ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exam
180 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Fundamentals of Nursing (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding to a client who has a nasogastric tube.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
B. Check the residual volume
C. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first verify tube placement to prevent aspiration and ensure the
tube is in the correct position. Checking gastric aspirate pH (should be ≤4) confirms placement.
The head of the bed should be elevated to 30-45 degrees during feeding to reduce aspiration
risk.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and reports incisional pain. The nurse
administers morphine 2 mg IV. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A. Document the medication administration
B. Assess the client's pain level in 15-30 minutes
C. Evaluate the client's respiratory rate
D. Assist the client to a comfortable position
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Morphine is a potent opioid that can cause respiratory depression. The nurse should
first assess the client's respiratory rate before and after administration to ensure safety. Pain
assessment and documentation follow after ensuring the client's respiratory status is stable.
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for a metered-dose inhaler.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister
B. Hold the breath for 1 second after inhaling
C. Shake the inhaler vigorously for 2 seconds before use
D. Exhale completely before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client should inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister to ensure
medication reaches the lower airways. The breath should be held for 5-10 seconds after
inhalation, not 1 second. The inhaler should be shaken for 5 seconds, and exhaling completely
before inhalation is recommended.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Discard the first voiding of the collection period
B. Keep the urine collection container at room temperature
C. Collect the urine in a clean specimen container
D. Start the collection at the client's bedtime
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first voiding of the collection period should be discarded and the start time
recorded. The collection container should be refrigerated or kept on ice, not at room
temperature. A 24-hour urine collection requires a sterile or preservative-containing container,
and the start time is typically in the morning.
Question 5
,A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change for a client with a surgical wound. Which of the
following actions demonstrates proper sterile technique?
A. Setting up the sterile field just before starting the procedure
B. Opening the sterile package away from the body
C. Placing sterile items within 2.5 cm (1 in) of the edge of the sterile field
D. Using sterile gloves to touch the outside of the sterile package
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sterile field should be set up immediately before the procedure to minimize
contamination risk. Sterile items should be at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the field. The
outside of the sterile package is not sterile and should not be touched with sterile gloves.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula. Which of the following
findings indicates the client is experiencing oxygen toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis of the nail beds
C. Substernal pain
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Substernal pain is a sign of oxygen toxicity, along with dyspnea, cough, and
paresthesias. Bradycardia, cyanosis, and hypertension are not characteristic signs of oxygen
toxicity. Oxygen toxicity occurs with high concentrations of oxygen administered over extended
periods.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Apply sterile lubricant to the first 2-5 cm (1-2 in) of the catheter
B. Separate the labia with the non-dominant hand
C. Cleanse the meatus with a circular motion from outer to inner
D. Advance the catheter 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in) after urine begins to flow
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The labia should be separated with the non-dominant hand to maintain sterility of
the dominant hand. Lubricant should be applied to the first 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in) of the catheter.
The meatus should be cleansed with a downward stroke, not circular. After urine flow begins,
the catheter should be advanced 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in).
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has a hip fracture and is in Buck's traction. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Assess the client's skin integrity every shift
B. Ensure the weights are resting on the bed
C. Remove the traction boots every 2 hours
D. Monitor the client's neurovascular status every 4 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Neurovascular status should be monitored every 4 hours to assess for complications
such as compartment syndrome. Skin integrity should be assessed more frequently than every
shift. Weights should hang freely, not rest on the bed. Traction boots should not be routinely
removed every 2 hours unless indicated.
Question 9
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Change the ostomy appliance when it is one-third full
B. Apply a skin barrier powder to intact skin
C. Empty the pouch when it is two-thirds full
D. Use soap and water to clean the peristomal skin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pouch should be emptied when it is one-third to one-half full to prevent leakage
and weight-related separation. Skin barrier powder is used only on irritated or excoriated skin,
not intact skin. Peristomal skin should be cleaned with warm water, not soap, which can leave a
residue and affect adhesion.
180 Practice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Fundamentals of Nursing (Questions 1-30)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding to a client who has a nasogastric tube.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
B. Check the residual volume
C. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
D. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first verify tube placement to prevent aspiration and ensure the
tube is in the correct position. Checking gastric aspirate pH (should be ≤4) confirms placement.
The head of the bed should be elevated to 30-45 degrees during feeding to reduce aspiration
risk.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and reports incisional pain. The nurse
administers morphine 2 mg IV. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A. Document the medication administration
B. Assess the client's pain level in 15-30 minutes
C. Evaluate the client's respiratory rate
D. Assist the client to a comfortable position
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: Morphine is a potent opioid that can cause respiratory depression. The nurse should
first assess the client's respiratory rate before and after administration to ensure safety. Pain
assessment and documentation follow after ensuring the client's respiratory status is stable.
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for a metered-dose inhaler.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister
B. Hold the breath for 1 second after inhaling
C. Shake the inhaler vigorously for 2 seconds before use
D. Exhale completely before placing the mouthpiece in the mouth
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The client should inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister to ensure
medication reaches the lower airways. The breath should be held for 5-10 seconds after
inhalation, not 1 second. The inhaler should be shaken for 5 seconds, and exhaling completely
before inhalation is recommended.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Discard the first voiding of the collection period
B. Keep the urine collection container at room temperature
C. Collect the urine in a clean specimen container
D. Start the collection at the client's bedtime
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The first voiding of the collection period should be discarded and the start time
recorded. The collection container should be refrigerated or kept on ice, not at room
temperature. A 24-hour urine collection requires a sterile or preservative-containing container,
and the start time is typically in the morning.
Question 5
,A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change for a client with a surgical wound. Which of the
following actions demonstrates proper sterile technique?
A. Setting up the sterile field just before starting the procedure
B. Opening the sterile package away from the body
C. Placing sterile items within 2.5 cm (1 in) of the edge of the sterile field
D. Using sterile gloves to touch the outside of the sterile package
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sterile field should be set up immediately before the procedure to minimize
contamination risk. Sterile items should be at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the field. The
outside of the sterile package is not sterile and should not be touched with sterile gloves.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula. Which of the following
findings indicates the client is experiencing oxygen toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis of the nail beds
C. Substernal pain
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Substernal pain is a sign of oxygen toxicity, along with dyspnea, cough, and
paresthesias. Bradycardia, cyanosis, and hypertension are not characteristic signs of oxygen
toxicity. Oxygen toxicity occurs with high concentrations of oxygen administered over extended
periods.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Apply sterile lubricant to the first 2-5 cm (1-2 in) of the catheter
B. Separate the labia with the non-dominant hand
C. Cleanse the meatus with a circular motion from outer to inner
D. Advance the catheter 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in) after urine begins to flow
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The labia should be separated with the non-dominant hand to maintain sterility of
the dominant hand. Lubricant should be applied to the first 5-7.5 cm (2-3 in) of the catheter.
The meatus should be cleansed with a downward stroke, not circular. After urine flow begins,
the catheter should be advanced 2.5-5 cm (1-2 in).
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has a hip fracture and is in Buck's traction. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Assess the client's skin integrity every shift
B. Ensure the weights are resting on the bed
C. Remove the traction boots every 2 hours
D. Monitor the client's neurovascular status every 4 hours
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Neurovascular status should be monitored every 4 hours to assess for complications
such as compartment syndrome. Skin integrity should be assessed more frequently than every
shift. Weights should hang freely, not rest on the bed. Traction boots should not be routinely
removed every 2 hours unless indicated.
Question 9
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Change the ostomy appliance when it is one-third full
B. Apply a skin barrier powder to intact skin
C. Empty the pouch when it is two-thirds full
D. Use soap and water to clean the peristomal skin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The pouch should be emptied when it is one-third to one-half full to prevent leakage
and weight-related separation. Skin barrier powder is used only on irritated or excoriated skin,
not intact skin. Peristomal skin should be cleaned with warm water, not soap, which can leave a
residue and affect adhesion.
