West Coast University NURS 100 ATI Proctored Exam (pdf) |
2026/2027 | ATI Fundamentals Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the first step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The first step of the nursing process is assessment, during which
the nurse gathers information by performing a physical exam, interviewing
the client, and observing the client. The sequence is assessment, diagnosis,
planning, implementation, and evaluation.
2. A nurse is completing documentation in a client's medical record. Which
entry demonstrates proper documentation?
A) "The client is feeling better"
B) "The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended"
C) "The client's status is unchanged"
D) "The client appears in pain"
Correct Answer: "The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended"
Rationale: Documentation should include factual, accurate, and objective
information. Subjective terms like "feeling better," "unchanged," or "appears"
should be replaced with objective, measurable data. A soft, non-distended
abdomen is an objective assessment finding.
,3. A nurse is preparing to perform palpation on a client during a physical
assessment. Which finding is the nurse assessing during palpation?
A) Unexpected sounds made by tapping on the client's skin
B) Skin temperature, moisture, or unexpected findings
C) Heart sounds, lung sounds, and bowel sounds
D) The client's cleanliness and grooming
Correct Answer: Skin temperature, moisture, or unexpected findings
Rationale: Palpation is used to assess skin temperature, moisture, texture,
and other unexpected findings such as lumps and deformities. Auscultation is
used for heart, lung, and bowel sounds. Tapping (percussion) is used to
assess sounds, and inspection is used for cleanliness and grooming.
4. A nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's leg wound. Which pieces of
personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear? (Select all that
apply)
A) N95 mask
B) Surgical cap
C) Gloves
D) Gown
E) Goggles
Correct Answer: Gloves, Gown, Goggles
Rationale: During wound irrigation, the nurse should wear gloves, a gown,
and goggles (or a face shield) to prevent contact with blood, bodily fluids,
and splashes. An N95 mask and surgical cap are not required for standard
wound irrigation unless specific isolation precautions are indicated.
,5. A nurse in the emergency department has received report on a child who
has a laceration to the right calf. Which step of the nursing process should
the nurse perform first?
A) Assessment
B) Analysis
C) Evaluation
D) Planning
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The first step of the nursing process is assessment. During this
step, the nurse gathers information by performing a physical exam,
interviewing the client, and observing the client.
6. A nurse has just received report on a newly admitted client who speaks a
different language than the nurse. Which action should the nurse take to
assist with effective communication during the initial assessment?
A) Enlist the aid of the client's school-age child to interpret
B) Ask the client's best friend to interpret for the nurse and client
C) Use jokes and laughter to make the client feel more at ease
D) Request assistance from a professional interpreter
Correct Answer: Request assistance from a professional interpreter
Rationale: The nurse should enlist a professional interpreter if the client
speaks a different language. Using family members or friends is not
appropriate as they may not provide accurate translations and may not
maintain confidentiality.
, 7. Which organization played a key role in standardizing the nursing process
framework used in modern nursing practice?
A) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
B) American Nurses Association (ANA)
C) World Health Organization (WHO)
D) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Correct Answer: American Nurses Association (ANA)
Rationale: The American Nurses Association (ANA) helped standardize the
nursing process, which includes assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. The CDC focuses on disease control, WHO
on global health, and NCSBN on licensure.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is crying and appears upset after
receiving news that they have a serious illness. Which nursing action is most
appropriate?
A) Tell the client that everything will be fine
B) Leave the client alone to process the information
C) Sit with the client and encourage them to express their feelings
D) Change the subject to something more positive
Correct Answer: Sit with the client and encourage them to express their
feelings
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves acknowledging the client's
feelings and providing emotional support. Leaving the client alone, changing
the subject, or giving false reassurance are not therapeutic responses.
2026/2027 | ATI Fundamentals Q&A | Nursing
1. Which of the following best describes the first step of the nursing process?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The first step of the nursing process is assessment, during which
the nurse gathers information by performing a physical exam, interviewing
the client, and observing the client. The sequence is assessment, diagnosis,
planning, implementation, and evaluation.
2. A nurse is completing documentation in a client's medical record. Which
entry demonstrates proper documentation?
A) "The client is feeling better"
B) "The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended"
C) "The client's status is unchanged"
D) "The client appears in pain"
Correct Answer: "The client's abdomen is soft and non-distended"
Rationale: Documentation should include factual, accurate, and objective
information. Subjective terms like "feeling better," "unchanged," or "appears"
should be replaced with objective, measurable data. A soft, non-distended
abdomen is an objective assessment finding.
,3. A nurse is preparing to perform palpation on a client during a physical
assessment. Which finding is the nurse assessing during palpation?
A) Unexpected sounds made by tapping on the client's skin
B) Skin temperature, moisture, or unexpected findings
C) Heart sounds, lung sounds, and bowel sounds
D) The client's cleanliness and grooming
Correct Answer: Skin temperature, moisture, or unexpected findings
Rationale: Palpation is used to assess skin temperature, moisture, texture,
and other unexpected findings such as lumps and deformities. Auscultation is
used for heart, lung, and bowel sounds. Tapping (percussion) is used to
assess sounds, and inspection is used for cleanliness and grooming.
4. A nurse is preparing to irrigate a client's leg wound. Which pieces of
personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear? (Select all that
apply)
A) N95 mask
B) Surgical cap
C) Gloves
D) Gown
E) Goggles
Correct Answer: Gloves, Gown, Goggles
Rationale: During wound irrigation, the nurse should wear gloves, a gown,
and goggles (or a face shield) to prevent contact with blood, bodily fluids,
and splashes. An N95 mask and surgical cap are not required for standard
wound irrigation unless specific isolation precautions are indicated.
,5. A nurse in the emergency department has received report on a child who
has a laceration to the right calf. Which step of the nursing process should
the nurse perform first?
A) Assessment
B) Analysis
C) Evaluation
D) Planning
Correct Answer: Assessment
Rationale: The first step of the nursing process is assessment. During this
step, the nurse gathers information by performing a physical exam,
interviewing the client, and observing the client.
6. A nurse has just received report on a newly admitted client who speaks a
different language than the nurse. Which action should the nurse take to
assist with effective communication during the initial assessment?
A) Enlist the aid of the client's school-age child to interpret
B) Ask the client's best friend to interpret for the nurse and client
C) Use jokes and laughter to make the client feel more at ease
D) Request assistance from a professional interpreter
Correct Answer: Request assistance from a professional interpreter
Rationale: The nurse should enlist a professional interpreter if the client
speaks a different language. Using family members or friends is not
appropriate as they may not provide accurate translations and may not
maintain confidentiality.
, 7. Which organization played a key role in standardizing the nursing process
framework used in modern nursing practice?
A) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
B) American Nurses Association (ANA)
C) World Health Organization (WHO)
D) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
Correct Answer: American Nurses Association (ANA)
Rationale: The American Nurses Association (ANA) helped standardize the
nursing process, which includes assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, and evaluation. The CDC focuses on disease control, WHO
on global health, and NCSBN on licensure.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is crying and appears upset after
receiving news that they have a serious illness. Which nursing action is most
appropriate?
A) Tell the client that everything will be fine
B) Leave the client alone to process the information
C) Sit with the client and encourage them to express their feelings
D) Change the subject to something more positive
Correct Answer: Sit with the client and encourage them to express their
feelings
Rationale: Therapeutic communication involves acknowledging the client's
feelings and providing emotional support. Leaving the client alone, changing
the subject, or giving false reassurance are not therapeutic responses.
