,ATI Fundamentals Assessment - RN Exam Questions And Answers
2026/2027
1.** A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female
client. Which action is most important to prevent a catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A) Use sterile technique during insertion
B) Clean the perineal area with soap and water
C) Apply a small amount of lubricant to the catheter tip
D) Inflate the balloon with sterile water
**Correct Answer:** A) Use sterile technique during insertion
**Rationale:** Sterile technique during insertion is the most critical measure
to prevent CAUTI by preventing the introduction of bacteria into the bladder.
While the other actions are part of the procedure, they do not directly
prevent infection as effectively as maintaining sterility.
**2.** A client is placed on contact precautions for a Clostridium difficile
infection. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear
when entering the room?
A) Gloves only
B) Gloves and gown
C) Gloves, gown, and mask
D) Gloves, gown, mask, and goggles
**Correct Answer:** B) Gloves and gown
,**Rationale:** Contact precautions require gloves and gown because
transmission occurs through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Masks and goggles are not required unless there is a risk of splash. Hand
hygiene with soap and water is essential after removal.
**3.** A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which
site is most appropriate for a 2 mL injection in an adult?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
**Correct Answer:** C) Ventrogluteal
**Rationale:** The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections in adults
because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site is
no longer recommended due to sciatic nerve injury risk. The deltoid is
appropriate for smaller volumes (≤1 mL).
**4.** A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which type of
precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Contact precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Standard precautions only
**Correct Answer:** C) Airborne precautions
, **Rationale:** Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles and requires
airborne precautions, including an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure
room. Contact and droplet precautions are not sufficient to prevent
transmission of this organism.
**5.** A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action would contaminate
the field?
A) Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge of the field
B) Opening sterile packages away from the field
C) Reaching across the sterile field
D) Holding sterile objects above the waist
**Correct Answer:** C) Reaching across the sterile field
**Rationale:** Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because non-
sterile items or clothing may shed microorganisms. The 2-inch margin,
opening packages away from the field, and holding objects above the waist
all maintain sterility.
**6.** A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical wound infection. Which
finding indicates the infection is worsening?
A) Wound edges are well-approximated
B) Serosanguineous drainage is present
C) Purulent drainage with foul odor
D) Wound is healing by primary intention
2026/2027
1.** A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female
client. Which action is most important to prevent a catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A) Use sterile technique during insertion
B) Clean the perineal area with soap and water
C) Apply a small amount of lubricant to the catheter tip
D) Inflate the balloon with sterile water
**Correct Answer:** A) Use sterile technique during insertion
**Rationale:** Sterile technique during insertion is the most critical measure
to prevent CAUTI by preventing the introduction of bacteria into the bladder.
While the other actions are part of the procedure, they do not directly
prevent infection as effectively as maintaining sterility.
**2.** A client is placed on contact precautions for a Clostridium difficile
infection. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear
when entering the room?
A) Gloves only
B) Gloves and gown
C) Gloves, gown, and mask
D) Gloves, gown, mask, and goggles
**Correct Answer:** B) Gloves and gown
,**Rationale:** Contact precautions require gloves and gown because
transmission occurs through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Masks and goggles are not required unless there is a risk of splash. Hand
hygiene with soap and water is essential after removal.
**3.** A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which
site is most appropriate for a 2 mL injection in an adult?
A) Deltoid
B) Dorsogluteal
C) Ventrogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
**Correct Answer:** C) Ventrogluteal
**Rationale:** The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections in adults
because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels. The dorsogluteal site is
no longer recommended due to sciatic nerve injury risk. The deltoid is
appropriate for smaller volumes (≤1 mL).
**4.** A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which type of
precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Contact precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Standard precautions only
**Correct Answer:** C) Airborne precautions
, **Rationale:** Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne particles and requires
airborne precautions, including an N95 respirator and a negative-pressure
room. Contact and droplet precautions are not sufficient to prevent
transmission of this organism.
**5.** A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action would contaminate
the field?
A) Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge of the field
B) Opening sterile packages away from the field
C) Reaching across the sterile field
D) Holding sterile objects above the waist
**Correct Answer:** C) Reaching across the sterile field
**Rationale:** Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because non-
sterile items or clothing may shed microorganisms. The 2-inch margin,
opening packages away from the field, and holding objects above the waist
all maintain sterility.
**6.** A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical wound infection. Which
finding indicates the infection is worsening?
A) Wound edges are well-approximated
B) Serosanguineous drainage is present
C) Purulent drainage with foul odor
D) Wound is healing by primary intention
