ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the foundational knowledge and clinical judgment
essential for entry-level nursing practice. It rigorously tests the candidate's understanding of core nursing concepts,
including patient safety, care management, health promotion, and psychosocial support. The exam utilizes a
multiple-choice and scenario-based format to assess the application of theoretical knowledge in real-world clinical
situations. Success on this examination demonstrates the ability to prioritize patient needs, make sound clinical
decisions, and provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care across diverse healthcare settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication."
B. "I will shake the inhaler vigorously before each use."
C. "I will inhale the medication while tilting my head back."
D. "I will wait 1 minute between puffs if I need a second dose."
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Holding the breath for 5-10 seconds after inhaling allows the medication to be deposited in the
lungs. While shaking the inhaler is a step, the key indicator of understanding is the breath-holding technique.
Inhaling with the head tilted back is not recommended as it can obstruct the airway. The wait time between
puffs is 1-2 minutes.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube set to low intermittent suction. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take to prevent mucosal injury?
A. Irrigate the NG tube with 30 mL of sterile water every 2 hours.
B. Secure the NG tube to the client's gown with a safety pin.
C. Assess the pH of the gastric aspirate.
D. Reposition the NG tube to the other nostril every 24 hours.
🟢C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Assessing the pH of the gastric aspirate confirms correct tube placement and helps prevent
injury from accidental instillation or medication administration. The tube should be taped to the client's nose,
not the gown with a safety pin, to prevent trauma. Repositioning the tube can cause trauma. Irrigating is not
recommended routinely and can damage the gastric mucosa.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection to a client. Which of the following is the
correct angle of insertion for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 75 degrees
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The recommended angle for subcutaneous injections is typically 45 to 90 degrees depending
on the client's body mass. For a client with average subcutaneous tissue, a 45-degree angle is standard. A 15-
degree angle is for intradermal injections. A 90-degree angle is for intramuscular injections or may be used for
subcutaneous in obese clients.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
B. Mild crepitus (subcutaneous emphysema) around the insertion site.
C. Absence of tidal fluctuations in the water-seal chamber.
D. 75 mL of drainage in the collection chamber over the past 4 hours.
, 🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system, which
should be reported to the provider as it can lead to a pneumothorax. Mild crepitus can be normal. Tidal
fluctuations cease when the lung has re-expanded, which is expected. Drainage of 75 mL in 4 hours is within
normal limits.
5. A nurse is providing end-of-life care to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
support the client's family?
A. Encourage the family to leave the room during personal care to maintain client privacy.
B. Limit visiting hours to reduce family fatigue and provide rest periods.
C. Offer the family the option to assist with the client's care if they wish.
D. Advise the family to maintain a positive attitude when around the client.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Allowing the family to participate in care can help them feel a sense of control and closeness
during the dying process, which facilitates the grieving process. Encouraging them to leave or limiting visits can
create distance and guilt. Maintaining a positive attitude denies the family's emotional reality.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a fecal impaction. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to safely remove the impaction?
A. Apply a lubricated, gloved finger and gently remove the stool.
B. Administer a tap water enema to soften the stool.
C. Insert a nasogastric tube and administer mineral oil.
D. Use a rigid clamp to break up the stool for removal.
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027..
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the foundational knowledge and clinical judgment
essential for entry-level nursing practice. It rigorously tests the candidate's understanding of core nursing concepts,
including patient safety, care management, health promotion, and psychosocial support. The exam utilizes a
multiple-choice and scenario-based format to assess the application of theoretical knowledge in real-world clinical
situations. Success on this examination demonstrates the ability to prioritize patient needs, make sound clinical
decisions, and provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care across diverse healthcare settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for a metered-dose inhaler (MDI).
Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication."
B. "I will shake the inhaler vigorously before each use."
C. "I will inhale the medication while tilting my head back."
D. "I will wait 1 minute between puffs if I need a second dose."
🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Holding the breath for 5-10 seconds after inhaling allows the medication to be deposited in the
lungs. While shaking the inhaler is a step, the key indicator of understanding is the breath-holding technique.
Inhaling with the head tilted back is not recommended as it can obstruct the airway. The wait time between
puffs is 1-2 minutes.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube set to low intermittent suction. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take to prevent mucosal injury?
A. Irrigate the NG tube with 30 mL of sterile water every 2 hours.
B. Secure the NG tube to the client's gown with a safety pin.
C. Assess the pH of the gastric aspirate.
D. Reposition the NG tube to the other nostril every 24 hours.
🟢C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Assessing the pH of the gastric aspirate confirms correct tube placement and helps prevent
injury from accidental instillation or medication administration. The tube should be taped to the client's nose,
not the gown with a safety pin, to prevent trauma. Repositioning the tube can cause trauma. Irrigating is not
recommended routinely and can damage the gastric mucosa.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection to a client. Which of the following is the
correct angle of insertion for a subcutaneous injection?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 75 degrees
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The recommended angle for subcutaneous injections is typically 45 to 90 degrees depending
on the client's body mass. For a client with average subcutaneous tissue, a 45-degree angle is standard. A 15-
degree angle is for intradermal injections. A 90-degree angle is for intramuscular injections or may be used for
subcutaneous in obese clients.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube following a thoracotomy. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber.
B. Mild crepitus (subcutaneous emphysema) around the insertion site.
C. Absence of tidal fluctuations in the water-seal chamber.
D. 75 mL of drainage in the collection chamber over the past 4 hours.
, 🟢A
🔴 RATIONALE: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air leak in the system, which
should be reported to the provider as it can lead to a pneumothorax. Mild crepitus can be normal. Tidal
fluctuations cease when the lung has re-expanded, which is expected. Drainage of 75 mL in 4 hours is within
normal limits.
5. A nurse is providing end-of-life care to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
support the client's family?
A. Encourage the family to leave the room during personal care to maintain client privacy.
B. Limit visiting hours to reduce family fatigue and provide rest periods.
C. Offer the family the option to assist with the client's care if they wish.
D. Advise the family to maintain a positive attitude when around the client.
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Allowing the family to participate in care can help them feel a sense of control and closeness
during the dying process, which facilitates the grieving process. Encouraging them to leave or limiting visits can
create distance and guilt. Maintaining a positive attitude denies the family's emotional reality.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a fecal impaction. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to safely remove the impaction?
A. Apply a lubricated, gloved finger and gently remove the stool.
B. Administer a tap water enema to soften the stool.
C. Insert a nasogastric tube and administer mineral oil.
D. Use a rigid clamp to break up the stool for removal.
