ATI FUNDAMENTALS
CMS Proctored Examination
210 Verified Questions with Correct Answers
Latest 2026/2027 Edition | 100% Accurate | A+ Graded
Section Questions Content Area
1 Q1 - Q45 Safe, Effective Care Environment
2 Q46 - Q80 Health Promotion and Maintenance
3 Q81 - Q105 Psychosocial Integrity
4 Q106 - Q140 Basic Care and Comfort
5 Q141 - Q170 Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6 Q171 - Q195 Reduction of Risk Potential
7 Q196 - Q210 Physiological Adaptation
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026-2027 Edition
Section 1: Safe, Effective Care Environment
Management of Care (Q1-Q25) | Safety and Infection Control (Q26-Q45)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to obtain informed consent from a client who is scheduled
for a colonoscopy. The client asks the nurse to explain the procedure. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Explain the procedure in detail to the client using medical terminology.
B. Tell the client that the provider will explain the procedure.
C. Provide a general overview and instruct the client to discuss concerns with the
provider. [CORRECT]
D. Direct the client to read the printed consent form for information.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse may provide a general overview but should refer detailed questions to the provider,
who is responsible for obtaining informed consent (Option C). Option A exceeds the nurse's scope for
consent. Option B is dismissive. Option D places the burden solely on the client.
Q2. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assigning tasks to an assistive personnel
(AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the AP?
A. Assess a client's peripheral IV site for phlebitis.
B. Measure and record a client's intake and output. [CORRECT]
C. Administer oral medications to a stable client.
D. Evaluate a client's response to pain medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring and recording intake and output is a standardized, repetitive task that does not
require nursing judgment (Option B). Options A and D require assessment or evaluation, which cannot be
delegated. Option C involves medication administration, which is outside the AP scope.
Q3. A nurse receives a phone call from a person who identifies themselves as a
client's family member and requests an update on the client's condition. Which of
the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Provide the client's diagnosis and current plan of care.
B. Verify the caller's identity by asking for the client's date of birth.
C. Transfer the call to the client's room so the caller can speak with the client.
D. Inform the caller that information cannot be disclosed without the client's written
consent. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: HIPAA protects client health information; the nurse cannot disclose any information without the
client's written authorization (Option D). Option A violates HIPAA. Option B is insufficient because date of
birth alone does not grant authorization. Option D may violate privacy if the client has not authorized
communication with that individual.
Q4. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which of the following clients should the
nurse assess first?
A. A client who is 1 day postoperative following a hip replacement and reports pain of 4 on a
scale of 0 to 10.
Page 2
, B. A client who has heart failure and has gained 2 lb (0.9 kg) in the past 24 hours.
C. A client who has a new tracheostomy and has thick, tenacious tracheal
secretions. [CORRECT]
D. A client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose of 230 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using Maslow's hierarchy, airway is the priority. A client with a new tracheostomy and thick,
tenacious secretions is at risk for airway obstruction (Option C). Option A involves pain that is not the highest
priority. Option B requires monitoring but is not immediately life-threatening. Option D requires intervention
but not before the airway concern.
Q5. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four clients. Which of the
following clients should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A client scheduled for a CT scan with contrast at 1000.
B. A client who had a chest tube removed 2 hours ago and reports substernal pain.
C. A client who has a Foley catheter with 30 mL of urine output in the past 2 hours.
D. A client receiving a blood transfusion who reports feeling itchy. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client receiving a blood transfusion who reports itching may be experiencing an allergic
transfusion reaction, which is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention (Option D).
Option A is a routine test. Option B has expected postoperative discomfort. Option C has oliguria that
requires assessment but is less urgent than a transfusion reaction.
Q6. A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who is scheduled
for surgery the following morning. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the surgeon immediately?
A. The client states they had a light breakfast this morning. [CORRECT]
B. The client reports taking an herbal supplement containing St. John's wort daily.
C. The client has a history of hypertension controlled with medication.
D. The client's temperature is 37.2°C (99°F).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A client scheduled for surgery who ate breakfast is at risk for aspiration during anesthesia and
requires immediate notification of the surgeon (Option A). Option B is important but not immediately urgent
preoperatively. Option C is a managed chronic condition. Option D is within normal limits.
Q7. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is unconscious and has no
advance directives. The client's adult children disagree about continuing
life-sustaining treatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Follow the wishes of the eldest child.
B. Request an ethics committee consultation. [CORRECT]
C. Continue all life-sustaining treatments until a decision is made.
D. Contact the hospital's legal department to determine liability.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When family members disagree and the client has no advance directives, the nurse should
request an ethics committee consultation, which provides a structured process for ethical dilemmas (Option
B). Option A is inappropriate; the eldest child has no automatic legal authority. Option C should not be an
automatic decision. Option D focuses on liability rather than client-centered care.
Q8. A nurse in the emergency department is triaging four clients who arrived at the
same time. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?
, A. A client who has a laceration on the forearm that is bleeding steadily.
B. A client who has a temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) and reports a sore throat.
C. A client who is having difficulty breathing and has audible wheezing without a
stethoscope. [CORRECT]
D. A client who reports right lower quadrant abdominal pain of 7 on a 0 to 10 scale.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC approach, a client with difficulty breathing and audible wheezing indicates a
compromised airway requiring the most immediate attention (Option C). Option A requires intervention but is
not immediately life-threatening. Option B has non-urgent findings. Option D requires assessment but is not
the first priority over a respiratory emergency.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery
and has a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent suction. Which of
the following tasks can the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Check the placement of the NG tube.
B. Irrigate the NG tube with normal saline.
C. Assess the client's abdomen for distention.
D. Provide oral hygiene every 2 hours. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Providing oral hygiene is within the AP's scope because it is a standardized, routine task that
does not require clinical judgment (Option D). Option A requires assessment of tube placement. Option B is a
specialized procedure. Option C requires assessment, which cannot be delegated.
Q10. A nurse is preparing a client for discharge following a total hip arthroplasty.
The client lives alone and states, 'I don't know how I'm going to manage at home.'
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Assess the client's home environment and support system. [CORRECT]
B. Provide the client with written discharge instructions.
C. Arrange for a home health nurse to visit daily.
D. Refer the client to a physical therapy outpatient clinic.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Using the nursing process, assessment is the first step. The nurse should assess the client's
home environment and available support system to identify specific needs before making referrals (Option
A). Option B, C, and D are interventions that should follow assessment.
Q11. A nurse is delegating a task to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the
following must the nurse ensure before delegating the task?
A. The AP has the skill and ability to perform the task safely. [CORRECT]
B. The AP is certified in the specific specialty area.
C. The AP has previously performed the task on this specific client.
D. The task does not require documentation by the nurse.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Five Rights of Delegation require the right person—the AP must have appropriate
knowledge, skills, and ability for the task (Option A). Option B is not a general requirement. Option C is
helpful but competency, not prior client-specific experience, is the standard. Option D is incorrect; delegation
does not eliminate the nurse's documentation responsibility.
CMS Proctored Examination
210 Verified Questions with Correct Answers
Latest 2026/2027 Edition | 100% Accurate | A+ Graded
Section Questions Content Area
1 Q1 - Q45 Safe, Effective Care Environment
2 Q46 - Q80 Health Promotion and Maintenance
3 Q81 - Q105 Psychosocial Integrity
4 Q106 - Q140 Basic Care and Comfort
5 Q141 - Q170 Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6 Q171 - Q195 Reduction of Risk Potential
7 Q196 - Q210 Physiological Adaptation
, ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam | 210 Verified Questions | 2026-2027 Edition
Section 1: Safe, Effective Care Environment
Management of Care (Q1-Q25) | Safety and Infection Control (Q26-Q45)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to obtain informed consent from a client who is scheduled
for a colonoscopy. The client asks the nurse to explain the procedure. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Explain the procedure in detail to the client using medical terminology.
B. Tell the client that the provider will explain the procedure.
C. Provide a general overview and instruct the client to discuss concerns with the
provider. [CORRECT]
D. Direct the client to read the printed consent form for information.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse may provide a general overview but should refer detailed questions to the provider,
who is responsible for obtaining informed consent (Option C). Option A exceeds the nurse's scope for
consent. Option B is dismissive. Option D places the burden solely on the client.
Q2. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assigning tasks to an assistive personnel
(AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the AP?
A. Assess a client's peripheral IV site for phlebitis.
B. Measure and record a client's intake and output. [CORRECT]
C. Administer oral medications to a stable client.
D. Evaluate a client's response to pain medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measuring and recording intake and output is a standardized, repetitive task that does not
require nursing judgment (Option B). Options A and D require assessment or evaluation, which cannot be
delegated. Option C involves medication administration, which is outside the AP scope.
Q3. A nurse receives a phone call from a person who identifies themselves as a
client's family member and requests an update on the client's condition. Which of
the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Provide the client's diagnosis and current plan of care.
B. Verify the caller's identity by asking for the client's date of birth.
C. Transfer the call to the client's room so the caller can speak with the client.
D. Inform the caller that information cannot be disclosed without the client's written
consent. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: HIPAA protects client health information; the nurse cannot disclose any information without the
client's written authorization (Option D). Option A violates HIPAA. Option B is insufficient because date of
birth alone does not grant authorization. Option D may violate privacy if the client has not authorized
communication with that individual.
Q4. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which of the following clients should the
nurse assess first?
A. A client who is 1 day postoperative following a hip replacement and reports pain of 4 on a
scale of 0 to 10.
Page 2
, B. A client who has heart failure and has gained 2 lb (0.9 kg) in the past 24 hours.
C. A client who has a new tracheostomy and has thick, tenacious tracheal
secretions. [CORRECT]
D. A client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and a blood glucose of 230 mg/dL.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using Maslow's hierarchy, airway is the priority. A client with a new tracheostomy and thick,
tenacious secretions is at risk for airway obstruction (Option C). Option A involves pain that is not the highest
priority. Option B requires monitoring but is not immediately life-threatening. Option D requires intervention
but not before the airway concern.
Q5. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for four clients. Which of the
following clients should the nurse plan to see first?
A. A client scheduled for a CT scan with contrast at 1000.
B. A client who had a chest tube removed 2 hours ago and reports substernal pain.
C. A client who has a Foley catheter with 30 mL of urine output in the past 2 hours.
D. A client receiving a blood transfusion who reports feeling itchy. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A client receiving a blood transfusion who reports itching may be experiencing an allergic
transfusion reaction, which is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate intervention (Option D).
Option A is a routine test. Option B has expected postoperative discomfort. Option C has oliguria that
requires assessment but is less urgent than a transfusion reaction.
Q6. A nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client who is scheduled
for surgery the following morning. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the surgeon immediately?
A. The client states they had a light breakfast this morning. [CORRECT]
B. The client reports taking an herbal supplement containing St. John's wort daily.
C. The client has a history of hypertension controlled with medication.
D. The client's temperature is 37.2°C (99°F).
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A client scheduled for surgery who ate breakfast is at risk for aspiration during anesthesia and
requires immediate notification of the surgeon (Option A). Option B is important but not immediately urgent
preoperatively. Option C is a managed chronic condition. Option D is within normal limits.
Q7. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is unconscious and has no
advance directives. The client's adult children disagree about continuing
life-sustaining treatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Follow the wishes of the eldest child.
B. Request an ethics committee consultation. [CORRECT]
C. Continue all life-sustaining treatments until a decision is made.
D. Contact the hospital's legal department to determine liability.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When family members disagree and the client has no advance directives, the nurse should
request an ethics committee consultation, which provides a structured process for ethical dilemmas (Option
B). Option A is inappropriate; the eldest child has no automatic legal authority. Option C should not be an
automatic decision. Option D focuses on liability rather than client-centered care.
Q8. A nurse in the emergency department is triaging four clients who arrived at the
same time. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?
, A. A client who has a laceration on the forearm that is bleeding steadily.
B. A client who has a temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) and reports a sore throat.
C. A client who is having difficulty breathing and has audible wheezing without a
stethoscope. [CORRECT]
D. A client who reports right lower quadrant abdominal pain of 7 on a 0 to 10 scale.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the ABC approach, a client with difficulty breathing and audible wheezing indicates a
compromised airway requiring the most immediate attention (Option C). Option A requires intervention but is
not immediately life-threatening. Option B has non-urgent findings. Option D requires assessment but is not
the first priority over a respiratory emergency.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery
and has a nasogastric (NG) tube connected to low intermittent suction. Which of
the following tasks can the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Check the placement of the NG tube.
B. Irrigate the NG tube with normal saline.
C. Assess the client's abdomen for distention.
D. Provide oral hygiene every 2 hours. [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Providing oral hygiene is within the AP's scope because it is a standardized, routine task that
does not require clinical judgment (Option D). Option A requires assessment of tube placement. Option B is a
specialized procedure. Option C requires assessment, which cannot be delegated.
Q10. A nurse is preparing a client for discharge following a total hip arthroplasty.
The client lives alone and states, 'I don't know how I'm going to manage at home.'
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Assess the client's home environment and support system. [CORRECT]
B. Provide the client with written discharge instructions.
C. Arrange for a home health nurse to visit daily.
D. Refer the client to a physical therapy outpatient clinic.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Using the nursing process, assessment is the first step. The nurse should assess the client's
home environment and available support system to identify specific needs before making referrals (Option
A). Option B, C, and D are interventions that should follow assessment.
Q11. A nurse is delegating a task to an assistive personnel (AP). Which of the
following must the nurse ensure before delegating the task?
A. The AP has the skill and ability to perform the task safely. [CORRECT]
B. The AP is certified in the specific specialty area.
C. The AP has previously performed the task on this specific client.
D. The task does not require documentation by the nurse.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Five Rights of Delegation require the right person—the AP must have appropriate
knowledge, skills, and ability for the task (Option A). Option B is not a general requirement. Option C is
helpful but competency, not prior client-specific experience, is the standard. Option D is incorrect; delegation
does not eliminate the nurse's documentation responsibility.
