2025 | ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exam Prep | Complete
Practical Nursing Exit Exam Study Guide with Verified Questions
& Answers, Detailed Rationales, NGN-Style Practice, Clinical
Judgment, Content Mastery & NCLEX-PN Readiness Review
Question 1
Which of the following is the most common cause of heart failure?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Hypertension
C) Valvular heart disease
D) Arrhythmias
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension is a major contributing factor to heart failure. It increases the
workload on the heart, leading to ventricular hypertrophy and eventual failure if not
managed appropriately.
Question 2
What is the primary action of the medication lisinopril?
A) Beta-blockade
B) Calcium channel blockade
C) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition
D) Diuretic effect
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that helps reduce blood pressure and decrease
the workload on the heart by preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a patient about the signs of infection post-surgery. What is a
key sign that the nurse should include?
A) Increased appetite
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Purulent drainage from the incision
D) Decreased heart rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Purulent drainage from the incision
Rationale: Purulent drainage is a classic sign of infection. Other signs may include fever
and increased redness or swelling around the surgical site.
,Question 4
What should the nurse assess first when a patient presents with chest pain?
A) Pulse and blood pressure
B) Patient's age and gender
C) Medical history
D) Pain characteristics
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Pulse and blood pressure
Rationale: The nurse should assess vital signs initially to determine the hemodynamic
stability of the patient, as this can dictate the urgency of the situation.
Question 5
In diabetes management, what is the target HbA1c level for most adults?
A) <6.0%
B) <7.0%
C) <8.0%
D) <9.0%
CORRECT ANSWER: B) <7.0%
Rationale: The American Diabetes Association recommends a target HbA1c level of
less than 7.0% for adults with diabetes to reduce the risk of complications.
Question 6
What is the normal range for adult blood pressure?
A) 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg
B) 100/70 mmHg to 130/90 mmHg
C) 110/80 mmHg to 140/90 mmHg
D) 120/80 mmHg to 130/80 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER: A) 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg
Rationale: The normal blood pressure range for adults is typically defined as 90/60
mmHg to 120/80 mmHg, depending on individual health factors.
Question 7
What is a priority nursing intervention for a patient with respiratory distress?
A) Administer a sedative
B) Position the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
,C) Provide a warm compress
D) Increase the room temperature
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Position the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
Rationale: Positioning the patient in a high-Fowler’s position promotes better lung
expansion and improves breathing.
Question 8
Which vital sign is the best indicator of the body's metabolic status?
A) Blood pressure
B) Heart rate
C) Temperature
D) Respiratory rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Temperature
Rationale: Body temperature is a critical indicator of metabolic status and can reflect
infections or other physiological changes.
Question 9
In the event of a fire in a healthcare facility, which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Evacuate patients
B) Activate the fire alarm
C) Close all doors
D) Attempt to extinguish the fire
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Activate the fire alarm
Rationale: The first step in fire safety is to activate the alarm to alert others and initiate
evacuation procedures.
Question 10
A patient with heart failure should be taught to monitor which of the following
daily?
A) Weight
B) Blood sugar
C) Cholesterol levels
D) Blood oxygen saturation
, CORRECT ANSWER: A) Weight
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring helps detect fluid retention in heart failure patients,
indicating worsening heart function.
Question 11
What is the primary side effect of opioid medications?
A) Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperactivity
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Sedation
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause sedation and respiratory depression as a primary
side effect.
Question 12
Which lab value indicates a risk for bleeding?
A) Elevated potassium
B) Decreased hemoglobin
C) Elevated white blood cell count
D) Increased electrolytes
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Decreased hemoglobin
Rationale: Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia or blood loss, increasing the
risk of bleeding.
Question 13
For a patient with diabetes, which food choice is the best for a snack?
A) Candy bar
B) Fruit yogurt
C) Apple with peanut butter
D) Cheese puffs
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Apple with peanut butter
Rationale: The apple provides fiber and carbs, while peanut butter adds protein and
healthy fats, making it a balanced snack option for blood sugar control.
Practical Nursing Exit Exam Study Guide with Verified Questions
& Answers, Detailed Rationales, NGN-Style Practice, Clinical
Judgment, Content Mastery & NCLEX-PN Readiness Review
Question 1
Which of the following is the most common cause of heart failure?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Hypertension
C) Valvular heart disease
D) Arrhythmias
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension is a major contributing factor to heart failure. It increases the
workload on the heart, leading to ventricular hypertrophy and eventual failure if not
managed appropriately.
Question 2
What is the primary action of the medication lisinopril?
A) Beta-blockade
B) Calcium channel blockade
C) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition
D) Diuretic effect
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that helps reduce blood pressure and decrease
the workload on the heart by preventing the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a patient about the signs of infection post-surgery. What is a
key sign that the nurse should include?
A) Increased appetite
B) Elevated blood pressure
C) Purulent drainage from the incision
D) Decreased heart rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Purulent drainage from the incision
Rationale: Purulent drainage is a classic sign of infection. Other signs may include fever
and increased redness or swelling around the surgical site.
,Question 4
What should the nurse assess first when a patient presents with chest pain?
A) Pulse and blood pressure
B) Patient's age and gender
C) Medical history
D) Pain characteristics
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Pulse and blood pressure
Rationale: The nurse should assess vital signs initially to determine the hemodynamic
stability of the patient, as this can dictate the urgency of the situation.
Question 5
In diabetes management, what is the target HbA1c level for most adults?
A) <6.0%
B) <7.0%
C) <8.0%
D) <9.0%
CORRECT ANSWER: B) <7.0%
Rationale: The American Diabetes Association recommends a target HbA1c level of
less than 7.0% for adults with diabetes to reduce the risk of complications.
Question 6
What is the normal range for adult blood pressure?
A) 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg
B) 100/70 mmHg to 130/90 mmHg
C) 110/80 mmHg to 140/90 mmHg
D) 120/80 mmHg to 130/80 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER: A) 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg
Rationale: The normal blood pressure range for adults is typically defined as 90/60
mmHg to 120/80 mmHg, depending on individual health factors.
Question 7
What is a priority nursing intervention for a patient with respiratory distress?
A) Administer a sedative
B) Position the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
,C) Provide a warm compress
D) Increase the room temperature
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Position the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
Rationale: Positioning the patient in a high-Fowler’s position promotes better lung
expansion and improves breathing.
Question 8
Which vital sign is the best indicator of the body's metabolic status?
A) Blood pressure
B) Heart rate
C) Temperature
D) Respiratory rate
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Temperature
Rationale: Body temperature is a critical indicator of metabolic status and can reflect
infections or other physiological changes.
Question 9
In the event of a fire in a healthcare facility, which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Evacuate patients
B) Activate the fire alarm
C) Close all doors
D) Attempt to extinguish the fire
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Activate the fire alarm
Rationale: The first step in fire safety is to activate the alarm to alert others and initiate
evacuation procedures.
Question 10
A patient with heart failure should be taught to monitor which of the following
daily?
A) Weight
B) Blood sugar
C) Cholesterol levels
D) Blood oxygen saturation
, CORRECT ANSWER: A) Weight
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring helps detect fluid retention in heart failure patients,
indicating worsening heart function.
Question 11
What is the primary side effect of opioid medications?
A) Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperactivity
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Sedation
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause sedation and respiratory depression as a primary
side effect.
Question 12
Which lab value indicates a risk for bleeding?
A) Elevated potassium
B) Decreased hemoglobin
C) Elevated white blood cell count
D) Increased electrolytes
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Decreased hemoglobin
Rationale: Low hemoglobin levels can indicate anemia or blood loss, increasing the
risk of bleeding.
Question 13
For a patient with diabetes, which food choice is the best for a snack?
A) Candy bar
B) Fruit yogurt
C) Apple with peanut butter
D) Cheese puffs
CORRECT ANSWER: C) Apple with peanut butter
Rationale: The apple provides fiber and carbs, while peanut butter adds protein and
healthy fats, making it a balanced snack option for blood sugar control.
