ATI Comprehensive Predictor Practice Exam
| 2026–2027|Original Multiple-Choice Questions
with Detailed Answers |LATEST
1. A nurse is caring for a client who develops sudden shortness of breath after
hip replacement surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider.
B. Apply oxygen and assess the client's respiratory status.
C. Prepare the client for a chest X-ray.
D. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Apply oxygen and assess the client's respiratory status.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because the client may be experiencing a pulmonary embolism. Airway and
breathing are the priority according to the ABC framework.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting pain medication after surgery.
B. A client with a blood glucose level of 68 mg/dL who is awake and alert.
C. A client who suddenly becomes difficult to arouse after receiving morphine.
D. A client waiting for discharge teaching.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A client who suddenly becomes difficult to arouse after receiving
morphine.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because opioid-induced respiratory depression is life-threatening and requires
immediate assessment.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client prescribed warfarin. Which statement by the client
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I'll take aspirin if I develop a headache."
B. "I'll report unusual bruising or bleeding."
C. "I can stop taking the medication when I feel better."
D. "I don't need blood tests while taking this medication."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I'll report unusual bruising or bleeding."
RATIONALE:
B is correct because bleeding is a serious adverse effect of warfarin. Regular INR monitoring is
also required.
4. Which finding requires immediate intervention for a client receiving IV
potassium chloride?
A. Infusion using an electronic infusion pump.
B. Potassium diluted in IV fluids.
C. Potassium administered by IV push.
D. Cardiac monitoring during replacement.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Potassium administered by IV push.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because IV potassium must never be administered by IV push due to the risk of fatal
cardiac dysrhythmias.
5. A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath while lying
flat. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Crackles at both lung bases
, C. Increased urine output
D. Bradycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Crackles at both lung bases
RATIONALE:
B is correct because orthopnea and pulmonary crackles are common manifestations of left-sided
heart failure.
6. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an experienced
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
B. Assess a postoperative client's pain level.
C. Assist a stable client with bathing.
D. Administer oral medications.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Assist a stable client with bathing.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because assisting with activities of daily living for stable clients is within the UAP's
scope of practice.
7. A client receiving heparin develops uncontrolled bleeding. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Protamine sulfate
RATIONALE:
B is correct because protamine sulfate reverses the anticoagulant effects of heparin.
| 2026–2027|Original Multiple-Choice Questions
with Detailed Answers |LATEST
1. A nurse is caring for a client who develops sudden shortness of breath after
hip replacement surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider.
B. Apply oxygen and assess the client's respiratory status.
C. Prepare the client for a chest X-ray.
D. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Apply oxygen and assess the client's respiratory status.
RATIONALE:
B is correct because the client may be experiencing a pulmonary embolism. Airway and
breathing are the priority according to the ABC framework.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client requesting pain medication after surgery.
B. A client with a blood glucose level of 68 mg/dL who is awake and alert.
C. A client who suddenly becomes difficult to arouse after receiving morphine.
D. A client waiting for discharge teaching.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. A client who suddenly becomes difficult to arouse after receiving
morphine.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because opioid-induced respiratory depression is life-threatening and requires
immediate assessment.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client prescribed warfarin. Which statement by the client
indicates correct understanding?
A. "I'll take aspirin if I develop a headache."
B. "I'll report unusual bruising or bleeding."
C. "I can stop taking the medication when I feel better."
D. "I don't need blood tests while taking this medication."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I'll report unusual bruising or bleeding."
RATIONALE:
B is correct because bleeding is a serious adverse effect of warfarin. Regular INR monitoring is
also required.
4. Which finding requires immediate intervention for a client receiving IV
potassium chloride?
A. Infusion using an electronic infusion pump.
B. Potassium diluted in IV fluids.
C. Potassium administered by IV push.
D. Cardiac monitoring during replacement.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Potassium administered by IV push.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because IV potassium must never be administered by IV push due to the risk of fatal
cardiac dysrhythmias.
5. A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath while lying
flat. Which assessment finding should the nurse expect?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Crackles at both lung bases
, C. Increased urine output
D. Bradycardia
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Crackles at both lung bases
RATIONALE:
B is correct because orthopnea and pulmonary crackles are common manifestations of left-sided
heart failure.
6. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an experienced
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A. Teach a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
B. Assess a postoperative client's pain level.
C. Assist a stable client with bathing.
D. Administer oral medications.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Assist a stable client with bathing.
RATIONALE:
C is correct because assisting with activities of daily living for stable clients is within the UAP's
scope of practice.
7. A client receiving heparin develops uncontrolled bleeding. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Protamine sulfate
RATIONALE:
B is correct because protamine sulfate reverses the anticoagulant effects of heparin.
