ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam Final
Version 2023–2027
NGN RN Test Bank with Practice Questions,
Answers, and Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted with dehydration. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Hypertension
D) Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: B) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration. Bounding pulse, hypertension, and
peripheral edema are signs of fluid overload, not dehydration.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a walker. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) "Move the walker forward, then step with the weaker leg first."
B) "Move the walker forward, then step with the stronger leg first."
C) "Lift the walker off the floor with each step."
D) "Hold the walker on the sides, not the front."
Correct Answer: A) "Move the walker forward, then step with the weaker leg first."
Rationale: When using a walker, the client should move the walker forward first, then step with the
weaker leg, followed by the stronger leg. This provides maximum support and safety.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is on bed rest. Which intervention is most important to prevent
pressure ulcers?
A) Massage reddened areas
B) Reposition every 2 hours
C) Use a donut cushion
D) Apply heat to bony prominences
Correct Answer: B) Reposition every 2 hours
,Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on bony prominences and prevents pressure
ulcers. Massaging reddened areas can cause tissue damage. Donut cushions can impair circulation. Heat
can increase metabolic demand and worsen tissue damage.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication through a nasogastric tube. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Check for residual volume
B) Flush the tube with water
C) Verify tube placement
D) Administer the medication
Correct Answer: C) Verify tube placement
Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority before administering any medication or fluid through
a nasogastric tube to prevent aspiration and ensure the tube is in the stomach.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pain level. Which tool is most appropriate for a client who is unable to
verbalize pain?
A) Numeric rating scale
B) Wong-Baker FACES scale
C) FLACC scale
D) Visual analog scale
Correct Answer: C) FLACC scale
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is used for clients who cannot
verbalize pain, such as infants, young children, and nonverbal adults. The numeric rating scale, Wong-
Baker FACES scale, and visual analog scale require the client to self-report pain.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A) "I will use the bedside commode at night."
B) "I will keep the side rails up at all times."
C) "I will wear socks without shoes when walking."
D) "I will turn on the call light only for emergencies."
Correct Answer: A) "I will use the bedside commode at night."
Rationale: Using a bedside commode at night reduces the risk of falls during trips to the bathroom.
Keeping side rails up can be a restraint. Wearing socks without shoes increases fall risk. The call light
should be used for any need, not just emergencies.
,7. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action indicates a break in sterile technique?
A) Opening the sterile package away from the body
B) Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field
C) Reaching over the sterile field
D) Wearing sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C) Reaching over the sterile field
Rationale: Reaching over the sterile field contaminates it. Sterile objects must be kept within the field
and not touched by non-sterile items. Opening packages away from the body, placing supplies on the
field, and wearing sterile gloves are appropriate.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A) Stoma is pink and moist
B) Stoma is dark purple
C) Small amount of bleeding
D) Output is liquid
Correct Answer: B) Stoma is dark purple
Rationale: A dark purple stoma indicates ischemia and possible necrosis, which requires immediate
intervention. A pink and moist stoma is normal. Small amounts of bleeding are normal. Liquid output is
expected initially.
9. A nurse is administering oxygen to a client with COPD. Which oxygen flow rate should the nurse
anticipate?
A) 1-2 L/min
B) 4-6 L/min
C) 8-10 L/min
D) 12-15 L/min
Correct Answer: A) 1-2 L/min
Rationale: Clients with COPD may have chronic carbon dioxide retention and rely on hypoxic drive. Low-
flow oxygen (1-2 L/min) is used to maintain SpO2 between 88-92%. Higher flow rates can suppress
respiratory drive.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the client avoid?
, A) Fresh fruits
B) Canned soup
C) Fresh vegetables
D) Plain rice
Correct Answer: B) Canned soup
Rationale: Canned soup is high in sodium. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and plain rice are low in sodium and
appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
11. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?
A) Temperature of 99.2°F
B) Heart rate of 88 bpm
C) WBC count of 15,000/mm³
D) Respiratory rate of 18/min
Correct Answer: C) WBC count of 15,000/mm³
Rationale: An elevated WBC count indicates infection. A temperature of 99.2°F is within normal limits.
Heart rate of 88 bpm and respiratory rate of 18/min are normal.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to an adult. Which site is preferred?
A) Deltoid
B) Ventrogluteal
C) Dorsogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: B) Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections in adults because it is free of major nerves
and blood vessels. The deltoid is used for small volumes. The dorsogluteal site is avoided due to risk of
sciatic nerve injury. The vastus lateralis is used for infants.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with a Foley catheter. Which action should the nurse take to prevent
infection?
A) Irrigate the catheter daily
B) Keep the drainage bag below the bladder
C) Change the catheter every 24 hours
D) Disconnect the catheter for cleaning
Correct Answer: B) Keep the drainage bag below the bladder
Version 2023–2027
NGN RN Test Bank with Practice Questions,
Answers, and Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has been admitted with dehydration. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Dry mucous membranes
C) Hypertension
D) Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: B) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration. Bounding pulse, hypertension, and
peripheral edema are signs of fluid overload, not dehydration.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of a walker. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) "Move the walker forward, then step with the weaker leg first."
B) "Move the walker forward, then step with the stronger leg first."
C) "Lift the walker off the floor with each step."
D) "Hold the walker on the sides, not the front."
Correct Answer: A) "Move the walker forward, then step with the weaker leg first."
Rationale: When using a walker, the client should move the walker forward first, then step with the
weaker leg, followed by the stronger leg. This provides maximum support and safety.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is on bed rest. Which intervention is most important to prevent
pressure ulcers?
A) Massage reddened areas
B) Reposition every 2 hours
C) Use a donut cushion
D) Apply heat to bony prominences
Correct Answer: B) Reposition every 2 hours
,Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on bony prominences and prevents pressure
ulcers. Massaging reddened areas can cause tissue damage. Donut cushions can impair circulation. Heat
can increase metabolic demand and worsen tissue damage.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication through a nasogastric tube. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Check for residual volume
B) Flush the tube with water
C) Verify tube placement
D) Administer the medication
Correct Answer: C) Verify tube placement
Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority before administering any medication or fluid through
a nasogastric tube to prevent aspiration and ensure the tube is in the stomach.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pain level. Which tool is most appropriate for a client who is unable to
verbalize pain?
A) Numeric rating scale
B) Wong-Baker FACES scale
C) FLACC scale
D) Visual analog scale
Correct Answer: C) FLACC scale
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is used for clients who cannot
verbalize pain, such as infants, young children, and nonverbal adults. The numeric rating scale, Wong-
Baker FACES scale, and visual analog scale require the client to self-report pain.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A) "I will use the bedside commode at night."
B) "I will keep the side rails up at all times."
C) "I will wear socks without shoes when walking."
D) "I will turn on the call light only for emergencies."
Correct Answer: A) "I will use the bedside commode at night."
Rationale: Using a bedside commode at night reduces the risk of falls during trips to the bathroom.
Keeping side rails up can be a restraint. Wearing socks without shoes increases fall risk. The call light
should be used for any need, not just emergencies.
,7. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action indicates a break in sterile technique?
A) Opening the sterile package away from the body
B) Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field
C) Reaching over the sterile field
D) Wearing sterile gloves
Correct Answer: C) Reaching over the sterile field
Rationale: Reaching over the sterile field contaminates it. Sterile objects must be kept within the field
and not touched by non-sterile items. Opening packages away from the body, placing supplies on the
field, and wearing sterile gloves are appropriate.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A) Stoma is pink and moist
B) Stoma is dark purple
C) Small amount of bleeding
D) Output is liquid
Correct Answer: B) Stoma is dark purple
Rationale: A dark purple stoma indicates ischemia and possible necrosis, which requires immediate
intervention. A pink and moist stoma is normal. Small amounts of bleeding are normal. Liquid output is
expected initially.
9. A nurse is administering oxygen to a client with COPD. Which oxygen flow rate should the nurse
anticipate?
A) 1-2 L/min
B) 4-6 L/min
C) 8-10 L/min
D) 12-15 L/min
Correct Answer: A) 1-2 L/min
Rationale: Clients with COPD may have chronic carbon dioxide retention and rely on hypoxic drive. Low-
flow oxygen (1-2 L/min) is used to maintain SpO2 between 88-92%. Higher flow rates can suppress
respiratory drive.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the client avoid?
, A) Fresh fruits
B) Canned soup
C) Fresh vegetables
D) Plain rice
Correct Answer: B) Canned soup
Rationale: Canned soup is high in sodium. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and plain rice are low in sodium and
appropriate for a low-sodium diet.
11. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?
A) Temperature of 99.2°F
B) Heart rate of 88 bpm
C) WBC count of 15,000/mm³
D) Respiratory rate of 18/min
Correct Answer: C) WBC count of 15,000/mm³
Rationale: An elevated WBC count indicates infection. A temperature of 99.2°F is within normal limits.
Heart rate of 88 bpm and respiratory rate of 18/min are normal.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to an adult. Which site is preferred?
A) Deltoid
B) Ventrogluteal
C) Dorsogluteal
D) Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: B) Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is preferred for IM injections in adults because it is free of major nerves
and blood vessels. The deltoid is used for small volumes. The dorsogluteal site is avoided due to risk of
sciatic nerve injury. The vastus lateralis is used for infants.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with a Foley catheter. Which action should the nurse take to prevent
infection?
A) Irrigate the catheter daily
B) Keep the drainage bag below the bladder
C) Change the catheter every 24 hours
D) Disconnect the catheter for cleaning
Correct Answer: B) Keep the drainage bag below the bladder
