry skin
D. Weight gain
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability (Chvostek/Trousseau signs).
Monitor calcium levels.
, 11. A nurse provides teaching to a client taking lithium. Which instruction is correct?
A. “Reduce your sodium intake.”
B. “Avoid drinking too much water.”
C. “Maintain consistent fluid and sodium intake.”
D. “Take with milk of magnesia.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium levels depend on sodium balance. Dehydration or low sodium can cause
toxicity.
12. A nurse reviews the lab results of a client taking heparin. Which test evaluates effectiveness?
A. PT
B. INR
C. aPTT
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT monitors heparin therapy; PT/INR monitor warfarin.
13. A client reports pain rated 8/10. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV. After 15 minutes,
pain is still 8/10. What should the nurse do next?
A. Re-administer morphine immediately
B. Notify the provider
C. Document the pain score and reassess in 1 hour
D. Increase fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: If pain is unrelieved, the nurse should notify the provider for further orders—do not
independently repeat dose.
14. A nurse evaluates a client’s understanding of wound care. Which statement shows correct
understanding?
A. “I’ll clean from the outside toward the center.”
B. “I’ll use hydrogen peroxide daily.”
C. “I’ll clean from the center outward.”
D. “I’ll remove all yellow tissue myself.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Clean from least to most contaminated (center outward). Hydrogen peroxide
damages tissue.
Practice Exam (180 Questions with Detailed
Rationales)
The questions span all major areas of nursing practice, including:
Fundamentals of Nursing – Basic care, safety, infection control, and nursing process.
Pharmacology – Medication administration, adverse effects, and therapeutic outcomes.
Medical-Surgical Nursing – Care of adults with acute and chronic health conditions.
Maternal-Newborn Nursing – Antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, and newborn care.
Pediatric Nursing – Growth and development, pediatric disorders, and family education.
Mental Health Nursing – Psychosocial integrity, therapeutic communication, and crisis
management.
Leadership & Management – Delegation, prioritization, and teamwork.
Community Health Nursing – Health promotion, disease prevention, and public health
interventions.
1. A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client prescribed furosemide for heart failure.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I’ll eat more bananas and oranges.”
B. “I should avoid drinking too much fluid.”
C. “I will limit foods high in potassium.”
D. “I’ll take this medication on an empty stomach.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss; clients should increase potassium intake.
Restricting potassium (C) is incorrect. Fluids are encouraged to avoid dehydration unless
contraindicated.
2. A nurse prepares to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action maintains surgical
asepsis?
A. Place the catheter kit on the client’s bedside table
B. Don clean gloves to open the sterile package
C. Hold the catheter 2.5 cm (1 inch) from the tip when inserting
D. Keep the sterile field above waist level
Answer: D
,Rationale: Keeping sterile items above the waist prevents contamination. Opening with clean
gloves (B) or touching near the tip (C) breaches sterility.
3. A nurse monitors a client who has received morphine for postoperative pain. Which finding
requires immediate action?
A. Respiratory rate of 8/min
B. Heart rate 100/min
C. Mild itching
D. Drowsiness
Answer: A
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious adverse effect of opioids. Notify provider
and prepare naloxone. Itching and drowsiness are expected.
4. A nurse reinforces teaching about insulin administration. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I’ll rotate injection sites in the same area.”
B. “I’ll massage the site after injecting.”
C. “I’ll inject cold insulin directly from the refrigerator.”
D. “I’ll always mix glargine and regular insulin.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Rotating within one area maintains consistent absorption. Massage can alter
absorption; glargine is not mixed with other insulins.
5. A nurse cares for a client with a stage II pressure injury. Which dressing is appropriate?
A. Transparent film
B. Hydrocolloid dressing
C. Gauze soaked in saline
D. Dry sterile dressing
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrocolloid maintains a moist environment for partial-thickness wounds (stage II).
Transparent film is for intact skin protection.
6. A nurse notes a client’s IV site is red, warm, and painful. What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the IV infusion rate
B. Remove the IV catheter
C. Apply a cold compress
D. Elevate the extremity
Answer: B
,Rationale: Redness and warmth suggest phlebitis; discontinue the IV immediately to prevent
further irritation.
7. A nurse assesses a client receiving digoxin. Which finding should be reported immediately?
A. Heart rate 54/min
B. Nausea
C. Blurred vision
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: All are signs of digoxin toxicity. Hold the dose and notify the provider.
8. A nurse prepares to administer ear drops to an adult. Which action is correct?
A. Pull the pinna down and back
B. Warm the medication to body temperature
C. Place the drops directly on the tympanic membrane
D. Have the client remain upright
Answer: B
Rationale: Warming prevents dizziness. For adults, pull the pinna up and back (not down).
9. A client prescribed warfarin asks about dietary restrictions. The nurse should say:
A. “Avoid foods rich in vitamin K.”
B. “Limit sodium intake.”
C. “Increase foods high in calcium.”
D. “Avoid dairy products.”
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin K decreases warfarin effectiveness; clients should maintain consistent
intake of vitamin K foods.
10. A nurse assists a client post-thyroidectomy. Which finding suggests hypocalcemia?
A. Muscle twitching
B. Bradycardia
C. Dry skin
D. Weight gain
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability (Chvostek/Trousseau signs).
Monitor calcium levels.
, 11. A nurse provides teaching to a client taking lithium. Which instruction is correct?
A. “Reduce your sodium intake.”
B. “Avoid drinking too much water.”
C. “Maintain consistent fluid and sodium intake.”
D. “Take with milk of magnesia.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium levels depend on sodium balance. Dehydration or low sodium can cause
toxicity.
12. A nurse reviews the lab results of a client taking heparin. Which test evaluates effectiveness?
A. PT
B. INR
C. aPTT
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT monitors heparin therapy; PT/INR monitor warfarin.
13. A client reports pain rated 8/10. The nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV. After 15 minutes,
pain is still 8/10. What should the nurse do next?
A. Re-administer morphine immediately
B. Notify the provider
C. Document the pain score and reassess in 1 hour
D. Increase fluid intake
Answer: B
Rationale: If pain is unrelieved, the nurse should notify the provider for further orders—do not
independently repeat dose.
14. A nurse evaluates a client’s understanding of wound care. Which statement shows correct
understanding?
A. “I’ll clean from the outside toward the center.”
B. “I’ll use hydrogen peroxide daily.”
C. “I’ll clean from the center outward.”
D. “I’ll remove all yellow tissue myself.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Clean from least to most contaminated (center outward). Hydrogen peroxide
damages tissue.
