ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Exit Exam —
Practice Questions & Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 90%
B. A client 2 days postoperative reporting incisional pain 6/10
C. A client with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 210 mg/dL
D. A client receiving blood transfusion who reports chills and low back pain
Answer: D. A client receiving blood transfusion who reports chills and low
back pain
Rationale: Chills and low back pain indicate an acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction, which is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about a low-sodium diet.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I can season my food with smoked ham.”
B. “I will avoid canned soups.”
C. “I should eat processed meats often.”
D. “Frozen dinners are acceptable.”
Answer: B. “I will avoid canned soups.”
,Rationale: Canned soups contain large amounts of sodium and should be
limited in heart failure.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. aPTT
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: C. aPTT
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time monitors effectiveness of
heparin therapy.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate 70/min with nasal flaring
C. Heart rate 140/min
D. Sneezing several times
Answer: B. Respiratory rate 70/min with nasal flaring
,Rationale: Respiratory distress in a newborn requires urgent assessment and
intervention.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about metformin. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I should take this medication on an empty stomach.”
B. “I need to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
C. “This medication can cause hypoglycemia frequently.”
D. “I should stop exercising while taking metformin.”
Answer: B. “I need to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
Rationale: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client with suspected meningitis. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Initiate droplet precautions
C. Obtain blood cultures
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: B. Initiate droplet precautions
Rationale: Protecting others from infection transmission is the priority.
, Question 7
A nurse is delegating care to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is
appropriate?
A. Teaching a client about insulin injection
B. Assessing postoperative pain
C. Ambulating a stable postoperative client
D. Evaluating wound healing
Answer: C. Ambulating a stable postoperative client
Rationale: AP can perform routine, non-assessment tasks for stable clients.
Question 8
A client with hypokalemia is receiving IV potassium chloride. Which finding
requires immediate action?
A. Burning at IV site
B. Urine output 40 mL/hr
C. Heart rate 88/min
D. Blood pressure 124/76 mm Hg
Answer: A. Burning at IV site
Rationale: Burning may indicate infiltration or irritation from potassium
administration.
Practice Questions & Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with COPD who has an oxygen saturation of 90%
B. A client 2 days postoperative reporting incisional pain 6/10
C. A client with diabetes who has a blood glucose of 210 mg/dL
D. A client receiving blood transfusion who reports chills and low back pain
Answer: D. A client receiving blood transfusion who reports chills and low
back pain
Rationale: Chills and low back pain indicate an acute hemolytic transfusion
reaction, which is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about a low-sodium diet.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. “I can season my food with smoked ham.”
B. “I will avoid canned soups.”
C. “I should eat processed meats often.”
D. “Frozen dinners are acceptable.”
Answer: B. “I will avoid canned soups.”
,Rationale: Canned soups contain large amounts of sodium and should be
limited in heart failure.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. aPTT
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: C. aPTT
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time monitors effectiveness of
heparin therapy.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a newborn. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Acrocyanosis
B. Respiratory rate 70/min with nasal flaring
C. Heart rate 140/min
D. Sneezing several times
Answer: B. Respiratory rate 70/min with nasal flaring
,Rationale: Respiratory distress in a newborn requires urgent assessment and
intervention.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client about metformin. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I should take this medication on an empty stomach.”
B. “I need to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
C. “This medication can cause hypoglycemia frequently.”
D. “I should stop exercising while taking metformin.”
Answer: B. “I need to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.”
Rationale: Alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis with metformin.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client with suspected meningitis. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Initiate droplet precautions
C. Obtain blood cultures
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: B. Initiate droplet precautions
Rationale: Protecting others from infection transmission is the priority.
, Question 7
A nurse is delegating care to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is
appropriate?
A. Teaching a client about insulin injection
B. Assessing postoperative pain
C. Ambulating a stable postoperative client
D. Evaluating wound healing
Answer: C. Ambulating a stable postoperative client
Rationale: AP can perform routine, non-assessment tasks for stable clients.
Question 8
A client with hypokalemia is receiving IV potassium chloride. Which finding
requires immediate action?
A. Burning at IV site
B. Urine output 40 mL/hr
C. Heart rate 88/min
D. Blood pressure 124/76 mm Hg
Answer: A. Burning at IV site
Rationale: Burning may indicate infiltration or irritation from potassium
administration.
