ATI PRACTICE QUESTIONS STUDY GUIDE | LATEST
UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ALREADY.
This comprehensive practice resource is designed for nursing students preparing
for ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) examinations, including the TEAS,
Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Pharmacology, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics,
Mental Health, and Community Health proctored assessments. It delivers a
rigorous, NCLEX-style assessment across the major content areas, blending
foundational knowledge with clinical judgment, prioritization, and evidence-based
practice. Each of the 100 multiple-choice questions mirrors the complexity of
actual ATI exams, with detailed rationales that explain the correct answer and why
alternatives are incorrect. Updated for the 2026–2027 academic cycle, this guide
provides verified solutions to help you identify knowledge gaps, strengthen clinical
reasoning, and approach your ATI proctored exams with confidence.
• Table of Contents
I. Fundamentals of Nursing
II. Medical-Surgical Nursing
III. Pharmacology
IV. Maternal-Newborn Nursing
V. Pediatric Nursing
VI. Mental Health Nursing
VII. Community Health Nursing
VIII. Leadership and Management
Page 1 of 5
, 1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been on bed rest for 3 days. Which of
the following assessments is most important to prevent a complication of
immobility?
A) Auscultate bowel sounds
B) Inspect the skin over bony prominences
C) Measure ankle circumference
D) Palpate peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: B
Immobility increases the risk of pressure injuries over bony prominences due to
unrelieved pressure. Inspecting the skin allows early detection and intervention.
While bowel sounds (A), ankle circumference (C), and peripheral pulses (D) are
important assessments, they are not the most direct prevention measure for a
primary complication of bed rest. Therefore, skin inspection is the priority.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which statement by
the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I will avoid canned soups and frozen dinners.”
B) “I can use lemon juice instead of salt to flavor my food.”
C) “I will eat fresh fruits and vegetables.”
D) “I can drink tomato juice every morning.”
Correct Answer: D
Tomato juice is often high in sodium unless labeled “low sodium.” The other
statements reflect appropriate dietary modifications for a low-sodium diet.
Canned soups and frozen dinners (A) are typically high in sodium; using lemon
juice (B) and fresh produce (C) are low-sodium choices. Thus, the client’s statement
about tomato juice indicates a misunderstanding.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A) Irrigate the catheter daily
B) Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
, C) Cleanse the perineal area with povidone-iodine daily
D) Replace the catheter every 48 hours
Correct Answer: B
Keeping the drainage bag below the bladder prevents urine reflux and reduces
infection risk. Routine irrigation (A) is not recommended unless ordered for
obstruction. Povidone-iodine (C) can be irritating; soap and water are sufficient.
Routine catheter replacement (D) is not indicated and may increase infection risk.
Thus, proper positioning of the drainage bag is a key preventive measure.
4. A nurse is administering morphine 2 mg IV bolus for pain. Which of the
following assessments is the highest priority before administration?
A) Pain level
B) Blood pressure
C) Respiratory rate
D) Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C
Morphine can cause respiratory depression; assessing the respiratory rate before
administration is critical. If the rate is below 12/min, the nurse should hold the
medication and notify the provider. Pain level (A) is important but secondary to
safety. Blood pressure (B) and oxygen saturation (D) should also be monitored, but
respiratory assessment is the highest priority due to the risk of life-threatening
depression.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving enteral feedings via a
nasogastric tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
prevent aspiration?
A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hours
B) Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees
C) Check gastric residual every 8 hours
D) Position the client in the left lateral position during feeding
Correct Answer: B
Elevating the head of the bed at least 30 degrees (or higher if tolerated) during
, and for 30-60 minutes after feedings reduces the risk of aspiration. Flushing (A)
maintains tube patency but does not directly prevent aspiration. Checking gastric
residual (C) is important but frequency depends on policy; elevation is the primary
preventive measure. Left lateral (D) is not standard for feeding. Therefore,
semi-Fowler’s position is essential.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Obtain the client’s vital signs
B) Verify the provider’s order
C) Prime the IV tubing with normal saline
D) Check the client’s identification and blood product with another nurse
Correct Answer: D
The first action in blood administration is to verify the client’s identity and the
blood product with a second nurse to ensure compatibility and prevent a
hemolytic reaction. Obtaining vital signs (A) and priming the tubing (C) are
necessary but follow verification. The provider’s order (B) should already be in
place. Thus, double-checking the blood at the bedside is the priority.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile infection. Which of
the following infection control measures should the nurse implement?
A) Wear a surgical mask when in the room
B) Use alcohol-based hand rub after care
C) Place the client in a negative-pressure room
D) Don gown and gloves for all interactions
Correct Answer: D
C. difficile requires contact precautions, including gown and gloves. Alcohol-based
hand rub (B) is not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and water must be
used. A surgical mask (A) and negative-pressure room (C) are not necessary
because the organism is not transmitted via the airborne route. Thus, contact
precautions are appropriate.
UPDATE 2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED ALREADY.
This comprehensive practice resource is designed for nursing students preparing
for ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute) examinations, including the TEAS,
Fundamentals, Medical-Surgical, Pharmacology, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics,
Mental Health, and Community Health proctored assessments. It delivers a
rigorous, NCLEX-style assessment across the major content areas, blending
foundational knowledge with clinical judgment, prioritization, and evidence-based
practice. Each of the 100 multiple-choice questions mirrors the complexity of
actual ATI exams, with detailed rationales that explain the correct answer and why
alternatives are incorrect. Updated for the 2026–2027 academic cycle, this guide
provides verified solutions to help you identify knowledge gaps, strengthen clinical
reasoning, and approach your ATI proctored exams with confidence.
• Table of Contents
I. Fundamentals of Nursing
II. Medical-Surgical Nursing
III. Pharmacology
IV. Maternal-Newborn Nursing
V. Pediatric Nursing
VI. Mental Health Nursing
VII. Community Health Nursing
VIII. Leadership and Management
Page 1 of 5
, 1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been on bed rest for 3 days. Which of
the following assessments is most important to prevent a complication of
immobility?
A) Auscultate bowel sounds
B) Inspect the skin over bony prominences
C) Measure ankle circumference
D) Palpate peripheral pulses
Correct Answer: B
Immobility increases the risk of pressure injuries over bony prominences due to
unrelieved pressure. Inspecting the skin allows early detection and intervention.
While bowel sounds (A), ankle circumference (C), and peripheral pulses (D) are
important assessments, they are not the most direct prevention measure for a
primary complication of bed rest. Therefore, skin inspection is the priority.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which statement by
the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) “I will avoid canned soups and frozen dinners.”
B) “I can use lemon juice instead of salt to flavor my food.”
C) “I will eat fresh fruits and vegetables.”
D) “I can drink tomato juice every morning.”
Correct Answer: D
Tomato juice is often high in sodium unless labeled “low sodium.” The other
statements reflect appropriate dietary modifications for a low-sodium diet.
Canned soups and frozen dinners (A) are typically high in sodium; using lemon
juice (B) and fresh produce (C) are low-sodium choices. Thus, the client’s statement
about tomato juice indicates a misunderstanding.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent
catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A) Irrigate the catheter daily
B) Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
, C) Cleanse the perineal area with povidone-iodine daily
D) Replace the catheter every 48 hours
Correct Answer: B
Keeping the drainage bag below the bladder prevents urine reflux and reduces
infection risk. Routine irrigation (A) is not recommended unless ordered for
obstruction. Povidone-iodine (C) can be irritating; soap and water are sufficient.
Routine catheter replacement (D) is not indicated and may increase infection risk.
Thus, proper positioning of the drainage bag is a key preventive measure.
4. A nurse is administering morphine 2 mg IV bolus for pain. Which of the
following assessments is the highest priority before administration?
A) Pain level
B) Blood pressure
C) Respiratory rate
D) Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: C
Morphine can cause respiratory depression; assessing the respiratory rate before
administration is critical. If the rate is below 12/min, the nurse should hold the
medication and notify the provider. Pain level (A) is important but secondary to
safety. Blood pressure (B) and oxygen saturation (D) should also be monitored, but
respiratory assessment is the highest priority due to the risk of life-threatening
depression.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving enteral feedings via a
nasogastric tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
prevent aspiration?
A) Flush the tube with 30 mL of water every 4 hours
B) Keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees
C) Check gastric residual every 8 hours
D) Position the client in the left lateral position during feeding
Correct Answer: B
Elevating the head of the bed at least 30 degrees (or higher if tolerated) during
, and for 30-60 minutes after feedings reduces the risk of aspiration. Flushing (A)
maintains tube patency but does not directly prevent aspiration. Checking gastric
residual (C) is important but frequency depends on policy; elevation is the primary
preventive measure. Left lateral (D) is not standard for feeding. Therefore,
semi-Fowler’s position is essential.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Obtain the client’s vital signs
B) Verify the provider’s order
C) Prime the IV tubing with normal saline
D) Check the client’s identification and blood product with another nurse
Correct Answer: D
The first action in blood administration is to verify the client’s identity and the
blood product with a second nurse to ensure compatibility and prevent a
hemolytic reaction. Obtaining vital signs (A) and priming the tubing (C) are
necessary but follow verification. The provider’s order (B) should already be in
place. Thus, double-checking the blood at the bedside is the priority.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridium difficile infection. Which of
the following infection control measures should the nurse implement?
A) Wear a surgical mask when in the room
B) Use alcohol-based hand rub after care
C) Place the client in a negative-pressure room
D) Don gown and gloves for all interactions
Correct Answer: D
C. difficile requires contact precautions, including gown and gloves. Alcohol-based
hand rub (B) is not effective against C. difficile spores; soap and water must be
used. A surgical mask (A) and negative-pressure room (C) are not necessary
because the organism is not transmitted via the airborne route. Thus, contact
precautions are appropriate.
