Curriculum
Blueprint
Understanding the ATI PN
Testing Framework & LPN Scope
The Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Practical Nursing (PN) exam
suite serves as the primary standardized diagnostic assessment ecosystem
for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) educational
programs. Operating across practical nursing vocational colleges and community college
health divisions, the platform comprises proctored Content Mastery Series
(CMS) module exams taken at the conclusion of subject courses, along with
the final ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor Exam administered prior to
graduation.
The ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor features 180 total questions (150
scored operational items and 30 unscored pilot questions) completed in a single
180-minute (3-hour) testing session. The main intent of this capstone
exam is to provide students and faculty with a reliable, data-driven calculation of the
candidate's likelihood of passing the National Council Licensure Examination for
Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) on their initial attempt.
While both ATI RN and ATI PN exams utilize the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
(NCJMM), the ATI PN exam strictly reflects the legal and professional scope of practical
nursing. Questions emphasize focused data collection, executing standardized nursing
interventions under the direction of an RN or physician, observing clinical changes,
reporting findings promptly, and delivering safe routine care. Next Generation NCLEX
(NGN) alternate formats—including clinical scenario case studies, matrix grids, and
select-all-that-apply items—are fully integrated into the testing interface.
| ATI PN Specialty Module |
Predictor Weight |
LPN/LVN Clinical Focus |
NCLEX-PN Alignment |
| Adult Medical-Surgical |
38% |
Focused Observations & Interventions for Adult Illnesses
|
Physiological Adaptation / Risk Reduction |
| Pharmacology & Medication Care
|
17% |
Oral, Topical & Injected Drug Admin & Monitoring |
Pharmacological Therapies |
| PN Fundamentals of Nursing
|
16% |
Basic Hygiene, Mobility, Vital Signs & Infection Control
|
Basic Care & Comfort / Safety |
| Maternal-Newborn Nursing |
8% |
Routine Antepartum, Postpartum & Normal Newborn Care
|
Health Promotion & Maintenance |
| Nursing Care of Children
(Peds) |
8% |
Pediatric Growth, Safety & Common Acute Conditions |
Health Promotion & Maintenance |
| Mental Health Nursing |
7% |
Supportive Communication & Behavioral Observations |
Psychosocial Integrity |
| Coordinated Care & Leadership
|
6% |
LPN Scope, Task Acceptance & Client Advocacy |
Coordinated Care / Safety |
Core Specialty
· 38% Exam Weight
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Module
The Adult Medical-Surgical module forms the foundation of the ATI PN exam battery,
accounting for 38% of the total test content. Designed around the practical nurse's
day-to-day responsibilities, this section evaluates your ability to perform focused
physical assessments, observe subtle changes in patient status, perform wound care,
maintain tube feedings, monitor oxygen delivery, and report critical findings to the
Supervising RN or physician promptly.
Key clinical topics include caring for clients with hypertension, heart failure, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, ostomies, fractures,
and stroke recovery. Test items evaluate whether the candidate can identify unexpected
clinical data (such as abnormal breath sounds, hypoglycemia symptoms, or decreased urine
output) and take appropriate immediate practical nursing action within their defined
legal scope of practice.
Core
Specialty · 17% Exam Weight
Pharmacology & Medication Care
Module
Medication administration is one of the most critical responsibilities assigned to an
LPN/LVN. The ATI PN Pharmacology subtest measures your understanding of the 6 Rights of
Medication Administration, dosage calculation formulas, drug classifications, common
side effects, adverse reaction reporting, and client safety checks prior to
administration.
Focus areas include oral medications, topical applications, subcutaneous and
intramuscular injections, insulins, cardiovascular drugs, pain management medications
(opioids and non-opioids), and respiratory therapies. Practical nurses must recognize
when a medication dose should be withheld (e.g., withholding apical pulse-lowering drugs
when heart rate is below 60/min) and understand state-specific scope guidelines
regarding IV therapy and blood product administration.
Core
Specialty · 16% Exam Weight
PN Fundamentals of Nursing & Safety
The PN Fundamentals module focuses on basic nursing skills, personal hygiene, vital sign
measurement, mobility assistance, skin integrity, pressure injury prevention, and basic
nutritional care. Practical nurses play a central role in maintaining a clean, secure
environment for clients in long-term care, subacute rehabilitation, and medical-surgical
units.
Heavy emphasis is placed on standard precautions, transmission-based isolation protocols
(contact, droplet, airborne), sterile technique during simple dressing changes, fall
risk precautions, safe transfer methods using mechanical lifts, and proper documentation
of client care.
Family-Centered
Care Specialties
Maternal-Newborn Care & Nursing
Care of Children
These two subtests evaluate practical nursing interventions for mothers, infants, and
pediatric clients. The Maternal-Newborn section covers routine prenatal care support,
reinforcing health teaching for expectant mothers, observing postpartum fundal height
and lochia, providing newborn umbilical cord care, assisting with breastfeeding, and
recognizing warning signs such as excessive postpartum bleeding.
The Nursing Care of Children module tests knowledge of age-appropriate growth and
development milestones, pediatric immunization schedules, child safety measures (car
seat orientation, poison prevention), assisting with pediatric vital sign measurements,
and recognizing common childhood illnesses like otitis media, croup, and
gastroenteritis.
Professional
Practice Specialties
Mental Health Nursing & Coordinated
Care
The remaining modules cover mental health support and practical nursing management
roles:
Mental Health Nursing
Covers therapeutic
communication techniques, establishing rapport, recognizing signs of depression,
anxiety, dementia, and delirium in older adults, monitoring clients receiving
psychotropic drugs, and maintaining safety protocols for clients experiencing
suicidal ideation.
Coordinated Care & Leadership
Focuses on
understanding the LPN/LVN legal scope of practice, accepting appropriate task
assignments from the RN, supervising unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP/CNAs),
client advocacy, ethical principles, maintaining confidentiality (HIPAA), and
organizing care for assigned patient loads.
Scoring
Benchmarks
ATI PN Proficiency Levels & NCLEX-PN Mapping
ATI categorizes student scores on Content Mastery Series proctored assessments into
three standardized Proficiency Levels:
Proficiency Level 3 (Exceeds
Standard)
Top
Benchmark
Indicates performance
that comfortably exceeds expectations for NCLEX-PN readiness. Students achieving
Level 3 exhibit strong practical nursing judgment and need minimal focused
review.
Proficiency Level 2 (Meets
Standard)
Target
Benchmark
Indicates performance
meeting the expected standard for NCLEX-PN readiness. Most practical nursing
programs require Level 2 as the passing threshold for proctored course exams.
Proficiency Level 1 (Below
Standard)
Requires
Remediation
Indicates performance
below the required threshold for NCLEX-PN readiness. Students reaching Level 1
must complete mandatory remediation focused on identified weak areas before
retaking.
Strategic Prep
Roadmap
Recommended 6-Week ATI PN Board Review Plan
Preparing for the ATI PN Comprehensive Predictor requires a disciplined approach across
all practical nursing topics. Use this 6-week plan to guide your study routine:
Weeks 1 & 2: Medical-Surgical & Fundamentals
Intensive
Focus on major body system disorders,
vital signs, focused assessment data collection, wound care, and infection
control. Complete 50 to 60 practice questions daily.
Weeks 3 & 4: Pharmacology & Family Nursing
(Maternal/Peds)
Review dosage calculations, oral and
injectable drug safety, normal newborn findings, postpartum complications, and
pediatric safety precautions.
Week 5: Mental Health & Coordinated
Care
Study therapeutic communication
techniques, practical nurse scope of practice, accepting task assignments, and
managing care for multiple clients.
Week 6: Full-Length Timed Predictor
Simulations
Take two full 180-question simulated
predictor exams under 3-hour timed conditions. Review rationales for all missed
questions to eliminate remaining knowledge gaps.
Interactive
Practice Engine
ATI PN
Sample Question & Rationale
Domain: Fundamentals / Infection Control
Question: A practical nurse (LPN/LVN) is preparing to care for a
client admitted with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which of the following personal
protective equipment (PPE) items must the nurse don before entering the client's
negative-pressure isolation room?
A) Standard surgical mask
Option A
B) N95 respirator mask
Correct
Answer ✓
C) Clean gloves only
Option C
D) Sterile gown and face shield
Option D
Clinical
Rationale:
Correct Answer: B (N95 respirator mask). Pulmonary tuberculosis
is transmitted through airborne droplet nuclei measuring smaller than 5 microns.
Airborne precautions require placement in a negative-pressure airflow room and
the use of a fit-tested N95 respirator mask (or PAPR system) prior to room
entry.
Distractor Analysis: Standard surgical masks (Option A) are used for
droplet precautions (such as influenza), not airborne pathogens. Gloves alone
(Option C) do not protect against inhaled airborne particles. Sterile gowns
(Option D) are for sterile procedures, not standard airborne isolation.
Frequently Asked
Questions
High-Intent ATI PN Candidate Queries
What score do I need to get a 95%
NCLEX-PN pass probability on the ATI PN Predictor?
Scoring approximately 70% to 73% on the ATI PN Comprehensive
Predictor corresponds to an estimated 95% or higher probability
of passing the NCLEX-PN on your first attempt.
How do ATI PN exams differ from ATI
RN exams?
ATI PN exams focus specifically on LPN/LVN duties: focused data collection,
executing assigned care, assisting with nursing processes, and routine
medication administration under RN supervision. ATI RN exams evaluate
independent care planning, complex diagnostics, and initial patient assessments.
Does the ATI PN Predictor include
Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) questions?
Yes. Current ATI PN exam versions include NGN alternate formats such as clinical
judgment case studies, matrix matching, highlight text, and
select-all-that-apply items aligned with the NCLEX-PN test plan.
How long should I study for the ATI
PN Comprehensive Predictor?
Nursing educators recommend 4 to 6 weeks of systematic
preparation, answering 50 to 75 practical nursing practice questions daily and
thoroughly reviewing rationale guides.
