ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
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1. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly becomes short of breath, restless,
and has an oxygen saturation of 84%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Apply oxygen and assess the client's airway and breathing
C. Obtain a chest x-ray
D. Encourage deep breathing exercises
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Apply oxygen and assess the client's airway and breathing
RATIONALE: Airway and breathing are the highest priorities. Immediate oxygen therapy and
respiratory assessment help prevent further hypoxemia.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with serum potassium of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked T waves
B. A client requesting pain medication after surgery
C. A client waiting for discharge instructions
D. A client requesting assistance with bathing
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client with serum potassium of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked T
waves
RATIONALE: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes places the client at immediate risk for
fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, flank pain, and
hypotension. What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal saline
,C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Continue the transfusion while monitoring
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal
saline
RATIONALE: These findings suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The transfusion
should be stopped immediately.
4. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a respiratory
rate of 7 breaths/minute. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Naloxone
RATIONALE: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
5. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood glucose level of 36 mg/dL with confusion
B. Blood glucose level of 145 mg/dL before lunch
C. Mild thirst after exercise
D. Appetite before dinner
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood glucose level of 36 mg/dL with confusion
RATIONALE: Severe hypoglycemia is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly develops facial drooping and right
arm weakness. Which action has priority?
A. Activate the stroke protocol immediately
B. Obtain a urine specimen
, C. Encourage the client to rest
D. Administer pain medication
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Activate the stroke protocol immediately
RATIONALE: Rapid stroke recognition and treatment improve neurological outcomes.
7. Which client has the highest priority?
A. A client coughing pink frothy sputum with severe dyspnea
B. A client requesting assistance with hygiene
C. A client asking for discharge paperwork
D. A client with chronic knee pain
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client coughing pink frothy sputum with severe dyspnea
RATIONALE: Pink frothy sputum indicates acute pulmonary edema requiring immediate
intervention.
8. A client receiving magnesium sulfate has absent deep tendon reflexes. Which
nursing action is appropriate?
A. Stop the infusion immediately
B. Increase the infusion rate
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Reassess in one hour
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Stop the infusion immediately
RATIONALE: Absent deep tendon reflexes indicate magnesium toxicity.
9. Which laboratory value requires immediate reporting?
A. Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
B. Sodium of 139 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin of 13.6 g/dL
D. White blood cell count of 8,200/mm³
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
1. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly becomes short of breath, restless,
and has an oxygen saturation of 84%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider
B. Apply oxygen and assess the client's airway and breathing
C. Obtain a chest x-ray
D. Encourage deep breathing exercises
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Apply oxygen and assess the client's airway and breathing
RATIONALE: Airway and breathing are the highest priorities. Immediate oxygen therapy and
respiratory assessment help prevent further hypoxemia.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with serum potassium of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked T waves
B. A client requesting pain medication after surgery
C. A client waiting for discharge instructions
D. A client requesting assistance with bathing
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client with serum potassium of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked T
waves
RATIONALE: Severe hyperkalemia with ECG changes places the client at immediate risk for
fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, flank pain, and
hypotension. What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal saline
,C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Continue the transfusion while monitoring
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Stop the transfusion and keep the IV line open with normal
saline
RATIONALE: These findings suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The transfusion
should be stopped immediately.
4. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a respiratory
rate of 7 breaths/minute. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Vitamin K
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Naloxone
RATIONALE: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
5. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood glucose level of 36 mg/dL with confusion
B. Blood glucose level of 145 mg/dL before lunch
C. Mild thirst after exercise
D. Appetite before dinner
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood glucose level of 36 mg/dL with confusion
RATIONALE: Severe hypoglycemia is life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly develops facial drooping and right
arm weakness. Which action has priority?
A. Activate the stroke protocol immediately
B. Obtain a urine specimen
, C. Encourage the client to rest
D. Administer pain medication
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Activate the stroke protocol immediately
RATIONALE: Rapid stroke recognition and treatment improve neurological outcomes.
7. Which client has the highest priority?
A. A client coughing pink frothy sputum with severe dyspnea
B. A client requesting assistance with hygiene
C. A client asking for discharge paperwork
D. A client with chronic knee pain
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client coughing pink frothy sputum with severe dyspnea
RATIONALE: Pink frothy sputum indicates acute pulmonary edema requiring immediate
intervention.
8. A client receiving magnesium sulfate has absent deep tendon reflexes. Which
nursing action is appropriate?
A. Stop the infusion immediately
B. Increase the infusion rate
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Reassess in one hour
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Stop the infusion immediately
RATIONALE: Absent deep tendon reflexes indicate magnesium toxicity.
9. Which laboratory value requires immediate reporting?
A. Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
B. Sodium of 139 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin of 13.6 g/dL
D. White blood cell count of 8,200/mm³
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Platelet count of 18,000/mm³
