ATI Fundamentals
CMS Proctored Examination
210 Verified Questions with Correct Answers
Latest 2026/2027 Edition
100% Accurate and A+ Graded
Section 1: Management of Care
Client Rights, Advocacy, Delegation, Ethical/Legal Issues, Informed Consent, & Advanced
Directives (Q1-Q35)
Section 2: Safety and Infection Control
Accident Prevention, Emergency Response, Standard/Transmission Precautions, PPE, & Disaster
Planning (Q36-Q65)
Section 3: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Developmental Theories, Health Screening, Immunizations, Lifestyle Choices, & Disease
Prevention Across Lifespan (Q66-Q90)
Section 4: Psychosocial Integrity
Coping Mechanisms, Grief/Loss, Therapeutic Communication, Support Systems, &
Cultural/Spiritual Considerations (Q91-Q115)
Section 5: Basic Care and Comfort
Hygiene, Mobility/Immobility, Nutrition, Bowel/Bladder Elimination, Rest/Sleep, & Pain
Management (Q116-Q145)
Section 6: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Medication Administration, Dosage Calculations, IV Therapy, Blood Transfusions, & Total
Parenteral Nutrition (Q146-Q170)
Section 7: Reduction of Risk Potential
Vital Signs, Diagnostic Testing, Pre/Post-Operative Care, & Complication Identification
(Q171-Q190)
Section 8: Physiological Adaptation
Pathophysiology, Fluid/Electrolyte Imbalances, Acid-Base Disturbances, & Medical Emergency
Management (Q191-Q210)
Cognitive Levels: 25% Recall | 55% Application | 20% Analysis
Question Types: 80% Scenario-Based | 15% Direct Recall | 5% Calculation
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition
Section 1: Management of Care
Client Rights, Advocacy, Delegation, Ethical/Legal Issues, Informed Consent, & Advanced Directives
(Q1-Q35)
Q1: A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs.
The client's family insists the nurse administer the blood. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the blood transfusion as requested by the family to save the client's life.
B. Respect the client's refusal and document the decision in the medical record.
C. Ask the provider to obtain a court order to override the client's refusal.
D. Delay the transfusion until the client is unconscious and then administer it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse any treatment, including life-saving interventions, under
the legal principle of autonomy (ATI Fundamentals, Client Rights). The nurse must respect the client's informed
decision, document the refusal, and ensure the provider is aware. Administering blood against the client's will
constitutes battery. Court orders are only appropriate when the client lacks decision-making capacity.
Q2: A nurse is assigning tasks to an LPN and a UAP on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the
following tasks should the nurse delegate to the UAP?
A. Measuring the client's intake and output for a client with heart failure.
B. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication for a postoperative client.
C. Assessing a client's wound for signs of infection following surgery.
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic client about insulin administration.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Measuring intake and output is a standardized, non-invasive task within the UAP scope of practice
(ATI Fundamentals, Delegation). Evaluation, assessment, and teaching require RN-level education and clinical
judgment and cannot be delegated to UAPs or LPNs. The RN retains accountability for all delegated tasks and
must provide appropriate supervision.
Q3: A nurse is obtaining informed consent from a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which
of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure in detail before the client signs the form.
B. Witness the client's signature on the consent form after the provider has explained the
procedure.
C. Obtain the consent form from the client's family member if the client is sedated.
D. Sign the consent form on behalf of the client if the client is unable to write.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature after the provider has
explained the procedure, including risks, benefits, and alternatives (ATI Fundamentals, Informed Consent). The
provider is responsible for the actual explanation of the procedure. Consent must be obtained from the client
while competent; family members cannot provide consent for a competent adult unless designated as a
healthcare proxy.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a client who states, 'I do not want any heroic measures taken if my
heart stops.' Which of the following documents should the nurse ensure is in the client's
medical record?
A. Living will
B. Power of attorney for finances
C. Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order signed by the provider
D. Involuntary commitment documentation
Page 2
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A DNR order is a medical order signed by a provider that directs healthcare personnel not to perform
CPR if the client's heart or breathing stops (ATI Fundamentals, Advance Directives). A living will expresses the
client's wishes but must be translated into a provider order to be actionable by the nursing staff. Power of
attorney for finances addresses financial decisions, not healthcare. The DNR order is the only document that
provides immediate legal direction to the nursing team during a cardiac arrest.
Q5: A nurse on a medical-surgical unit receives a shift report on four clients. Which of the
following clients should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. A client who is scheduled for a CT scan in 2 hours and needs transport preparation.
B. A client who was admitted with pneumonia and has a new onset of confusion and
restlessness.
C. A client who is 1 day postoperative from a hernia repair and reports pain at a level of 4 on a 0-10
scale.
D. A client who is receiving IV antibiotics and whose next dose is due in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, the nurse should first assess the
client with pneumonia who has a new onset of confusion and restlessness (ATI Fundamentals, Prioritization).
New-onset confusion in an older adult with pneumonia may indicate hypoxia, sepsis, or delirium, all of which are
potentially life-threatening. The other clients have stable or non-urgent needs that can be addressed after
assessing this client.
Q6: A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for home
oxygen therapy. The client asks, 'Will I still be able to cook at home?' Which of the following
responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A. 'You should avoid cooking altogether while using oxygen therapy at home.'
B. 'You can cook as you normally would, but keep the oxygen at least 10 feet from the stove.'
C. 'You may cook using a microwave or electric appliances, but you must avoid open flames
and oil-based cooking.'
D. 'Cooking is safe as long as you turn off the oxygen supply while cooking.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients on home oxygen therapy must avoid open flames, grease-based cooking, and any ignition
source near the oxygen equipment (ATI Fundamentals, Client Education). Microwave and electric appliances
are safe alternatives. Oxygen supports combustion, and cooking with oil or open flames creates a significant fire
hazard. The nurse should provide specific, actionable safety guidance using health literacy-appropriate
language.
Q7: A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client and notes that the client has an
advance directive that designates their adult daughter as healthcare proxy. The client is
now unconscious following a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Contact the client's daughter to make healthcare decisions on the client's behalf.
B. Wait until the client regains consciousness before making any treatment decisions.
C. Ask the healthcare team to vote on the most appropriate treatment plan.
D. Follow the facility's standard protocol for unconscious clients regardless of the advance directive.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client lacks decision-making capacity, the designated healthcare proxy (durable power of
attorney for healthcare) is legally authorized to make healthcare decisions on the client's behalf (ATI
Fundamentals, Advance Directives). The nurse should contact the designated proxy and involve them in care
planning. Waiting for the client to regain consciousness may delay necessary treatment. The advance directive
supersedes standard facility protocols.
Page 3
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition
Q8: A nurse is caring for a client who reports severe pain but the provider has not yet
prescribed pain medication. The nurse administers an unused PRN analgesic from another
client's medication drawer. Which of the following legal principles has the nurse violated?
A. Negligence
B. Battery
C. Fraud
D. Defamation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering medication without a provider's order constitutes negligence, specifically malpractice
(ATI Fundamentals, Legal/Ethical Issues). The nurse failed to follow the standard of care by not obtaining a
proper order, and administering medication intended for another client violates the Six Rights of medication
administration. Battery involves unwanted touching, fraud involves deception, and defamation involves false
statements about another person.
Q9: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving chemotherapy and tells the nurse, 'I am
thinking about stopping all treatment. I just want to be comfortable.' Which of the following
responses by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. 'You should not give up. The chemotherapy can be very effective for your type of cancer.'
B. 'Can you tell me more about what is making you feel this way?'
C. 'I understand how you feel. Many patients with cancer feel the same way.'
D. 'Let me call the oncologist to discuss continuing your treatment plan.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should use open-ended therapeutic communication techniques to explore the client's
feelings and concerns (ATI Fundamentals, Therapeutic Communication). Asking the client to elaborate
demonstrates active listening and respect for autonomy. Dismissing the client's feelings, offering false
reassurance, or immediately referring to the provider without exploring the client's concerns are
non-therapeutic responses that close down communication.
Q10: A nurse manager is planning the clinical assignment for the shift. Which of the
following clients is most appropriate to assign to an LPN?
A. A client who is 2 hours postoperative following a thyroidectomy and requires airway assessment.
B. A client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion and requires aPTT monitoring every 6 hours.
C. A client who had a stroke 3 days ago and needs assistance with ADLs and vital signs.
D. A client who was just admitted with chest pain and requires a comprehensive nursing assessment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An LPN can safely care for a stable client who needs assistance with ADLs and routine vital sign
monitoring (ATI Fundamentals, Delegation). LPNs can collect data and perform standardized procedures under
RN supervision. However, clients who require comprehensive assessment, continuous monitoring of high-risk
infusions (heparin), or complex postoperative surveillance (airway assessment after thyroidectomy) require
RN-level judgment and should not be assigned to an LPN.
Q11: A nurse is caring for a client who is being discharged home with a new prescription for
warfarin. The nurse should include which of the following instructions in the discharge
teaching?
A. 'Eat a consistent amount of foods high in vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables.'
B. 'Take an over-the-counter aspirin daily to prevent blood clots.'
C. 'Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and switch to an electric razor while taking this
medication.'
D. 'Double your dose if you miss one so that your blood levels stay therapeutic.'
Correct Answer: C
Page 4
CMS Proctored Examination
210 Verified Questions with Correct Answers
Latest 2026/2027 Edition
100% Accurate and A+ Graded
Section 1: Management of Care
Client Rights, Advocacy, Delegation, Ethical/Legal Issues, Informed Consent, & Advanced
Directives (Q1-Q35)
Section 2: Safety and Infection Control
Accident Prevention, Emergency Response, Standard/Transmission Precautions, PPE, & Disaster
Planning (Q36-Q65)
Section 3: Health Promotion and Maintenance
Developmental Theories, Health Screening, Immunizations, Lifestyle Choices, & Disease
Prevention Across Lifespan (Q66-Q90)
Section 4: Psychosocial Integrity
Coping Mechanisms, Grief/Loss, Therapeutic Communication, Support Systems, &
Cultural/Spiritual Considerations (Q91-Q115)
Section 5: Basic Care and Comfort
Hygiene, Mobility/Immobility, Nutrition, Bowel/Bladder Elimination, Rest/Sleep, & Pain
Management (Q116-Q145)
Section 6: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Medication Administration, Dosage Calculations, IV Therapy, Blood Transfusions, & Total
Parenteral Nutrition (Q146-Q170)
Section 7: Reduction of Risk Potential
Vital Signs, Diagnostic Testing, Pre/Post-Operative Care, & Complication Identification
(Q171-Q190)
Section 8: Physiological Adaptation
Pathophysiology, Fluid/Electrolyte Imbalances, Acid-Base Disturbances, & Medical Emergency
Management (Q191-Q210)
Cognitive Levels: 25% Recall | 55% Application | 20% Analysis
Question Types: 80% Scenario-Based | 15% Direct Recall | 5% Calculation
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition
Section 1: Management of Care
Client Rights, Advocacy, Delegation, Ethical/Legal Issues, Informed Consent, & Advanced Directives
(Q1-Q35)
Q1: A nurse is caring for a client who refuses a blood transfusion based on religious beliefs.
The client's family insists the nurse administer the blood. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the blood transfusion as requested by the family to save the client's life.
B. Respect the client's refusal and document the decision in the medical record.
C. Ask the provider to obtain a court order to override the client's refusal.
D. Delay the transfusion until the client is unconscious and then administer it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse any treatment, including life-saving interventions, under
the legal principle of autonomy (ATI Fundamentals, Client Rights). The nurse must respect the client's informed
decision, document the refusal, and ensure the provider is aware. Administering blood against the client's will
constitutes battery. Court orders are only appropriate when the client lacks decision-making capacity.
Q2: A nurse is assigning tasks to an LPN and a UAP on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the
following tasks should the nurse delegate to the UAP?
A. Measuring the client's intake and output for a client with heart failure.
B. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication for a postoperative client.
C. Assessing a client's wound for signs of infection following surgery.
D. Teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic client about insulin administration.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Measuring intake and output is a standardized, non-invasive task within the UAP scope of practice
(ATI Fundamentals, Delegation). Evaluation, assessment, and teaching require RN-level education and clinical
judgment and cannot be delegated to UAPs or LPNs. The RN retains accountability for all delegated tasks and
must provide appropriate supervision.
Q3: A nurse is obtaining informed consent from a client scheduled for a colonoscopy. Which
of the following actions by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure in detail before the client signs the form.
B. Witness the client's signature on the consent form after the provider has explained the
procedure.
C. Obtain the consent form from the client's family member if the client is sedated.
D. Sign the consent form on behalf of the client if the client is unable to write.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the client's signature after the provider has
explained the procedure, including risks, benefits, and alternatives (ATI Fundamentals, Informed Consent). The
provider is responsible for the actual explanation of the procedure. Consent must be obtained from the client
while competent; family members cannot provide consent for a competent adult unless designated as a
healthcare proxy.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a client who states, 'I do not want any heroic measures taken if my
heart stops.' Which of the following documents should the nurse ensure is in the client's
medical record?
A. Living will
B. Power of attorney for finances
C. Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order signed by the provider
D. Involuntary commitment documentation
Page 2
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A DNR order is a medical order signed by a provider that directs healthcare personnel not to perform
CPR if the client's heart or breathing stops (ATI Fundamentals, Advance Directives). A living will expresses the
client's wishes but must be translated into a provider order to be actionable by the nursing staff. Power of
attorney for finances addresses financial decisions, not healthcare. The DNR order is the only document that
provides immediate legal direction to the nursing team during a cardiac arrest.
Q5: A nurse on a medical-surgical unit receives a shift report on four clients. Which of the
following clients should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. A client who is scheduled for a CT scan in 2 hours and needs transport preparation.
B. A client who was admitted with pneumonia and has a new onset of confusion and
restlessness.
C. A client who is 1 day postoperative from a hernia repair and reports pain at a level of 4 on a 0-10
scale.
D. A client who is receiving IV antibiotics and whose next dose is due in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) priority framework, the nurse should first assess the
client with pneumonia who has a new onset of confusion and restlessness (ATI Fundamentals, Prioritization).
New-onset confusion in an older adult with pneumonia may indicate hypoxia, sepsis, or delirium, all of which are
potentially life-threatening. The other clients have stable or non-urgent needs that can be addressed after
assessing this client.
Q6: A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for home
oxygen therapy. The client asks, 'Will I still be able to cook at home?' Which of the following
responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A. 'You should avoid cooking altogether while using oxygen therapy at home.'
B. 'You can cook as you normally would, but keep the oxygen at least 10 feet from the stove.'
C. 'You may cook using a microwave or electric appliances, but you must avoid open flames
and oil-based cooking.'
D. 'Cooking is safe as long as you turn off the oxygen supply while cooking.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients on home oxygen therapy must avoid open flames, grease-based cooking, and any ignition
source near the oxygen equipment (ATI Fundamentals, Client Education). Microwave and electric appliances
are safe alternatives. Oxygen supports combustion, and cooking with oil or open flames creates a significant fire
hazard. The nurse should provide specific, actionable safety guidance using health literacy-appropriate
language.
Q7: A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client and notes that the client has an
advance directive that designates their adult daughter as healthcare proxy. The client is
now unconscious following a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Contact the client's daughter to make healthcare decisions on the client's behalf.
B. Wait until the client regains consciousness before making any treatment decisions.
C. Ask the healthcare team to vote on the most appropriate treatment plan.
D. Follow the facility's standard protocol for unconscious clients regardless of the advance directive.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client lacks decision-making capacity, the designated healthcare proxy (durable power of
attorney for healthcare) is legally authorized to make healthcare decisions on the client's behalf (ATI
Fundamentals, Advance Directives). The nurse should contact the designated proxy and involve them in care
planning. Waiting for the client to regain consciousness may delay necessary treatment. The advance directive
supersedes standard facility protocols.
Page 3
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition
Q8: A nurse is caring for a client who reports severe pain but the provider has not yet
prescribed pain medication. The nurse administers an unused PRN analgesic from another
client's medication drawer. Which of the following legal principles has the nurse violated?
A. Negligence
B. Battery
C. Fraud
D. Defamation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Administering medication without a provider's order constitutes negligence, specifically malpractice
(ATI Fundamentals, Legal/Ethical Issues). The nurse failed to follow the standard of care by not obtaining a
proper order, and administering medication intended for another client violates the Six Rights of medication
administration. Battery involves unwanted touching, fraud involves deception, and defamation involves false
statements about another person.
Q9: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving chemotherapy and tells the nurse, 'I am
thinking about stopping all treatment. I just want to be comfortable.' Which of the following
responses by the nurse demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. 'You should not give up. The chemotherapy can be very effective for your type of cancer.'
B. 'Can you tell me more about what is making you feel this way?'
C. 'I understand how you feel. Many patients with cancer feel the same way.'
D. 'Let me call the oncologist to discuss continuing your treatment plan.'
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should use open-ended therapeutic communication techniques to explore the client's
feelings and concerns (ATI Fundamentals, Therapeutic Communication). Asking the client to elaborate
demonstrates active listening and respect for autonomy. Dismissing the client's feelings, offering false
reassurance, or immediately referring to the provider without exploring the client's concerns are
non-therapeutic responses that close down communication.
Q10: A nurse manager is planning the clinical assignment for the shift. Which of the
following clients is most appropriate to assign to an LPN?
A. A client who is 2 hours postoperative following a thyroidectomy and requires airway assessment.
B. A client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion and requires aPTT monitoring every 6 hours.
C. A client who had a stroke 3 days ago and needs assistance with ADLs and vital signs.
D. A client who was just admitted with chest pain and requires a comprehensive nursing assessment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An LPN can safely care for a stable client who needs assistance with ADLs and routine vital sign
monitoring (ATI Fundamentals, Delegation). LPNs can collect data and perform standardized procedures under
RN supervision. However, clients who require comprehensive assessment, continuous monitoring of high-risk
infusions (heparin), or complex postoperative surveillance (airway assessment after thyroidectomy) require
RN-level judgment and should not be assigned to an LPN.
Q11: A nurse is caring for a client who is being discharged home with a new prescription for
warfarin. The nurse should include which of the following instructions in the discharge
teaching?
A. 'Eat a consistent amount of foods high in vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables.'
B. 'Take an over-the-counter aspirin daily to prevent blood clots.'
C. 'Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and switch to an electric razor while taking this
medication.'
D. 'Double your dose if you miss one so that your blood levels stay therapeutic.'
Correct Answer: C
Page 4
