ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor
Practice Examination 100 Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with COPD reporting shortness of breath, oxygen saturation 88%
B. A client 2 days postoperative requesting pain medication
C. A client with diabetes asking about diet
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: A. A client with COPD reporting shortness of breath, oxygen
saturation 88%
Rationale: ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) take priority. An oxygen
saturation of 88% in a COPD client indicates inadequate oxygenation and
requires immediate assessment. Pain, education, and discharge are lower
priorities.
2. A competent adult client refuses a blood transfusion. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Administer the blood anyway
B. Notify the provider and document the refusal
C. Ask the family to convince the client
D. Restrain the client
Answer: B. Notify the provider and document the refusal
,Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment (autonomy).
The nurse must respect the refusal, notify the provider, and document.
Overriding the client is battery.
3. Which task is appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Assessing a new admission
C. Obtaining vital signs on a stable client
D. Teaching a client about insulin
Answer: C. Obtaining vital signs on a stable client
Rationale: UAPs can perform routine, stable tasks like vital signs. Medication
administration, assessment, and teaching require an RN license.
4. A nurse is triaging after a mass casualty. Which client receives a RED tag?
A. A client with an open femur fracture and weak pedal pulse
B. A client with massive head trauma and no respirations
C. A client with a sprained ankle
D. A client with minor lacerations
Answer: A. A client with an open femur fracture and weak pedal pulse
Rationale: Red (Immediate) = life-threatening but survivable with rapid
intervention. Black (Expectant) = no respirations after repositioning. Green =
minor.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed dose of medication that is
several times greater than the usual therapeutic dose. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Administer half the prescribed dose
B. Give the medication and monitor closely
,C. Withhold the medication and clarify the prescription
D. Ask another nurse to administer the medication
Answer: C. Withhold the medication and clarify the prescription
Rationale: Nurses are accountable for safe medication administration and
must question prescriptions that appear unsafe. The nurse should hold the
medication until the dose is verified with the provider or pharmacist.
6. A nurse is assessing a client receiving a blood transfusion. The client
reports low back pain and chills. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the transfusion
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Notify the provider
D. Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: A. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: The client is showing signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The
first action is to stop the transfusion to prevent further reaction. After
stopping, maintain IV access with new tubing, notify the provider, and send
the blood bag to the lab.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
D. Magnesium 2.1 mg/dL
Answer: B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
Hypokalemia (potassium less than 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of cardiac
dysrhythmias and digoxin toxicity. The nurse should report this finding
immediately.
, 8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription
for warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will increase my intake of green leafy vegetables."
B. "I will use a straight razor for shaving."
C. "I will report any unexplained bruising to my provider."
D. "I will take ibuprofen for headaches."
Answer: C. "I will report any unexplained bruising to my provider."
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk.
Unexplained bruising may indicate excessive anticoagulation. Green leafy
vegetables contain vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin. Straight razors
and ibuprofen increase bleeding risk.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The nurse notes
that the client's fundus is boggy and deviated to the right. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Massage the fundus
B. Assist the client to void
C. Notify the provider
D. Administer oxytocin
Answer: B. Assist the client to void
Rationale: A boggy fundus deviated to the right or left often indicates a full
bladder displacing the uterus. The nurse should first assist the client to void,
then reassess the fundus. After voiding, fundal massage may be needed if the
uterus remains boggy.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving continuous IV heparin. The client's
aPTT is 110 seconds. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Decrease the infusion rate by 50%
Practice Examination 100 Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with COPD reporting shortness of breath, oxygen saturation 88%
B. A client 2 days postoperative requesting pain medication
C. A client with diabetes asking about diet
D. A client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: A. A client with COPD reporting shortness of breath, oxygen
saturation 88%
Rationale: ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) take priority. An oxygen
saturation of 88% in a COPD client indicates inadequate oxygenation and
requires immediate assessment. Pain, education, and discharge are lower
priorities.
2. A competent adult client refuses a blood transfusion. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Administer the blood anyway
B. Notify the provider and document the refusal
C. Ask the family to convince the client
D. Restrain the client
Answer: B. Notify the provider and document the refusal
,Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment (autonomy).
The nurse must respect the refusal, notify the provider, and document.
Overriding the client is battery.
3. Which task is appropriate to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP)?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Assessing a new admission
C. Obtaining vital signs on a stable client
D. Teaching a client about insulin
Answer: C. Obtaining vital signs on a stable client
Rationale: UAPs can perform routine, stable tasks like vital signs. Medication
administration, assessment, and teaching require an RN license.
4. A nurse is triaging after a mass casualty. Which client receives a RED tag?
A. A client with an open femur fracture and weak pedal pulse
B. A client with massive head trauma and no respirations
C. A client with a sprained ankle
D. A client with minor lacerations
Answer: A. A client with an open femur fracture and weak pedal pulse
Rationale: Red (Immediate) = life-threatening but survivable with rapid
intervention. Black (Expectant) = no respirations after repositioning. Green =
minor.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed dose of medication that is
several times greater than the usual therapeutic dose. What should the nurse
do first?
A. Administer half the prescribed dose
B. Give the medication and monitor closely
,C. Withhold the medication and clarify the prescription
D. Ask another nurse to administer the medication
Answer: C. Withhold the medication and clarify the prescription
Rationale: Nurses are accountable for safe medication administration and
must question prescriptions that appear unsafe. The nurse should hold the
medication until the dose is verified with the provider or pharmacist.
6. A nurse is assessing a client receiving a blood transfusion. The client
reports low back pain and chills. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the transfusion
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Notify the provider
D. Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: A. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: The client is showing signs of a hemolytic transfusion reaction. The
first action is to stop the transfusion to prevent further reaction. After
stopping, maintain IV access with new tubing, notify the provider, and send
the blood bag to the lab.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
D. Magnesium 2.1 mg/dL
Answer: B. Potassium 3.1 mEq/L
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
Hypokalemia (potassium less than 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of cardiac
dysrhythmias and digoxin toxicity. The nurse should report this finding
immediately.
, 8. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription
for warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will increase my intake of green leafy vegetables."
B. "I will use a straight razor for shaving."
C. "I will report any unexplained bruising to my provider."
D. "I will take ibuprofen for headaches."
Answer: C. "I will report any unexplained bruising to my provider."
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk.
Unexplained bruising may indicate excessive anticoagulation. Green leafy
vegetables contain vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin. Straight razors
and ibuprofen increase bleeding risk.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours postpartum. The nurse notes
that the client's fundus is boggy and deviated to the right. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Massage the fundus
B. Assist the client to void
C. Notify the provider
D. Administer oxytocin
Answer: B. Assist the client to void
Rationale: A boggy fundus deviated to the right or left often indicates a full
bladder displacing the uterus. The nurse should first assist the client to void,
then reassess the fundus. After voiding, fundal massage may be needed if the
uterus remains boggy.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving continuous IV heparin. The client's
aPTT is 110 seconds. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Decrease the infusion rate by 50%
