ATI RN Fundamentals Edition 11.0 Test Bank: Chapters 1–58
Practice Questions & Clinical Rationales GRADED A+
This definitive nursing test-preparation resource provides a comprehensive practice
question bank, verified answers, and detailed clinical rationales covering all 58 chapters
of the ATI RN Fundamentals Edition 11.0 curriculum. It systematically covers core
foundational nursing concepts, including patient safety protocols, infection control,
wound care management, dosage calculations, and the fundamental steps of the
nursing process. Pre-licensure nursing students will master critical client care
prioritization strategies, fluid and electrolyte baselines, and clinical judgment models to
ensure a high proficiency score on their proctored assessment.
1. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action requires
intervention by the charge nurse?
A) Opening sterile supplies onto the sterile field
B) Reaching over the sterile field with an ungloved hand
C) Using sterile gloves to apply the dressing
D) Placing the sterile field on a clean, dry surface
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it; the nurse must avoid reaching
over sterile areas.
2. A nurse is assessing a client for orthostatic hypotension. Which finding confirms
this condition?
A) BP drop of 5 mm Hg systolic upon standing
B) BP drop of 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes of
standing
C) BP increase upon standing
D) Heart rate decrease upon standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic or 10
mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to an adult. Which action is correct?
A) Pull the auricle down and back
B) Pull the auricle up and back
C) Pull the auricle straight out
D) Pull the auricle down and forward
Rationale: For adults, pull the auricle up and back to straighten the ear canal; for children
under 3, pull down and back.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about using a cane. Which instruction is correct?
A) Hold the cane on the affected side
B) Hold the cane on the unaffected side
C) Advance the cane after the affected leg
D) Use the cane only when climbing stairs
Rationale: The cane is held on the unaffected side to provide support and widen the base
of support.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pulse deficit. Which action is correct?
A) Subtract the radial pulse from the apical pulse
B) Subtract the radial pulse from the apical pulse
C) Add the radial and apical pulses
D) Compare the radial pulses bilaterally
Rationale: Pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates,
indicating ineffective contractions.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a suppository to a client. Which action is
correct?
A) Insert the suppository 1 inch into the rectum
B) Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter (about 3–4 inches)
,C) Lubricate with petroleum jelly
D) Have the client bear down during insertion
Rationale: Inserting past the internal sphincter prevents the suppository from being
expelled.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a new ileal conduit. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) Pink stoma
B) Dusky stoma
C) Mucus in urine
D) Output of 50 mL/hr
Rationale: A dusky or dark stoma indicates ischemia and requires immediate notification.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-fiber diet. Which food should the client
avoid?
A) White bread
B) Corn
C) Eggs
D) Bananas
Rationale: Corn is high in fiber and should be avoided on a low-fiber diet.
9. A nurse is assessing a client with a new colostomy. Which finding indicates
infection?
A) Beefy red stoma
B) Purulent drainage
C) Mild edema
D) Pink stoma
Rationale: Purulent drainage indicates infection at the stoma site.
, 10. A nurse is preparing to administer an enema to a client. Which action is
correct?
A) Position the client supine
B) Position the client in left lateral Sims' position
C) Insert the enema tip 6 inches
D) Use cold solution
Rationale: Left lateral Sims' position facilitates the flow of solution into the colon.
11. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of COPD. Which finding
indicates respiratory acidosis?
A) pH 7.45, PaCO2 35
B) pH 7.30, PaCO2 55
C) pH 7.50, PaCO2 30
D) pH 7.35, PaCO2 40
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is indicated by pH <7.35 and PaCO2 >45 mm Hg.
12. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-potassium diet. Which food should the
client avoid?
A) Apples
B) Avocados
C) Rice
D) Bread
Rationale: Avocados are high in potassium and should be avoided.
13. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube. Which
action is correct?
A) Administer medications with the feeding running
Practice Questions & Clinical Rationales GRADED A+
This definitive nursing test-preparation resource provides a comprehensive practice
question bank, verified answers, and detailed clinical rationales covering all 58 chapters
of the ATI RN Fundamentals Edition 11.0 curriculum. It systematically covers core
foundational nursing concepts, including patient safety protocols, infection control,
wound care management, dosage calculations, and the fundamental steps of the
nursing process. Pre-licensure nursing students will master critical client care
prioritization strategies, fluid and electrolyte baselines, and clinical judgment models to
ensure a high proficiency score on their proctored assessment.
1. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action requires
intervention by the charge nurse?
A) Opening sterile supplies onto the sterile field
B) Reaching over the sterile field with an ungloved hand
C) Using sterile gloves to apply the dressing
D) Placing the sterile field on a clean, dry surface
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it; the nurse must avoid reaching
over sterile areas.
2. A nurse is assessing a client for orthostatic hypotension. Which finding confirms
this condition?
A) BP drop of 5 mm Hg systolic upon standing
B) BP drop of 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes of
standing
C) BP increase upon standing
D) Heart rate decrease upon standing
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a drop of at least 20 mm Hg systolic or 10
mm Hg diastolic within 3 minutes of standing.
,3. A nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to an adult. Which action is correct?
A) Pull the auricle down and back
B) Pull the auricle up and back
C) Pull the auricle straight out
D) Pull the auricle down and forward
Rationale: For adults, pull the auricle up and back to straighten the ear canal; for children
under 3, pull down and back.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about using a cane. Which instruction is correct?
A) Hold the cane on the affected side
B) Hold the cane on the unaffected side
C) Advance the cane after the affected leg
D) Use the cane only when climbing stairs
Rationale: The cane is held on the unaffected side to provide support and widen the base
of support.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pulse deficit. Which action is correct?
A) Subtract the radial pulse from the apical pulse
B) Subtract the radial pulse from the apical pulse
C) Add the radial and apical pulses
D) Compare the radial pulses bilaterally
Rationale: Pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates,
indicating ineffective contractions.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a suppository to a client. Which action is
correct?
A) Insert the suppository 1 inch into the rectum
B) Insert the suppository past the internal sphincter (about 3–4 inches)
,C) Lubricate with petroleum jelly
D) Have the client bear down during insertion
Rationale: Inserting past the internal sphincter prevents the suppository from being
expelled.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a new ileal conduit. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) Pink stoma
B) Dusky stoma
C) Mucus in urine
D) Output of 50 mL/hr
Rationale: A dusky or dark stoma indicates ischemia and requires immediate notification.
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-fiber diet. Which food should the client
avoid?
A) White bread
B) Corn
C) Eggs
D) Bananas
Rationale: Corn is high in fiber and should be avoided on a low-fiber diet.
9. A nurse is assessing a client with a new colostomy. Which finding indicates
infection?
A) Beefy red stoma
B) Purulent drainage
C) Mild edema
D) Pink stoma
Rationale: Purulent drainage indicates infection at the stoma site.
, 10. A nurse is preparing to administer an enema to a client. Which action is
correct?
A) Position the client supine
B) Position the client in left lateral Sims' position
C) Insert the enema tip 6 inches
D) Use cold solution
Rationale: Left lateral Sims' position facilitates the flow of solution into the colon.
11. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of COPD. Which finding
indicates respiratory acidosis?
A) pH 7.45, PaCO2 35
B) pH 7.30, PaCO2 55
C) pH 7.50, PaCO2 30
D) pH 7.35, PaCO2 40
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis is indicated by pH <7.35 and PaCO2 >45 mm Hg.
12. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-potassium diet. Which food should the
client avoid?
A) Apples
B) Avocados
C) Rice
D) Bread
Rationale: Avocados are high in potassium and should be avoided.
13. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube. Which
action is correct?
A) Administer medications with the feeding running
