ATI RN Fundamentals Final Practice
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales |
2026 /2027 Q&A | Instant Download
Pdf.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Place the client's personal belongings on the bedside table.
B. Raise all four side rails on the client's bed.
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position with the wheels locked.
D. Apply a vest restraint when the client attempts to get out of bed.
Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position with the wheels
locked.
Rationale: Maintaining the bed in the lowest position with the wheels
locked reduces the risk of injury from falls and allows the client to
transfer safely. The nurse should avoid raising all four side rails because
this can function as a restraint. Restraints should not be used as a
routine fall-prevention measure. Keeping belongings within reach is
helpful but does not provide the primary safety measure.
, 2. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client.
Which action is most appropriate for verifying the client's
identity?
A. Ask the client to state their room number.
B. Compare the client's name with the medication administration
record only.
C. Ask the client to state their full name and date of birth and compare
the information with the identification band.
D. Ask another nurse to identify the client.
Answer: C. Ask the client to state their full name and date of birth and
compare the information with the identification band.
Rationale: Using two client identifiers, such as full name and date of
birth, is an essential medication-safety practice. Room number is not an
acceptable identifier because clients can be transferred or rooms can
change. The nurse should use identifiers in conjunction with the
medication administration record and identification band rather than
relying solely on another staff member.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for oxygen at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding indicates that the
intervention is effective?
A. Respiratory rate of 28/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 96%
C. Cyanosis of the lips
D. Restlessness and confusion
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 96%.
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 96% generally indicates adequate
oxygenation for most adults. Tachypnea, cyanosis, restlessness, and
confusion can indicate inadequate oxygenation and require further
assessment. The nurse should continue to monitor respiratory status
and the client's response to oxygen therapy.
4. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece."
B. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
C. "Use the device once every 8 hours."
D. "Lie flat while using the device."
Answer: B. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
Rationale: An incentive spirometer promotes lung expansion by
encouraging slow, sustained deep inhalation. The client should sit
upright or in a semi-Fowler's position, seal their lips around the
mouthpiece, inhale slowly, and hold the breath briefly. It is generally
used frequently while awake, often about 10 breaths every hour,
depending on the plan of care.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridioides difficile
infection. Which personal protective equipment should the nurse
use when entering the client's room?
A. Surgical mask only
B. N95 respirator
, C. Gown and gloves
D. Sterile gloves only
Answer: C. Gown and gloves.
Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted primarily through spores that can
contaminate hands and environmental surfaces. Contact precautions
include wearing gloves and a gown when entering the client's room or
anticipating contact with the client or contaminated surfaces. Soap-and-
water hand hygiene is especially important because alcohol-based hand
sanitizers do not reliably eliminate C. difficile spores.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which question is most
appropriate?
A. "You aren't having much pain, are you?"
B. "Does the pain seem tolerable?"
C. "Can you describe what your pain feels like?"
D. "Why do you think you are having pain?"
Answer: C. "Can you describe what your pain feels like?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the client to describe pain
characteristics such as quality, location, intensity, duration, and
aggravating or relieving factors. The nurse should avoid leading or
judgmental questions. A comprehensive pain assessment helps guide
appropriate interventions and evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
7. A nurse is positioning a client who is experiencing difficulty
breathing. Which position should the nurse use?
Exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales |
2026 /2027 Q&A | Instant Download
Pdf.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Place the client's personal belongings on the bedside table.
B. Raise all four side rails on the client's bed.
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position with the wheels locked.
D. Apply a vest restraint when the client attempts to get out of bed.
Answer: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position with the wheels
locked.
Rationale: Maintaining the bed in the lowest position with the wheels
locked reduces the risk of injury from falls and allows the client to
transfer safely. The nurse should avoid raising all four side rails because
this can function as a restraint. Restraints should not be used as a
routine fall-prevention measure. Keeping belongings within reach is
helpful but does not provide the primary safety measure.
, 2. A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client.
Which action is most appropriate for verifying the client's
identity?
A. Ask the client to state their room number.
B. Compare the client's name with the medication administration
record only.
C. Ask the client to state their full name and date of birth and compare
the information with the identification band.
D. Ask another nurse to identify the client.
Answer: C. Ask the client to state their full name and date of birth and
compare the information with the identification band.
Rationale: Using two client identifiers, such as full name and date of
birth, is an essential medication-safety practice. Room number is not an
acceptable identifier because clients can be transferred or rooms can
change. The nurse should use identifiers in conjunction with the
medication administration record and identification band rather than
relying solely on another staff member.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for oxygen at 2
L/min via nasal cannula. Which finding indicates that the
intervention is effective?
A. Respiratory rate of 28/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 96%
C. Cyanosis of the lips
D. Restlessness and confusion
Answer: B. Oxygen saturation of 96%.
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 96% generally indicates adequate
oxygenation for most adults. Tachypnea, cyanosis, restlessness, and
confusion can indicate inadequate oxygenation and require further
assessment. The nurse should continue to monitor respiratory status
and the client's response to oxygen therapy.
4. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Exhale forcefully into the mouthpiece."
B. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
C. "Use the device once every 8 hours."
D. "Lie flat while using the device."
Answer: B. "Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece."
Rationale: An incentive spirometer promotes lung expansion by
encouraging slow, sustained deep inhalation. The client should sit
upright or in a semi-Fowler's position, seal their lips around the
mouthpiece, inhale slowly, and hold the breath briefly. It is generally
used frequently while awake, often about 10 breaths every hour,
depending on the plan of care.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridioides difficile
infection. Which personal protective equipment should the nurse
use when entering the client's room?
A. Surgical mask only
B. N95 respirator
, C. Gown and gloves
D. Sterile gloves only
Answer: C. Gown and gloves.
Rationale: C. difficile is transmitted primarily through spores that can
contaminate hands and environmental surfaces. Contact precautions
include wearing gloves and a gown when entering the client's room or
anticipating contact with the client or contaminated surfaces. Soap-and-
water hand hygiene is especially important because alcohol-based hand
sanitizers do not reliably eliminate C. difficile spores.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which question is most
appropriate?
A. "You aren't having much pain, are you?"
B. "Does the pain seem tolerable?"
C. "Can you describe what your pain feels like?"
D. "Why do you think you are having pain?"
Answer: C. "Can you describe what your pain feels like?"
Rationale: Open-ended questions allow the client to describe pain
characteristics such as quality, location, intensity, duration, and
aggravating or relieving factors. The nurse should avoid leading or
judgmental questions. A comprehensive pain assessment helps guide
appropriate interventions and evaluation of treatment effectiveness.
7. A nurse is positioning a client who is experiencing difficulty
breathing. Which position should the nurse use?
