VATI GREEN LIGHT PREDICTOR EXAM
180 Questions | Comprehensive NCLEX Readiness Assessment
Verified Questions & Answers with Expert Rationales
Virtual ATI (ATI Testing) | Next Generation NCLEX Aligned
, About This Examination
This VATI Green Light Predictor Exam practice format for 2026/2027 reflects a comprehensive
NCLEX readiness assessment administered through the Virtual-ATI program to evaluate proficiency
in nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and test-taking strategies for pre-licensure nursing
students. The exam measures knowledge across all NCLEX client needs categories, pharmacology
principles, priority-setting frameworks, NGN clinical judgment steps, and scenario-based decision-
making essential for safe, effective nursing practice and NCLEX success. Virtual-ATI is a guaranteed
12-week NCLEX preparation review where each participant works one-on-one with an expert ATI
Nurse Educator to verify readiness for licensure examination success. The 180-question format
provides extensive coverage of high-yield domains for study, preparation, and NCLEX readiness
mastery purposes.
The examination covers comprehensive nursing assessment and clinical decision-making,
pharmacology and medication safety, medical-surgical nursing (cardiovascular, respiratory,
gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, and neurological systems), maternal-newborn care, pediatric
nursing, mental health nursing, NGN-style clinical judgment items, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, and patient education. Questions are aligned with the ATI Clinical Judgment Model
and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) examination standards.
Table of Contents
Domain 1: Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Clinical Decision-Making .............. 1
Domain 2: Pharmacology & Medication Safety.............................................................5
Domain 3: Medical-Surgical Nursing — Cardiovascular .............................................. 9
Medical-Surgical Nursing — Respiratory ................................................................... 12
Medical-Surgical Nursing — GI & Renal ..................................................................... 15
Medical-Surgical Nursing — Endocrine & Neurological ............................................. 18
Maternal-Newborn Care............................................................................................. 21
Pediatric Care ............................................................................................................. 25
Mental Health Nursing .............................................................................................. 29
NGN-Style Clinical Judgment .....................................................................................32
Evidence-Based Practice & Patient Education ........................................................... 36
References ................................................................................................................. 38
I
,Domain 1: Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Clinical Decision-Making
1. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client should the
nurse see FIRST?
A) A client with a sprained ankle reporting pain 4/10
B) A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
C) A client with a laceration on the finger
D) A client requesting medication refill
Correct Answer: B) A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
Chest pain with diaphoresis suggests cardiac ischemia/MI requiring immediate intervention
per ABCs and safety/survival priority.
2. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which client need should the nurse address
FIRST?
A) A client expressing feelings of loneliness
B) A client with an airway obstruction
C) A client requesting information about their diagnosis
D) A client reporting spiritual distress
Correct Answer: B) A client with an airway obstruction
Physiological needs (airway, breathing, circulation) take priority over all other needs in
Maslow's hierarchy.
3. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which task can the nurse delegate to an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A) Performing an initial admission assessment
B) Measuring vital signs on a stable postoperative client
C) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
D) Developing a nursing care plan
Correct Answer: B) Measuring vital signs on a stable postoperative client
Measuring vital signs is a standardized, non-complex task within UAP scope. Assessment,
evaluation, and planning require RN-level education.
4. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
FIRST?
A) A client who is 1 day post-op with a heart rate of 110
B) A client scheduled for surgery tomorrow with a broken arm
C) A client who was just admitted with acute pancreatitis and is restless
D) A client with hypertension requesting discharge teaching
Correct Answer: A) A client who is 1 day post-op with a heart rate of 110
Tachycardia (HR 110) in a postoperative client may indicate hemorrhage, shock, or cardiac
complications and requires immediate assessment.
5. Which statement by a client indicates the need for further discharge teaching about
wound care?
A) "I will wash my hands before touching my wound"
B) "I will remove the scab so the wound heals faster"
C) "I will watch for signs of infection like redness or drainage"
D) "I will keep the wound clean and dry"
Correct Answer: B) "I will remove the scab so the wound heals faster"
Removing a scab disrupts the healing process and increases infection risk. Scabs are a
natural part of wound healing and should be left intact.
6. A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment on a client. Which assessment
technique should the nurse use FIRST?
A) Percussion
1
, B) Auscultation
C) Inspection
D) Palpation
Correct Answer: C) Inspection
Inspection is always the first technique used in physical assessment, followed by palpation,
percussion, and auscultation (except for abdominal assessment where auscultation precedes
palpation and percussion).
7. A client presents with sudden onset of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and urticaria
after receiving a medication. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A) Document the reaction in the medical record
B) Administer prescribed epinephrine
C) Assess the client's vital signs
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B) Administer prescribed epinephrine
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate epinephrine administration
(ABCs/safety priority). Delays can be fatal.
8. Which client finding requires the nurse to initiate an incident report?
A) A client refuses to take a prescribed medication
B) A client falls while ambulating to the bathroom
C) A client complains of pain after surgery
D) A client's family member asks for a second opinion
Correct Answer: B) A client falls while ambulating to the bathroom
Client falls are safety events that require incident reports per facility policy to track trends
and implement preventive measures.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous IV therapy. The nurse
notes that the IV site is red, warm, swollen, and tender. What action should the nurse
take FIRST?
A) Apply a warm compress to the site
B) Discontinue the IV and restart at a new site
C) Slow the IV infusion rate
D) Document the findings and continue to monitor
Correct Answer: B) Discontinue the IV and restart at a new site
Redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness indicate phlebitis or infiltration. The IV must be
discontinued immediately and restarted at a different site.
10. A nurse is assigned to care for four clients. Which client is the most STABLE?
A) A client with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg and confusion
B) A client who is 2 days post-appendectomy, tolerating a regular diet, and afebrile
C) A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 150
D) A client with severe respiratory distress and SpO2 of 82%
Correct Answer: B) A client who is 2 days post-appendectomy, tolerating a regular
diet, and afebrile
The post-appendectomy client with normal diet, no fever, and no complications is the most
stable. The others require urgent interventions.
11. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with heart failure. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding of sodium restriction?
A) "I can season my food with soy sauce instead of salt"
B) "I will eat canned vegetables to increase my vegetable intake"
C) "I will read food labels and choose items with less than 300 mg of sodium per serving"
D) "I will add salt to my food only at the table, not while cooking"
Correct Answer: C) "I will read food labels and choose items with less than 300
mg of sodium per serving"
2
180 Questions | Comprehensive NCLEX Readiness Assessment
Verified Questions & Answers with Expert Rationales
Virtual ATI (ATI Testing) | Next Generation NCLEX Aligned
, About This Examination
This VATI Green Light Predictor Exam practice format for 2026/2027 reflects a comprehensive
NCLEX readiness assessment administered through the Virtual-ATI program to evaluate proficiency
in nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and test-taking strategies for pre-licensure nursing
students. The exam measures knowledge across all NCLEX client needs categories, pharmacology
principles, priority-setting frameworks, NGN clinical judgment steps, and scenario-based decision-
making essential for safe, effective nursing practice and NCLEX success. Virtual-ATI is a guaranteed
12-week NCLEX preparation review where each participant works one-on-one with an expert ATI
Nurse Educator to verify readiness for licensure examination success. The 180-question format
provides extensive coverage of high-yield domains for study, preparation, and NCLEX readiness
mastery purposes.
The examination covers comprehensive nursing assessment and clinical decision-making,
pharmacology and medication safety, medical-surgical nursing (cardiovascular, respiratory,
gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine, and neurological systems), maternal-newborn care, pediatric
nursing, mental health nursing, NGN-style clinical judgment items, evidence-based practice, quality
improvement, and patient education. Questions are aligned with the ATI Clinical Judgment Model
and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) examination standards.
Table of Contents
Domain 1: Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Clinical Decision-Making .............. 1
Domain 2: Pharmacology & Medication Safety.............................................................5
Domain 3: Medical-Surgical Nursing — Cardiovascular .............................................. 9
Medical-Surgical Nursing — Respiratory ................................................................... 12
Medical-Surgical Nursing — GI & Renal ..................................................................... 15
Medical-Surgical Nursing — Endocrine & Neurological ............................................. 18
Maternal-Newborn Care............................................................................................. 21
Pediatric Care ............................................................................................................. 25
Mental Health Nursing .............................................................................................. 29
NGN-Style Clinical Judgment .....................................................................................32
Evidence-Based Practice & Patient Education ........................................................... 36
References ................................................................................................................. 38
I
,Domain 1: Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Clinical Decision-Making
1. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client should the
nurse see FIRST?
A) A client with a sprained ankle reporting pain 4/10
B) A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
C) A client with a laceration on the finger
D) A client requesting medication refill
Correct Answer: B) A client with chest pain and diaphoresis
Chest pain with diaphoresis suggests cardiac ischemia/MI requiring immediate intervention
per ABCs and safety/survival priority.
2. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which client need should the nurse address
FIRST?
A) A client expressing feelings of loneliness
B) A client with an airway obstruction
C) A client requesting information about their diagnosis
D) A client reporting spiritual distress
Correct Answer: B) A client with an airway obstruction
Physiological needs (airway, breathing, circulation) take priority over all other needs in
Maslow's hierarchy.
3. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which task can the nurse delegate to an
unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
A) Performing an initial admission assessment
B) Measuring vital signs on a stable postoperative client
C) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication
D) Developing a nursing care plan
Correct Answer: B) Measuring vital signs on a stable postoperative client
Measuring vital signs is a standardized, non-complex task within UAP scope. Assessment,
evaluation, and planning require RN-level education.
4. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
FIRST?
A) A client who is 1 day post-op with a heart rate of 110
B) A client scheduled for surgery tomorrow with a broken arm
C) A client who was just admitted with acute pancreatitis and is restless
D) A client with hypertension requesting discharge teaching
Correct Answer: A) A client who is 1 day post-op with a heart rate of 110
Tachycardia (HR 110) in a postoperative client may indicate hemorrhage, shock, or cardiac
complications and requires immediate assessment.
5. Which statement by a client indicates the need for further discharge teaching about
wound care?
A) "I will wash my hands before touching my wound"
B) "I will remove the scab so the wound heals faster"
C) "I will watch for signs of infection like redness or drainage"
D) "I will keep the wound clean and dry"
Correct Answer: B) "I will remove the scab so the wound heals faster"
Removing a scab disrupts the healing process and increases infection risk. Scabs are a
natural part of wound healing and should be left intact.
6. A nurse is performing a head-to-toe assessment on a client. Which assessment
technique should the nurse use FIRST?
A) Percussion
1
, B) Auscultation
C) Inspection
D) Palpation
Correct Answer: C) Inspection
Inspection is always the first technique used in physical assessment, followed by palpation,
percussion, and auscultation (except for abdominal assessment where auscultation precedes
palpation and percussion).
7. A client presents with sudden onset of difficulty breathing, wheezing, and urticaria
after receiving a medication. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A) Document the reaction in the medical record
B) Administer prescribed epinephrine
C) Assess the client's vital signs
D) Notify the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: B) Administer prescribed epinephrine
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate epinephrine administration
(ABCs/safety priority). Delays can be fatal.
8. Which client finding requires the nurse to initiate an incident report?
A) A client refuses to take a prescribed medication
B) A client falls while ambulating to the bathroom
C) A client complains of pain after surgery
D) A client's family member asks for a second opinion
Correct Answer: B) A client falls while ambulating to the bathroom
Client falls are safety events that require incident reports per facility policy to track trends
and implement preventive measures.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous IV therapy. The nurse
notes that the IV site is red, warm, swollen, and tender. What action should the nurse
take FIRST?
A) Apply a warm compress to the site
B) Discontinue the IV and restart at a new site
C) Slow the IV infusion rate
D) Document the findings and continue to monitor
Correct Answer: B) Discontinue the IV and restart at a new site
Redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness indicate phlebitis or infiltration. The IV must be
discontinued immediately and restarted at a different site.
10. A nurse is assigned to care for four clients. Which client is the most STABLE?
A) A client with a blood pressure of 88/50 mmHg and confusion
B) A client who is 2 days post-appendectomy, tolerating a regular diet, and afebrile
C) A client with new-onset atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 150
D) A client with severe respiratory distress and SpO2 of 82%
Correct Answer: B) A client who is 2 days post-appendectomy, tolerating a regular
diet, and afebrile
The post-appendectomy client with normal diet, no fever, and no complications is the most
stable. The others require urgent interventions.
11. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with heart failure. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding of sodium restriction?
A) "I can season my food with soy sauce instead of salt"
B) "I will eat canned vegetables to increase my vegetable intake"
C) "I will read food labels and choose items with less than 300 mg of sodium per serving"
D) "I will add salt to my food only at the table, not while cooking"
Correct Answer: C) "I will read food labels and choose items with less than 300
mg of sodium per serving"
2
