ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who suddenly develops
crackles, dyspnea, and pink frothy sputum. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Encourage the client to drink fluids
B. Place the client in High Fowler's position and administer oxygen as prescribed
C. Obtain the client's daily weight
D. Encourage the client to ambulate
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Place the client in High Fowler's position and administer
oxygen as prescribed
RATIONALE: Pink frothy sputum and crackles indicate acute pulmonary edema. Positioning the
client upright and improving oxygenation are the immediate priorities.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected hypoglycemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
C. Fruity breath odor
D. Deep, rapid respirations
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
RATIONALE: Hypoglycemia commonly presents with diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia, hunger,
irritability, and altered mental status.
3. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and low back pain
15 minutes after the transfusion begins. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately and maintain IV access with normal saline
,C. Administer acetaminophen and continue the transfusion
D. Reassure the client that the symptoms are expected
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Stop the transfusion immediately and maintain IV access with
normal saline
RATIONALE: These findings suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The transfusion
must be stopped immediately while maintaining venous access.
4. Which laboratory value should the nurse report immediately for a client
receiving heparin therapy?
A. aPTT of 95 seconds
B. Hemoglobin of 13.8 g/dL
C. Platelet count of 250,000/mm³
D. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER: A — aPTT of 95 seconds
RATIONALE: A markedly prolonged aPTT indicates excessive anticoagulation and an increased
risk of bleeding.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly develops facial drooping, slurred
speech, and right-sided weakness. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Activate the stroke response and determine the time the client was last known well
C. Allow the client to rest
D. Administer insulin
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Activate the stroke response and determine the time the client
was last known well
RATIONALE: Rapid recognition and documentation of symptom onset are essential because
time-sensitive treatments depend on the last known well time.
6. Which client is at greatest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. A client who ambulates three times daily after surgery
B. A client on prolonged bed rest following hip replacement surgery
, C. A client with seasonal allergies
D. A client with controlled hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: B — A client on prolonged bed rest following hip replacement
surgery
RATIONALE: Orthopedic surgery and prolonged immobility significantly increase the risk of
venous thromboembolism.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will swallow the tablet with water."
B. "I will place the tablet under my tongue and allow it to dissolve."
C. "I will chew the tablet before swallowing."
D. "I will take the medication only after eating."
CORRECT ANSWER: B — "I will place the tablet under my tongue and allow it to
dissolve."
RATIONALE: Sublingual nitroglycerin is absorbed rapidly through the oral mucosa and should
not be swallowed or chewed.
8. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention for a postoperative
client?
A. Pain rated 4/10 at the incision site
B. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
C. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
RATIONALE: Hypoxemia is a priority because it can rapidly lead to tissue hypoxia and
respiratory compromise.
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who suddenly develops
crackles, dyspnea, and pink frothy sputum. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Encourage the client to drink fluids
B. Place the client in High Fowler's position and administer oxygen as prescribed
C. Obtain the client's daily weight
D. Encourage the client to ambulate
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Place the client in High Fowler's position and administer
oxygen as prescribed
RATIONALE: Pink frothy sputum and crackles indicate acute pulmonary edema. Positioning the
client upright and improving oxygenation are the immediate priorities.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected hypoglycemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
C. Fruity breath odor
D. Deep, rapid respirations
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Diaphoresis, tremors, and confusion
RATIONALE: Hypoglycemia commonly presents with diaphoresis, tremors, tachycardia, hunger,
irritability, and altered mental status.
3. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and low back pain
15 minutes after the transfusion begins. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion immediately and maintain IV access with normal saline
,C. Administer acetaminophen and continue the transfusion
D. Reassure the client that the symptoms are expected
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Stop the transfusion immediately and maintain IV access with
normal saline
RATIONALE: These findings suggest an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The transfusion
must be stopped immediately while maintaining venous access.
4. Which laboratory value should the nurse report immediately for a client
receiving heparin therapy?
A. aPTT of 95 seconds
B. Hemoglobin of 13.8 g/dL
C. Platelet count of 250,000/mm³
D. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER: A — aPTT of 95 seconds
RATIONALE: A markedly prolonged aPTT indicates excessive anticoagulation and an increased
risk of bleeding.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who suddenly develops facial drooping, slurred
speech, and right-sided weakness. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer oral fluids
B. Activate the stroke response and determine the time the client was last known well
C. Allow the client to rest
D. Administer insulin
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Activate the stroke response and determine the time the client
was last known well
RATIONALE: Rapid recognition and documentation of symptom onset are essential because
time-sensitive treatments depend on the last known well time.
6. Which client is at greatest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
A. A client who ambulates three times daily after surgery
B. A client on prolonged bed rest following hip replacement surgery
, C. A client with seasonal allergies
D. A client with controlled hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: B — A client on prolonged bed rest following hip replacement
surgery
RATIONALE: Orthopedic surgery and prolonged immobility significantly increase the risk of
venous thromboembolism.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about sublingual nitroglycerin. Which statement
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will swallow the tablet with water."
B. "I will place the tablet under my tongue and allow it to dissolve."
C. "I will chew the tablet before swallowing."
D. "I will take the medication only after eating."
CORRECT ANSWER: B — "I will place the tablet under my tongue and allow it to
dissolve."
RATIONALE: Sublingual nitroglycerin is absorbed rapidly through the oral mucosa and should
not be swallowed or chewed.
8. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention for a postoperative
client?
A. Pain rated 4/10 at the incision site
B. Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
C. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
CORRECT ANSWER: B — Oxygen saturation of 86% on room air
RATIONALE: Hypoxemia is a priority because it can rapidly lead to tissue hypoxia and
respiratory compromise.
