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2026 ATI FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM | 150 NGN PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES & PARTIAL CREDIT SCORING | RN & PN
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Items 1-25)
ITEM 1: Fire Safety - RACE Protocol
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A fire breaks out in a patient's room due to an electrical
malfunction. The nurse is the first to respond.
• Question / Lead-In: What is the nurse's PRIORITY action according to the RACE
protocol?
• Options:
A. Rescue the patient
B. Activate the fire alarm
C. Confine the fire
D. Extinguish the fire
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: The RACE protocol stands for R = Rescue (move
patients to safety), A = Alarm (activate fire alarm), C = Confine (close doors), E =
Extinguish (use fire extinguisher). Patient safety is always the first priority in any
emergency.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B is second step, not first. C is third step. D is fourth step and
should only be done if the fire is small and the nurse is trained.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 2: Fire Extinguisher - PASS Technique
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A small fire starts in a trash can. The nurse grabs a fire
extinguisher.
, 2
• Question / Lead-In: The nurse should use which technique to operate the fire
extinguisher?
• Options:
A. PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
B. RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish)
C. ABC (Aim, Base, Control)
D. DROP (Direct, Release, Operate, Point)
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: PASS stands for: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the
fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side. This is the correct technique for
using a fire extinguisher. RACE is the protocol for responding to a fire.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B is the response protocol, not extinguisher use. C and D are
not standard techniques.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 3: Medical Asepsis - Hand Hygiene
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A nurse is preparing to perform a wound dressing change.
The patient has an open surgical wound.
• Question / Lead-In: The nurse should perform hand hygiene using which method
BEFORE the procedure?
• Options:
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 20 seconds
B. Warm water and antimicrobial soap for at least 30 seconds
C. Plain soap and water for 15 seconds
D. Warm water only
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: When performing sterile procedures or when hands
are visibly soiled, the nurse should wash with antimicrobial soap and warm water
for at least 30 seconds. Alcohol-based sanitizer is effective but not sufficient for
visibly soiled hands or spore-forming organisms.
, 3
o Distractor Pitfalls: A is acceptable for routine care but not for sterile procedures
if hands are soiled. C is insufficient time. D does not remove microorganisms.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 4: Standard Precautions - PPE
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection.
The nurse is about to change the wound dressing.
• Question / Lead-In: Which PPE should the nurse wear for this procedure? (Select all
that apply)
A. Gloves
B. Gown
C. Mask
D. Eye protection
E. Shoe covers
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
o Pathophysiology Summary: Standard precautions require gloves, gown, mask,
and eye protection when there is potential for splashing or spraying of blood or
body fluids. Wound dressing changes have potential for exposure to wound
drainage.
o Distractor Pitfalls: E (Shoe covers) are not part of standard precautions for
wound care; they are used in surgical settings or for contact isolation.
o NGN Math Scoring: 4 correct (A, B, C, D). Select all 4 = +4. Add E = subtract 1.
ITEM 5: Transmission-Based Precautions - Contact Isolation
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A patient is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
infection. The nurse prepares the patient's room.
• Question / Lead-In: Which precautions should the nurse implement for this patient?
• Options:
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
, 4
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: C. diff is transmitted via contact with contaminated
surfaces or feces. Contact precautions require gloves and gown for all patient
contact. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is NOT effective against C. diff spores;
hand washing with soap and water is required.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B (Droplet) is for influenza, meningitis. C (Airborne) is for
TB, measles. D (Protective) is for immunocompromised patients.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 6: Airborne Precautions - PPE
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A patient is admitted with suspected tuberculosis. The
nurse is preparing to enter the room.
• Question / Lead-In: Which PPE is REQUIRED for airborne precautions?
• Options:
A. N95 respirator mask
B. Surgical mask
C. Gloves only
D. Gown and gloves
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator
mask (or higher) because tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles <5
microns that remain suspended in the air. The N95 filters at least 95% of airborne
particles.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B (Surgical mask) does not filter particles small enough for
airborne diseases. C and D are insufficient for airborne transmission.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
2026 ATI FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM | 150 NGN PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES & PARTIAL CREDIT SCORING | RN & PN
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Items 1-25)
ITEM 1: Fire Safety - RACE Protocol
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A fire breaks out in a patient's room due to an electrical
malfunction. The nurse is the first to respond.
• Question / Lead-In: What is the nurse's PRIORITY action according to the RACE
protocol?
• Options:
A. Rescue the patient
B. Activate the fire alarm
C. Confine the fire
D. Extinguish the fire
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: The RACE protocol stands for R = Rescue (move
patients to safety), A = Alarm (activate fire alarm), C = Confine (close doors), E =
Extinguish (use fire extinguisher). Patient safety is always the first priority in any
emergency.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B is second step, not first. C is third step. D is fourth step and
should only be done if the fire is small and the nurse is trained.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 2: Fire Extinguisher - PASS Technique
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A small fire starts in a trash can. The nurse grabs a fire
extinguisher.
, 2
• Question / Lead-In: The nurse should use which technique to operate the fire
extinguisher?
• Options:
A. PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)
B. RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish)
C. ABC (Aim, Base, Control)
D. DROP (Direct, Release, Operate, Point)
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: PASS stands for: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the
fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side. This is the correct technique for
using a fire extinguisher. RACE is the protocol for responding to a fire.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B is the response protocol, not extinguisher use. C and D are
not standard techniques.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 3: Medical Asepsis - Hand Hygiene
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A nurse is preparing to perform a wound dressing change.
The patient has an open surgical wound.
• Question / Lead-In: The nurse should perform hand hygiene using which method
BEFORE the procedure?
• Options:
A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 20 seconds
B. Warm water and antimicrobial soap for at least 30 seconds
C. Plain soap and water for 15 seconds
D. Warm water only
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: B
o Pathophysiology Summary: When performing sterile procedures or when hands
are visibly soiled, the nurse should wash with antimicrobial soap and warm water
for at least 30 seconds. Alcohol-based sanitizer is effective but not sufficient for
visibly soiled hands or spore-forming organisms.
, 3
o Distractor Pitfalls: A is acceptable for routine care but not for sterile procedures
if hands are soiled. C is insufficient time. D does not remove microorganisms.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 4: Standard Precautions - PPE
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A nurse is caring for a patient with a wound infection.
The nurse is about to change the wound dressing.
• Question / Lead-In: Which PPE should the nurse wear for this procedure? (Select all
that apply)
A. Gloves
B. Gown
C. Mask
D. Eye protection
E. Shoe covers
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A, B, C, D
o Pathophysiology Summary: Standard precautions require gloves, gown, mask,
and eye protection when there is potential for splashing or spraying of blood or
body fluids. Wound dressing changes have potential for exposure to wound
drainage.
o Distractor Pitfalls: E (Shoe covers) are not part of standard precautions for
wound care; they are used in surgical settings or for contact isolation.
o NGN Math Scoring: 4 correct (A, B, C, D). Select all 4 = +4. Add E = subtract 1.
ITEM 5: Transmission-Based Precautions - Contact Isolation
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A patient is diagnosed with Clostridium difficile (C. diff)
infection. The nurse prepares the patient's room.
• Question / Lead-In: Which precautions should the nurse implement for this patient?
• Options:
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
, 4
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: C. diff is transmitted via contact with contaminated
surfaces or feces. Contact precautions require gloves and gown for all patient
contact. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is NOT effective against C. diff spores;
hand washing with soap and water is required.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B (Droplet) is for influenza, meningitis. C (Airborne) is for
TB, measles. D (Protective) is for immunocompromised patients.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
ITEM 6: Airborne Precautions - PPE
• EHR Update / Clinical Stem: A patient is admitted with suspected tuberculosis. The
nurse is preparing to enter the room.
• Question / Lead-In: Which PPE is REQUIRED for airborne precautions?
• Options:
A. N95 respirator mask
B. Surgical mask
C. Gloves only
D. Gown and gloves
• Zero-Flip Premium Rationale Box:
o Correct Answer: A
o Pathophysiology Summary: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator
mask (or higher) because tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles <5
microns that remain suspended in the air. The N95 filters at least 95% of airborne
particles.
o Distractor Pitfalls: B (Surgical mask) does not filter particles small enough for
airborne diseases. C and D are insufficient for airborne transmission.
o NGN Math Scoring: Single-answer. Correct = +1; Incorrect = 0.
