ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Exam Practice
Questions and Answers 2026/2027 – Verified
Q&As with Detailed Rationales (Test Bank
Bundle - 76 Questions)
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**QUESTION 1:**
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. Which action should
the nurse prioritize to maintain sterile technique?
A) Place the sterile field on the overbed table.
B) Use clean gloves for the initial perineal cleaning.
C) Open the catheter kit away from the body.
D) Secure the catheter tubing to the patient's thigh.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Use clean gloves for the initial perineal cleaning.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Clean gloves prevent contamination during non-sterile cleaning,
preserving sterile field integrity.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and reports chills and lower back pain. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A) Slow the infusion rate.
B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Stop the transfusion immediately.
D) Administer an antihistamine.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Stop the transfusion immediately.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Chills and back pain indicate a hemolytic reaction; stopping prevents
further complications.
,---
**QUESTION 3:**
When performing a sterile dressing change, the nurse accidentally touches the outer edge of the sterile
field. What should the nurse do?
A) Continue, as the edge is not a critical area.
B) Change the gloves only.
C) Discard the field and start over.
D) Cover the touched area with a sterile towel.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Discard the field and start over.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Any contamination of sterile field requires complete replacement to
prevent infection.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
A nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulse. Which site provides the most accurate assessment of
heart rate in an infant?
A) Radial pulse.
B) Brachial pulse.
C) Apical pulse.
D) Femoral pulse.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Apical pulse.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Apical pulse is most accurate for infants due to rapid rates and
peripheral inaccuracy.
---
**QUESTION 5:**
Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing pressure injuries in an immobile patient?
A) Massage bony prominences.
B) Reposition every 2 hours.
, C) Use a donut cushion.
D) Elevate the head of the bed.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Reposition every 2 hours.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and restores tissue perfusion.
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**QUESTION 6:**
A patient has a prescription for a 1000 mL normal saline bolus over 4 hours. What is the infusion rate in
mL/hour?
A) 150 mL/hr.
B) 200 mL/hr.
C) 250 mL/hr.
D) 300 mL/hr.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) 250 mL/hr.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** 1000 mL divided by 4 hours equals 250 mL/hr.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
The nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice by the patient indicates
understanding?
A) Canned vegetable soup.
B) Fresh grilled chicken.
C) Processed cheese slices.
D) Pickled vegetables.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Fresh grilled chicken.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Fresh foods are low in sodium; processed items contain high sodium.
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**QUESTION 8:**
Questions and Answers 2026/2027 – Verified
Q&As with Detailed Rationales (Test Bank
Bundle - 76 Questions)
---
**QUESTION 1:**
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. Which action should
the nurse prioritize to maintain sterile technique?
A) Place the sterile field on the overbed table.
B) Use clean gloves for the initial perineal cleaning.
C) Open the catheter kit away from the body.
D) Secure the catheter tubing to the patient's thigh.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Use clean gloves for the initial perineal cleaning.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Clean gloves prevent contamination during non-sterile cleaning,
preserving sterile field integrity.
---
**QUESTION 2:**
A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and reports chills and lower back pain. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A) Slow the infusion rate.
B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Stop the transfusion immediately.
D) Administer an antihistamine.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Stop the transfusion immediately.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Chills and back pain indicate a hemolytic reaction; stopping prevents
further complications.
,---
**QUESTION 3:**
When performing a sterile dressing change, the nurse accidentally touches the outer edge of the sterile
field. What should the nurse do?
A) Continue, as the edge is not a critical area.
B) Change the gloves only.
C) Discard the field and start over.
D) Cover the touched area with a sterile towel.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Discard the field and start over.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Any contamination of sterile field requires complete replacement to
prevent infection.
---
**QUESTION 4:**
A nurse is assessing a patient's peripheral pulse. Which site provides the most accurate assessment of
heart rate in an infant?
A) Radial pulse.
B) Brachial pulse.
C) Apical pulse.
D) Femoral pulse.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) Apical pulse.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Apical pulse is most accurate for infants due to rapid rates and
peripheral inaccuracy.
---
**QUESTION 5:**
Which nursing intervention is most effective in preventing pressure injuries in an immobile patient?
A) Massage bony prominences.
B) Reposition every 2 hours.
, C) Use a donut cushion.
D) Elevate the head of the bed.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Reposition every 2 hours.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and restores tissue perfusion.
---
**QUESTION 6:**
A patient has a prescription for a 1000 mL normal saline bolus over 4 hours. What is the infusion rate in
mL/hour?
A) 150 mL/hr.
B) 200 mL/hr.
C) 250 mL/hr.
D) 300 mL/hr.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** C) 250 mL/hr.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** 1000 mL divided by 4 hours equals 250 mL/hr.
---
**QUESTION 7:**
The nurse is teaching a patient about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice by the patient indicates
understanding?
A) Canned vegetable soup.
B) Fresh grilled chicken.
C) Processed cheese slices.
D) Pickled vegetables.
> 🎯 **CORRECT ANSWER:** B) Fresh grilled chicken.
> 💡 **CLINICAL RATIONALE:** Fresh foods are low in sodium; processed items contain high sodium.
---
**QUESTION 8:**
