CHAMBERL AIN COLLEGE OF NURSING
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam Study Guide
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Comprehensive Study Guide
NCLEX-Style Review
Q1 Question 1
A nurse is reviewing a client's fluid and electrolyte status. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Potassium 5.4 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Potassium 5.4 mEq/L
RATIONALE
Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.4 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which
can cause cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate reporting.
Q2 Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pharyngeal diphtheria. Which of the following
types of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Droplet
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Droplet
RATIONALE
Pharyngeal diphtheria is transmitted via respiratory droplets, requiring droplet precautions
(mask, gloves, gown) to prevent spread.
, Q3 Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer 0.5 mL of oral single-dose liquid medication to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Gently shake the container of medication prior to administration.
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Gently shake the container of medication prior to administration.
RATIONALE
Liquid medications should be shaken gently to ensure uniform distribution of the medication.
This ensures the client receives the correct concentration.
Q4 Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints.
RATIONALE
Padding prevents skin breakdown and injury from the restraints. The nurse should ensure the
restraints are applied safely and according to protocol.
Q5 Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client whose left leg is in a cast about using crutches. Which of the
following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands
the teaching?
A. "When descending stairs, I will first shift my weight to my right leg."
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. "When descending stairs, I will first shift my weight to my right leg."
RATIONALE
When descending stairs with crutches, the client should shift weight to the strong (right) leg
and move the crutches and weak leg first. This statement indicates correct understanding.
, Q6 Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is expressing anger over his diagnosis of colorectal
cancer. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Reassure the client that this is an expected response to grief.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Reassure the client that this is an expected response to grief.
RATIONALE
Anger is a normal stage of the grief process. The nurse should validate the client's feelings and
reassure them that this response is expected, while providing therapeutic communication.
Q7 Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for 5 units of regular insulin and 10
units of NPH insulin to mix together and administer subcutaneously. Determine the correct
order of steps for this procedure.
A. Air into NPH → Air into Regular → Draw up Regular → Draw up NPH
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Air into NPH → Air into Regular → Draw up Regular → Draw up NPH
RATIONALE
The correct sequence is to inject air into the NPH vial first, then air into the regular insulin vial,
draw up the regular insulin, then draw up the NPH. This prevents contamination of the regular
insulin with NPH.
, Q8 Question 8
A nurse in a surgical suite notes documentation on a client's medical record he has a latex
allergy. In preparation for the client's procedure, which of the following precautions should
the nurse take?
A. Wrap monitoring cords with stockinette and tape them in place.
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Wrap monitoring cords with stockinette and tape them in place.
RATIONALE
For clients with latex allergy, all equipment containing latex should be avoided. Monitoring
cords can be wrapped with stockinette to prevent skin contact with latex-containing materials.
Q9 Question 9
A nurse is giving a change-of-shift report about a client he admitted earlier that day who
has pneumonia. Which of the following pieces of information is the priority for the nurse
to provide?
A. Breath sounds
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Breath sounds
RATIONALE
Breath sounds provide critical information about the client's respiratory status and response to
treatment. This is a priority for the oncoming nurse to ensure continuity of care.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam Study Guide
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Comprehensive Study Guide
NCLEX-Style Review
Q1 Question 1
A nurse is reviewing a client's fluid and electrolyte status. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Potassium 5.4 mEq/L
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Potassium 5.4 mEq/L
RATIONALE
Normal serum potassium is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L. A level of 5.4 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which
can cause cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate reporting.
Q2 Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pharyngeal diphtheria. Which of the following
types of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Droplet
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Droplet
RATIONALE
Pharyngeal diphtheria is transmitted via respiratory droplets, requiring droplet precautions
(mask, gloves, gown) to prevent spread.
, Q3 Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer 0.5 mL of oral single-dose liquid medication to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Gently shake the container of medication prior to administration.
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Gently shake the container of medication prior to administration.
RATIONALE
Liquid medications should be shaken gently to ensure uniform distribution of the medication.
This ensures the client receives the correct concentration.
Q4 Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints.
RATIONALE
Padding prevents skin breakdown and injury from the restraints. The nurse should ensure the
restraints are applied safely and according to protocol.
Q5 Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client whose left leg is in a cast about using crutches. Which of the
following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client understands
the teaching?
A. "When descending stairs, I will first shift my weight to my right leg."
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. "When descending stairs, I will first shift my weight to my right leg."
RATIONALE
When descending stairs with crutches, the client should shift weight to the strong (right) leg
and move the crutches and weak leg first. This statement indicates correct understanding.
, Q6 Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who is expressing anger over his diagnosis of colorectal
cancer. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Reassure the client that this is an expected response to grief.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Reassure the client that this is an expected response to grief.
RATIONALE
Anger is a normal stage of the grief process. The nurse should validate the client's feelings and
reassure them that this response is expected, while providing therapeutic communication.
Q7 Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for 5 units of regular insulin and 10
units of NPH insulin to mix together and administer subcutaneously. Determine the correct
order of steps for this procedure.
A. Air into NPH → Air into Regular → Draw up Regular → Draw up NPH
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Air into NPH → Air into Regular → Draw up Regular → Draw up NPH
RATIONALE
The correct sequence is to inject air into the NPH vial first, then air into the regular insulin vial,
draw up the regular insulin, then draw up the NPH. This prevents contamination of the regular
insulin with NPH.
, Q8 Question 8
A nurse in a surgical suite notes documentation on a client's medical record he has a latex
allergy. In preparation for the client's procedure, which of the following precautions should
the nurse take?
A. Wrap monitoring cords with stockinette and tape them in place.
CORRECT ANSWER:
A. Wrap monitoring cords with stockinette and tape them in place.
RATIONALE
For clients with latex allergy, all equipment containing latex should be avoided. Monitoring
cords can be wrapped with stockinette to prevent skin contact with latex-containing materials.
Q9 Question 9
A nurse is giving a change-of-shift report about a client he admitted earlier that day who
has pneumonia. Which of the following pieces of information is the priority for the nurse
to provide?
A. Breath sounds
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Breath sounds
RATIONALE
Breath sounds provide critical information about the client's respiratory status and response to
treatment. This is a priority for the oncoming nurse to ensure continuity of care.
