ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exam (20
Latest Updated Versions, 2021)/ PN ATI
Comprehensive Predictor Exam |Complete
Guide for A.T.I Exam
SECTION I: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & SAFETY
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is on bed rest. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take to prevent a pressure injury?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the client every 4 hours
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees at all times
D. Use a drawsheet to lift rather than drag the client
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Using a drawsheet to lift rather than drag reduces friction and shear, which are
major contributors to pressure injury formation. Bony prominences that are reddened should
never be massaged (A), repositioning should occur at least every 2 hours (B), and the head of
the bed should be kept at or below 30 degrees when possible to reduce shear (C).
2. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as the most reliable indicator of pain?
A. Elevated heart rate
B. Client's self-report
C. Facial grimacing
D. Elevated blood pressure
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The client's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Physiologic signs (A,
D) and behavioral cues (C) may support the assessment but are not reliable alone, as they can
be influenced by other factors and may be absent in chronic pain.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema. In which of the following positions
should the nurse place the client?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. Left lateral Sims' position
C. High Fowler's position
D. Prone position
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The left lateral Sims' position allows the enema solution to flow by gravity along
the natural curve of the sigmoid colon and descending colon. Other positions do not facilitate
this flow pattern.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a cane. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
A. Hold the cane on the affected side
B. Advance the cane and the affected leg together
C. Hold the cane on the unaffected side
D. Advance the cane after the unaffected leg
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The cane should be held on the unaffected (strong) side to provide maximum
support and widen the base of support. The cane is advanced with the affected leg (B) to reduce
weight-bearing on the weak extremity. Holding the cane on the affected side (A) provides less
stability.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A. Irrigate the catheter routinely
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
C. Disconnect the catheter tubing daily to clean
D. Empty the drainage bag every 24 hours
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder prevents backflow of
urine into the bladder, reducing CAUTI risk. Routine irrigation (A) and daily disconnection (C)
increase infection risk. The bag should be emptied when it is half to two-thirds full, not just
every 24 hours (D).
,6. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who has a new colostomy. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Stoma is pink and moist
B. Stoma is dusky and cyanotic
C. Small amount of bleeding at the stoma
D. Output is semiliquid
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A dusky, cyanotic stoma indicates inadequate perfusion/ischemia and must be
reported immediately. A pink, moist stoma (A) is normal, minor bleeding (C) is expected initially,
and semiliquid output (D) is expected for a colostomy.
7. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation who has a prescription for a walker. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a gait belt
B. Ask the client to stand
C. Assess the client's weight-bearing status
D. Place the walker 12 inches in front of the client
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. Determining the client's
weight-bearing status and ability ensures safe ambulation before applying a gait belt or assisting
the client to stand.
8. A nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of a low-sodium diet. Which of the following
statements indicates correct understanding?
A. "I will use salt substitutes containing potassium."
B. "I will read food labels for sodium content."
C. "I will add table salt only when cooking."
D. "I will avoid all fluids."
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Reading food labels helps the client identify and limit hidden sodium. Salt
substitutes (A) may be unsafe for clients on potassium-restricted diets. Adding table salt (C)
increases sodium intake. Avoiding all fluids (D) is unrelated and unsafe.
, 9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 4 L/min. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Ensure the client has a humidification system
B. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
C. Tighten the cannula to prevent dislodgement
D. Discontinue oxygen during meals
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Oxygen flow rates above 2–4 L/min can dry the nasal mucosa, so humidification is
recommended. Petroleum jelly (B) is flammable and should be avoided near oxygen. Tightening
the cannula (C) can cause skin breakdown. Oxygen should not be discontinued during meals (D).
10. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will use the call light before getting out of bed."
B. "I will keep my personal items within reach."
C. "I will wear socks without shoes when walking."
D. "I will keep the bed in the lowest position."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Walking in socks without shoes increases the risk for falls due to lack of traction.
Non-skid footwear should be worn. The other statements reflect correct fall-prevention
practices.
11. A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale. Which
of the following components should the nurse assess? Select all that apply.
A. Eye opening
B. Verbal response
C. Motor response
D. Pupil size
E. Blood pressure
Correct answers: A, B, C
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses three components: eye opening (A), verbal
Latest Updated Versions, 2021)/ PN ATI
Comprehensive Predictor Exam |Complete
Guide for A.T.I Exam
SECTION I: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & SAFETY
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is on bed rest. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take to prevent a pressure injury?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the client every 4 hours
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 45 degrees at all times
D. Use a drawsheet to lift rather than drag the client
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Using a drawsheet to lift rather than drag reduces friction and shear, which are
major contributors to pressure injury formation. Bony prominences that are reddened should
never be massaged (A), repositioning should occur at least every 2 hours (B), and the head of
the bed should be kept at or below 30 degrees when possible to reduce shear (C).
2. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as the most reliable indicator of pain?
A. Elevated heart rate
B. Client's self-report
C. Facial grimacing
D. Elevated blood pressure
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The client's self-report is the most reliable indicator of pain. Physiologic signs (A,
D) and behavioral cues (C) may support the assessment but are not reliable alone, as they can
be influenced by other factors and may be absent in chronic pain.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema. In which of the following positions
should the nurse place the client?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. Left lateral Sims' position
C. High Fowler's position
D. Prone position
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The left lateral Sims' position allows the enema solution to flow by gravity along
the natural curve of the sigmoid colon and descending colon. Other positions do not facilitate
this flow pattern.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a cane. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
A. Hold the cane on the affected side
B. Advance the cane and the affected leg together
C. Hold the cane on the unaffected side
D. Advance the cane after the unaffected leg
Correct answer: C
Rationale: The cane should be held on the unaffected (strong) side to provide maximum
support and widen the base of support. The cane is advanced with the affected leg (B) to reduce
weight-bearing on the weak extremity. Holding the cane on the affected side (A) provides less
stability.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A. Irrigate the catheter routinely
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
C. Disconnect the catheter tubing daily to clean
D. Empty the drainage bag every 24 hours
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the drainage bag below the level of the bladder prevents backflow of
urine into the bladder, reducing CAUTI risk. Routine irrigation (A) and daily disconnection (C)
increase infection risk. The bag should be emptied when it is half to two-thirds full, not just
every 24 hours (D).
,6. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who has a new colostomy. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Stoma is pink and moist
B. Stoma is dusky and cyanotic
C. Small amount of bleeding at the stoma
D. Output is semiliquid
Correct answer: B
Rationale: A dusky, cyanotic stoma indicates inadequate perfusion/ischemia and must be
reported immediately. A pink, moist stoma (A) is normal, minor bleeding (C) is expected initially,
and semiliquid output (D) is expected for a colostomy.
7. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation who has a prescription for a walker. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a gait belt
B. Ask the client to stand
C. Assess the client's weight-bearing status
D. Place the walker 12 inches in front of the client
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process. Determining the client's
weight-bearing status and ability ensures safe ambulation before applying a gait belt or assisting
the client to stand.
8. A nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of a low-sodium diet. Which of the following
statements indicates correct understanding?
A. "I will use salt substitutes containing potassium."
B. "I will read food labels for sodium content."
C. "I will add table salt only when cooking."
D. "I will avoid all fluids."
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Reading food labels helps the client identify and limit hidden sodium. Salt
substitutes (A) may be unsafe for clients on potassium-restricted diets. Adding table salt (C)
increases sodium intake. Avoiding all fluids (D) is unrelated and unsafe.
, 9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 4 L/min. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Ensure the client has a humidification system
B. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
C. Tighten the cannula to prevent dislodgement
D. Discontinue oxygen during meals
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Oxygen flow rates above 2–4 L/min can dry the nasal mucosa, so humidification is
recommended. Petroleum jelly (B) is flammable and should be avoided near oxygen. Tightening
the cannula (C) can cause skin breakdown. Oxygen should not be discontinued during meals (D).
10. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will use the call light before getting out of bed."
B. "I will keep my personal items within reach."
C. "I will wear socks without shoes when walking."
D. "I will keep the bed in the lowest position."
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Walking in socks without shoes increases the risk for falls due to lack of traction.
Non-skid footwear should be worn. The other statements reflect correct fall-prevention
practices.
11. A nurse is assessing a client's level of consciousness using the Glasgow Coma Scale. Which
of the following components should the nurse assess? Select all that apply.
A. Eye opening
B. Verbal response
C. Motor response
D. Pupil size
E. Blood pressure
Correct answers: A, B, C
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses three components: eye opening (A), verbal
