ATI COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST EXAM
GRADED A+ TESTED AND APPROVED
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has chronic kidney disease.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a) Increased serum calcium
b) Decreased serum potassium
c) Increased serum creatinine
d) Decreased serum phosphate
Rationale: As kidney function declines, the kidneys are unable to effectively filter and excrete
metabolic waste products like creatinine, leading to increased serum levels.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for metoclopramide. The nurse
should identify that this medication is used to treat which of the following conditions? a)
Diarrhea
b) Constipation
c) Gastroparesis
d) Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: Metoclopramide is a prokinetic agent that increases gastrointestinal motility and is
primarily used to treat gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying).
3. A school nurse is assessing a child who was stung by a bee and is experiencing wheezing,
urticaria, and swelling of the lips. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
a) Apply a cold pack to the sting site.
,b) Administer diphenhydramine.
c) Check for a medical alert bracelet.
d) Call emergency medical services (EMS).
Rationale: The child is showing signs of a severe anaphylactic reaction (wheezing, lip swelling),
which is a life-threatening emergency. The first action is to activate EMS to get advanced life
support immediately.
4. A nurse is calculating a client's intake for a shift. The client drank 8 oz of water, 6 oz of
coffee, and 12 oz of juice. How many mL should the nurse document? a) 260 mL
b) 780 mL
c) 910 mL
d) 1040 mL
*Rationale: Convert ounces to mL (1 oz = 30 mL). Total oz = 8 + 6 + 12 = 26 oz. 26 oz x
30 mL/oz = 780 mL.*
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of type 2
diabetes. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which of the following signs of
hyperglycemia? a) Diaphoresis and tremors
b) Polyuria and polydipsia
c) Tachycardia and irritability
d) Blurred vision and dry skin
Rationale: The classic signs of hyperglycemia are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia
(excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger).
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has been on bed rest for 3 days. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a potential complication of immobility?
a) Increased blood pressure
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Increased peristalsis
,d) Calf swelling and tenderness
Rationale: Calf swelling and tenderness (Homans' sign) can indicate a deep vein thrombosis
(DVT), a serious complication of immobility due to venous stasis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client reports chills
and low back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a) Administer an antihistamine.
b) Slow the infusion rate.
c) Stop the transfusion.
d) Obtain a urine sample.
Rationale: The client's symptoms suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which is a medical
emergency. The first and most critical action is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent
further reaction.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult client.
Which of the following sites is safe for injection? a) The
gluteal muscle near the sciatic nerve
b) The deltoid muscle, 5 cm (2 inches) below the acromion process
c) The vastus lateralis muscle on the anterior lateral thigh
d) The posterior tricep area
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is a safe and preferred IM site for all ages, as it is free of major
nerves and blood vessels. The deltoid is used but is smaller and located near the radial nerve; it
must be located correctly. The gluteal site requires careful landmarking to avoid the sciatic
nerve.
9. A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse provide for the client's bowel preparation? a) "Increase your intake of high-
fiber foods the day before."
b) "You will need to consume a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure."
c) "Take your oral hypoglycemic medication as usual on the morning of the procedure."
, d) "You may have a light breakfast the morning of the procedure."
Rationale: A clear liquid diet is standard the day before a colonoscopy to ensure the bowel is
clean for optimal visualization.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-operative following a thyroidectomy.
The client reports tingling in the fingers and around the mouth.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a)
Hypokalemia
b) Hyponatremia
c) Hypocalcemia
d) Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Tingling and numbness in the fingers and circumoral region are classic signs of
hypocalcemia, which can occur after a thyroidectomy due to accidental removal or damage to
the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands regulate calcium.
11. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include? a) "You should
increase your intake of green leafy vegetables."
b) "It is safe to take aspirin with warfarin for headaches."
c) "You will need to have regular blood tests to monitor this medication."
d) "Report any episodes of mild bruising to the provider immediately."
Rationale: Warfarin therapy requires regular monitoring of the International Normalized Ratio
(INR) to ensure the level is within the therapeutic range and to prevent bleeding or clotting
complications.
12. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who reports chest pain and
shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
AND RATIONALES LATEST EXAM
GRADED A+ TESTED AND APPROVED
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has chronic kidney disease.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a) Increased serum calcium
b) Decreased serum potassium
c) Increased serum creatinine
d) Decreased serum phosphate
Rationale: As kidney function declines, the kidneys are unable to effectively filter and excrete
metabolic waste products like creatinine, leading to increased serum levels.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for metoclopramide. The nurse
should identify that this medication is used to treat which of the following conditions? a)
Diarrhea
b) Constipation
c) Gastroparesis
d) Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: Metoclopramide is a prokinetic agent that increases gastrointestinal motility and is
primarily used to treat gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying).
3. A school nurse is assessing a child who was stung by a bee and is experiencing wheezing,
urticaria, and swelling of the lips. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
a) Apply a cold pack to the sting site.
,b) Administer diphenhydramine.
c) Check for a medical alert bracelet.
d) Call emergency medical services (EMS).
Rationale: The child is showing signs of a severe anaphylactic reaction (wheezing, lip swelling),
which is a life-threatening emergency. The first action is to activate EMS to get advanced life
support immediately.
4. A nurse is calculating a client's intake for a shift. The client drank 8 oz of water, 6 oz of
coffee, and 12 oz of juice. How many mL should the nurse document? a) 260 mL
b) 780 mL
c) 910 mL
d) 1040 mL
*Rationale: Convert ounces to mL (1 oz = 30 mL). Total oz = 8 + 6 + 12 = 26 oz. 26 oz x
30 mL/oz = 780 mL.*
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of type 2
diabetes. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for which of the following signs of
hyperglycemia? a) Diaphoresis and tremors
b) Polyuria and polydipsia
c) Tachycardia and irritability
d) Blurred vision and dry skin
Rationale: The classic signs of hyperglycemia are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia
(excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger).
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has been on bed rest for 3 days. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a potential complication of immobility?
a) Increased blood pressure
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Increased peristalsis
,d) Calf swelling and tenderness
Rationale: Calf swelling and tenderness (Homans' sign) can indicate a deep vein thrombosis
(DVT), a serious complication of immobility due to venous stasis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client reports chills
and low back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
a) Administer an antihistamine.
b) Slow the infusion rate.
c) Stop the transfusion.
d) Obtain a urine sample.
Rationale: The client's symptoms suggest a hemolytic transfusion reaction, which is a medical
emergency. The first and most critical action is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent
further reaction.
8. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an adult client.
Which of the following sites is safe for injection? a) The
gluteal muscle near the sciatic nerve
b) The deltoid muscle, 5 cm (2 inches) below the acromion process
c) The vastus lateralis muscle on the anterior lateral thigh
d) The posterior tricep area
Rationale: The vastus lateralis is a safe and preferred IM site for all ages, as it is free of major
nerves and blood vessels. The deltoid is used but is smaller and located near the radial nerve; it
must be located correctly. The gluteal site requires careful landmarking to avoid the sciatic
nerve.
9. A client is scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse provide for the client's bowel preparation? a) "Increase your intake of high-
fiber foods the day before."
b) "You will need to consume a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure."
c) "Take your oral hypoglycemic medication as usual on the morning of the procedure."
, d) "You may have a light breakfast the morning of the procedure."
Rationale: A clear liquid diet is standard the day before a colonoscopy to ensure the bowel is
clean for optimal visualization.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 hours post-operative following a thyroidectomy.
The client reports tingling in the fingers and around the mouth.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? a)
Hypokalemia
b) Hyponatremia
c) Hypocalcemia
d) Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Tingling and numbness in the fingers and circumoral region are classic signs of
hypocalcemia, which can occur after a thyroidectomy due to accidental removal or damage to
the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands regulate calcium.
11. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include? a) "You should
increase your intake of green leafy vegetables."
b) "It is safe to take aspirin with warfarin for headaches."
c) "You will need to have regular blood tests to monitor this medication."
d) "Report any episodes of mild bruising to the provider immediately."
Rationale: Warfarin therapy requires regular monitoring of the International Normalized Ratio
(INR) to ensure the level is within the therapeutic range and to prevent bleeding or clotting
complications.
12. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who reports chest pain and
shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
