1
ATI RN Comprehensive
Predictor Retake 2023 – Real
Proctored Questions with
actual Correct Answers & A+
Explanations
Question 1
A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. A client reporting sudden chest pain and diaphoresis
C. A client awaiting discharge instructions
D. A client with a temperature of 100.4°F
Correct Answer: B. A client reporting sudden chest pain and diaphoresis
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and diaphoresis may indicate an acute myocardial infarction, a
life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment to prevent complications. Other
clients have stable or less urgent conditions.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine to a client with diabetes mellitus. Which
action ensures medication safety?
A. Administer without checking the dose
B. Verify the dose with another nurse
C. Inject into the deltoid muscle
D. Mix with regular insulin in the same syringe
Correct Answer: B. Verify the dose with another nurse
Rationale: Verifying the insulin dose with another nurse reduces the risk of medication errors,
ensuring client safety for high-risk medications like insulin.
, 2
Question 3
A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Assessing a client’s pain level
B. Obtaining a client’s vital signs
C. Administering oral medications
D. Evaluating a client’s response to therapy
Correct Answer: B. Obtaining a client’s vital signs
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs is within the UAP’s scope of practice. Assessing, administering
medications, and evaluating responses are reserved for licensed nurses.
Question 4
A client with a central venous catheter has redness at the insertion site. What is the nurse’s
priority action to prevent infection?
A. Change the dressing weekly
B. Use sterile technique for dressing changes
C. Flush the catheter with saline daily
D. Administer prophylactic antibiotics
Correct Answer: B. Use sterile technique for dressing changes
Rationale: Sterile technique during dressing changes minimizes the risk of catheter-related
bloodstream infections, a critical infection control measure.
Question 5
A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B. International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR monitors the therapeutic effect of warfarin, ensuring safe anticoagulation by
assessing the extrinsic clotting pathway.
, 3
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy. Which action prevents infection?
A. Suction using clean technique
B. Change the tracheostomy ties weekly
C. Use sterile technique for suctioning
D. Clean the stoma with alcohol
Correct Answer: C. Use sterile technique for suctioning
Rationale: Sterile technique during suctioning prevents the introduction of pathogens into the
respiratory tract, reducing infection risk.
Question 7
A nurse is prioritizing care for a client in the emergency department. Which client should be seen
first?
A. A client with a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min
B. A client with a blood glucose of 120 mg/dL
C. A client with a laceration requiring sutures
D. A client with a fever of 100.8°F
Correct Answer: A. A client with a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min indicates potential respiratory distress, a life-
threatening condition requiring immediate assessment.
Question 8
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause hypokalemia, increasing the risk of
arrhythmias, necessitating close potassium monitoring.
Question 9
, 4
A nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A. Developing a client’s care plan
B. Administering oral acetaminophen
C. Evaluating a client’s response to treatment
D. Teaching a client about a new medication
Correct Answer: B. Administering oral acetaminophen
Rationale: Administering oral medications like acetaminophen is within the LPN’s scope of
practice. Developing care plans, evaluating responses, and teaching are responsibilities of the
RN.
Question 10
A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which finding indicates possible
toxicity?
A. Serum phenytoin level of 15 mcg/mL
B. Nystagmus and ataxia
C. Heart rate of 80 bpm
D. Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg
Correct Answer: B. Nystagmus and ataxia
Rationale: Nystagmus and ataxia are signs of phenytoin toxicity, which occurs at serum levels
above 20 mcg/mL, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 11
A nurse is preparing to administer IV vancomycin. Which action ensures safety?
A. Infuse over 30 minutes
B. Monitor for red man syndrome
C. Administer as a bolus
D. Mix with potassium chloride
Correct Answer: B. Monitor for red man syndrome
Rationale: Vancomycin can cause red man syndrome (flushing, rash) if infused too quickly,
requiring slow infusion and monitoring for safety.
Question 12
ATI RN Comprehensive
Predictor Retake 2023 – Real
Proctored Questions with
actual Correct Answers & A+
Explanations
Question 1
A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
B. A client reporting sudden chest pain and diaphoresis
C. A client awaiting discharge instructions
D. A client with a temperature of 100.4°F
Correct Answer: B. A client reporting sudden chest pain and diaphoresis
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and diaphoresis may indicate an acute myocardial infarction, a
life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment to prevent complications. Other
clients have stable or less urgent conditions.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine to a client with diabetes mellitus. Which
action ensures medication safety?
A. Administer without checking the dose
B. Verify the dose with another nurse
C. Inject into the deltoid muscle
D. Mix with regular insulin in the same syringe
Correct Answer: B. Verify the dose with another nurse
Rationale: Verifying the insulin dose with another nurse reduces the risk of medication errors,
ensuring client safety for high-risk medications like insulin.
, 2
Question 3
A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Assessing a client’s pain level
B. Obtaining a client’s vital signs
C. Administering oral medications
D. Evaluating a client’s response to therapy
Correct Answer: B. Obtaining a client’s vital signs
Rationale: Obtaining vital signs is within the UAP’s scope of practice. Assessing, administering
medications, and evaluating responses are reserved for licensed nurses.
Question 4
A client with a central venous catheter has redness at the insertion site. What is the nurse’s
priority action to prevent infection?
A. Change the dressing weekly
B. Use sterile technique for dressing changes
C. Flush the catheter with saline daily
D. Administer prophylactic antibiotics
Correct Answer: B. Use sterile technique for dressing changes
Rationale: Sterile technique during dressing changes minimizes the risk of catheter-related
bloodstream infections, a critical infection control measure.
Question 5
A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B. International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR monitors the therapeutic effect of warfarin, ensuring safe anticoagulation by
assessing the extrinsic clotting pathway.
, 3
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy. Which action prevents infection?
A. Suction using clean technique
B. Change the tracheostomy ties weekly
C. Use sterile technique for suctioning
D. Clean the stoma with alcohol
Correct Answer: C. Use sterile technique for suctioning
Rationale: Sterile technique during suctioning prevents the introduction of pathogens into the
respiratory tract, reducing infection risk.
Question 7
A nurse is prioritizing care for a client in the emergency department. Which client should be seen
first?
A. A client with a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min
B. A client with a blood glucose of 120 mg/dL
C. A client with a laceration requiring sutures
D. A client with a fever of 100.8°F
Correct Answer: A. A client with a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min indicates potential respiratory distress, a life-
threatening condition requiring immediate assessment.
Question 8
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause hypokalemia, increasing the risk of
arrhythmias, necessitating close potassium monitoring.
Question 9
, 4
A nurse is delegating tasks to a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Which task is appropriate to
delegate?
A. Developing a client’s care plan
B. Administering oral acetaminophen
C. Evaluating a client’s response to treatment
D. Teaching a client about a new medication
Correct Answer: B. Administering oral acetaminophen
Rationale: Administering oral medications like acetaminophen is within the LPN’s scope of
practice. Developing care plans, evaluating responses, and teaching are responsibilities of the
RN.
Question 10
A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which finding indicates possible
toxicity?
A. Serum phenytoin level of 15 mcg/mL
B. Nystagmus and ataxia
C. Heart rate of 80 bpm
D. Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg
Correct Answer: B. Nystagmus and ataxia
Rationale: Nystagmus and ataxia are signs of phenytoin toxicity, which occurs at serum levels
above 20 mcg/mL, requiring immediate intervention.
Question 11
A nurse is preparing to administer IV vancomycin. Which action ensures safety?
A. Infuse over 30 minutes
B. Monitor for red man syndrome
C. Administer as a bolus
D. Mix with potassium chloride
Correct Answer: B. Monitor for red man syndrome
Rationale: Vancomycin can cause red man syndrome (flushing, rash) if infused too quickly,
requiring slow infusion and monitoring for safety.
Question 12
