© Academic_Excellence
ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor | Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-appendectomy. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider first?
A. Pain level 4 on a 0-10 scale
B. Temperature 99.8°F (37.7°C)
C. Urine output of 20 mL over 2 hours
D. Wound edges approximated without drainage
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Urine output <30 mL/hr indicates possible hypovolemia or renal
compromise. Using the ABCs and Maslow’s hierarchy, this is a circulation/renal
perfusion concern. Pain and low-grade fever are expected post-op.*
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with heart failure. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will weigh myself every morning after breakfast."
B. "I should limit my daily fluid intake to 3 liters."
C. "I will notify my provider if I gain 2 lbs in 24 hours."
D. "I can stop furosemide if I feel dizzy."
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: A weight gain of 2-3 lbs in 24 hours or 5 lbs in a week indicates fluid
retention and worsening heart failure. Weigh should be daily before breakfast, not
after.*
,© Academic_Excellence
3. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who started taking
phenelzine (an MAOI). Which food item on the lunch tray should the nurse remove?
A. Baked chicken
B. White rice
C. Cheddar cheese
D. Steamed broccoli
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine) interact with tyramine-rich foods
(aged cheese, cured meats, fermented products) causing hypertensive crisis. Cheddar
cheese is high in tyramine.
4. A nurse is performing a home safety assessment for an older adult client. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Scatter rugs in the living room
B. Nightlights in the hallway
C. Grab bars in the shower
D. Handrails on both sides of stairs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Scatter rugs are a trip and fall hazard, especially for older adults.
Nightlights, grab bars, and handrails are safety enhancements.
5. A nurse is providing teaching about contraceptive options to a client. Which method
provides the most effective protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
A. Oral contraceptive pills
B. Intrauterine device (IUD)
C. Male condom
D. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)
,© Academic_Excellence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Only barrier methods (male/female condoms) provide STI protection.
Hormonal methods (pills, IUD, DMPA) prevent pregnancy only.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which lab value
requires immediate action?
A. Serum glucose 250 mg/dL
B. Potassium 5.5 mEq/L
C. Bicarbonate 18 mEq/L
D. pH 7.30
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Potassium of 5.5 mEq/L is hyperkalemia, which can cause cardiac
dysrhythmias. DKA typically causes hyperkalemia initially due to acidosis; monitoring
and treatment are critical. The other values are expected in DKA.*
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
finding should cause the nurse to hold the dose?
A. Apical pulse 58 bpm
B. Blood pressure 130/78 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is held for apical pulse <60 bpm in an adult (or <50 bpm in a
child). Bradycardia increases risk of digoxin toxicity. Hold dose and notify provider.
8. A nurse is assessing a postpartum client 6 hours after vaginal delivery. The fundus
is boggy and displaced to the right. What is the priority action?
A. Massage the fundus
B. Assist the client to void
, © Academic_Excellence
C. Administer oxytocin as ordered
D. Notify the provider immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy, displaced fundus suggests a full bladder displacing the uterus.
The first action is to have the client void; then reassess fundal tone. Massaging before
emptying bladder is less effective.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will cut the ostomy wafer 1/8 inch larger than my stoma."
B. "I can irrigate my colostomy to help regulate bowel movements."
C. "I should expect my stoma to be pale and bluish in color."
D. "I will empty my pouch when it is one-third full."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A healthy stoma is pink to red, moist, and slightly raised. Pale, bluish, or
dark stoma indicates ischemia or necrosis and requires immediate provider
notification.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen minutes after
the start, the client reports low back pain and chills. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Obtain a urine sample.
B. Increase the transfusion rate to finish quickly.
C. Stop the transfusion.
D. Administer acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low back pain, chills, and fever suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor | Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationale 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-appendectomy. Which finding
should the nurse report to the provider first?
A. Pain level 4 on a 0-10 scale
B. Temperature 99.8°F (37.7°C)
C. Urine output of 20 mL over 2 hours
D. Wound edges approximated without drainage
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: Urine output <30 mL/hr indicates possible hypovolemia or renal
compromise. Using the ABCs and Maslow’s hierarchy, this is a circulation/renal
perfusion concern. Pain and low-grade fever are expected post-op.*
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with heart failure. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will weigh myself every morning after breakfast."
B. "I should limit my daily fluid intake to 3 liters."
C. "I will notify my provider if I gain 2 lbs in 24 hours."
D. "I can stop furosemide if I feel dizzy."
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: A weight gain of 2-3 lbs in 24 hours or 5 lbs in a week indicates fluid
retention and worsening heart failure. Weigh should be daily before breakfast, not
after.*
,© Academic_Excellence
3. A nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who started taking
phenelzine (an MAOI). Which food item on the lunch tray should the nurse remove?
A. Baked chicken
B. White rice
C. Cheddar cheese
D. Steamed broccoli
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine) interact with tyramine-rich foods
(aged cheese, cured meats, fermented products) causing hypertensive crisis. Cheddar
cheese is high in tyramine.
4. A nurse is performing a home safety assessment for an older adult client. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Scatter rugs in the living room
B. Nightlights in the hallway
C. Grab bars in the shower
D. Handrails on both sides of stairs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Scatter rugs are a trip and fall hazard, especially for older adults.
Nightlights, grab bars, and handrails are safety enhancements.
5. A nurse is providing teaching about contraceptive options to a client. Which method
provides the most effective protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
A. Oral contraceptive pills
B. Intrauterine device (IUD)
C. Male condom
D. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)
,© Academic_Excellence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Only barrier methods (male/female condoms) provide STI protection.
Hormonal methods (pills, IUD, DMPA) prevent pregnancy only.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which lab value
requires immediate action?
A. Serum glucose 250 mg/dL
B. Potassium 5.5 mEq/L
C. Bicarbonate 18 mEq/L
D. pH 7.30
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Potassium of 5.5 mEq/L is hyperkalemia, which can cause cardiac
dysrhythmias. DKA typically causes hyperkalemia initially due to acidosis; monitoring
and treatment are critical. The other values are expected in DKA.*
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
finding should cause the nurse to hold the dose?
A. Apical pulse 58 bpm
B. Blood pressure 130/78 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Serum potassium 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is held for apical pulse <60 bpm in an adult (or <50 bpm in a
child). Bradycardia increases risk of digoxin toxicity. Hold dose and notify provider.
8. A nurse is assessing a postpartum client 6 hours after vaginal delivery. The fundus
is boggy and displaced to the right. What is the priority action?
A. Massage the fundus
B. Assist the client to void
, © Academic_Excellence
C. Administer oxytocin as ordered
D. Notify the provider immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A boggy, displaced fundus suggests a full bladder displacing the uterus.
The first action is to have the client void; then reassess fundal tone. Massaging before
emptying bladder is less effective.
9. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy. Which
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will cut the ostomy wafer 1/8 inch larger than my stoma."
B. "I can irrigate my colostomy to help regulate bowel movements."
C. "I should expect my stoma to be pale and bluish in color."
D. "I will empty my pouch when it is one-third full."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A healthy stoma is pink to red, moist, and slightly raised. Pale, bluish, or
dark stoma indicates ischemia or necrosis and requires immediate provider
notification.
10. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion. Fifteen minutes after
the start, the client reports low back pain and chills. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Obtain a urine sample.
B. Increase the transfusion rate to finish quickly.
C. Stop the transfusion.
D. Administer acetaminophen.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Low back pain, chills, and fever suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction.
