ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXIT EXAM
RECOMMENDED NGN PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES (2026 FINAL VERSION)
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1.
A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure ulcer on the sacrum. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Massage the area around the ulcer
B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
C. Apply alcohol-based sanitizer to the ulcer
D. Leave the client on a donut cushion
Answer: B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning reduces pressure and promotes healing.
Massaging the ulcer can cause tissue damage; donut cushions can worsen
pressure.
2.
A client is experiencing shortness of breath. Which position is most effective to
promote ventilation?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
,C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Upright positioning (high Fowler’s) improves lung expansion and
oxygenation.
3.
A nurse is preparing to insert a Foley catheter. Which action is essential to
maintain sterile technique?
A. Clean gloves only
B. Use sterile gloves and sterile drape
C. Wash hands after insertion only
D. Touch the catheter with bare hands
Answer: B. Use sterile gloves and sterile drape
Rationale: Maintaining sterility prevents urinary tract infections.
4.
A client is being discharged with a new colostomy. Which teaching point is most
important?
A. Avoid all physical activity
B. Change the pouch every 2–3 weeks
C. Clean the stoma with soap and water
D. Only use petroleum jelly on the stoma
Answer: C. Clean the stoma with soap and water
Rationale: Proper hygiene prevents infection and skin irritation. Pouches need
regular monitoring and changing per manufacturer instructions.
5.
,A client has a nasogastric tube and reports nausea. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Increase the feeding rate
B. Check tube placement and patency
C. Administer antiemetic immediately
D. Remove the tube
Answer: B. Check tube placement and patency
Rationale: Ensuring the tube is properly positioned and not blocked prevents
aspiration and vomiting.
6.
A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Document the finding and continue routine care
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Advise the client to exercise more
Answer: B. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and possible worsening
heart failure. Prompt intervention is necessary.
7.
A client reports feeling anxious before surgery. Which intervention is most
therapeutic?
A. Provide factual information about the procedure
B. Tell the client to ignore their feelings
C. Administer sedatives without assessment
D. Leave the client alone to relax
, Answer: A. Provide factual information about the procedure
Rationale: Education reduces fear and helps the client feel in control. Avoid
dismissing feelings or giving medications without assessment.
8.
A nurse observes a client fall while ambulating. What is the first action?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Assess the client for injuries
C. Assist the client back to bed immediately
D. Notify the family
Answer: B. Assess the client for injuries
Rationale: Immediate assessment ensures safety and identifies any urgent
medical needs before documentation or family notification.
9.
A client has a cast on the left leg and reports numbness and tingling in the toes.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Elevate the leg above heart level
B. Massage the toes gently
C. Assess circulation, movement, and sensation
D. Apply heat to the toes
Answer: C. Assess circulation, movement, and sensation
Rationale: Neurovascular assessment detects compartment syndrome or
impaired circulation. Prompt recognition prevents permanent damage.
10.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV fluids and notices swelling at the
insertion site. What is the priority action?
RECOMMENDED NGN PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS & RATIONALES (2026 FINAL VERSION)
1.
A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure ulcer on the sacrum. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Massage the area around the ulcer
B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
C. Apply alcohol-based sanitizer to the ulcer
D. Leave the client on a donut cushion
Answer: B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
Rationale: Frequent repositioning reduces pressure and promotes healing.
Massaging the ulcer can cause tissue damage; donut cushions can worsen
pressure.
2.
A client is experiencing shortness of breath. Which position is most effective to
promote ventilation?
A. Supine
B. Trendelenburg
,C. High Fowler’s
D. Prone
Answer: C. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Upright positioning (high Fowler’s) improves lung expansion and
oxygenation.
3.
A nurse is preparing to insert a Foley catheter. Which action is essential to
maintain sterile technique?
A. Clean gloves only
B. Use sterile gloves and sterile drape
C. Wash hands after insertion only
D. Touch the catheter with bare hands
Answer: B. Use sterile gloves and sterile drape
Rationale: Maintaining sterility prevents urinary tract infections.
4.
A client is being discharged with a new colostomy. Which teaching point is most
important?
A. Avoid all physical activity
B. Change the pouch every 2–3 weeks
C. Clean the stoma with soap and water
D. Only use petroleum jelly on the stoma
Answer: C. Clean the stoma with soap and water
Rationale: Proper hygiene prevents infection and skin irritation. Pouches need
regular monitoring and changing per manufacturer instructions.
5.
,A client has a nasogastric tube and reports nausea. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Increase the feeding rate
B. Check tube placement and patency
C. Administer antiemetic immediately
D. Remove the tube
Answer: B. Check tube placement and patency
Rationale: Ensuring the tube is properly positioned and not blocked prevents
aspiration and vomiting.
6.
A client with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Document the finding and continue routine care
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Advise the client to exercise more
Answer: B. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid retention and possible worsening
heart failure. Prompt intervention is necessary.
7.
A client reports feeling anxious before surgery. Which intervention is most
therapeutic?
A. Provide factual information about the procedure
B. Tell the client to ignore their feelings
C. Administer sedatives without assessment
D. Leave the client alone to relax
, Answer: A. Provide factual information about the procedure
Rationale: Education reduces fear and helps the client feel in control. Avoid
dismissing feelings or giving medications without assessment.
8.
A nurse observes a client fall while ambulating. What is the first action?
A. Complete an incident report
B. Assess the client for injuries
C. Assist the client back to bed immediately
D. Notify the family
Answer: B. Assess the client for injuries
Rationale: Immediate assessment ensures safety and identifies any urgent
medical needs before documentation or family notification.
9.
A client has a cast on the left leg and reports numbness and tingling in the toes.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Elevate the leg above heart level
B. Massage the toes gently
C. Assess circulation, movement, and sensation
D. Apply heat to the toes
Answer: C. Assess circulation, movement, and sensation
Rationale: Neurovascular assessment detects compartment syndrome or
impaired circulation. Prompt recognition prevents permanent damage.
10.
A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV fluids and notices swelling at the
insertion site. What is the priority action?
