ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Exit Exam with NGN 180 Questions and Answers (Answer Key at the End after Question 180
The diagnostic results confirm a foreign object lodged in the esophagus with localized swelling. This is a medical emergency due to the
risks of airway obstruction, perforation, or esophageal damage.
Provider Prescription Status Rationale
The child must be NPO (nothing by mouth). Consuming food can push
Encourage the child to
Contraindicated the object further, cause a total obstruction, or increase the risk of
consume soft foods.
aspiration during the necessary removal procedure.
Monitor the child's An esophageal foreign body can compress the trachea or cause edema that
respiratory status Anticipated compromises the airway. Frequent monitoring is vital for early detection
frequently. of respiratory distress.
Place nasogastric tube An NG tube is generally not indicated here and could be dangerous.
to low-intermittent Nonessential Attempting to pass a tube past a lodged object could cause esophageal
suction. perforation or further dislodge the object into a worse position.
Prepare the child for an Endoscopy is the primary method for visualizing and removing a lodged
Anticipated
endoscopic exam. esophageal foreign body under controlled conditions.
While the object is currently in the esophagus, it is standard practice to
Examine each stool the
Anticipated monitor stools in case the object migrates into the lower GI tract, though
child passes.
the immediate priority is removal.
,The correct answer is:
Action Requiring Intervention: The AP washes their hands using cold running water.
Rationales
• The AP washes their hands using cold running water (Correct): This action requires intervention
because water should be warm, not cold. Warm water is more effective at removing oils from the skin that
can hold onto microorganisms, and it helps create a better lather with soap. However, water should not be
hot, as that can increase the risk of dermatitis or skin damage.
• The AP uses a disposable nail cleaner before rinsing (Incorrect): This is an appropriate action, especially
if the hands are visibly soiled. Bacteria often harbor under the fingernails, so cleaning that area is a standard
part of thorough hand hygiene.
• The AP lathers their hands with an antimicrobial soap while washing (Incorrect): This is an appropriate
and expected action for handwashing in a clinical setting to reduce the microbial load on the skin.
• The AP uses paper towels to dry their hands (Incorrect): This is the correct procedure. Using disposable
paper towels prevents re-contamination of the hands, and they should be used to pat the skin dry to maintain
skin integrity.
,The correct answer is:
Correct Action: Ensure that the weights are hanging freely.
Rationales
• Ensure that the weights are hanging freely (Correct): In Buck's traction (a type of skin traction), it is
essential that the weights hang freely and do not touch the floor or the bed frame. This ensures that the proper
amount of prescribed tension is consistently applied to the limb to reduce muscle spasms and maintain
alignment.
• Apply a 9 kg (20 lb) weight to the traction (Incorrect): This is too heavy for skin traction. Skin traction, like
Buck's, typically uses lighter weights—usually between 2.3 to 4.5 kg (5 to 10 lbs)—to avoid skin breakdown
and damage. 20 lbs is more common in skeletal traction.
• Remove the weights while the client is eating (Incorrect): Traction must be continuous to be effective.
Weights should never be removed unless there is a specific provider order or a life-threatening emergency, as
removing them allows muscles to spasm and disrupts bone alignment.
• Clean the pin insertion sites on a daily basis (Incorrect): Buck's traction is skin traction, which uses boots
or wraps applied to the skin. There are no pins used. Pin site care is a requirement for skeletal traction or
external fixators, but not for Buck's traction.
, Here is the completion of the clinical sentence:
The client is at highest risk for developing Pressure injury evidenced by the client’s refusal to change positions.
Clinical Reasoning
• Risk Factor: The client has remained in a fetal position on their right side since at least 0915. At 1000, the
notes explicitly state the client "will not permit turning" and "remains in fetal position on right side."
• Pathophysiology: Prolonged, unrelieved pressure on bony prominences (like the trochanter or lateral malleolus
while lying on one side) restricts blood flow, leading to tissue ischemia and the development of a pressure
injury.
• Other Options: * Decreased metabolic rate and hyperactive bowel sounds are not supported by the data (bowel
sounds were noted as "positive" or normal at 0830).
o Increased oxygen consumption usually follows fever or physical exertion, which isn't the primary
concern here compared to the immediate physical threat of skin breakdown due to immobility.
The diagnostic results confirm a foreign object lodged in the esophagus with localized swelling. This is a medical emergency due to the
risks of airway obstruction, perforation, or esophageal damage.
Provider Prescription Status Rationale
The child must be NPO (nothing by mouth). Consuming food can push
Encourage the child to
Contraindicated the object further, cause a total obstruction, or increase the risk of
consume soft foods.
aspiration during the necessary removal procedure.
Monitor the child's An esophageal foreign body can compress the trachea or cause edema that
respiratory status Anticipated compromises the airway. Frequent monitoring is vital for early detection
frequently. of respiratory distress.
Place nasogastric tube An NG tube is generally not indicated here and could be dangerous.
to low-intermittent Nonessential Attempting to pass a tube past a lodged object could cause esophageal
suction. perforation or further dislodge the object into a worse position.
Prepare the child for an Endoscopy is the primary method for visualizing and removing a lodged
Anticipated
endoscopic exam. esophageal foreign body under controlled conditions.
While the object is currently in the esophagus, it is standard practice to
Examine each stool the
Anticipated monitor stools in case the object migrates into the lower GI tract, though
child passes.
the immediate priority is removal.
,The correct answer is:
Action Requiring Intervention: The AP washes their hands using cold running water.
Rationales
• The AP washes their hands using cold running water (Correct): This action requires intervention
because water should be warm, not cold. Warm water is more effective at removing oils from the skin that
can hold onto microorganisms, and it helps create a better lather with soap. However, water should not be
hot, as that can increase the risk of dermatitis or skin damage.
• The AP uses a disposable nail cleaner before rinsing (Incorrect): This is an appropriate action, especially
if the hands are visibly soiled. Bacteria often harbor under the fingernails, so cleaning that area is a standard
part of thorough hand hygiene.
• The AP lathers their hands with an antimicrobial soap while washing (Incorrect): This is an appropriate
and expected action for handwashing in a clinical setting to reduce the microbial load on the skin.
• The AP uses paper towels to dry their hands (Incorrect): This is the correct procedure. Using disposable
paper towels prevents re-contamination of the hands, and they should be used to pat the skin dry to maintain
skin integrity.
,The correct answer is:
Correct Action: Ensure that the weights are hanging freely.
Rationales
• Ensure that the weights are hanging freely (Correct): In Buck's traction (a type of skin traction), it is
essential that the weights hang freely and do not touch the floor or the bed frame. This ensures that the proper
amount of prescribed tension is consistently applied to the limb to reduce muscle spasms and maintain
alignment.
• Apply a 9 kg (20 lb) weight to the traction (Incorrect): This is too heavy for skin traction. Skin traction, like
Buck's, typically uses lighter weights—usually between 2.3 to 4.5 kg (5 to 10 lbs)—to avoid skin breakdown
and damage. 20 lbs is more common in skeletal traction.
• Remove the weights while the client is eating (Incorrect): Traction must be continuous to be effective.
Weights should never be removed unless there is a specific provider order or a life-threatening emergency, as
removing them allows muscles to spasm and disrupts bone alignment.
• Clean the pin insertion sites on a daily basis (Incorrect): Buck's traction is skin traction, which uses boots
or wraps applied to the skin. There are no pins used. Pin site care is a requirement for skeletal traction or
external fixators, but not for Buck's traction.
, Here is the completion of the clinical sentence:
The client is at highest risk for developing Pressure injury evidenced by the client’s refusal to change positions.
Clinical Reasoning
• Risk Factor: The client has remained in a fetal position on their right side since at least 0915. At 1000, the
notes explicitly state the client "will not permit turning" and "remains in fetal position on right side."
• Pathophysiology: Prolonged, unrelieved pressure on bony prominences (like the trochanter or lateral malleolus
while lying on one side) restricts blood flow, leading to tissue ischemia and the development of a pressure
injury.
• Other Options: * Decreased metabolic rate and hyperactive bowel sounds are not supported by the data (bowel
sounds were noted as "positive" or normal at 0830).
o Increased oxygen consumption usually follows fever or physical exertion, which isn't the primary
concern here compared to the immediate physical threat of skin breakdown due to immobility.
