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ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027: 210+ QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES – HIGH-YIELD CONTENT FOR
FIRST-TIME PASS
## Table of Contents
| Section | Content Area | Question Numbers |
|---------|--------------|------------------|
| **Section 1** | Fundamentals of Nursing (Safety, Infection Control,
Mobility, Nutrition) | 1-25 |
| **Section 2** | Pharmacology & Medication Administration | 26-50 |
| **Section 3** | Medical-Surgical Nursing (Cardiac, Respiratory, Renal,
GI, Endocrine) | 51-80 |
| **Section 4** | Maternal-Newborn Nursing | 81-105 |
| **Section 5** | Pediatric Nursing | 106-130 |
| **Section 6** | Mental Health Nursing | 131-155 |
| **Section 7** | Leadership & Management (Delegation, Prioritization,
Ethics, Legal) | 156-180 |
| **Section 8** | Mixed High-Yield Review & NCLEX-Style Questions
| 181-210 |
,2|Page
---
# SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Safety, Infection
Control, Mobility, Nutrition)
**1. A nurse is preparing to apply a transdermal nicotine patch for a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?**
A. Shave hairy areas of skin prior to application
B. Wear gloves to apply the patch to the client's skin
C. Apply the patch within 1 hour of removing it from the protective
pouch
D. Remove the previous patch and place it in a tissue
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Because topical medications are absorbed through the skin,
gloves should be worn during application to protect the nurse from
accidental exposure. Shaving may cause skin irritation; application to
clean, dry, hairless areas is preferred. The patch should be applied
immediately after removal from the pouch, and old patches should be
folded in half with sticky sides together before disposal .
**2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intermittent enteral
tube feedings. Which of the following places the client at greatest risk
for aspiration?**
A. A history of gastroesophageal reflux disease
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B. Receiving a high osmolarity formula
C. Sitting in a high-Fowler's position during feeding
D. A residual of 65 mL 1 hour postprandial
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases the risk
of aspiration because stomach contents can flow back into the esophagus
and pharynx. High-Fowler's position actually reduces aspiration risk. A
residual of 65 mL is within acceptable parameters (generally <200-250
mL) .
**3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a closed-head injury and is on
seizure precautions. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?**
A. Place a padded tongue blade at the bedside
B. Raise all four side rails on the bed
C. Keep suction equipment at the bedside
D. Restrain the client to prevent injury during a seizure
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Suction equipment should be set up at the bedside to
maintain a patent airway if a seizure occurs. Padded tongue blades
should never be used as they can cause dental damage and aspiration.
Side rails should be padded but not fully raised, and restraints are not
indicated for seizure precautions .
, 4|Page
**4. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has a
new prescription for haloperidol. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse instruct the client to report to the provider?**
A. Weight gain
B. Dry mouth
C. Blurred vision
D. Involuntary muscle movements
**Answer: D**
*Rationale:* Involuntary muscle movements may indicate tardive
dyskinesia, a potentially irreversible extrapyramidal symptom (EPS)
associated with long-term antipsychotic use that must be reported
immediately. Weight gain, dry mouth, and blurred vision are common
but less urgent side effects .
**5. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new diagnosis of
Parkinson's disease. Which of the following interventions should the
nurse include to promote mobility?**
A. Encourage the client to rock back and forth to initiate movement
B. Instruct the client to take small, quick steps when walking
C. Advise the client to look at the floor while walking
D. Recommend the client use a straight-backed chair for sitting
ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXAM
STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027: 210+ QUESTIONS &
RATIONALES – HIGH-YIELD CONTENT FOR
FIRST-TIME PASS
## Table of Contents
| Section | Content Area | Question Numbers |
|---------|--------------|------------------|
| **Section 1** | Fundamentals of Nursing (Safety, Infection Control,
Mobility, Nutrition) | 1-25 |
| **Section 2** | Pharmacology & Medication Administration | 26-50 |
| **Section 3** | Medical-Surgical Nursing (Cardiac, Respiratory, Renal,
GI, Endocrine) | 51-80 |
| **Section 4** | Maternal-Newborn Nursing | 81-105 |
| **Section 5** | Pediatric Nursing | 106-130 |
| **Section 6** | Mental Health Nursing | 131-155 |
| **Section 7** | Leadership & Management (Delegation, Prioritization,
Ethics, Legal) | 156-180 |
| **Section 8** | Mixed High-Yield Review & NCLEX-Style Questions
| 181-210 |
,2|Page
---
# SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING (Safety, Infection
Control, Mobility, Nutrition)
**1. A nurse is preparing to apply a transdermal nicotine patch for a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?**
A. Shave hairy areas of skin prior to application
B. Wear gloves to apply the patch to the client's skin
C. Apply the patch within 1 hour of removing it from the protective
pouch
D. Remove the previous patch and place it in a tissue
**Answer: B**
*Rationale:* Because topical medications are absorbed through the skin,
gloves should be worn during application to protect the nurse from
accidental exposure. Shaving may cause skin irritation; application to
clean, dry, hairless areas is preferred. The patch should be applied
immediately after removal from the pouch, and old patches should be
folded in half with sticky sides together before disposal .
**2. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving intermittent enteral
tube feedings. Which of the following places the client at greatest risk
for aspiration?**
A. A history of gastroesophageal reflux disease
,3|Page
B. Receiving a high osmolarity formula
C. Sitting in a high-Fowler's position during feeding
D. A residual of 65 mL 1 hour postprandial
**Answer: A**
*Rationale:* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increases the risk
of aspiration because stomach contents can flow back into the esophagus
and pharynx. High-Fowler's position actually reduces aspiration risk. A
residual of 65 mL is within acceptable parameters (generally <200-250
mL) .
**3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a closed-head injury and is on
seizure precautions. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?**
A. Place a padded tongue blade at the bedside
B. Raise all four side rails on the bed
C. Keep suction equipment at the bedside
D. Restrain the client to prevent injury during a seizure
**Answer: C**
*Rationale:* Suction equipment should be set up at the bedside to
maintain a patent airway if a seizure occurs. Padded tongue blades
should never be used as they can cause dental damage and aspiration.
Side rails should be padded but not fully raised, and restraints are not
indicated for seizure precautions .
, 4|Page
**4. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has a
new prescription for haloperidol. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse instruct the client to report to the provider?**
A. Weight gain
B. Dry mouth
C. Blurred vision
D. Involuntary muscle movements
**Answer: D**
*Rationale:* Involuntary muscle movements may indicate tardive
dyskinesia, a potentially irreversible extrapyramidal symptom (EPS)
associated with long-term antipsychotic use that must be reported
immediately. Weight gain, dry mouth, and blurred vision are common
but less urgent side effects .
**5. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new diagnosis of
Parkinson's disease. Which of the following interventions should the
nurse include to promote mobility?**
A. Encourage the client to rock back and forth to initiate movement
B. Instruct the client to take small, quick steps when walking
C. Advise the client to look at the floor while walking
D. Recommend the client use a straight-backed chair for sitting
