ATI FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
PROCTORED EXAM STUDY GUIDE REVIEW
2026/2027 | 70 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Elsevier ATI Content Mastery Series
NGN-Integrated | Academic Paper Format
Pre-Licensure BSN/ADN Examination Preparation
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education
Aligned with NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
, ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam Review | 2026/2027
Abstract
This study guide presents 70 evidence-based, multiple-choice practice questions designed
to prepare pre-licensure nursing students for the Elsevier ATI Fundamentals of Nursing
Content Mastery Series Proctored Assessment. Content is organized across six core
competency domains aligned with NCSBN NCLEX-RN Client Needs categories:
Nursing Process and Critical Thinking Foundations (14 questions), Therapeutic
Communication and Documentation (10 questions), Safety and Infection Control (18
questions), Legal and Ethical Foundations (7 questions), Vital Signs and Basic
Assessment with Patient Education (10 questions), and Prioritization, Delegation, and
NGN Clinical Judgment (11 questions). Each question includes a concise rationale
grounded in current clinical practice guidelines, ANA standards, CDC recommendations,
The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals, and NCSBN Clinical Judgment
Measurement Model frameworks. Correct answers are highlighted in bold cyan for
efficient self-assessment. This resource supports ATI proctored exam preparation, clinical
rotation readiness, and NCLEX-RN Safe and Effective Care Environment domain
mastery.
Keywords
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam; NCLEX-RN Preparation; Nursing Process ADPIE;
Therapeutic Communication; Infection Control; Patient Safety; Prioritization and
Delegation; NGN Clinical Judgment; NCSBN CJMM; Pre-Licensure Nursing Education
Table 1: Domain Distribution and Question Allocation
Domain Content Focus Questions Percentage
1. Nursing Process & Critical ADPIE, NANDA-I, SMART Goals, 14 20.0%
Thinking Critical Thinking Attributes
2. Therapeutic Communication Active Listening, SBAR, Non- 10 14.3%
& Documentation Therapeutic Responses, Charting
3. Safety, Infection Control & Standard/Transmission-Based 18 25.7%
Basic Care Precautions, Fall Prevention, ADLs
Page 2
, ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam Review | 2026/2027
4. Legal/Ethical Foundations NPA, Informed Consent, HIPAA, 7 10.0%
Mandatory Reporting, ANA Code
5. Vital Signs, Assessment & Vital Signs Norms, Physical Assessment, 10 14.3%
Education Teach-Back, Health Literacy
6. Prioritization, Delegation & ABCs, Maslow, Five Rights of 11 15.7%
NGN CJ Delegation, NCSBN CJMM, NGN Items
Total 70 100%
Practice Questions
Nursing Process & Critical Thinking Foundations
1. A nurse is collecting data on a newly admitted patient. Which of the following is an
example of subjective data?
A) Blood pressure 148/92 mmHg
B) Patient reports sharp lower back pain rated 7 on a 0-10 scale
C) Respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute
D) Wound measuring 4 cm x 2 cm on the left forearm
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences perceived and reported by the
patient, such as pain. Objective data are measurable, observable findings obtained
through physical examination or diagnostic tests. Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of
Nursing distinguishes subjective data (what the patient says) from objective data (what
the nurse observes or measures).
2. A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart and notes that the patient's spouse provided most
of the history. The spouse is considered which type of data source?
A) Primary source
B) Secondary source
C) Tertiary source
D) Ancillary source
Rationale: The patient is the primary source of information. Family members,
caregivers, medical records, and other healthcare providers are considered secondary
Page 3
, ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam Review | 2026/2027
sources. According to Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, secondary sources are
used when the patient is unable to provide a complete history or to corroborate
information.
3. A nurse observes that a postoperative patient's surgical wound dressing has a 2 cm area
of serosanguineous drainage. What is the best action to validate this finding?
A) Ask another nurse to also observe the wound
B) Document the finding and wait for the next shift to reassess
C) Ask the patient if the wound is draining
D) Remove the dressing entirely to inspect the wound
Rationale: Data validation involves confirming data through an additional source,
repeat assessment, or consulting with another nurse. According to the Tanner Clinical
Judgment Model, validating findings ensures accuracy before proceeding to diagnosis.
Having a colleague independently verify the observation is the most reliable validation
method for clinical findings.
4. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is written in correct NANDA-I Problem-
Etiology-Symptoms (PES) format?
A) Acute pain related to surgical incision
B) Impaired gas exchange as evidenced by SpO2 of 88%
C) Acute pain related to tissue inflammation as evidenced by patient reports
of sharp lower back pain rated 7 out of 10 and facial grimacing
D) Risk for infection related to invasive procedures
Rationale: NANDA-I recommends the Problem-Etiology-Symptoms (PES) format for
actual diagnoses: the problem (nursing diagnosis label), the etiology (related to), and the
defining characteristics or signs and symptoms (as evidenced by). Risk diagnoses do not
have defining characteristics. Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing emphasizes that
a complete PES statement provides the foundation for planning care.
5. A nurse sets the following goal for a patient with heart failure: "The patient will
understand their medication regimen by discharge." Which characteristic of a SMART
goal is missing from this statement?
A) Specific
Page 4
PROCTORED EXAM STUDY GUIDE REVIEW
2026/2027 | 70 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Elsevier ATI Content Mastery Series
NGN-Integrated | Academic Paper Format
Pre-Licensure BSN/ADN Examination Preparation
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Nursing Education
Aligned with NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
, ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam Review | 2026/2027
Abstract
This study guide presents 70 evidence-based, multiple-choice practice questions designed
to prepare pre-licensure nursing students for the Elsevier ATI Fundamentals of Nursing
Content Mastery Series Proctored Assessment. Content is organized across six core
competency domains aligned with NCSBN NCLEX-RN Client Needs categories:
Nursing Process and Critical Thinking Foundations (14 questions), Therapeutic
Communication and Documentation (10 questions), Safety and Infection Control (18
questions), Legal and Ethical Foundations (7 questions), Vital Signs and Basic
Assessment with Patient Education (10 questions), and Prioritization, Delegation, and
NGN Clinical Judgment (11 questions). Each question includes a concise rationale
grounded in current clinical practice guidelines, ANA standards, CDC recommendations,
The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals, and NCSBN Clinical Judgment
Measurement Model frameworks. Correct answers are highlighted in bold cyan for
efficient self-assessment. This resource supports ATI proctored exam preparation, clinical
rotation readiness, and NCLEX-RN Safe and Effective Care Environment domain
mastery.
Keywords
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam; NCLEX-RN Preparation; Nursing Process ADPIE;
Therapeutic Communication; Infection Control; Patient Safety; Prioritization and
Delegation; NGN Clinical Judgment; NCSBN CJMM; Pre-Licensure Nursing Education
Table 1: Domain Distribution and Question Allocation
Domain Content Focus Questions Percentage
1. Nursing Process & Critical ADPIE, NANDA-I, SMART Goals, 14 20.0%
Thinking Critical Thinking Attributes
2. Therapeutic Communication Active Listening, SBAR, Non- 10 14.3%
& Documentation Therapeutic Responses, Charting
3. Safety, Infection Control & Standard/Transmission-Based 18 25.7%
Basic Care Precautions, Fall Prevention, ADLs
Page 2
, ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam Review | 2026/2027
4. Legal/Ethical Foundations NPA, Informed Consent, HIPAA, 7 10.0%
Mandatory Reporting, ANA Code
5. Vital Signs, Assessment & Vital Signs Norms, Physical Assessment, 10 14.3%
Education Teach-Back, Health Literacy
6. Prioritization, Delegation & ABCs, Maslow, Five Rights of 11 15.7%
NGN CJ Delegation, NCSBN CJMM, NGN Items
Total 70 100%
Practice Questions
Nursing Process & Critical Thinking Foundations
1. A nurse is collecting data on a newly admitted patient. Which of the following is an
example of subjective data?
A) Blood pressure 148/92 mmHg
B) Patient reports sharp lower back pain rated 7 on a 0-10 scale
C) Respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute
D) Wound measuring 4 cm x 2 cm on the left forearm
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or experiences perceived and reported by the
patient, such as pain. Objective data are measurable, observable findings obtained
through physical examination or diagnostic tests. Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of
Nursing distinguishes subjective data (what the patient says) from objective data (what
the nurse observes or measures).
2. A nurse is reviewing a patient's chart and notes that the patient's spouse provided most
of the history. The spouse is considered which type of data source?
A) Primary source
B) Secondary source
C) Tertiary source
D) Ancillary source
Rationale: The patient is the primary source of information. Family members,
caregivers, medical records, and other healthcare providers are considered secondary
Page 3
, ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam Review | 2026/2027
sources. According to Kozier & Erb's Fundamentals of Nursing, secondary sources are
used when the patient is unable to provide a complete history or to corroborate
information.
3. A nurse observes that a postoperative patient's surgical wound dressing has a 2 cm area
of serosanguineous drainage. What is the best action to validate this finding?
A) Ask another nurse to also observe the wound
B) Document the finding and wait for the next shift to reassess
C) Ask the patient if the wound is draining
D) Remove the dressing entirely to inspect the wound
Rationale: Data validation involves confirming data through an additional source,
repeat assessment, or consulting with another nurse. According to the Tanner Clinical
Judgment Model, validating findings ensures accuracy before proceeding to diagnosis.
Having a colleague independently verify the observation is the most reliable validation
method for clinical findings.
4. Which of the following nursing diagnoses is written in correct NANDA-I Problem-
Etiology-Symptoms (PES) format?
A) Acute pain related to surgical incision
B) Impaired gas exchange as evidenced by SpO2 of 88%
C) Acute pain related to tissue inflammation as evidenced by patient reports
of sharp lower back pain rated 7 out of 10 and facial grimacing
D) Risk for infection related to invasive procedures
Rationale: NANDA-I recommends the Problem-Etiology-Symptoms (PES) format for
actual diagnoses: the problem (nursing diagnosis label), the etiology (related to), and the
defining characteristics or signs and symptoms (as evidenced by). Risk diagnoses do not
have defining characteristics. Potter & Perry's Fundamentals of Nursing emphasizes that
a complete PES statement provides the foundation for planning care.
5. A nurse sets the following goal for a patient with heart failure: "The patient will
understand their medication regimen by discharge." Which characteristic of a SMART
goal is missing from this statement?
A) Specific
Page 4
