ATI PN COMPREHENSIVE
PREDICTOR 2023 RETAKE GUIDE
100% CORRECT
EXAM
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which
site is most appropriate?
A) Ventrogluteal
B) Deltoid
C) Abdomen
D) Vastus lateralis
Rationale: C) Abdomen. The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous heparin
because it provides consistent absorption and allows for adequate subcutaneous tissue.
The ventrogluteal and vastus lateralis are intramuscular sites; deltoid is used for small-
volume IM or subcut vaccines.
2. A client with a nasogastric tube attached to continuous suction reports nausea.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Irrigate the NG tube
B) Check tube placement and suction
C) Administer antiemetic
D) Increase suction pressure
,Rationale: B) Check tube placement and suction. The priority is to verify tube patency
and suction function, as improper function can cause gastric distention and nausea.
Irrigation may be needed but not first; increasing suction could cause mucosal damage.
3. A nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which action is correct?
A) Tie restraints to the bed side rails
B) Remove restraints every 2 hours
C) Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
D) Obtain a PRN restraint order
Rationale: B) Remove restraints every 2 hours. Restraints must be removed every 2
hours for range of motion, hydration, and toileting. Restraints should be tied to the bed
frame (not side rails), applied with 2-finger allowance, and require a specific order (not
PRN).
4. A client is on fall precautions. Which intervention is most important?
A) Keep bed in high position
B) Place call light within reach
C) Apply wrist restraints
D) Keep room dark at night
Rationale: B) Place call light within reach. Ensuring the client can call for assistance is
the most important fall prevention intervention. The bed should be in low position;
restraints are not for fall prevention; adequate lighting is needed.
,5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is essential?
A) Clean the inner cannula with alcohol
B) Suction the tracheostomy every hour
C) Keep obturator at the bedside
D) Change ties every 24 hours
Rationale: C) Keep obturator at the bedside. The obturator is needed for reinsertion if
the tube becomes dislodged. Inner cannula should be cleaned with sterile water or
saline; suction PRN based on secretions; ties should be changed when soiled or wet.
6. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique is
correct?
A) Use sterile gloves for the entire procedure
B) Clean the meatus with antiseptic from anus to urethra
C) Inflate the balloon with 30 mL of sterile water
D) Use a sterile field and maintain aseptic technique
Rationale: D) Use a sterile field and maintain aseptic technique. Catheter insertion
requires surgical asepsis. Sterile gloves are used after cleaning; clean from urethra to
anus; balloon inflation volume is per catheter size (typically 10 mL).
7. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops fever, chills, and low back pain.
What is the priority action?
, A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Administer acetaminophen
C) Stop the transfusion
D) Notify the provider
Rationale: C) Stop the transfusion. These symptoms indicate a possible hemolytic or
febrile reaction. The priority is to stop the transfusion immediately, then maintain IV line
with saline, notify provider, and send blood bag to lab.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump. Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should wait until my pain is severe before pressing the button"
B) "My family can press the button if I am sleeping"
C) "I can press the button whenever I feel pain"
D) "The pump limits how much medication I can receive"
Rationale: D) "The pump limits how much medication I can receive." PCA pumps have
lockout intervals to prevent overdose. Clients should press the button when pain begins
(not severe); only the client should press the button (safety).
9. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for C. difficile. Which hand
hygiene method is correct?
A) Alcohol-based hand rub
B) Soap and water
C) Hand sanitizer after glove removal
PREDICTOR 2023 RETAKE GUIDE
100% CORRECT
EXAM
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which
site is most appropriate?
A) Ventrogluteal
B) Deltoid
C) Abdomen
D) Vastus lateralis
Rationale: C) Abdomen. The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous heparin
because it provides consistent absorption and allows for adequate subcutaneous tissue.
The ventrogluteal and vastus lateralis are intramuscular sites; deltoid is used for small-
volume IM or subcut vaccines.
2. A client with a nasogastric tube attached to continuous suction reports nausea.
What should the nurse do first?
A) Irrigate the NG tube
B) Check tube placement and suction
C) Administer antiemetic
D) Increase suction pressure
,Rationale: B) Check tube placement and suction. The priority is to verify tube patency
and suction function, as improper function can cause gastric distention and nausea.
Irrigation may be needed but not first; increasing suction could cause mucosal damage.
3. A nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which action is correct?
A) Tie restraints to the bed side rails
B) Remove restraints every 2 hours
C) Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
D) Obtain a PRN restraint order
Rationale: B) Remove restraints every 2 hours. Restraints must be removed every 2
hours for range of motion, hydration, and toileting. Restraints should be tied to the bed
frame (not side rails), applied with 2-finger allowance, and require a specific order (not
PRN).
4. A client is on fall precautions. Which intervention is most important?
A) Keep bed in high position
B) Place call light within reach
C) Apply wrist restraints
D) Keep room dark at night
Rationale: B) Place call light within reach. Ensuring the client can call for assistance is
the most important fall prevention intervention. The bed should be in low position;
restraints are not for fall prevention; adequate lighting is needed.
,5. A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which action is essential?
A) Clean the inner cannula with alcohol
B) Suction the tracheostomy every hour
C) Keep obturator at the bedside
D) Change ties every 24 hours
Rationale: C) Keep obturator at the bedside. The obturator is needed for reinsertion if
the tube becomes dislodged. Inner cannula should be cleaned with sterile water or
saline; suction PRN based on secretions; ties should be changed when soiled or wet.
6. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique is
correct?
A) Use sterile gloves for the entire procedure
B) Clean the meatus with antiseptic from anus to urethra
C) Inflate the balloon with 30 mL of sterile water
D) Use a sterile field and maintain aseptic technique
Rationale: D) Use a sterile field and maintain aseptic technique. Catheter insertion
requires surgical asepsis. Sterile gloves are used after cleaning; clean from urethra to
anus; balloon inflation volume is per catheter size (typically 10 mL).
7. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops fever, chills, and low back pain.
What is the priority action?
, A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Administer acetaminophen
C) Stop the transfusion
D) Notify the provider
Rationale: C) Stop the transfusion. These symptoms indicate a possible hemolytic or
febrile reaction. The priority is to stop the transfusion immediately, then maintain IV line
with saline, notify provider, and send blood bag to lab.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about using a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump. Which statement indicates understanding?
A) "I should wait until my pain is severe before pressing the button"
B) "My family can press the button if I am sleeping"
C) "I can press the button whenever I feel pain"
D) "The pump limits how much medication I can receive"
Rationale: D) "The pump limits how much medication I can receive." PCA pumps have
lockout intervals to prevent overdose. Clients should press the button when pain begins
(not severe); only the client should press the button (safety).
9. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for C. difficile. Which hand
hygiene method is correct?
A) Alcohol-based hand rub
B) Soap and water
C) Hand sanitizer after glove removal
