ATI PN ComPreheNsIve PredICTor:
100 PrACTICe QuesTIoNs ANd
ANswer exPlANATIoNs
Part One: Management of Care, Delegation, and Prioritization (1–20)
1. A charge nurse is planning client assignments. Which client is most appropriate to assign
to the LPN?
A. A client newly admitted with acute GI bleeding requiring fluid resuscitation
B. A client who is 2 days post-op from a hip replacement needing routine wound care and
ambulation assistance
C. A client receiving their first dose of IV chemotherapy
D. A client with new-onset chest pain requiring STAT cardiac enzymes
Answer: B
Explanation: The LPN scope includes caring for stable clients with predictable outcomes,
performing routine wound care, and reinforcing teaching. Acute GI bleeding, first-dose IV
chemotherapy, and new-onset chest pain require RN-level assessment and intervention .
2. A PN is caring for four clients and must determine which client requires immediate
assessment using the ABC priority framework. Which client should the PN assess first?
A. A client with diabetes requesting pain medication for neuropathy
B. A client with COPD who has a new cough producing green sputum
C. A client who is post-operative day one with new-onset confusion and a blood pressure of
88/50
D. A client with a fractured tibia requesting assistance to the bathroom
Answer: C
Explanation: New-onset confusion with hypotension suggests possible sepsis, hemorrhage,
or shock—an immediately life-threatening finding. Circulation precedes stable complaints .
3. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Assessing a client's capillary refill in the affected extremity
B. Teaching a client how to keep a cast dry while showering
C. Assisting a client with ambulation to the bathroom
D. Evaluating a client's pain level using the 0-10 numeric scale
Answer: C
Explanation: Assisting with ambulation is a routine task within AP scope. Assessment,
teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment .
,4. A PN is delegating the ambulation of a client who had knee arthroplasty 5 days ago to
an AP. Which information should the nurse share with the AP? (Select all that apply)
A. The roommate is up independently
B. The client ambulates with slippers on over antiembolic stockings
C. The client uses a front-wheeled walker when ambulating
D. The client had pain medication 30 minutes ago
E. The client is allergic to codeine
Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: The AP needs specific information about how the client ambulates, what
assistive device is used, and recent pain medication timing to ensure safe ambulation .
5. A PN is caring for a client who has a new prescription for haloperidol. The client
develops a stiff neck and difficulty swallowing. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Lithium
Answer: A
Explanation: Stiff neck and difficulty swallowing indicate acute dystonia, an extrapyramidal
symptom caused by typical antipsychotics. Benztropine (an anticholinergic) is used to treat
acute dystonia .
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following a cesarean birth. The
client reports pain and redness at the incision site. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Apply a warm compress
B. Administer prescribed antibiotics
C. Assess the incision for drainage
D. Notify the provider
Answer: C
Explanation: Assessment precedes intervention. The nurse should assess for signs of
infection, such as drainage, dehiscence, or separation, before taking further action .
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a sodium level of 156 mEq/L. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Altered mental status (confused, tired)
C. Dysrhythmias
D. Seizures
Answer: B
, Explanation: Hypernatremia (sodium above 145 mEq/L) commonly causes altered mental
status, including confusion and lethargy .
8. A nurse is discussing risk factors for child abuse with a parenting group. Which finding is
a characteristic of perpetrators of child abuse?
A. Laissez-faire leadership style
B. High expectations of behavior
C. Self-blame for financial problems
D. High self-esteem
Answer: B
Explanation: Perpetrators of child abuse often have unrealistic expectations of the child's
behavior and development .
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about advance directives. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I will need to have my attorney present when I sign the document."
B. "My family can make changes to the document after I sign it."
C. "I can change my advance directives at any time."
D. "Advance directives can only be completed in the hospital."
Answer: C
Explanation: Clients have the right to change or revoke advance directives at any time while
competent. An attorney is not required, and family cannot make changes .
10. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four clients. Which client should the
nurse see first?
A. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL for the past 12 hours
B. A client requesting pain medication for chronic arthritis
C. A client who needs discharge teaching about wound care
D. A client who is scheduled for a chest X-ray in 1 hour
Answer: A
Explanation: Urinary output of 100 mL over 12 hours is significantly below the expected
minimum of 30 mL/hr, indicating possible renal impairment or dehydration requiring
immediate assessment .
11. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client at risk for pressure injuries.
Which intervention should the nurse include?
A. Place the client in a 30-degree lateral position
B. Massage bony prominences vigorously
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 90 degrees
D. Use a donut-shaped cushion for sitting
Answer: A
Explanation: The 30-degree lateral position reduces pressure on the sacrum and
100 PrACTICe QuesTIoNs ANd
ANswer exPlANATIoNs
Part One: Management of Care, Delegation, and Prioritization (1–20)
1. A charge nurse is planning client assignments. Which client is most appropriate to assign
to the LPN?
A. A client newly admitted with acute GI bleeding requiring fluid resuscitation
B. A client who is 2 days post-op from a hip replacement needing routine wound care and
ambulation assistance
C. A client receiving their first dose of IV chemotherapy
D. A client with new-onset chest pain requiring STAT cardiac enzymes
Answer: B
Explanation: The LPN scope includes caring for stable clients with predictable outcomes,
performing routine wound care, and reinforcing teaching. Acute GI bleeding, first-dose IV
chemotherapy, and new-onset chest pain require RN-level assessment and intervention .
2. A PN is caring for four clients and must determine which client requires immediate
assessment using the ABC priority framework. Which client should the PN assess first?
A. A client with diabetes requesting pain medication for neuropathy
B. A client with COPD who has a new cough producing green sputum
C. A client who is post-operative day one with new-onset confusion and a blood pressure of
88/50
D. A client with a fractured tibia requesting assistance to the bathroom
Answer: C
Explanation: New-onset confusion with hypotension suggests possible sepsis, hemorrhage,
or shock—an immediately life-threatening finding. Circulation precedes stable complaints .
3. Which task is most appropriate to delegate to assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Assessing a client's capillary refill in the affected extremity
B. Teaching a client how to keep a cast dry while showering
C. Assisting a client with ambulation to the bathroom
D. Evaluating a client's pain level using the 0-10 numeric scale
Answer: C
Explanation: Assisting with ambulation is a routine task within AP scope. Assessment,
teaching, and evaluation require nursing judgment .
,4. A PN is delegating the ambulation of a client who had knee arthroplasty 5 days ago to
an AP. Which information should the nurse share with the AP? (Select all that apply)
A. The roommate is up independently
B. The client ambulates with slippers on over antiembolic stockings
C. The client uses a front-wheeled walker when ambulating
D. The client had pain medication 30 minutes ago
E. The client is allergic to codeine
Answer: B, C, D
Explanation: The AP needs specific information about how the client ambulates, what
assistive device is used, and recent pain medication timing to ensure safe ambulation .
5. A PN is caring for a client who has a new prescription for haloperidol. The client
develops a stiff neck and difficulty swallowing. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Fluoxetine
D. Lithium
Answer: A
Explanation: Stiff neck and difficulty swallowing indicate acute dystonia, an extrapyramidal
symptom caused by typical antipsychotics. Benztropine (an anticholinergic) is used to treat
acute dystonia .
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative following a cesarean birth. The
client reports pain and redness at the incision site. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Apply a warm compress
B. Administer prescribed antibiotics
C. Assess the incision for drainage
D. Notify the provider
Answer: C
Explanation: Assessment precedes intervention. The nurse should assess for signs of
infection, such as drainage, dehiscence, or separation, before taking further action .
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a sodium level of 156 mEq/L. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A. Nausea and vomiting
B. Altered mental status (confused, tired)
C. Dysrhythmias
D. Seizures
Answer: B
, Explanation: Hypernatremia (sodium above 145 mEq/L) commonly causes altered mental
status, including confusion and lethargy .
8. A nurse is discussing risk factors for child abuse with a parenting group. Which finding is
a characteristic of perpetrators of child abuse?
A. Laissez-faire leadership style
B. High expectations of behavior
C. Self-blame for financial problems
D. High self-esteem
Answer: B
Explanation: Perpetrators of child abuse often have unrealistic expectations of the child's
behavior and development .
9. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about advance directives. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I will need to have my attorney present when I sign the document."
B. "My family can make changes to the document after I sign it."
C. "I can change my advance directives at any time."
D. "Advance directives can only be completed in the hospital."
Answer: C
Explanation: Clients have the right to change or revoke advance directives at any time while
competent. An attorney is not required, and family cannot make changes .
10. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four clients. Which client should the
nurse see first?
A. A client whose urinary output was 100 mL for the past 12 hours
B. A client requesting pain medication for chronic arthritis
C. A client who needs discharge teaching about wound care
D. A client who is scheduled for a chest X-ray in 1 hour
Answer: A
Explanation: Urinary output of 100 mL over 12 hours is significantly below the expected
minimum of 30 mL/hr, indicating possible renal impairment or dehydration requiring
immediate assessment .
11. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client at risk for pressure injuries.
Which intervention should the nurse include?
A. Place the client in a 30-degree lateral position
B. Massage bony prominences vigorously
C. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 90 degrees
D. Use a donut-shaped cushion for sitting
Answer: A
Explanation: The 30-degree lateral position reduces pressure on the sacrum and
