Final ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam 2026 Preparation
Questions and Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report to the provider as a sign of worsening condition?
A. Occasional dry cough
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
C. Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: A rapid weight gain (more than 1-2 lbs in a day) is a primary indicator of fluid
retention and worsening heart failure.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer spironolactone to a client. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse check before administration?
A. Serum sodium level
B. Serum potassium level
C. White blood cell count
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The nurse must monitor for
hyperkalemia.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client taking digoxin. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Yellow-tinged vision
B. Hyperactivity
C. Increased appetite
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as yellow or green halos, are classic signs of digoxin
toxicity along with nausea and bradycardia.
4. A nurse is preparing to witness a client signing an informed consent form for
surgery. Which of the following is the nurse’s responsibility?
A. Verifying that the client is competent to sign
B. Discussing alternative treatments available
C. Stating that the client understands the procedure
D. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the client is
competent and giving consent voluntarily.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile. Which of the
following precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: C
Rationale: C. difficile requires contact precautions, including gloves, gown, and washing
hands with soap and water (not alcohol-based rub).
, 6. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky and sweaty.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s blood glucose level
B. Administer 15g of rapid-acting carbohydrates
C. Call the healthcare provider
D. Provide a snack containing protein
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should always assess first by checking the blood glucose level to
confirm hypoglycemia before treating.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client post-hip arthroplasty.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Cross your legs when sitting in a chair
B. Lean forward when rising from a seated position
C. Flex the hip more than 90 degrees
D. Use an abductor pillow between your legs while sleeping
Answer: D
Rationale: An abductor pillow prevents adduction and dislocation of the new hip joint.
8. A client is receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of the
following serum lithium levels is within the therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 mEq/L
B. 0.8 mEq/L
C. 1.8 mEq/L
D. 2.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is generally 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.
Questions and Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report to the provider as a sign of worsening condition?
A. Occasional dry cough
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
C. Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
D. Urine output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: A rapid weight gain (more than 1-2 lbs in a day) is a primary indicator of fluid
retention and worsening heart failure.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer spironolactone to a client. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse check before administration?
A. Serum sodium level
B. Serum potassium level
C. White blood cell count
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The nurse must monitor for
hyperkalemia.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client taking digoxin. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Yellow-tinged vision
B. Hyperactivity
C. Increased appetite
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as yellow or green halos, are classic signs of digoxin
toxicity along with nausea and bradycardia.
4. A nurse is preparing to witness a client signing an informed consent form for
surgery. Which of the following is the nurse’s responsibility?
A. Verifying that the client is competent to sign
B. Discussing alternative treatments available
C. Stating that the client understands the procedure
D. Explaining the risks and benefits of the procedure
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and verify that the client is
competent and giving consent voluntarily.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile. Which of the
following precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: C
Rationale: C. difficile requires contact precautions, including gloves, gown, and washing
hands with soap and water (not alcohol-based rub).
, 6. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus reports feeling shaky and sweaty.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s blood glucose level
B. Administer 15g of rapid-acting carbohydrates
C. Call the healthcare provider
D. Provide a snack containing protein
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should always assess first by checking the blood glucose level to
confirm hypoglycemia before treating.
7. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client post-hip arthroplasty.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Cross your legs when sitting in a chair
B. Lean forward when rising from a seated position
C. Flex the hip more than 90 degrees
D. Use an abductor pillow between your legs while sleeping
Answer: D
Rationale: An abductor pillow prevents adduction and dislocation of the new hip joint.
8. A client is receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of the
following serum lithium levels is within the therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 mEq/L
B. 0.8 mEq/L
C. 1.8 mEq/L
D. 2.5 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is generally 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.
