LEVEL 3 RN ATI COMPREHENSIVE
PREDICTOR EXIT ASSESSMENT
2026 | 150 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS | FULL RN
CONTENT BREAKDOWN &
RATIONALES | ATI NCLEX PREP
PACKAGE
EXAM
Question 1
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
diagnosis of heart failure. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will weigh myself every day and report a gain of 2
pounds in a day."
B. "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2 grams per
day."
C. "It's important to rest between activities to conserve my
energy."
D. "If I feel short of breath, I will lie down flat with my feet
elevated."
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Lying flat (supine) increases venous return to the heart,
which can worsen pulmonary congestion and shortness of breath
in a client with heart failure. The client should sit upright
(orthopneic position) or in High Fowler's position to ease
breathing. The other statements are correct .
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV
infusion of normal saline at 125 mL/hr. The nurse notes that the
client's urine output has been 50 mL over the last 4 hours. What
action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
B. Assess the IV site for infiltration and patency.
C. Continue to monitor as this is within normal limits.
D. Increase the IV rate to 150 mL/hr.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oliguria (50 mL/4 hrs = 12.5 mL/hr) can indicate
decreased renal perfusion or fluid volume deficit. Before notifying
the provider, the nurse should assess for correctable causes, such
as a kinked, infiltrated, or disconnected IV line to ensure the client
is actually receiving the prescribed fluids .
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1
,diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings requires
immediate intervention?
A. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
B. Presence of ketones in urine
C. Client reports thirst and frequent urination
D. Hemoglobin A1c 8.5%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ketones in urine indicate that the body is breaking
down fat for energy due to insufficient insulin, which can rapidly
progress to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a life-threatening
emergency characterized by metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia,
and dehydration. Immediate intervention includes administering
insulin and IV fluids .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
Which of the following findings indicates a hemolytic reaction?
A. Urticaria and pruritus
B. Low back pain and dark urine
C. Fever and chills
D. Dyspnea and crackles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hemolytic transfusion reaction occurs when recipient
antibodies attack donor RBCs. Classic signs include low back pain
, (due to hemolysis in the kidneys), dark urine (hemoglobinuria),
fever, chills, and hypotension. This is a medical emergency; stop
the transfusion immediately, maintain the IV line with saline, and
notify the provider .
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day post-operative following
a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority to
report to the provider?
A. Pain of 4 on a 0-10 scale
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
C. Stridor on inspiration
D. Heart rate 88/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction, often from
laryngeal edema or hematoma compressing the trachea after
thyroid surgery. This is a life-threatening emergency. The nurse
should immediately call for help and prepare for possible
intubation or emergency tracheostomy .
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin therapy. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
PREDICTOR EXIT ASSESSMENT
2026 | 150 EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS | FULL RN
CONTENT BREAKDOWN &
RATIONALES | ATI NCLEX PREP
PACKAGE
EXAM
Question 1
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new
diagnosis of heart failure. Which of the following statements by
the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will weigh myself every day and report a gain of 2
pounds in a day."
B. "I should limit my sodium intake to less than 2 grams per
day."
C. "It's important to rest between activities to conserve my
energy."
D. "If I feel short of breath, I will lie down flat with my feet
elevated."
Correct Answer: D
,Rationale: Lying flat (supine) increases venous return to the heart,
which can worsen pulmonary congestion and shortness of breath
in a client with heart failure. The client should sit upright
(orthopneic position) or in High Fowler's position to ease
breathing. The other statements are correct .
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV
infusion of normal saline at 125 mL/hr. The nurse notes that the
client's urine output has been 50 mL over the last 4 hours. What
action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
B. Assess the IV site for infiltration and patency.
C. Continue to monitor as this is within normal limits.
D. Increase the IV rate to 150 mL/hr.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Oliguria (50 mL/4 hrs = 12.5 mL/hr) can indicate
decreased renal perfusion or fluid volume deficit. Before notifying
the provider, the nurse should assess for correctable causes, such
as a kinked, infiltrated, or disconnected IV line to ensure the client
is actually receiving the prescribed fluids .
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1
,diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings requires
immediate intervention?
A. Blood glucose 180 mg/dL
B. Presence of ketones in urine
C. Client reports thirst and frequent urination
D. Hemoglobin A1c 8.5%
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ketones in urine indicate that the body is breaking
down fat for energy due to insufficient insulin, which can rapidly
progress to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is a life-threatening
emergency characterized by metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia,
and dehydration. Immediate intervention includes administering
insulin and IV fluids .
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
Which of the following findings indicates a hemolytic reaction?
A. Urticaria and pruritus
B. Low back pain and dark urine
C. Fever and chills
D. Dyspnea and crackles
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A hemolytic transfusion reaction occurs when recipient
antibodies attack donor RBCs. Classic signs include low back pain
, (due to hemolysis in the kidneys), dark urine (hemoglobinuria),
fever, chills, and hypotension. This is a medical emergency; stop
the transfusion immediately, maintain the IV line with saline, and
notify the provider .
Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day post-operative following
a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority to
report to the provider?
A. Pain of 4 on a 0-10 scale
B. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg
C. Stridor on inspiration
D. Heart rate 88/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor indicates airway obstruction, often from
laryngeal edema or hematoma compressing the trachea after
thyroid surgery. This is a life-threatening emergency. The nurse
should immediately call for help and prepare for possible
intubation or emergency tracheostomy .
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin therapy. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
