ATI RN Fundamentals | ATI Fundamentals of
Nursing Proctored Exam 2026–2027 | ATI RN
Fundamentals Content Mastery Series Study
Guide, Practice Questions & Answers, Nursing
Foundations, Health Assessment, Safety,
Infection Control, Medication Administration,
Clinical Judgment, Prioritization & NGN Exam
Review
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of
metoprolol to a client. Which action demonstrates adherence to the
"rights" of medication administration?
A. Checking the client's room number against the medication
administration record
B. Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers before administration
C. Leaving the medication at the bedside for the client to take later
D. Preparing the medication for multiple clients at one time
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verifying the client's identity using two
identifiers before administration
Rationale: The Joint Commission requires the use of two client identifiers
(such as name and date of birth) before administering medications to
prevent errors. Using room numbers is not acceptable, leaving medications
unattended increases risk, and preparing medications for multiple clients
simultaneously raises the risk of administration errors.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client who requires contact
precautions. Which personal protective equipment should the
nurse don before entering the client's room?
A. Mask and eye protection
B. Gown and gloves
C. Gloves only
D. N95 respirator and gown
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent
transmission of infectious agents through direct or indirect contact. A mask
,and eye protection are indicated for droplet or airborne precautions, while
an N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions such as tuberculosis.
Question 3: A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours
postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing
B. Temperature of 37.8°C (100.0°F)
C. Heart rate of 118/min and blood pressure of 88/52 mm Hg
D. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Heart rate of 118/min and blood pressure
of 88/52 mm Hg
Rationale: Tachycardia combined with hypotension in a postoperative client
suggests hypovolemic shock, possibly from hemorrhage. This requires
immediate provider notification. Serosanguineous drainage is expected, a
low-grade temperature is common postoperatively, and moderate pain is
expected and manageable with analgesics.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a client about proper hand hygiene.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I only need to wash my hands after using the restroom."
B. "I should wash my hands before and after contact with each client."
C. "Alcohol-based hand rub is effective when my hands are visibly soiled."
D. "Hand hygiene is only necessary when caring for infectious clients."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I should wash my hands before and after
contact with each client."
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after client contact is the single most
effective method for preventing healthcare-associated infections. Alcohol-
based rubs are ineffective when hands are visibly soiled, and hand hygiene
is required for all client contact regardless of infection status.
Question 5: A nurse is inserting a nasogastric tube for a client.
Which method is the most reliable for verifying initial tube
placement?
A. Auscultating air injected over the epigastric area
B. Checking the pH of aspirated gastric contents
,C. Obtaining an abdominal x-ray
D. Asking the client to speak
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Obtaining an abdominal x-ray
Rationale: Abdominal x-ray is the gold standard for verifying initial
nasogastric tube placement. While pH testing (≤5.5) can confirm gastric
placement, it is a secondary method. Auscultation of injected air is
unreliable and no longer recommended.
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client who is at high risk for
falls. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Applying wrist restraints
B. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
C. Encouraging the client to remain on bed rest
D. Placing the client in a room closest to the nurses' station
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with
side rails up
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the distance a
client would fall and is a fundamental fall prevention measure. Restraints
are a last resort and require specific criteria. Bed rest can increase
weakness, and while room placement is helpful, it does not directly prevent
falls.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the FLACC
scale. This tool is most appropriate for which client?
A. An adult client who is alert and oriented
B. A 6-month-old infant who is postoperative
C. An older adult client with mild dementia
D. A client who is able to use a numeric rating scale
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A 6-month-old infant who is postoperative
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is
designed for nonverbal clients, including infants and young children who
cannot self-report pain. The numeric scale requires the client to verbalize or
indicate a number, which is not appropriate for an infant.
, Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an adult client. Which site is preferred due to its large
muscle mass and minimal risk of nerve injury?
A. Dorsogluteal site
B. Ventrogluteal site
C. Vastus lateralis site
D. Deltoid site
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ventrogluteal site
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred IM injection site for adults
because it has a large muscle mass, is free of major nerves and blood
vessels, and provides reliable absorption. The dorsogluteal site carries risk
of sciatic nerve injury.
Question 9: A nurse is documenting in a client's medical record.
Which entry is most appropriate?
A. "Client is being difficult and refuses to cooperate."
B. "Client stated, 'I don't want to take that pill.'"
C. "Client seems confused and probably didn't understand."
D. "Client was uncooperative during morning care."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Client stated, 'I don't want to take that
pill.'"
Rationale: Documentation should be objective, factual, and include direct
client statements when relevant. Subjective terms such as "difficult,"
"uncooperative," and "probably" are inappropriate and introduce bias or
speculation.
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client who has a new
prescription for home oxygen therapy. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will post 'No Smoking' signs in my home."
B. "I can use petroleum jelly to lubricate my nose."
C. "I will keep the oxygen tank upright and secured."
D. "I will avoid using wool blankets while my oxygen is on."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I can use petroleum jelly to lubricate my
nose."
Nursing Proctored Exam 2026–2027 | ATI RN
Fundamentals Content Mastery Series Study
Guide, Practice Questions & Answers, Nursing
Foundations, Health Assessment, Safety,
Infection Control, Medication Administration,
Clinical Judgment, Prioritization & NGN Exam
Review
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a scheduled dose of
metoprolol to a client. Which action demonstrates adherence to the
"rights" of medication administration?
A. Checking the client's room number against the medication
administration record
B. Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers before administration
C. Leaving the medication at the bedside for the client to take later
D. Preparing the medication for multiple clients at one time
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verifying the client's identity using two
identifiers before administration
Rationale: The Joint Commission requires the use of two client identifiers
(such as name and date of birth) before administering medications to
prevent errors. Using room numbers is not acceptable, leaving medications
unattended increases risk, and preparing medications for multiple clients
simultaneously raises the risk of administration errors.
Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client who requires contact
precautions. Which personal protective equipment should the
nurse don before entering the client's room?
A. Mask and eye protection
B. Gown and gloves
C. Gloves only
D. N95 respirator and gown
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Gown and gloves
Rationale: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to prevent
transmission of infectious agents through direct or indirect contact. A mask
,and eye protection are indicated for droplet or airborne precautions, while
an N95 respirator is required for airborne precautions such as tuberculosis.
Question 3: A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours
postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing
B. Temperature of 37.8°C (100.0°F)
C. Heart rate of 118/min and blood pressure of 88/52 mm Hg
D. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Heart rate of 118/min and blood pressure
of 88/52 mm Hg
Rationale: Tachycardia combined with hypotension in a postoperative client
suggests hypovolemic shock, possibly from hemorrhage. This requires
immediate provider notification. Serosanguineous drainage is expected, a
low-grade temperature is common postoperatively, and moderate pain is
expected and manageable with analgesics.
Question 4: A nurse is teaching a client about proper hand hygiene.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I only need to wash my hands after using the restroom."
B. "I should wash my hands before and after contact with each client."
C. "Alcohol-based hand rub is effective when my hands are visibly soiled."
D. "Hand hygiene is only necessary when caring for infectious clients."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I should wash my hands before and after
contact with each client."
Rationale: Hand hygiene before and after client contact is the single most
effective method for preventing healthcare-associated infections. Alcohol-
based rubs are ineffective when hands are visibly soiled, and hand hygiene
is required for all client contact regardless of infection status.
Question 5: A nurse is inserting a nasogastric tube for a client.
Which method is the most reliable for verifying initial tube
placement?
A. Auscultating air injected over the epigastric area
B. Checking the pH of aspirated gastric contents
,C. Obtaining an abdominal x-ray
D. Asking the client to speak
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Obtaining an abdominal x-ray
Rationale: Abdominal x-ray is the gold standard for verifying initial
nasogastric tube placement. While pH testing (≤5.5) can confirm gastric
placement, it is a secondary method. Auscultation of injected air is
unreliable and no longer recommended.
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client who is at high risk for
falls. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Applying wrist restraints
B. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
C. Encouraging the client to remain on bed rest
D. Placing the client in a room closest to the nurses' station
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Keeping the bed in the lowest position with
side rails up
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the distance a
client would fall and is a fundamental fall prevention measure. Restraints
are a last resort and require specific criteria. Bed rest can increase
weakness, and while room placement is helpful, it does not directly prevent
falls.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the FLACC
scale. This tool is most appropriate for which client?
A. An adult client who is alert and oriented
B. A 6-month-old infant who is postoperative
C. An older adult client with mild dementia
D. A client who is able to use a numeric rating scale
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A 6-month-old infant who is postoperative
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is
designed for nonverbal clients, including infants and young children who
cannot self-report pain. The numeric scale requires the client to verbalize or
indicate a number, which is not appropriate for an infant.
, Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an adult client. Which site is preferred due to its large
muscle mass and minimal risk of nerve injury?
A. Dorsogluteal site
B. Ventrogluteal site
C. Vastus lateralis site
D. Deltoid site
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Ventrogluteal site
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred IM injection site for adults
because it has a large muscle mass, is free of major nerves and blood
vessels, and provides reliable absorption. The dorsogluteal site carries risk
of sciatic nerve injury.
Question 9: A nurse is documenting in a client's medical record.
Which entry is most appropriate?
A. "Client is being difficult and refuses to cooperate."
B. "Client stated, 'I don't want to take that pill.'"
C. "Client seems confused and probably didn't understand."
D. "Client was uncooperative during morning care."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "Client stated, 'I don't want to take that
pill.'"
Rationale: Documentation should be objective, factual, and include direct
client statements when relevant. Subjective terms such as "difficult,"
"uncooperative," and "probably" are inappropriate and introduce bias or
speculation.
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client who has a new
prescription for home oxygen therapy. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will post 'No Smoking' signs in my home."
B. "I can use petroleum jelly to lubricate my nose."
C. "I will keep the oxygen tank upright and secured."
D. "I will avoid using wool blankets while my oxygen is on."
CORRECT ANSWER: B. "I can use petroleum jelly to lubricate my
nose."
