ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2026
Exit Exam with NGN Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-sodium
diet. Which of the following food choices by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Grilled chicken breast with herbs
C. Pickled vegetables
D. Processed cheese slices
Answer: B. Grilled chicken breast with herbs
Rationale: The grilled chicken breast with herbs is a fresh, unprocessed food that is
naturally low in sodium. Canned soups, pickled items, and processed cheeses are
all notoriously high in sodium content and should be avoided on a low-sodium
diet.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's vital signs.
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers.
C. Prime the intravenous tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
D. Ensure that the client has signed a consent form.
Answer: B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers.
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority, and the most critical step before initiating
a blood transfusion is to correctly identify the client using at least two unique
,identifiers to prevent a transfusion reaction due to clerical error. This must happen
before any other steps are taken.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following findings is an adverse effect of this
medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Tinnitus
C. Weight gain
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B. Tinnitus
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause ototoxicity, leading to tinnitus or
hearing loss, especially when administered rapidly via IV. It causes hypokalemia,
not hyperkalemia, and promotes fluid loss leading to weight loss.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I will avoid eating foods that cause gas, like carbonated beverages.
B. I will change the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full of gas.
C. I will cut the skin barrier opening one-eighth inch larger than my stoma.
D. I will notify my provider if my stoma becomes pale or bluish.
Answer: B. I will change the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full of gas.
Rationale: An ostomy pouch should be changed when it is one-third to one-half
full of stool, not gas. Gas is normal and the pouch has a filter to manage it.
Changing it frequently for gas is unnecessary and wasteful.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's IV site. Which of the following findings is an
early indication of phlebitis?
A. Edema and coolness at the site
B. A palpable cord along the vein
C. Erythema and tenderness at the insertion site
D. Purulent drainage from the insertion site
,Answer: C. Erythema and tenderness at the insertion site
Rationale: Erythema (redness) and tenderness are classic early signs of phlebitis,
which is inflammation of the vein. A palpable cord indicates advanced phlebitis,
and purulent drainage indicates infection. Edema and coolness are signs of
infiltration.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in the immediate postoperative period
following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following supplies should the nurse
place at the bedside?
A. A tracheostomy set
B. An endotracheal tube
C. A sterile suture removal kit
D. A nasogastric tube
Answer: A. A tracheostomy set
Rationale: Following a thyroidectomy, there is a risk of laryngeal edema or
hematoma formation causing airway compromise. A tracheostomy set must be
readily available at the bedside for emergency airway management if the client
develops respiratory distress.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Inhale quickly while pressing down on the canister.
B. Hold your breath for 1 to 2 seconds after inhaling.
C. Activate the inhaler just before you start to inhale.
D. Exhale completely through your mouth before inhaling.
Answer: C. Activate the inhaler just before you start to inhale.
Rationale: The correct technique for an MDI is to exhale fully, then activate the
inhaler at the start of a slow, deep inhalation. Holding the breath for at least 10
seconds, not 1 to 2 seconds, allows for optimal medication deposition in the lungs.
8. A nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client. Which of the
following cranial nerves is being tested when the client is asked to shrug
their shoulders against resistance?
, A. Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. Cranial nerve X (Vagus)
C. Cranial nerve XI (Accessory)
D. Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: C. Cranial nerve XI (Accessory)
Rationale: The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) innervates the sternocleidomastoid
and trapezius muscles. Assessing shoulder shrug and head rotation against
resistance specifically tests the function of this cranial nerve.
9. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has a urinary
tract infection (UTI) and is receiving gentamicin. Which of the following
laboratory values indicates a potential adverse effect of the medication that
should be reported?
A. Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL
B. WBC count 8,000/mm³
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 15 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Answer: A. Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with nephrotoxic side
effects. An elevated serum creatinine, such as 1.8 mg/dL (above the normal range
of 0.6-1.2 mg/dL), indicates impaired renal function and requires prompt reporting
to the provider.
10.A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to
low intermittent suction. The nurse notes that the client has absent bowel
sounds. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Flush the NG tube with 30 mL of normal saline.
B. Reposition the NG tube.
C. Clamp the NG tube for 30 minutes.
D. Notify the provider of the finding.
Answer: D. Notify the provider of the finding.
Rationale: Absent bowel sounds in a client with an NG tube can indicate an ileus
Exit Exam with NGN Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a low-sodium
diet. Which of the following food choices by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. Canned vegetable soup
B. Grilled chicken breast with herbs
C. Pickled vegetables
D. Processed cheese slices
Answer: B. Grilled chicken breast with herbs
Rationale: The grilled chicken breast with herbs is a fresh, unprocessed food that is
naturally low in sodium. Canned soups, pickled items, and processed cheeses are
all notoriously high in sodium content and should be avoided on a low-sodium
diet.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's vital signs.
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers.
C. Prime the intravenous tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride.
D. Ensure that the client has signed a consent form.
Answer: B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers.
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority, and the most critical step before initiating
a blood transfusion is to correctly identify the client using at least two unique
,identifiers to prevent a transfusion reaction due to clerical error. This must happen
before any other steps are taken.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following findings is an adverse effect of this
medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Tinnitus
C. Weight gain
D. Bradycardia
Answer: B. Tinnitus
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause ototoxicity, leading to tinnitus or
hearing loss, especially when administered rapidly via IV. It causes hypokalemia,
not hyperkalemia, and promotes fluid loss leading to weight loss.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I will avoid eating foods that cause gas, like carbonated beverages.
B. I will change the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full of gas.
C. I will cut the skin barrier opening one-eighth inch larger than my stoma.
D. I will notify my provider if my stoma becomes pale or bluish.
Answer: B. I will change the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full of gas.
Rationale: An ostomy pouch should be changed when it is one-third to one-half
full of stool, not gas. Gas is normal and the pouch has a filter to manage it.
Changing it frequently for gas is unnecessary and wasteful.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's IV site. Which of the following findings is an
early indication of phlebitis?
A. Edema and coolness at the site
B. A palpable cord along the vein
C. Erythema and tenderness at the insertion site
D. Purulent drainage from the insertion site
,Answer: C. Erythema and tenderness at the insertion site
Rationale: Erythema (redness) and tenderness are classic early signs of phlebitis,
which is inflammation of the vein. A palpable cord indicates advanced phlebitis,
and purulent drainage indicates infection. Edema and coolness are signs of
infiltration.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in the immediate postoperative period
following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following supplies should the nurse
place at the bedside?
A. A tracheostomy set
B. An endotracheal tube
C. A sterile suture removal kit
D. A nasogastric tube
Answer: A. A tracheostomy set
Rationale: Following a thyroidectomy, there is a risk of laryngeal edema or
hematoma formation causing airway compromise. A tracheostomy set must be
readily available at the bedside for emergency airway management if the client
develops respiratory distress.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Inhale quickly while pressing down on the canister.
B. Hold your breath for 1 to 2 seconds after inhaling.
C. Activate the inhaler just before you start to inhale.
D. Exhale completely through your mouth before inhaling.
Answer: C. Activate the inhaler just before you start to inhale.
Rationale: The correct technique for an MDI is to exhale fully, then activate the
inhaler at the start of a slow, deep inhalation. Holding the breath for at least 10
seconds, not 1 to 2 seconds, allows for optimal medication deposition in the lungs.
8. A nurse is performing a neurological assessment on a client. Which of the
following cranial nerves is being tested when the client is asked to shrug
their shoulders against resistance?
, A. Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
B. Cranial nerve X (Vagus)
C. Cranial nerve XI (Accessory)
D. Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Answer: C. Cranial nerve XI (Accessory)
Rationale: The spinal accessory nerve (CN XI) innervates the sternocleidomastoid
and trapezius muscles. Assessing shoulder shrug and head rotation against
resistance specifically tests the function of this cranial nerve.
9. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has a urinary
tract infection (UTI) and is receiving gentamicin. Which of the following
laboratory values indicates a potential adverse effect of the medication that
should be reported?
A. Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL
B. WBC count 8,000/mm³
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 15 mg/dL
D. Hemoglobin 14 g/dL
Answer: A. Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic with nephrotoxic side
effects. An elevated serum creatinine, such as 1.8 mg/dL (above the normal range
of 0.6-1.2 mg/dL), indicates impaired renal function and requires prompt reporting
to the provider.
10.A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube attached to
low intermittent suction. The nurse notes that the client has absent bowel
sounds. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Flush the NG tube with 30 mL of normal saline.
B. Reposition the NG tube.
C. Clamp the NG tube for 30 minutes.
D. Notify the provider of the finding.
Answer: D. Notify the provider of the finding.
Rationale: Absent bowel sounds in a client with an NG tube can indicate an ileus
