ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Exit
Exam (NGN) | 180 Practice Questions &
Verified Answers with Rationales |
Advanced Nursing Exit Assessment Study
Guide PDF
• ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Exit Exam Study Guide — 277 practice
questions in NGN-aligned format, each with five answer options (A–E), a clearly
identified correct answer, and a detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce
clinical reasoning.
• How to study: Work through each question independently before reading the
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE; track which content areas you miss
most, revisit those topics in your ATI review modules, and retake weak-area clusters
until you consistently score above 65%.
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2026 EXIT EXAM
277 Practice Questions with Answers & EXPERT RATIONALE
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription
for furosemide 40 mg IV. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the provider before administering the medication?
A. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure 148/90 mmHg
C. Urine output 50 mL/hr
D. Weight gain of 1 kg over 2 days
E. Heart rate 88/min
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
wasting. A serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5–5.0
mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia. Administering furosemide in this setting can
,worsen hypokalemia, increasing the risk of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
The nurse must notify the provider before giving the medication.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following
findings is the priority?
A. Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
B. Respiratory rate 28/min with accessory muscle use
C. Productive cough with yellow sputum
D. Crackles auscultated in the right lower lobe
E. White blood cell count 13,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate 28/min with accessory muscle use
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using the ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) priority
framework, respiratory distress takes top priority. A respiratory rate of 28/min with
accessory muscle use indicates significant respiratory compromise and potential
impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate intervention.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube for enteral
feedings. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
aspiration?
A. Position the client supine during feedings
B. Check residual volume every 8 hours
C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees
D. Administer feedings rapidly to reduce exposure time
E. Flush the tube with normal saline before feedings only
Correct Answer: C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees during and
for at least 30–60 minutes after enteral feedings uses gravity to reduce gastric
reflux and decreases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which is a major
complication of tube feedings.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I will only check my blood sugar when I feel symptoms."
B. "I should avoid all carbohydrates in my diet."
C. "I will inspect my feet daily for cuts or sores."
D. "If I take my medication, I don't need to exercise."
E. "I should skip my medication if my blood sugar is normal."
Correct Answer: C. "I will inspect my feet daily for cuts or sores."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Peripheral neuropathy and poor circulation associated
with diabetes reduce sensation in the feet, making daily foot inspection critical to
identify injuries early and prevent serious complications such as infection,
ulceration, and amputation.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which of the
following actions is the nurse's priority?
A. Obtain a large-bore IV access
B. Verify the client's blood type and crossmatch with another nurse
C. Administer diphenhydramine prophylactically
D. Warm the blood to room temperature for 30 minutes
E. Flush the IV line with dextrose solution
, Correct Answer: B. Verify the client's blood type and crossmatch with
another nurse
EXPERT RATIONALE: Verifying blood compatibility with two nurses at the
bedside is the most critical safety step before transfusion. Administration of
incompatible blood can cause an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, which can
be fatal. This is a non-delegable patient safety standard.
6. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who reports pain of 8/10. The
nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV as prescribed. Thirty minutes later, the
client's respiratory rate is 8/min. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer naloxone as prescribed
B. Notify the provider
C. Apply supplemental oxygen
D. Stimulate the client and encourage deep breathing
E. Document the finding and continue to monitor
Correct Answer: D. Stimulate the client and encourage deep breathing
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using the nursing process, stimulating the client to
breathe is the first action for opioid-induced respiratory depression that is not yet
severe. If the client does not respond, naloxone should be administered next.
Stimulation is a less invasive first intervention that may be sufficient to reverse the
effect.
7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has chronic
kidney disease. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Serum creatinine 3.2 mg/dL
B. BUN 45 mg/dL
Exam (NGN) | 180 Practice Questions &
Verified Answers with Rationales |
Advanced Nursing Exit Assessment Study
Guide PDF
• ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Exit Exam Study Guide — 277 practice
questions in NGN-aligned format, each with five answer options (A–E), a clearly
identified correct answer, and a detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce
clinical reasoning.
• How to study: Work through each question independently before reading the
correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE; track which content areas you miss
most, revisit those topics in your ATI review modules, and retake weak-area clusters
until you consistently score above 65%.
ATI RN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2026 EXIT EXAM
277 Practice Questions with Answers & EXPERT RATIONALE
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription
for furosemide 40 mg IV. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the provider before administering the medication?
A. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L
B. Blood pressure 148/90 mmHg
C. Urine output 50 mL/hr
D. Weight gain of 1 kg over 2 days
E. Heart rate 88/min
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
wasting. A serum potassium of 2.9 mEq/L is below the normal range (3.5–5.0
mEq/L), indicating hypokalemia. Administering furosemide in this setting can
,worsen hypokalemia, increasing the risk of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
The nurse must notify the provider before giving the medication.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following
findings is the priority?
A. Temperature 38.4°C (101.1°F)
B. Respiratory rate 28/min with accessory muscle use
C. Productive cough with yellow sputum
D. Crackles auscultated in the right lower lobe
E. White blood cell count 13,000/mm³
Correct Answer: B. Respiratory rate 28/min with accessory muscle use
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using the ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) priority
framework, respiratory distress takes top priority. A respiratory rate of 28/min with
accessory muscle use indicates significant respiratory compromise and potential
impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate intervention.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube for enteral
feedings. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
aspiration?
A. Position the client supine during feedings
B. Check residual volume every 8 hours
C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees
D. Administer feedings rapidly to reduce exposure time
E. Flush the tube with normal saline before feedings only
Correct Answer: C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Elevating the head of the bed to 30–45 degrees during and
for at least 30–60 minutes after enteral feedings uses gravity to reduce gastric
reflux and decreases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, which is a major
complication of tube feedings.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes
mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "I will only check my blood sugar when I feel symptoms."
B. "I should avoid all carbohydrates in my diet."
C. "I will inspect my feet daily for cuts or sores."
D. "If I take my medication, I don't need to exercise."
E. "I should skip my medication if my blood sugar is normal."
Correct Answer: C. "I will inspect my feet daily for cuts or sores."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Peripheral neuropathy and poor circulation associated
with diabetes reduce sensation in the feet, making daily foot inspection critical to
identify injuries early and prevent serious complications such as infection,
ulceration, and amputation.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which of the
following actions is the nurse's priority?
A. Obtain a large-bore IV access
B. Verify the client's blood type and crossmatch with another nurse
C. Administer diphenhydramine prophylactically
D. Warm the blood to room temperature for 30 minutes
E. Flush the IV line with dextrose solution
, Correct Answer: B. Verify the client's blood type and crossmatch with
another nurse
EXPERT RATIONALE: Verifying blood compatibility with two nurses at the
bedside is the most critical safety step before transfusion. Administration of
incompatible blood can cause an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, which can
be fatal. This is a non-delegable patient safety standard.
6. A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who reports pain of 8/10. The
nurse administers morphine 4 mg IV as prescribed. Thirty minutes later, the
client's respiratory rate is 8/min. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer naloxone as prescribed
B. Notify the provider
C. Apply supplemental oxygen
D. Stimulate the client and encourage deep breathing
E. Document the finding and continue to monitor
Correct Answer: D. Stimulate the client and encourage deep breathing
EXPERT RATIONALE: Using the nursing process, stimulating the client to
breathe is the first action for opioid-induced respiratory depression that is not yet
severe. If the client does not respond, naloxone should be administered next.
Stimulation is a less invasive first intervention that may be sufficient to reverse the
effect.
7. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has chronic
kidney disease. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Serum creatinine 3.2 mg/dL
B. BUN 45 mg/dL
