ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam | Latest Update
2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers
| Verified Answers with Rationales & Screenshots | A+
Graded
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING (Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is explaining the purpose of the nursing process to a student. Which statement is correct?
A) "It is a taskoriented approach to complete nursing duties."
B) "It provides a systematic, patientcentered framework for delivering holistic and effective nursing
care."
C) "It is used primarily for documentation and legal purposes."
D) "It replaces the need for clinical judgment."
Answer: B
Explanation: The nursing process is a systematic, patientcentered framework that guides nurses through
assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE).
2. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a client. Which of the following is the FIRST step?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Answer: C
Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves collecting subjective and
objective data about the client.
3. A nurse is reviewing a client's medical record. Which type of data is the client's report of nausea?
,A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Secondary data
D) Diagnostic data
Answer: B
Explanation: Subjective data is information the client reports, such as nausea, pain, or dizziness.
Objective data is measurable and observable.
4. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis. Which statement is accurate?
A) "A nursing diagnosis identifies a disease or pathology."
B) "A nursing diagnosis describes a client's response to a health problem."
C) "A nursing diagnosis is the same as a medical diagnosis."
D) "A nursing diagnosis is only used in acute care settings."
Answer: B
Explanation: A nursing diagnosis describes a client's response to an actual or potential health problem,
whereas a medical diagnosis identifies a disease or pathology.
5. A nurse is planning care for a client. Which action should the nurse take during the planning phase?
A) Collecting subjective data
B) Administering medications
C) Setting clientcentered goals and outcomes
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
Answer: C
Explanation: During the planning phase, the nurse sets clientcentered goals and outcomes and selects
appropriate nursing interventions.
,6. A nurse is implementing a nursing intervention. Which action is an example of a dependent nursing
intervention?
A) Repositioning a client every 2 hours
B) Administering a prescribed medication
C) Teaching a client about a lowsodium diet
D) Assisting a client with ambulation
Answer: B
Explanation: Dependent nursing interventions require a provider's prescription, such as administering
medications. Independent interventions (A, C, D) are actions the nurse can perform without a provider's
order.
7. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a client's care plan. Which finding indicates a goal has been
met?
A) The client reports increased pain
B) The client's temperature returns to normal range
C) The client refuses to take medications
D) The client develops a new complication
Answer: B
Explanation: Goal met is indicated by the client achieving the desired outcome, such as a temperature
returning to normal.
8. A nurse is using clinical judgment in a complex situation. Which cognitive skill is the nurse
demonstrating?
A) Memorization of facts
B) Critical thinking
C) Following a checklist
D) Repeating routine tasks
Answer: B
, Explanation: Critical thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned
decisions in complex situations.
9. A nurse is reviewing the steps of the nursing process. Which step involves determining whether goals
were met?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: D
Explanation: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process and involves determining whether the
client's goals were met and whether interventions were effective.
10. A nurse is collecting data on a client who reports chest pain. Which finding is objective data?
A) The client states, "I feel like someone is squeezing my chest."
B) The client rates pain as 8/10.
C) The nurse observes the client grimacing and diaphoretic.
D) The client reports feeling anxious.
Answer: C
Explanation: Objective data is measurable and observable, such as grimacing and diaphoresis. Subjective
data (A, B, D) is what the client reports.
11. A nurse is prioritizing care for a group of clients. Which framework should the nurse use?
A) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B) ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
C) ADPIE
D) Both A and B
2026/2027 | 200 Practice Questions & Detailed Answers
| Verified Answers with Rationales & Screenshots | A+
Graded
SECTION 1: THE NURSING PROCESS & CRITICAL THINKING (Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is explaining the purpose of the nursing process to a student. Which statement is correct?
A) "It is a taskoriented approach to complete nursing duties."
B) "It provides a systematic, patientcentered framework for delivering holistic and effective nursing
care."
C) "It is used primarily for documentation and legal purposes."
D) "It replaces the need for clinical judgment."
Answer: B
Explanation: The nursing process is a systematic, patientcentered framework that guides nurses through
assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE).
2. A nurse is using the nursing process to care for a client. Which of the following is the FIRST step?
A) Planning
B) Implementation
C) Assessment
D) Evaluation
Answer: C
Explanation: Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and involves collecting subjective and
objective data about the client.
3. A nurse is reviewing a client's medical record. Which type of data is the client's report of nausea?
,A) Objective data
B) Subjective data
C) Secondary data
D) Diagnostic data
Answer: B
Explanation: Subjective data is information the client reports, such as nausea, pain, or dizziness.
Objective data is measurable and observable.
4. A nurse is formulating a nursing diagnosis. Which statement is accurate?
A) "A nursing diagnosis identifies a disease or pathology."
B) "A nursing diagnosis describes a client's response to a health problem."
C) "A nursing diagnosis is the same as a medical diagnosis."
D) "A nursing diagnosis is only used in acute care settings."
Answer: B
Explanation: A nursing diagnosis describes a client's response to an actual or potential health problem,
whereas a medical diagnosis identifies a disease or pathology.
5. A nurse is planning care for a client. Which action should the nurse take during the planning phase?
A) Collecting subjective data
B) Administering medications
C) Setting clientcentered goals and outcomes
D) Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
Answer: C
Explanation: During the planning phase, the nurse sets clientcentered goals and outcomes and selects
appropriate nursing interventions.
,6. A nurse is implementing a nursing intervention. Which action is an example of a dependent nursing
intervention?
A) Repositioning a client every 2 hours
B) Administering a prescribed medication
C) Teaching a client about a lowsodium diet
D) Assisting a client with ambulation
Answer: B
Explanation: Dependent nursing interventions require a provider's prescription, such as administering
medications. Independent interventions (A, C, D) are actions the nurse can perform without a provider's
order.
7. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a client's care plan. Which finding indicates a goal has been
met?
A) The client reports increased pain
B) The client's temperature returns to normal range
C) The client refuses to take medications
D) The client develops a new complication
Answer: B
Explanation: Goal met is indicated by the client achieving the desired outcome, such as a temperature
returning to normal.
8. A nurse is using clinical judgment in a complex situation. Which cognitive skill is the nurse
demonstrating?
A) Memorization of facts
B) Critical thinking
C) Following a checklist
D) Repeating routine tasks
Answer: B
, Explanation: Critical thinking involves analyzing information, evaluating evidence, and making reasoned
decisions in complex situations.
9. A nurse is reviewing the steps of the nursing process. Which step involves determining whether goals
were met?
A) Assessment
B) Planning
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Answer: D
Explanation: Evaluation is the final step of the nursing process and involves determining whether the
client's goals were met and whether interventions were effective.
10. A nurse is collecting data on a client who reports chest pain. Which finding is objective data?
A) The client states, "I feel like someone is squeezing my chest."
B) The client rates pain as 8/10.
C) The nurse observes the client grimacing and diaphoretic.
D) The client reports feeling anxious.
Answer: C
Explanation: Objective data is measurable and observable, such as grimacing and diaphoresis. Subjective
data (A, B, D) is what the client reports.
11. A nurse is prioritizing care for a group of clients. Which framework should the nurse use?
A) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
B) ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
C) ADPIE
D) Both A and B
