ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
PROCTORED EXAM REVIEW
2026/2027 Practice Items with Evidence-Based Rationales
Aligned to Elsevier ATI Content Mastery Series® Blueprint
NGN-Integrated | NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
70 Questions and Correct Answers | Foundational Nursing Competency
,DOMAIN 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking Foundations (Q1–Q14)
1. A nurse is collecting data from a newly admitted patient who reports feeling nauseated. Which of the following
is an example of subjective data?
A. The patient appears pale and diaphoretic B. The patient states, "I feel like I might throw up"
C. The patient has a blood pressure of 98/60 mm Hg D. The patient has vomited twice since admission
Correct Answer: B. The patient states, "I feel like I might throw up"
Rationale: Subjective data are sensations or feelings the patient reports that cannot be directly observed or measured
by another person (Potter & Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed.). "I feel like I might throw up" is the patient's
verbalized perception. Pale appearance (A) is objective because it is directly observable. Blood pressure (C) is an
objective, measurable finding. Vomiting episodes (D) are objective because they are directly observable and
documented events.
2. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis for a patient who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and
refuses to turn side to side due to incisional pain. Which of the following is written in correct NANDA-I Problem-
Etiology-Symptoms (PES) format?
A. Acute Pain related to surgical incision B. Impaired Physical Mobility related to abdominal
surgery as evidenced by reluctance to reposition in bed
C. Risk for Infection secondary to surgical wound D. Ineffective Coping: patient will demonstrate use of
relaxation techniques within 24 hours
Correct Answer: B. Impaired Physical Mobility related to abdominal surgery as evidenced by reluctance to
reposition in bed
Rationale: The NANDA-I PES format includes three components: Problem (nursing diagnosis label), Etiology (related
to/caused by), and Symptoms/Defining Characteristics (as evidenced by). Option B correctly identifies the problem
(Impaired Physical Mobility), links it to the etiology (abdominal surgery), and provides defining characteristics
(reluctance to reposition). Option A lacks defining characteristics. Option C is a risk diagnosis and should not include
"secondary to"—it uses "related to" with risk factors. Option D inappropriately combines a diagnosis with a goal,
which belongs in the planning phase, not the diagnostic statement (Kozier & Erb, Fundamentals of Nursing).
3. A nurse is developing a goal for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus who needs to learn
self-administration of insulin. Which of the following is a SMART outcome criterion?
A. The patient will understand insulin administration B. The patient will demonstrate correct insulin self-
injection technique using a return demonstration by
discharge on day 3
C. The patient will know about diabetes within one week D. The nurse will teach the patient about insulin before
discharge
Correct Answer: B. The patient will demonstrate correct insulin self-injection technique using a return
demonstration by discharge on day 3
Rationale: SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (Potter & Perry). Option B
meets all SMART criteria: specific (correct insulin self-injection technique), measurable (return demonstration),
achievable (realistic for the time frame), relevant (directly addresses the learning need), and time-bound (by discharge
, on day 3). Option A uses "understand," which is not measurable. Option C is vague with "know about diabetes" and
lacks specificity. Option D describes a nursing action, not a patient outcome (ANA Scope and Standards of Practice).
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
Which of the following is an independent nursing intervention?
A. Administering furosemide 40 mg IV as prescribed B. Elevating the patient's lower extremities on pillows
C. Ordering a low-sodium diet from the dietary D. Requesting a physical therapy consultation for
department mobility assessment
Correct Answer: B. Elevating the patient's lower extremities on pillows
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions the nurse initiates without a provider's order and within the
scope of nursing practice (Kozier & Erb). Elevating the lower extremities reduces dependent edema through
gravitational drainage and is an independent action. Administering furosemide (A) is a dependent intervention
requiring a provider's order. Ordering a diet (C) typically requires a provider's dietary order. Requesting a PT
consultation (D) is an interdependent/collaborative action requiring communication with another healthcare provider.
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient's plan of care and notes a nursing order to "ambulate patient 50 feet twice daily
with gait belt." Which type of nursing order does this represent?
A. Standing order B. PRN order
C. Stat order D. Interdependent order
Correct Answer: A. Standing order
Rationale: A standing nursing order is a routine, pre-established intervention that is carried out on a scheduled basis
until discontinued (Potter & Perry). Ambulating twice daily is a standing order because it is a regular, ongoing
intervention. A PRN order (B) is performed as needed. A stat order (C) is performed immediately. An interdependent
order (D) involves collaboration with other disciplines, whereas ambulating with a gait belt is within the nurse's
independent scope.
6. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based fall prevention bundle for an older adult patient. Which of the
following interventions is classified as interdependent?
A. Placing the call light within reach B. Requesting a pharmacy review of the patient's
medication list for fall-risk drugs
C. Applying non-skid socks to the patient's feet D. Orienting the patient to the room and bathroom
location
Correct Answer: B. Requesting a pharmacy review of the patient's medication list for fall-risk drugs
Rationale: Interdependent interventions require collaboration among healthcare team members from different
disciplines (ANA Scope and Standards of Practice). A pharmacy medication review (B) involves collaboration between
nursing and pharmacy to identify medications that increase fall risk, such as sedatives, antihypertensives, and opioids.
Options A, C, and D are independent nursing interventions that the nurse can perform autonomously without requiring
input from other disciplines (Joint Commission NPSG 09.02.01).
7. A nurse evaluates a patient's response to a nursing intervention for impaired gas exchange. The patient's oxygen
saturation has improved from 88% to 94% on room air and the patient reports less dyspnea. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take next?
PROCTORED EXAM REVIEW
2026/2027 Practice Items with Evidence-Based Rationales
Aligned to Elsevier ATI Content Mastery Series® Blueprint
NGN-Integrated | NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
70 Questions and Correct Answers | Foundational Nursing Competency
,DOMAIN 1: Nursing Process & Critical Thinking Foundations (Q1–Q14)
1. A nurse is collecting data from a newly admitted patient who reports feeling nauseated. Which of the following
is an example of subjective data?
A. The patient appears pale and diaphoretic B. The patient states, "I feel like I might throw up"
C. The patient has a blood pressure of 98/60 mm Hg D. The patient has vomited twice since admission
Correct Answer: B. The patient states, "I feel like I might throw up"
Rationale: Subjective data are sensations or feelings the patient reports that cannot be directly observed or measured
by another person (Potter & Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing, 10th ed.). "I feel like I might throw up" is the patient's
verbalized perception. Pale appearance (A) is objective because it is directly observable. Blood pressure (C) is an
objective, measurable finding. Vomiting episodes (D) are objective because they are directly observable and
documented events.
2. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis for a patient who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and
refuses to turn side to side due to incisional pain. Which of the following is written in correct NANDA-I Problem-
Etiology-Symptoms (PES) format?
A. Acute Pain related to surgical incision B. Impaired Physical Mobility related to abdominal
surgery as evidenced by reluctance to reposition in bed
C. Risk for Infection secondary to surgical wound D. Ineffective Coping: patient will demonstrate use of
relaxation techniques within 24 hours
Correct Answer: B. Impaired Physical Mobility related to abdominal surgery as evidenced by reluctance to
reposition in bed
Rationale: The NANDA-I PES format includes three components: Problem (nursing diagnosis label), Etiology (related
to/caused by), and Symptoms/Defining Characteristics (as evidenced by). Option B correctly identifies the problem
(Impaired Physical Mobility), links it to the etiology (abdominal surgery), and provides defining characteristics
(reluctance to reposition). Option A lacks defining characteristics. Option C is a risk diagnosis and should not include
"secondary to"—it uses "related to" with risk factors. Option D inappropriately combines a diagnosis with a goal,
which belongs in the planning phase, not the diagnostic statement (Kozier & Erb, Fundamentals of Nursing).
3. A nurse is developing a goal for a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus who needs to learn
self-administration of insulin. Which of the following is a SMART outcome criterion?
A. The patient will understand insulin administration B. The patient will demonstrate correct insulin self-
injection technique using a return demonstration by
discharge on day 3
C. The patient will know about diabetes within one week D. The nurse will teach the patient about insulin before
discharge
Correct Answer: B. The patient will demonstrate correct insulin self-injection technique using a return
demonstration by discharge on day 3
Rationale: SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (Potter & Perry). Option B
meets all SMART criteria: specific (correct insulin self-injection technique), measurable (return demonstration),
achievable (realistic for the time frame), relevant (directly addresses the learning need), and time-bound (by discharge
, on day 3). Option A uses "understand," which is not measurable. Option C is vague with "know about diabetes" and
lacks specificity. Option D describes a nursing action, not a patient outcome (ANA Scope and Standards of Practice).
4. A nurse is caring for a patient with congestive heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities.
Which of the following is an independent nursing intervention?
A. Administering furosemide 40 mg IV as prescribed B. Elevating the patient's lower extremities on pillows
C. Ordering a low-sodium diet from the dietary D. Requesting a physical therapy consultation for
department mobility assessment
Correct Answer: B. Elevating the patient's lower extremities on pillows
Rationale: Independent nursing interventions are actions the nurse initiates without a provider's order and within the
scope of nursing practice (Kozier & Erb). Elevating the lower extremities reduces dependent edema through
gravitational drainage and is an independent action. Administering furosemide (A) is a dependent intervention
requiring a provider's order. Ordering a diet (C) typically requires a provider's dietary order. Requesting a PT
consultation (D) is an interdependent/collaborative action requiring communication with another healthcare provider.
5. A nurse is reviewing a patient's plan of care and notes a nursing order to "ambulate patient 50 feet twice daily
with gait belt." Which type of nursing order does this represent?
A. Standing order B. PRN order
C. Stat order D. Interdependent order
Correct Answer: A. Standing order
Rationale: A standing nursing order is a routine, pre-established intervention that is carried out on a scheduled basis
until discontinued (Potter & Perry). Ambulating twice daily is a standing order because it is a regular, ongoing
intervention. A PRN order (B) is performed as needed. A stat order (C) is performed immediately. An interdependent
order (D) involves collaboration with other disciplines, whereas ambulating with a gait belt is within the nurse's
independent scope.
6. A nurse is implementing an evidence-based fall prevention bundle for an older adult patient. Which of the
following interventions is classified as interdependent?
A. Placing the call light within reach B. Requesting a pharmacy review of the patient's
medication list for fall-risk drugs
C. Applying non-skid socks to the patient's feet D. Orienting the patient to the room and bathroom
location
Correct Answer: B. Requesting a pharmacy review of the patient's medication list for fall-risk drugs
Rationale: Interdependent interventions require collaboration among healthcare team members from different
disciplines (ANA Scope and Standards of Practice). A pharmacy medication review (B) involves collaboration between
nursing and pharmacy to identify medications that increase fall risk, such as sedatives, antihypertensives, and opioids.
Options A, C, and D are independent nursing interventions that the nurse can perform autonomously without requiring
input from other disciplines (Joint Commission NPSG 09.02.01).
7. A nurse evaluates a patient's response to a nursing intervention for impaired gas exchange. The patient's oxygen
saturation has improved from 88% to 94% on room air and the patient reports less dyspnea. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take next?
