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ATI Fundamentals Practice Exam 2026 |
100 Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | ATI RN Fundamentals
Exam Prep | Complete Nursing Study
Guide | Updated 2026 Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a respiratory rate of 28/min. Which
finding should the nurse recognize as requiring further assessment?
A. Respiratory rate of 12/min
B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
C. Respiratory rate of 28/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: Respiratory rate of 28/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28/min is above the expected adult range of
approximately 12 to 20/min and may indicate respiratory distress or another
underlying problem.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important before administration?
A. Ask the client's roommate to identify the client
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
,C. Check the client's room number only
D. Ask the client what medication they usually receive
Answer: Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: Using two identifiers helps ensure that the medication is given to the
correct client and is an essential medication-safety practice.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has difficulty swallowing. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Place the client in an upright position
B. Offer large amounts of thin liquids
C. Encourage the client to eat while lying down
D. Provide food rapidly to reduce fatigue
Answer: Place the client in an upright position
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes safe swallowing and decreases the risk
of aspiration.
4. Which finding indicates that a client might be experiencing fluid volume
deficit?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Bounding pulse
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a common manifestation of fluid volume
deficit. Other findings can include decreased urine output, concentrated urine,
tachycardia, and hypotension.
5. A nurse is teaching a client how to use crutches. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
,A. Support body weight on the axillae
B. Place weight on the hands and arms
C. Keep the elbows completely extended
D. Rest the axillae on the crutch pads
Answer: Place weight on the hands and arms
Rationale: Weight should be supported by the hands and arms rather than the
axillae to prevent nerve and vascular injury.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Allow smoking near the oxygen equipment
B. Keep oxygen away from open flames
C. Apply petroleum-based products to the nares
D. Place the oxygen tank beside a heat source
Answer: Keep oxygen away from open flames
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion and must be kept away from smoking,
flames, sparks, and other ignition sources.
7. Which intervention is most effective for preventing healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Performing appropriate hand hygiene
C. Giving antibiotics to every client
D. Wearing a mask during every interaction
Answer: Performing appropriate hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective methods for preventing the
transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
8. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the field?
, A. Keeping sterile objects above waist level
B. Opening the sterile package away from the body
C. Reaching across the sterile field
D. Keeping the sterile field within view
Answer: Reaching across the sterile field
Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field can contaminate it because the nurse's
body or clothing may pass over the sterile area.
9. Which finding is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 20/min
C. Client reports nausea
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: Client reports nausea
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or information reported by the client,
such as nausea, pain, dizziness, or fatigue.
10.Which position is most appropriate for a client experiencing shortness of
breath?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning facilitates lung expansion and can improve
ventilation in clients experiencing dyspnea.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action reduces the risk of infection?
ATI Fundamentals Practice Exam 2026 |
100 Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | ATI RN Fundamentals
Exam Prep | Complete Nursing Study
Guide | Updated 2026 Edition
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a respiratory rate of 28/min. Which
finding should the nurse recognize as requiring further assessment?
A. Respiratory rate of 12/min
B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
C. Respiratory rate of 28/min
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: Respiratory rate of 28/min
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28/min is above the expected adult range of
approximately 12 to 20/min and may indicate respiratory distress or another
underlying problem.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is
most important before administration?
A. Ask the client's roommate to identify the client
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
,C. Check the client's room number only
D. Ask the client what medication they usually receive
Answer: Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: Using two identifiers helps ensure that the medication is given to the
correct client and is an essential medication-safety practice.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has difficulty swallowing. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Place the client in an upright position
B. Offer large amounts of thin liquids
C. Encourage the client to eat while lying down
D. Provide food rapidly to reduce fatigue
Answer: Place the client in an upright position
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes safe swallowing and decreases the risk
of aspiration.
4. Which finding indicates that a client might be experiencing fluid volume
deficit?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Bounding pulse
C. Dry mucous membranes
D. Crackles in the lungs
Answer: Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a common manifestation of fluid volume
deficit. Other findings can include decreased urine output, concentrated urine,
tachycardia, and hypotension.
5. A nurse is teaching a client how to use crutches. Which instruction should
the nurse provide?
,A. Support body weight on the axillae
B. Place weight on the hands and arms
C. Keep the elbows completely extended
D. Rest the axillae on the crutch pads
Answer: Place weight on the hands and arms
Rationale: Weight should be supported by the hands and arms rather than the
axillae to prevent nerve and vascular injury.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Allow smoking near the oxygen equipment
B. Keep oxygen away from open flames
C. Apply petroleum-based products to the nares
D. Place the oxygen tank beside a heat source
Answer: Keep oxygen away from open flames
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion and must be kept away from smoking,
flames, sparks, and other ignition sources.
7. Which intervention is most effective for preventing healthcare-associated
infections?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Performing appropriate hand hygiene
C. Giving antibiotics to every client
D. Wearing a mask during every interaction
Answer: Performing appropriate hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective methods for preventing the
transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
8. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the field?
, A. Keeping sterile objects above waist level
B. Opening the sterile package away from the body
C. Reaching across the sterile field
D. Keeping the sterile field within view
Answer: Reaching across the sterile field
Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field can contaminate it because the nurse's
body or clothing may pass over the sterile area.
9. Which finding is an example of subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 20/min
C. Client reports nausea
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: Client reports nausea
Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or information reported by the client,
such as nausea, pain, dizziness, or fatigue.
10.Which position is most appropriate for a client experiencing shortness of
breath?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning facilitates lung expansion and can improve
ventilation in clients experiencing dyspnea.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action reduces the risk of infection?
