ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exit Exam
2023–2026 | Updated 2026 Review | Practice
Questions, Verified Answers & Rationales |
Complete NCLEX-RN Readiness Guide
ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXIT EXAM 2023–2026
Updated 2026 Review | Practice Questions, Verified Answers & EXPERT
RATIONALE | Complete NCLEX-RN Readiness Guide
• practice questions with verified correct answers and detailed EXPERT
RATIONALE, structured to mirror the real ATI Comprehensive Predictor across all
NCLEX-RN client needs categories — use this by attempting every question
independently before checking the answer, then reading the EXPERT RATIONALE
deeply to build clinical reasoning.
• Study strategy: Work through one section per session, flag every question you
miss, revisit those EXPERT RATIONALEs 48 hours later, and track patterns in your
weak areas — mastery comes from understanding why, not memorizing what.
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. In which situation should
the nurse use soap and water instead of an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before performing a sterile dressing change
B. After contact with a client who has Clostridium difficile infection
C. After removing gloves following wound care
D. Before administering oral medications
E. After documenting client information
Correct Answer: B. After contact with a client who has Clostridium difficile
infection
EXPERT RATIONALE: C. difficile produces spores that are not destroyed by
alcohol-based hand rubs. Soap and water must be used to mechanically remove
spores from the hands after contact with an infected client or their environment.
,Q2. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client
should the nurse prioritize first?
A. A client with a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL reporting increased thirst
B. A client with a fractured radius and pain rated 6/10
C. A client with chest pain, diaphoresis, and left arm radiation
D. A client with a forehead laceration needing sutures
E. A client with nausea and vomiting for 12 hours
Correct Answer: C. A client with chest pain, diaphoresis, and left arm
radiation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Chest pain with diaphoresis and radiation to the arm are
classic signs of acute myocardial infarction, a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate intervention. Using the ABCs framework, this client has a potential
circulation compromise and is the highest priority.
Q3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with hypertension.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should limit my sodium intake to 4,000 mg per day."
B. "I will take my medication only when I feel symptoms."
C. "I will monitor my blood pressure and keep a log to share with my doctor."
D. "Moderate alcohol has no effect on my blood pressure."
E. "I can stop my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
Correct Answer: C. "I will monitor my blood pressure and keep a log to
share with my doctor."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Regular self-monitoring and maintaining a blood pressure
log allows the provider to assess treatment effectiveness and make adjustments.
,This demonstrates understanding of ongoing hypertension management and self-
care.
Q4. A client scheduled for surgery states, "I am not sure I understand what
the doctor told me." The consent form has not been signed. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Have the client sign the form and document their confusion
B. Explain the surgical procedure to the client in detail
C. Ask a family member to sign on the client's behalf
D. Notify the surgeon that the client requires further explanation
E. Proceed with preoperative preparation while contacting the surgeon
Correct Answer: D. Notify the surgeon that the client requires further
explanation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Informed consent is the legal and ethical responsibility of
the provider who is performing the procedure. The nurse's role is to witness the
signature and to notify the surgeon when the client has unresolved questions or
does not demonstrate understanding.
Q5. A charge nurse is assigning tasks at the start of the shift. Which task is
appropriate to delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Performing a focused assessment on a client with new chest pain
B. Administering oral medications to a client with dysphagia
C. Measuring and recording urine output of a stable client
D. Teaching a client to use a walker for the first time
E. Interpreting a client's blood glucose reading and reporting to the provider
Correct Answer: C. Measuring and recording urine output of a stable client
, EXPERT RATIONALE: Measuring and recording intake and output is a routine
task within the scope of practice of an AP. Assessment, medication administration
(especially for a client with dysphagia), client education, and interpretation of
results all require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated.
Q6. A nurse is documenting care for a client. Which entry is appropriate for
the medical record?
A. "Client seemed anxious and uncooperative during morning care."
B. "Client refused medications for personal reasons."
C. "Client received lorazepam 1 mg PO at 0900 for reported anxiety rated 7/10."
D. "Wound looks better than yesterday; dressing applied."
E. "Family appears concerned about client's prognosis."
Correct Answer: C. "Client received lorazepam 1 mg PO at 0900 for
reported anxiety rated 7/10."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Accurate documentation is objective, specific, and
measurable. This entry includes the medication name, dose, route, time, and the
client's subjective pain rating. Vague, subjective, or judgmental language is not
acceptable in medical record documentation.
Q7. A nurse is assessing pain in a client who is intubated and unable to
communicate verbally. Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate?
A. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
B. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
C. FLACC Scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
E. McGill Pain Questionnaire
Correct Answer: C. FLACC Scale
2023–2026 | Updated 2026 Review | Practice
Questions, Verified Answers & Rationales |
Complete NCLEX-RN Readiness Guide
ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR EXIT EXAM 2023–2026
Updated 2026 Review | Practice Questions, Verified Answers & EXPERT
RATIONALE | Complete NCLEX-RN Readiness Guide
• practice questions with verified correct answers and detailed EXPERT
RATIONALE, structured to mirror the real ATI Comprehensive Predictor across all
NCLEX-RN client needs categories — use this by attempting every question
independently before checking the answer, then reading the EXPERT RATIONALE
deeply to build clinical reasoning.
• Study strategy: Work through one section per session, flag every question you
miss, revisit those EXPERT RATIONALEs 48 hours later, and track patterns in your
weak areas — mastery comes from understanding why, not memorizing what.
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. In which situation should
the nurse use soap and water instead of an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Before performing a sterile dressing change
B. After contact with a client who has Clostridium difficile infection
C. After removing gloves following wound care
D. Before administering oral medications
E. After documenting client information
Correct Answer: B. After contact with a client who has Clostridium difficile
infection
EXPERT RATIONALE: C. difficile produces spores that are not destroyed by
alcohol-based hand rubs. Soap and water must be used to mechanically remove
spores from the hands after contact with an infected client or their environment.
,Q2. A nurse is triaging clients in the emergency department. Which client
should the nurse prioritize first?
A. A client with a blood glucose of 200 mg/dL reporting increased thirst
B. A client with a fractured radius and pain rated 6/10
C. A client with chest pain, diaphoresis, and left arm radiation
D. A client with a forehead laceration needing sutures
E. A client with nausea and vomiting for 12 hours
Correct Answer: C. A client with chest pain, diaphoresis, and left arm
radiation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Chest pain with diaphoresis and radiation to the arm are
classic signs of acute myocardial infarction, a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate intervention. Using the ABCs framework, this client has a potential
circulation compromise and is the highest priority.
Q3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with hypertension.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should limit my sodium intake to 4,000 mg per day."
B. "I will take my medication only when I feel symptoms."
C. "I will monitor my blood pressure and keep a log to share with my doctor."
D. "Moderate alcohol has no effect on my blood pressure."
E. "I can stop my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
Correct Answer: C. "I will monitor my blood pressure and keep a log to
share with my doctor."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Regular self-monitoring and maintaining a blood pressure
log allows the provider to assess treatment effectiveness and make adjustments.
,This demonstrates understanding of ongoing hypertension management and self-
care.
Q4. A client scheduled for surgery states, "I am not sure I understand what
the doctor told me." The consent form has not been signed. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Have the client sign the form and document their confusion
B. Explain the surgical procedure to the client in detail
C. Ask a family member to sign on the client's behalf
D. Notify the surgeon that the client requires further explanation
E. Proceed with preoperative preparation while contacting the surgeon
Correct Answer: D. Notify the surgeon that the client requires further
explanation
EXPERT RATIONALE: Informed consent is the legal and ethical responsibility of
the provider who is performing the procedure. The nurse's role is to witness the
signature and to notify the surgeon when the client has unresolved questions or
does not demonstrate understanding.
Q5. A charge nurse is assigning tasks at the start of the shift. Which task is
appropriate to delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Performing a focused assessment on a client with new chest pain
B. Administering oral medications to a client with dysphagia
C. Measuring and recording urine output of a stable client
D. Teaching a client to use a walker for the first time
E. Interpreting a client's blood glucose reading and reporting to the provider
Correct Answer: C. Measuring and recording urine output of a stable client
, EXPERT RATIONALE: Measuring and recording intake and output is a routine
task within the scope of practice of an AP. Assessment, medication administration
(especially for a client with dysphagia), client education, and interpretation of
results all require nursing judgment and cannot be delegated.
Q6. A nurse is documenting care for a client. Which entry is appropriate for
the medical record?
A. "Client seemed anxious and uncooperative during morning care."
B. "Client refused medications for personal reasons."
C. "Client received lorazepam 1 mg PO at 0900 for reported anxiety rated 7/10."
D. "Wound looks better than yesterday; dressing applied."
E. "Family appears concerned about client's prognosis."
Correct Answer: C. "Client received lorazepam 1 mg PO at 0900 for
reported anxiety rated 7/10."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Accurate documentation is objective, specific, and
measurable. This entry includes the medication name, dose, route, time, and the
client's subjective pain rating. Vague, subjective, or judgmental language is not
acceptable in medical record documentation.
Q7. A nurse is assessing pain in a client who is intubated and unable to
communicate verbally. Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate?
A. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
B. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
C. FLACC Scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
E. McGill Pain Questionnaire
Correct Answer: C. FLACC Scale
