RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026
, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Question: 1 of 180
A nurse is caring for a school-aged child. The nurse is reviewing the child's medical record. Click to highlight the findings
the nurse should report to the provider. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.
Exhibit 1 & Exhibit 2: Nurses' Notes & Vital Signs
0100 (Nurses' Notes):
Child transferred from PACU following appendectomy. NG tube secured, placement verified, connected to low
intermittent suction with small amount of greenish drainage. Child reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 after morphine
administration. Abdomen soft, diffusely tender, hypoactive bowel sounds. Abdominal dressing dry, intact. Portable
wound bulb suction device with small amount of serosanguinous drainage.
0800 (Nurses' Notes):
Alert, child reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. NG tube placement verified, connected to low intermittent suction
with small amount of greenish drainage. Oral mucosa moist and pink, lips dry. Heart rate regular without murmur.
Capillary refill 2 seconds. Respirations easy, shallow. Breath sounds clear throughout. Abdomen moderately firm,
diffusely tender, with no bowel sounds noted. Abdominal dressing dry, intact. Portable wound bulb suction device with
small amount of pink drainage. Able to move all extremities. IV patent and intact, left hand.
0800 (Vital Signs):
• Temperature 38.8°C (101.8°F)
• Heart rate 122/min
• BP 90/52 mm Hg
• Respiratory rate 28/min
Findings to Report to the Provider
In this NextGen NCLEX style highlight question, the nurse must select the clinical findings that indicate a worsening status
or a complication (such as peritonitis, internal bleeding, or systemic infection/sepsis) following an appendectomy.
The following items should be highlighted and reported:
• child reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 (Worsening pain despite previous management)
• Abdomen moderately firm... with no bowel sounds noted (Indicates potential paralytic ileus or developing peritonitis)
• Temperature 38.8°C (101.8°F) (Postoperative fever indicating infection)
• Heart rate 122/min (Tachycardia, a sign of infection, pain, or hypovolemia)
• Respiratory rate 28/min (Tachypnea, secondary to fever, pain, or early sepsis)
Brief Rationale
• Worsening Abdominal Assessment: Moving from a "soft" abdomen with "hypoactive" bowel sounds at 0100 to a "moderately
firm" abdomen with "no bowel sounds" at 0800 is a significant negative progression. A firm abdomen combined with an increase
in pain from 5 to 8 points toward potential postoperative complications like internal bleeding, peritonitis, or a bowel
obstruction/ileus.
• Abnormal Vital Signs (SIRS Criteria): The combination of a high fever (38.8°C), tachycardia (122/min), and tachypnea (28/min)
in a postoperative pediatric patient strongly suggests an acute inflammatory or infectious process (such as peritonitis or sepsis)
that requires immediate medical evaluation and intervention.
,
, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Question: 2 of 180
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who has status
asthmaticus. The nurse should expect which of the following findings?
• Increase in peak expiratory rate flow
• Epigastric pain
• Distended neck veins
• Bradycardia
Correct Answer
• Distended neck veins
, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Question: 1 of 180
A nurse is caring for a school-aged child. The nurse is reviewing the child's medical record. Click to highlight the findings
the nurse should report to the provider. To deselect a finding, click on the finding again.
Exhibit 1 & Exhibit 2: Nurses' Notes & Vital Signs
0100 (Nurses' Notes):
Child transferred from PACU following appendectomy. NG tube secured, placement verified, connected to low
intermittent suction with small amount of greenish drainage. Child reports pain as 5 on a scale of 0 to 10 after morphine
administration. Abdomen soft, diffusely tender, hypoactive bowel sounds. Abdominal dressing dry, intact. Portable
wound bulb suction device with small amount of serosanguinous drainage.
0800 (Nurses' Notes):
Alert, child reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. NG tube placement verified, connected to low intermittent suction
with small amount of greenish drainage. Oral mucosa moist and pink, lips dry. Heart rate regular without murmur.
Capillary refill 2 seconds. Respirations easy, shallow. Breath sounds clear throughout. Abdomen moderately firm,
diffusely tender, with no bowel sounds noted. Abdominal dressing dry, intact. Portable wound bulb suction device with
small amount of pink drainage. Able to move all extremities. IV patent and intact, left hand.
0800 (Vital Signs):
• Temperature 38.8°C (101.8°F)
• Heart rate 122/min
• BP 90/52 mm Hg
• Respiratory rate 28/min
Findings to Report to the Provider
In this NextGen NCLEX style highlight question, the nurse must select the clinical findings that indicate a worsening status
or a complication (such as peritonitis, internal bleeding, or systemic infection/sepsis) following an appendectomy.
The following items should be highlighted and reported:
• child reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10 (Worsening pain despite previous management)
• Abdomen moderately firm... with no bowel sounds noted (Indicates potential paralytic ileus or developing peritonitis)
• Temperature 38.8°C (101.8°F) (Postoperative fever indicating infection)
• Heart rate 122/min (Tachycardia, a sign of infection, pain, or hypovolemia)
• Respiratory rate 28/min (Tachypnea, secondary to fever, pain, or early sepsis)
Brief Rationale
• Worsening Abdominal Assessment: Moving from a "soft" abdomen with "hypoactive" bowel sounds at 0100 to a "moderately
firm" abdomen with "no bowel sounds" at 0800 is a significant negative progression. A firm abdomen combined with an increase
in pain from 5 to 8 points toward potential postoperative complications like internal bleeding, peritonitis, or a bowel
obstruction/ileus.
• Abnormal Vital Signs (SIRS Criteria): The combination of a high fever (38.8°C), tachycardia (122/min), and tachypnea (28/min)
in a postoperative pediatric patient strongly suggests an acute inflammatory or infectious process (such as peritonitis or sepsis)
that requires immediate medical evaluation and intervention.
,
, ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 Question: 2 of 180
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who has status
asthmaticus. The nurse should expect which of the following findings?
• Increase in peak expiratory rate flow
• Epigastric pain
• Distended neck veins
• Bradycardia
Correct Answer
• Distended neck veins
