ATI PN Fundamentals Exam 2026
Foundations of Practice & Clinical Judgment
1.
A practical nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should
the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting assistance with bathing
B. Client reporting pain of 6/10
C. Client with a respiratory rate of 8/min who is difficult to arouse
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
,Answer: B. Client with a respiratory rate of 8/min who is difficult to
arouse
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min with decreased consciousness
indicates possible respiratory depression and requires immediate
assessment.
2.
Which action demonstrates appropriate use of the nursing process?
A. Implementing interventions before collecting data
B. Evaluating the client's response after an intervention
C. Delegating assessment to unlicensed personnel
D. Documenting only abnormal findings
Answer: B. Evaluating the client's response after an intervention
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether interventions achieved the
desired client outcomes.
3.
A client reports new chest pressure. What should the practical nurse
do first?
A. Document the complaint
B. Obtain a complete health history
C. Assess vital signs and respiratory status
D. Ask the client to rate the pain after 30 min
Answer: C. Assess vital signs and respiratory status
Rationale: A new potentially serious symptom requires immediate
assessment of physiologic stability.
4.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
,A. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Pulse 82/min
C. Respirations 8/min
D. Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: C. Respirations 8/min
Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and
impaired ventilation.
5.
Which statement by a practical nurse demonstrates appropriate
prioritization?
A. “I will complete the easiest task first.”
B. “I will address airway and breathing problems before routine
needs.”
C. “I will see clients in room-number order.”
D. “I will complete all documentation before assessing clients.”
Answer: B. “I will address airway and breathing problems before
routine needs.”
Rationale: Life-threatening airway and breathing problems take
priority over routine care.
6.
A client refuses a prescribed treatment. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Tell the client treatment is mandatory
B. Ask another nurse to convince the client
C. Determine why the client is refusing
D. Administer the treatment without consent
Answer: C. Determine why the client is refusing
, Rationale: The nurse should assess the client's understanding,
concerns, and reasons for refusal while respecting autonomy.
7.
Which action best demonstrates accountability?
A. Asking another nurse to document care the nurse performed
B. Reporting an error promptly according to policy
C. Altering documentation after the shift
D. Ignoring a near miss
Answer: B. Reporting an error promptly according to policy
Rationale: Professional accountability requires honest reporting of
errors and following organizational procedures.
8.
A nurse discovers that a medication was given to the wrong client.
Which action is the priority?
A. Complete an incident report before assessing the client
B. Assess the client
C. Wait for the next shift to report the error
D. Delete the medication record
Answer: B. Assess the client
Rationale: Client safety comes first. The nurse should assess for
adverse effects and notify the appropriate provider according to
policy.
9.
Which statement reflects appropriate therapeutic communication?
A. “You shouldn't worry about that.”
B. “Everything will be fine.”
C. “Tell me more about what concerns you.”
D. “I know exactly how you feel.”
Foundations of Practice & Clinical Judgment
1.
A practical nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should
the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting assistance with bathing
B. Client reporting pain of 6/10
C. Client with a respiratory rate of 8/min who is difficult to arouse
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
,Answer: B. Client with a respiratory rate of 8/min who is difficult to
arouse
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min with decreased consciousness
indicates possible respiratory depression and requires immediate
assessment.
2.
Which action demonstrates appropriate use of the nursing process?
A. Implementing interventions before collecting data
B. Evaluating the client's response after an intervention
C. Delegating assessment to unlicensed personnel
D. Documenting only abnormal findings
Answer: B. Evaluating the client's response after an intervention
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether interventions achieved the
desired client outcomes.
3.
A client reports new chest pressure. What should the practical nurse
do first?
A. Document the complaint
B. Obtain a complete health history
C. Assess vital signs and respiratory status
D. Ask the client to rate the pain after 30 min
Answer: C. Assess vital signs and respiratory status
Rationale: A new potentially serious symptom requires immediate
assessment of physiologic stability.
4.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
,A. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
B. Pulse 82/min
C. Respirations 8/min
D. Blood pressure 118/72 mm Hg
Answer: C. Respirations 8/min
Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and
impaired ventilation.
5.
Which statement by a practical nurse demonstrates appropriate
prioritization?
A. “I will complete the easiest task first.”
B. “I will address airway and breathing problems before routine
needs.”
C. “I will see clients in room-number order.”
D. “I will complete all documentation before assessing clients.”
Answer: B. “I will address airway and breathing problems before
routine needs.”
Rationale: Life-threatening airway and breathing problems take
priority over routine care.
6.
A client refuses a prescribed treatment. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Tell the client treatment is mandatory
B. Ask another nurse to convince the client
C. Determine why the client is refusing
D. Administer the treatment without consent
Answer: C. Determine why the client is refusing
, Rationale: The nurse should assess the client's understanding,
concerns, and reasons for refusal while respecting autonomy.
7.
Which action best demonstrates accountability?
A. Asking another nurse to document care the nurse performed
B. Reporting an error promptly according to policy
C. Altering documentation after the shift
D. Ignoring a near miss
Answer: B. Reporting an error promptly according to policy
Rationale: Professional accountability requires honest reporting of
errors and following organizational procedures.
8.
A nurse discovers that a medication was given to the wrong client.
Which action is the priority?
A. Complete an incident report before assessing the client
B. Assess the client
C. Wait for the next shift to report the error
D. Delete the medication record
Answer: B. Assess the client
Rationale: Client safety comes first. The nurse should assess for
adverse effects and notify the appropriate provider according to
policy.
9.
Which statement reflects appropriate therapeutic communication?
A. “You shouldn't worry about that.”
B. “Everything will be fine.”
C. “Tell me more about what concerns you.”
D. “I know exactly how you feel.”
