ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam 2026: 100+
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2026
PRACTICE — QUESTIONS 1–100
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Questions 1–20: Fundamentals & Basic Care
`1. A nurse is assessing a client's neurological status using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
The client opens eyes to pain, makes incomprehensible sounds, and withdraws to pain.
What is the GCS score?
• A. 7
• B. 8
• C. 9
• D. 10
Answer: C
Rationale: Eye opening to pain = 2, Verbal response incomprehensible sounds = 2, Motor
withdrawal to pain = 4. Total = 2+2+4 = 8? Wait: Eyes to pain = 2, Incomprehensible
sounds = 2, Withdrawal = 4. Total = 8. But motor withdrawal = 4, localization = 5. So 2+2+4
= 8. Corrected Answer: B (8)
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client after a myocardial infarction. Which
statement indicates understanding?
• A. "I will stop taking my aspirin if I have ringing in my ears"
• B. "I will take my nitroglycerin every 5 minutes for chest pain up to 3 doses"
• C. "I will walk only if I do not have chest pain at that time"
• D. "I can stop my statin if my cholesterol is normal"
,Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin: take 1 tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses. Call 911 if no
relief after 1 dose. Aspirin (A) is lifelong unless bleeding. Statins (D) are lifelong.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a foley catheter. Which action is correct when
obtaining a urine specimen?
• A. Collect urine from the drainage bag
• B. Clamp the tubing below the port, cleanse with alcohol, aspirate with sterile
syringe
• C. Disconnect the catheter from the drainage tubing
• D. Use the same port for multiple collections without cleaning
Answer: B
Rationale: Use the catheter port (not drainage bag, A). Clamp tubing below port, cleanse
with alcohol, aspirate with sterile syringe. Do not disconnect (C) — breaks closed system.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral pulse. Which finding should be reported?
• A. Pulse rate of 80 bpm
• B. Pulse rhythm irregular
• C. Pulse strength of 2+ (normal)
• D. Pulse equal bilaterally
Answer: B
Rationale: An irregular pulse (e.g., atrial fibrillation) should be reported and further
evaluated. Rate 80 (A) is normal. 2+ strength (C) is normal.
8. A nurse is providing tracheostomy care. Which action is correct?
• A. Change the tracheostomy ties daily
• B. Secure new ties before removing old ties
• C. Cut a 4x4 gauze to fit around the stoma
• D. Use cotton balls to clean around the stoma
,Answer: B
Rationale: Secure new ties before removing old ties to prevent accidental decannulation.
Do not cut gauze (C) — lint can enter airway. Use sterile gauze, not cotton balls (D).
9. A nurse is assessing a client for orthostatic hypotension. Which technique is correct?
• A. Measure BP supine, then immediately while standing
• B. Measure BP supine, then after sitting for 2-3 minutes, then after standing for 1-3
minutes
• C. Measure BP only while standing
• D. Measure BP after the client walks for 5 minutes
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension: measure BP and HR supine, then sitting (wait 2-3
minutes), then standing (wait 1-3 minutes). Positive if systolic drops ≥20 mmHg.
10. A nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test (PPD) . Which action is
correct?
• A. Administer the injection intradermally on the volar forearm
• B. Administer the injection subcutaneously in the upper arm
• C. Massage the site after injection
• D. Read the result in 24 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: PPD is given intradermally (0.1 mL) on the volar forearm. A wheal (6-10 mm)
should form. Do not massage (C). Read in 48-72 hours (D).
11. A nurse is caring for a client with restraints. Which action is correct?
• A. Apply restraints to the movable bed rail
• B. Remove the restraint every 2 hours for range of motion
• C. Tie the restraint with a quick-release knot to the bed frame
• D. Use restraints as a first-line intervention for agitation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Tie restraints with a quick-release knot to the bed frame (not side rail, A).
Remove at least every 2 hours (B) for ROM. Restraints are a last resort (D).
12. A nurse is providing post-mortem care before family viewing. Which action is
appropriate?
• A. Remove all tubes and lines
• B. Place the body in a flat supine position
• C. Close the eyes and place dentures in the mouth
• D. Label the body only after family leaves
Answer: C
Rationale: Close eyes (moisten cotton balls if needed), insert dentures to maintain facial
shape. Tubes may be left in place for family viewing (A). Elevate head (B).
13. A nurse is assessing a client's skin turgor in an older adult. Which site is most
accurate?
• A. Back of the hand
• B. Forehead
• C. Clavicle or sternum
• D. Lower leg
Answer: C
Rationale: Skin turgor is most accurately assessed over the clavicle or sternum in older
adults (skin on hands loses elasticity with age).
14. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. The stoma is dark purple and dry.
What should the nurse do?
• A. Document as normal
• B. Apply moisturizing ointment
• C. Notify the provider immediately (ischemia/necrosis)
• D. Gently massage the stoma
Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2026
PRACTICE — QUESTIONS 1–100
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Questions 1–20: Fundamentals & Basic Care
`1. A nurse is assessing a client's neurological status using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
The client opens eyes to pain, makes incomprehensible sounds, and withdraws to pain.
What is the GCS score?
• A. 7
• B. 8
• C. 9
• D. 10
Answer: C
Rationale: Eye opening to pain = 2, Verbal response incomprehensible sounds = 2, Motor
withdrawal to pain = 4. Total = 2+2+4 = 8? Wait: Eyes to pain = 2, Incomprehensible
sounds = 2, Withdrawal = 4. Total = 8. But motor withdrawal = 4, localization = 5. So 2+2+4
= 8. Corrected Answer: B (8)
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client after a myocardial infarction. Which
statement indicates understanding?
• A. "I will stop taking my aspirin if I have ringing in my ears"
• B. "I will take my nitroglycerin every 5 minutes for chest pain up to 3 doses"
• C. "I will walk only if I do not have chest pain at that time"
• D. "I can stop my statin if my cholesterol is normal"
,Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin: take 1 tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3 doses. Call 911 if no
relief after 1 dose. Aspirin (A) is lifelong unless bleeding. Statins (D) are lifelong.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a foley catheter. Which action is correct when
obtaining a urine specimen?
• A. Collect urine from the drainage bag
• B. Clamp the tubing below the port, cleanse with alcohol, aspirate with sterile
syringe
• C. Disconnect the catheter from the drainage tubing
• D. Use the same port for multiple collections without cleaning
Answer: B
Rationale: Use the catheter port (not drainage bag, A). Clamp tubing below port, cleanse
with alcohol, aspirate with sterile syringe. Do not disconnect (C) — breaks closed system.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's peripheral pulse. Which finding should be reported?
• A. Pulse rate of 80 bpm
• B. Pulse rhythm irregular
• C. Pulse strength of 2+ (normal)
• D. Pulse equal bilaterally
Answer: B
Rationale: An irregular pulse (e.g., atrial fibrillation) should be reported and further
evaluated. Rate 80 (A) is normal. 2+ strength (C) is normal.
8. A nurse is providing tracheostomy care. Which action is correct?
• A. Change the tracheostomy ties daily
• B. Secure new ties before removing old ties
• C. Cut a 4x4 gauze to fit around the stoma
• D. Use cotton balls to clean around the stoma
,Answer: B
Rationale: Secure new ties before removing old ties to prevent accidental decannulation.
Do not cut gauze (C) — lint can enter airway. Use sterile gauze, not cotton balls (D).
9. A nurse is assessing a client for orthostatic hypotension. Which technique is correct?
• A. Measure BP supine, then immediately while standing
• B. Measure BP supine, then after sitting for 2-3 minutes, then after standing for 1-3
minutes
• C. Measure BP only while standing
• D. Measure BP after the client walks for 5 minutes
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension: measure BP and HR supine, then sitting (wait 2-3
minutes), then standing (wait 1-3 minutes). Positive if systolic drops ≥20 mmHg.
10. A nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test (PPD) . Which action is
correct?
• A. Administer the injection intradermally on the volar forearm
• B. Administer the injection subcutaneously in the upper arm
• C. Massage the site after injection
• D. Read the result in 24 hours
Answer: A
Rationale: PPD is given intradermally (0.1 mL) on the volar forearm. A wheal (6-10 mm)
should form. Do not massage (C). Read in 48-72 hours (D).
11. A nurse is caring for a client with restraints. Which action is correct?
• A. Apply restraints to the movable bed rail
• B. Remove the restraint every 2 hours for range of motion
• C. Tie the restraint with a quick-release knot to the bed frame
• D. Use restraints as a first-line intervention for agitation
, Answer: C
Rationale: Tie restraints with a quick-release knot to the bed frame (not side rail, A).
Remove at least every 2 hours (B) for ROM. Restraints are a last resort (D).
12. A nurse is providing post-mortem care before family viewing. Which action is
appropriate?
• A. Remove all tubes and lines
• B. Place the body in a flat supine position
• C. Close the eyes and place dentures in the mouth
• D. Label the body only after family leaves
Answer: C
Rationale: Close eyes (moisten cotton balls if needed), insert dentures to maintain facial
shape. Tubes may be left in place for family viewing (A). Elevate head (B).
13. A nurse is assessing a client's skin turgor in an older adult. Which site is most
accurate?
• A. Back of the hand
• B. Forehead
• C. Clavicle or sternum
• D. Lower leg
Answer: C
Rationale: Skin turgor is most accurately assessed over the clavicle or sternum in older
adults (skin on hands loses elasticity with age).
14. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. The stoma is dark purple and dry.
What should the nurse do?
• A. Document as normal
• B. Apply moisturizing ointment
• C. Notify the provider immediately (ischemia/necrosis)
• D. Gently massage the stoma
