ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Exit Exam with NGN
180 Questions and 100% Correct Answers to Score 97% and
Above in the New 2026 RN ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exit
Assessment
100 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Management of Care (Questions 1-20)
Q1. A charge nurse is assigning clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which client
should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A. A client with diabetes requiring routine insulin
B. A client with pneumonia requiring q4h vitals
C. A client with chest tubes and new-onset respiratory distress
D. A client with a UTI requiring IV antibiotics
Answer: C
Rationale: Unstable clients with acute changes require the most experienced
nurse. New-onset respiratory distress in a client with chest tubes indicates a
potential complication (e.g., tension pneumothorax) and is the priority for expert
assessment. Stable clients with routine care (A, B, D) can be assigned to less
experienced staff .
Q2. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client
should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a dressing that needs reinforcement
B. A client reporting pain rated 6/10
C. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL in 12 hours
D. A client scheduled for discharge
Answer: C
Rationale: Low urine output (100 mL in 12 hours) indicates possible renal failure
or hypovolemia—an urgent finding requiring immediate assessment. Urine output
should be at least 30 mL/hour (240 mL in 8 hours). Pain (B) and dressing
reinforcement (A) are important but not the priority .
,Q3. A charge nurse is assigning rooms for four clients. Which client should be in
a private room?
A. Client with pneumonia
B. Client with Clostridioides difficile
C. Client with cellulitis
D. Client with urinary tract infection
Answer: B
Rationale: C. diff requires contact precautions and a private room to prevent
spore transmission. Pneumonia may need droplet precautions but not always a
private room; cellulitis and UTI require standard precautions only .
Q4. A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate?
A. Initial admission assessment
B. Insertion of a nasogastric tube for decompression
C. Teaching a diabetic patient about insulin injection
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
Answer: B
Rationale: LPNs can perform stable, standard procedures like NG tube insertion
(check facility policy). Initial assessment, teaching, and evaluation require RN
scope .
Q5. A nurse is caring for a confused client who is attempting to pull out their IV
line. The provider orders restraints. Which action should the nurse take before
applying restraints?
A. Obtain verbal consent from the client
B. Try less restrictive measures first
C. Restrain all four extremities for safety
D. Apply restraints without documentation
Answer: B
Rationale: Restraints are a last resort. The nurse must attempt less restrictive
measures first (repositioning, sitters, diversions). Restraints require a provider
order, client/family notification, and frequent monitoring .
,Q6. A charge nurse is managing a unit with four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
A. Postoperative appendectomy, stable
B. Chest pain, awaiting cardiac consult
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), unstable
D. Pneumonia, oxygen via nasal cannula
Answer: C
Rationale: Unstable clients with life-threatening conditions (DKA) require
immediate assessment. Chest pain (B) is also high priority, but the question
specifies "unstable" as the highest .
Q7. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is
essential to verify client identity?
A. Check the client's room number against the blood product label
B. Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
C. Check the client's diagnosis
D. Verify the client's age with the unit number
Answer: B
Rationale: Two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) are required to verify
identity, per The Joint Commission. Room number is not a reliable identifier .
Q8. A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client with a new diagnosis of
diabetes mellitus. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will check my feet daily for any blisters."
B. "I will soak my feet in warm water every evening."
C. "I will wear open-toe shoes to prevent pressure."
D. "I will apply lotion between my toes after bathing."
Answer: A
Rationale: Daily foot inspection is crucial to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Soaking
feet can cause maceration; lotion between toes promotes fungal growth; open-
toe shoes increase injury risk .
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a DNR (do not resuscitate) order.
Which action should the nurse take?
, A. Initiate CPR if cardiac arrest occurs
B. Document the DNR status in the medical record
C. Avoid discussing the DNR with the family
D. Administer life-saving medications
Answer: B
Rationale: DNR status must be clearly documented. CPR and life-saving measures
should not be initiated unless the order is reversed. The family should be involved
in discussions per the client's wishes .
Q10. A nurse is planning care for a client with Alzheimer's disease. Which action
should the nurse include?
A. Place a daily schedule in a visible location
B. Change the daily routine frequently to prevent boredom
C. Use a vest restraint to prevent wandering
D. Avoid using any cues or reminders
Answer: A
Rationale: Consistent routines and visual cues reduce confusion and anxiety.
Restraints are not appropriate for wandering; non-pharmacological interventions
should be used first .
Q11. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which action is the
priority?
A. Teach dietary restrictions
B. Assess stoma appearance
C. Administer pain medication
D. Schedule follow-up appointment
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing stoma color, moisture, and swelling is the priority to detect
complications (e.g., ischemia, necrosis) immediately after surgery .
Q12. A charge nurse is discussing the use of applying ice to a client's injured
knee with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following should the nurse
identify as a benefit?
180 Questions and 100% Correct Answers to Score 97% and
Above in the New 2026 RN ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exit
Assessment
100 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Section 1: Management of Care (Questions 1-20)
Q1. A charge nurse is assigning clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which client
should be assigned to the most experienced RN?
A. A client with diabetes requiring routine insulin
B. A client with pneumonia requiring q4h vitals
C. A client with chest tubes and new-onset respiratory distress
D. A client with a UTI requiring IV antibiotics
Answer: C
Rationale: Unstable clients with acute changes require the most experienced
nurse. New-onset respiratory distress in a client with chest tubes indicates a
potential complication (e.g., tension pneumothorax) and is the priority for expert
assessment. Stable clients with routine care (A, B, D) can be assigned to less
experienced staff .
Q2. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report on four clients. Which client
should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a dressing that needs reinforcement
B. A client reporting pain rated 6/10
C. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL in 12 hours
D. A client scheduled for discharge
Answer: C
Rationale: Low urine output (100 mL in 12 hours) indicates possible renal failure
or hypovolemia—an urgent finding requiring immediate assessment. Urine output
should be at least 30 mL/hour (240 mL in 8 hours). Pain (B) and dressing
reinforcement (A) are important but not the priority .
,Q3. A charge nurse is assigning rooms for four clients. Which client should be in
a private room?
A. Client with pneumonia
B. Client with Clostridioides difficile
C. Client with cellulitis
D. Client with urinary tract infection
Answer: B
Rationale: C. diff requires contact precautions and a private room to prevent
spore transmission. Pneumonia may need droplet precautions but not always a
private room; cellulitis and UTI require standard precautions only .
Q4. A nurse is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate?
A. Initial admission assessment
B. Insertion of a nasogastric tube for decompression
C. Teaching a diabetic patient about insulin injection
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
Answer: B
Rationale: LPNs can perform stable, standard procedures like NG tube insertion
(check facility policy). Initial assessment, teaching, and evaluation require RN
scope .
Q5. A nurse is caring for a confused client who is attempting to pull out their IV
line. The provider orders restraints. Which action should the nurse take before
applying restraints?
A. Obtain verbal consent from the client
B. Try less restrictive measures first
C. Restrain all four extremities for safety
D. Apply restraints without documentation
Answer: B
Rationale: Restraints are a last resort. The nurse must attempt less restrictive
measures first (repositioning, sitters, diversions). Restraints require a provider
order, client/family notification, and frequent monitoring .
,Q6. A charge nurse is managing a unit with four clients. Which client should the
nurse assess first?
A. Postoperative appendectomy, stable
B. Chest pain, awaiting cardiac consult
C. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), unstable
D. Pneumonia, oxygen via nasal cannula
Answer: C
Rationale: Unstable clients with life-threatening conditions (DKA) require
immediate assessment. Chest pain (B) is also high priority, but the question
specifies "unstable" as the highest .
Q7. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which action is
essential to verify client identity?
A. Check the client's room number against the blood product label
B. Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
C. Check the client's diagnosis
D. Verify the client's age with the unit number
Answer: B
Rationale: Two identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) are required to verify
identity, per The Joint Commission. Room number is not a reliable identifier .
Q8. A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client with a new diagnosis of
diabetes mellitus. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will check my feet daily for any blisters."
B. "I will soak my feet in warm water every evening."
C. "I will wear open-toe shoes to prevent pressure."
D. "I will apply lotion between my toes after bathing."
Answer: A
Rationale: Daily foot inspection is crucial to prevent diabetic foot ulcers. Soaking
feet can cause maceration; lotion between toes promotes fungal growth; open-
toe shoes increase injury risk .
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a DNR (do not resuscitate) order.
Which action should the nurse take?
, A. Initiate CPR if cardiac arrest occurs
B. Document the DNR status in the medical record
C. Avoid discussing the DNR with the family
D. Administer life-saving medications
Answer: B
Rationale: DNR status must be clearly documented. CPR and life-saving measures
should not be initiated unless the order is reversed. The family should be involved
in discussions per the client's wishes .
Q10. A nurse is planning care for a client with Alzheimer's disease. Which action
should the nurse include?
A. Place a daily schedule in a visible location
B. Change the daily routine frequently to prevent boredom
C. Use a vest restraint to prevent wandering
D. Avoid using any cues or reminders
Answer: A
Rationale: Consistent routines and visual cues reduce confusion and anxiety.
Restraints are not appropriate for wandering; non-pharmacological interventions
should be used first .
Q11. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which action is the
priority?
A. Teach dietary restrictions
B. Assess stoma appearance
C. Administer pain medication
D. Schedule follow-up appointment
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing stoma color, moisture, and swelling is the priority to detect
complications (e.g., ischemia, necrosis) immediately after surgery .
Q12. A charge nurse is discussing the use of applying ice to a client's injured
knee with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following should the nurse
identify as a benefit?
