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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 reports sudden chest pain. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Ask the client about dietary habits
D. Document the client's medical history
Answer: Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: ABCs are the priority when a client experiences an acute change in
condition. The nurse should immediately assess airway, breathing, and
circulation.
2. Which finding indicates that a client is experiencing respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Relaxed breathing pattern
,Answer: Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased work of breathing and
can be a sign of respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for aspiration. Which intervention
is appropriate?
A. Position the client flat during meals
B. Encourage the client to eat quickly
C. Keep the client upright during meals
D. Provide large bites of food
Answer: Keep the client upright during meals
Rationale: Upright positioning helps protect the airway and decreases the risk of
aspiration during eating and drinking.
4. Which finding is expected in a client who is dehydrated?
A. Increased urine output
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Peripheral edema
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes, decreased
urine output, concentrated urine, thirst, and poor skin turgor.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary catheter. Which action
reduces the risk of infection?
A. Keep the drainage bag above bladder level
B. Maintain a closed drainage system
C. Disconnect the tubing every shift
D. Place the drainage bag on the floor
,Answer: Maintain a closed drainage system
Rationale: Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system reduces opportunities
for microorganisms to enter the urinary tract.
6. Which action is most effective in preventing the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for every client interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene
C. Administering antibiotics routinely
D. Wearing a mask at all times
Answer: Performing hand hygiene
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for
preventing transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
7. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the field?
A. Keeping the field above waist level
B. Opening the 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 clothing,
arms, or other nonsterile surfaces may pass over the field.
8. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
C. Client reports pain of 7/10
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: Client reports pain of 7/10
, Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or information reported by the client,
such as pain, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue.
9. Which position should a nurse use for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes maximum lung expansion and
can improve ventilation in a client experiencing difficulty breathing.
10.Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Oxygen saturation of 84%
B. Heart rate of 78/min
C. Respiratory rate of 16/min
D. Temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F)
Answer: Oxygen saturation of 84%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant hypoxemia and
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has an increased risk of falls. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep the room dark
D. Encourage independent ambulation
Answer: Place the call light within reach
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 reports sudden chest pain. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain a complete health history
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Ask the client about dietary habits
D. Document the client's medical history
Answer: Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
Rationale: ABCs are the priority when a client experiences an acute change in
condition. The nurse should immediately assess airway, breathing, and
circulation.
2. Which finding indicates that a client is experiencing respiratory distress?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 98%
C. Use of accessory muscles
D. Relaxed breathing pattern
,Answer: Use of accessory muscles
Rationale: Use of accessory muscles indicates increased work of breathing and
can be a sign of respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for aspiration. Which intervention
is appropriate?
A. Position the client flat during meals
B. Encourage the client to eat quickly
C. Keep the client upright during meals
D. Provide large bites of food
Answer: Keep the client upright during meals
Rationale: Upright positioning helps protect the airway and decreases the risk of
aspiration during eating and drinking.
4. Which finding is expected in a client who is dehydrated?
A. Increased urine output
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Peripheral edema
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes dry mucous membranes, decreased
urine output, concentrated urine, thirst, and poor skin turgor.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary catheter. Which action
reduces the risk of infection?
A. Keep the drainage bag above bladder level
B. Maintain a closed drainage system
C. Disconnect the tubing every shift
D. Place the drainage bag on the floor
,Answer: Maintain a closed drainage system
Rationale: Maintaining a closed urinary drainage system reduces opportunities
for microorganisms to enter the urinary tract.
6. Which action is most effective in preventing the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves for every client interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene
C. Administering antibiotics routinely
D. Wearing a mask at all times
Answer: Performing hand hygiene
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is one of the most effective measures for
preventing transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings.
7. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates the field?
A. Keeping the field above waist level
B. Opening the 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 clothing,
arms, or other nonsterile surfaces may pass over the field.
8. Which finding is subjective data?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
B. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
C. Client reports pain of 7/10
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Answer: Client reports pain of 7/10
, Rationale: Subjective data are symptoms or information reported by the client,
such as pain, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue.
9. Which position should a nurse use for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes maximum lung expansion and
can improve ventilation in a client experiencing difficulty breathing.
10.Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Oxygen saturation of 84%
B. Heart rate of 78/min
C. Respiratory rate of 16/min
D. Temperature of 36.8°C (98.2°F)
Answer: Oxygen saturation of 84%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant hypoxemia and
requires immediate assessment and intervention.
11.A nurse is caring for a client who has an increased risk of falls. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place the call light within reach
C. Keep the room dark
D. Encourage independent ambulation
Answer: Place the call light within reach
