ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS CMS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF covers
foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge,
regulatory and legal compliance,
ethics and professional standards,
and real-world clinical scenarios
Core Domains
Management of Care and Delegation
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Professional Standards and Documentation
,Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the
candidate's knowledge and clinical judgment in fundamental
nursing practice, preparing them for the ATI RN Fundamentals
CMS proctored assessment. The assessment covers foundational
theory, applied professional knowledge, regulatory and legal
compliance, ethics and professional standards, and real-world
clinical scenarios. Through multiple-choice and scenario-based
items, candidates will demonstrate mastery of prioritization,
delegation, safety, infection control, medication administration,
and evidence-based nursing practice. This test bank emphasizes
the application of clinical judgment required for safe, patient-
centered fundamental nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical
unit. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with pneumonia who has a temperature of 38.2°C
(100.8°F) and productive cough
B. A client 2 hours postoperative with 50 mL of serosanguineous
drainage on the surgical dressing
C. A client with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of
88% on room air
D. A client scheduled for discharge who needs discharge teaching
completed
C. A client with a new onset of confusion and oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air
RATIONALE: Using the ABC priority framework, oxygen
saturation of 88% indicates severe hypoxemia and new confusion
suggests inadequate cerebral oxygenation, representing an
,immediate threat to airway and breathing. The other clients have
expected findings or non-urgent needs.
2. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive
personnel (AP). Which task is most appropriate for the
nurse to delegate?
A. Performing a sterile dressing change on a surgical wound
B. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output
C. Evaluating a client's response to a newly administered
medication
D. Assessing a client's respiratory status after chest tube insertion
B. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output
RATIONALE: Measuring and recording intake and output is
within the scope of an AP and does not require nursing judgment.
Sterile dressing changes, medication evaluation, and respiratory
assessment require nursing education and clinical judgment.
3. A nurse witnesses a client sign an informed consent
form for a cholecystectomy. The client asks, "What are the
risks of this surgery?" Which response by the nurse is
appropriate?
A. Tell the client the risks include bleeding and infection
B. Refer the client to the surgeon for explanation of risks and
potential complications
C. Read the consent form to the client so they understand the
risks
D. Document that the client asked about risks and continue with
preoperative preparation
, B. Refer the client to the surgeon for explanation of risks and
potential complications
RATIONALE: The provider is responsible for explaining the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse's role is to
witness the signature and ensure the client appears to
understand and has not been coerced.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridioides
difficile infection. Which precautions should the nurse
implement?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Standard precautions only
C. Contact precautions
RATIONALE: C. difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route
and through contaminated surfaces. Contact precautions
including gown and gloves are required to prevent transmission.
5. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene using an
alcohol-based hand rub. Which technique is correct?
A. Apply rub to dry hands and rub until completely dry
B. Apply rub to hands and rinse with warm water
C. Apply rub to wet hands and rub for 10 seconds
D. Apply rub and wash with soap and water afterward
A. Apply rub to dry hands and rub until completely dry
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF covers
foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge,
regulatory and legal compliance,
ethics and professional standards,
and real-world clinical scenarios
Core Domains
Management of Care and Delegation
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment
Professional Standards and Documentation
,Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the
candidate's knowledge and clinical judgment in fundamental
nursing practice, preparing them for the ATI RN Fundamentals
CMS proctored assessment. The assessment covers foundational
theory, applied professional knowledge, regulatory and legal
compliance, ethics and professional standards, and real-world
clinical scenarios. Through multiple-choice and scenario-based
items, candidates will demonstrate mastery of prioritization,
delegation, safety, infection control, medication administration,
and evidence-based nursing practice. This test bank emphasizes
the application of clinical judgment required for safe, patient-
centered fundamental nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for four clients on a medical-surgical
unit. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with pneumonia who has a temperature of 38.2°C
(100.8°F) and productive cough
B. A client 2 hours postoperative with 50 mL of serosanguineous
drainage on the surgical dressing
C. A client with a new onset of confusion and oxygen saturation of
88% on room air
D. A client scheduled for discharge who needs discharge teaching
completed
C. A client with a new onset of confusion and oxygen
saturation of 88% on room air
RATIONALE: Using the ABC priority framework, oxygen
saturation of 88% indicates severe hypoxemia and new confusion
suggests inadequate cerebral oxygenation, representing an
,immediate threat to airway and breathing. The other clients have
expected findings or non-urgent needs.
2. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive
personnel (AP). Which task is most appropriate for the
nurse to delegate?
A. Performing a sterile dressing change on a surgical wound
B. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output
C. Evaluating a client's response to a newly administered
medication
D. Assessing a client's respiratory status after chest tube insertion
B. Measuring and recording a client's intake and output
RATIONALE: Measuring and recording intake and output is
within the scope of an AP and does not require nursing judgment.
Sterile dressing changes, medication evaluation, and respiratory
assessment require nursing education and clinical judgment.
3. A nurse witnesses a client sign an informed consent
form for a cholecystectomy. The client asks, "What are the
risks of this surgery?" Which response by the nurse is
appropriate?
A. Tell the client the risks include bleeding and infection
B. Refer the client to the surgeon for explanation of risks and
potential complications
C. Read the consent form to the client so they understand the
risks
D. Document that the client asked about risks and continue with
preoperative preparation
, B. Refer the client to the surgeon for explanation of risks and
potential complications
RATIONALE: The provider is responsible for explaining the
procedure, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse's role is to
witness the signature and ensure the client appears to
understand and has not been coerced.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridioides
difficile infection. Which precautions should the nurse
implement?
A. Droplet precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Contact precautions
D. Standard precautions only
C. Contact precautions
RATIONALE: C. difficile is transmitted via the fecal-oral route
and through contaminated surfaces. Contact precautions
including gown and gloves are required to prevent transmission.
5. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene using an
alcohol-based hand rub. Which technique is correct?
A. Apply rub to dry hands and rub until completely dry
B. Apply rub to hands and rinse with warm water
C. Apply rub to wet hands and rub for 10 seconds
D. Apply rub and wash with soap and water afterward
A. Apply rub to dry hands and rub until completely dry
