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ATI PN Fundamentals 2023 Proctored Exam: 180+ High-Yield
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales for
NGN Success
High-Yield ATI PN Fundamentals Questions & Rationales
Safety & Infection Control
.
1. The nurse should use which type of precautions for a client being admitted
with suspected tuberculosis?
• A. Hand hygiene only
• B. Contact precautions
• C. Droplet precautions
• D. Airborne precautions
☑ Correct Answer-: D
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplets that remain
suspended in the air. Airborne precautions require a negative pressure room and
N95 respirator .
Medication Administration & Dosage Calculations
6. A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 20 mg orally to a 6-
yearold child who has difficulty swallowing pills. Available is diphenhydramine
12.5 mg/5 mL oral syrup. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to
the nearest whole number.)
• A. 5 mL
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• B. 6 mL
• C. 8 mL
• D. 10 mL
☑ Correct Answer-: C
Rationale: Use the formula: Desired dose (20 mg) ÷ Available dose (12.5 mg) ×
Volume (5 mL) = 20 ÷ 12.5 = 1.6 × 5 = 8 mL .
7. A nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child who has a new prescription for cefoxitin
80 mg/kg/day administered IV every 6 hours. The child weighs 20 kg. How much
cefoxitin should the nurse administer with each dose?
• A. 200 mg
• B. 400 mg
• C. 600 mg
• D. 800 mg
☑ Correct Answer-: B
Rationale: Calculate total daily dose: 80 mg × 20 kg = 1,600 mg/day. Divide by
number of doses per day (every 6 hours = 4 doses): 1,600 mg ÷ 4 = 400 mg per
dose .
8. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from an ampule. Which of the
following is an appropriate action?
• A. Inject air into the ampule prior to drawing medication.
• B. Add 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication.
• C. Cleanse the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening.
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• D. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication.
☑ Correct Answer-: D
Rationale: A filter needle is required when drawing medication from a glass
ampule to prevent any tiny glass particles from being drawn into the syringe.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine 5 mg IM but
accidentally administers the entire 10 mg from the single-dose vial. Which action
should the nurse take first?
• A. Notify the client's provider.
• B. Report the incident to the pharmacy.
• C. Complete an incident report.
• D. Measure the client's respiratory rate.
☑ Correct Answer-: D
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression. When a medication error
occurs, the nurse should FIRST assess the client to ensure the error does not
compromise the client's health. Assessment takes priority over documentation
and notification .
Laboratory Values & Diagnostics
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to have his alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) level checked. The client asks the nurse to explain the
test. Which response is appropriate?
• A. "This test indicates if you are at risk for blood clots."
• B. "This test determines if your heart is performing properly."
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• C. "This test provides information about the function of your liver."
• D. "This test checks how your kidneys are working."
☑ Correct Answer-: C
Rationale: ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is an enzyme found primarily in the
liver. ALT and AST measure liver function, while creatinine and BUN measure
kidney function .
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a surgical wound. Which laboratory
value places the client at risk for poor wound healing?
• A. Serum albumin 3 g/dL
• B. Total lymphocyte count 2400 mm³
• C. HCT 42%
• D. HGB 16 g/dL
☑ Correct Answer-: A
Rationale: Normal serum albumin range is 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL. Low albumin (3 g/dL)
indicates protein deficiency, which places the client at risk for poor wound
healing. The other values are within normal limits .
Nursing Process & Prioritization
12. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which action should the nurse perform first after discovering the
client's wound has eviscerated?
• A. Cover the incision with a moist sterile dressing.
• B. Have the client lie on his back with knees flexed.
ATI PN Fundamentals 2023 Proctored Exam: 180+ High-Yield
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed Rationales for
NGN Success
High-Yield ATI PN Fundamentals Questions & Rationales
Safety & Infection Control
.
1. The nurse should use which type of precautions for a client being admitted
with suspected tuberculosis?
• A. Hand hygiene only
• B. Contact precautions
• C. Droplet precautions
• D. Airborne precautions
☑ Correct Answer-: D
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplets that remain
suspended in the air. Airborne precautions require a negative pressure room and
N95 respirator .
Medication Administration & Dosage Calculations
6. A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 20 mg orally to a 6-
yearold child who has difficulty swallowing pills. Available is diphenhydramine
12.5 mg/5 mL oral syrup. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to
the nearest whole number.)
• A. 5 mL
,2
• B. 6 mL
• C. 8 mL
• D. 10 mL
☑ Correct Answer-: C
Rationale: Use the formula: Desired dose (20 mg) ÷ Available dose (12.5 mg) ×
Volume (5 mL) = 20 ÷ 12.5 = 1.6 × 5 = 8 mL .
7. A nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child who has a new prescription for cefoxitin
80 mg/kg/day administered IV every 6 hours. The child weighs 20 kg. How much
cefoxitin should the nurse administer with each dose?
• A. 200 mg
• B. 400 mg
• C. 600 mg
• D. 800 mg
☑ Correct Answer-: B
Rationale: Calculate total daily dose: 80 mg × 20 kg = 1,600 mg/day. Divide by
number of doses per day (every 6 hours = 4 doses): 1,600 mg ÷ 4 = 400 mg per
dose .
8. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from an ampule. Which of the
following is an appropriate action?
• A. Inject air into the ampule prior to drawing medication.
• B. Add 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication.
• C. Cleanse the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening.
,3
• D. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication.
☑ Correct Answer-: D
Rationale: A filter needle is required when drawing medication from a glass
ampule to prevent any tiny glass particles from being drawn into the syringe.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine 5 mg IM but
accidentally administers the entire 10 mg from the single-dose vial. Which action
should the nurse take first?
• A. Notify the client's provider.
• B. Report the incident to the pharmacy.
• C. Complete an incident report.
• D. Measure the client's respiratory rate.
☑ Correct Answer-: D
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression. When a medication error
occurs, the nurse should FIRST assess the client to ensure the error does not
compromise the client's health. Assessment takes priority over documentation
and notification .
Laboratory Values & Diagnostics
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled to have his alanine
aminotransferase (ALT) level checked. The client asks the nurse to explain the
test. Which response is appropriate?
• A. "This test indicates if you are at risk for blood clots."
• B. "This test determines if your heart is performing properly."
, 4
• C. "This test provides information about the function of your liver."
• D. "This test checks how your kidneys are working."
☑ Correct Answer-: C
Rationale: ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is an enzyme found primarily in the
liver. ALT and AST measure liver function, while creatinine and BUN measure
kidney function .
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a surgical wound. Which laboratory
value places the client at risk for poor wound healing?
• A. Serum albumin 3 g/dL
• B. Total lymphocyte count 2400 mm³
• C. HCT 42%
• D. HGB 16 g/dL
☑ Correct Answer-: A
Rationale: Normal serum albumin range is 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL. Low albumin (3 g/dL)
indicates protein deficiency, which places the client at risk for poor wound
healing. The other values are within normal limits .
Nursing Process & Prioritization
12. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which action should the nurse perform first after discovering the
client's wound has eviscerated?
• A. Cover the incision with a moist sterile dressing.
• B. Have the client lie on his back with knees flexed.
