1
Latest Updated ATI CMS
Fundamentals Proctored Exam
2026–2027 | 200+ Real
Questions & Detailed
Rationales | Achieve Level 3 |
Already Passed A+
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. While witnessing the client's
signature, the client states, "I trust my doctor, but I don't understand what is meant by resecting
my intestines." Which action should the nurse take?
A) Describe the surgery to the client
B) Notify the provider
C) Complete an incident report
D) Provide brochures about the procedure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role is to witness the signature, not to explain the procedure. The
provider is responsible for explaining the surgery, risks, and benefits. The nurse should notify
the provider so the surgeon can clarify .
Question 2
,2
A nurse is documenting client care. Which abbreviation should the nurse use?
A) "SQ" for subcutaneous
B) "SS" for sliding scale
C) "BRP" for bathroom privileges
D) "OJ" for orange juice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "BRP" (bathroom privileges) is an approved abbreviation. "SQ," "SS," and "OJ" are
error-prone abbreviations that should not be used .
Question 3
A nurse receives a telephone call from a person who identifies himself as a client's employer
and requests information about the client's diagnosis and expected return date. Which
response should the nurse make?
A) Provide the information since the employer may have a legitimate need to know
B) Verify the caller's identity and then provide the information
C) Inform the caller that client information cannot be disclosed without the client's written
authorization
D) Transfer the call to the client's room so the employer can ask the client directly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HIPAA prohibits disclosure of protected health information without the client's
written authorization. The nurse must not confirm the client is even present in the facility .
Question 4
A nurse is delegating a task to assistive personnel. Which is the most important component of
right direction and communication?
A) Providing the AP with a written list of all tasks for the shift
B) Telling the AP to report any abnormal findings to the nurse immediately
C) Asking the AP to follow the same routine used on the previous shift
D) Documenting in the chart that the task was delegated to the AP
Correct Answer: B
,3
Rationale: Right direction and communication requires clear instructions about what to report
back to the nurse immediately. This ensures timely intervention .
Question 5
A nurse observes a colleague arriving for the night shift appearing intoxicated and smelling of
alcohol. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Confront the colleague and ask them to go home
B) Report the observation to the nursing supervisor immediately
C) Allow the colleague to work but assign only non-critical tasks
D) Document the observation in the colleague's personnel file
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse has a mandatory reporting obligation regarding impaired colleagues. The
first action is to report to the nursing supervisor to protect client safety .
Question 6
On discharge day, the nurse reviews the client's activity log and determines the client
ambulated 60 feet daily for the past 3 days. Which phase of the nursing process does this review
represent?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation involves comparing actual outcomes against expected outcomes. The
nurse determined the goal was met .
Question 7
A nurse is writing an expected outcome for a client recovering from a stroke who has left-sided
weakness. Which statement is an appropriately written expected outcome?
, 4
A) The client will improve mobility gradually over time
B) The nurse will encourage the client to walk in the hallway twice each shift
C) The client will understand the importance of physical therapy
D) The client will ambulate 100 feet with a rolling walker without assistance by discharge in 5
days
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A well-written outcome is client-focused, measurable, realistic, and time-limited.
Option D meets all criteria .
Question 8
Which statement is a correctly written nursing diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia with productive cough
B) Encourage deep breathing and coughing every hour
C) Client needs to increase daily fluid intake
D) Activity intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis follows the PES format (Problem, Etiology, Signs/Symptoms).
Option D correctly links the problem to its cause .
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing morning assessment data for four clients. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) A client with heart failure who has 1+ bilateral ankle edema, unchanged from yesterday
B) A client who had a hip replacement 2 days ago and reports incision pain of 4 on a 0 to 10
scale
C) A client with pneumonia who has a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute and new
confusion
D) A client who is 1 day postoperative and reports not having a bowel movement since surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachypnea with new confusion indicates hypoxia and possible respiratory
deterioration, requiring immediate intervention .
Latest Updated ATI CMS
Fundamentals Proctored Exam
2026–2027 | 200+ Real
Questions & Detailed
Rationales | Achieve Level 3 |
Already Passed A+
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1–15)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery. While witnessing the client's
signature, the client states, "I trust my doctor, but I don't understand what is meant by resecting
my intestines." Which action should the nurse take?
A) Describe the surgery to the client
B) Notify the provider
C) Complete an incident report
D) Provide brochures about the procedure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's role is to witness the signature, not to explain the procedure. The
provider is responsible for explaining the surgery, risks, and benefits. The nurse should notify
the provider so the surgeon can clarify .
Question 2
,2
A nurse is documenting client care. Which abbreviation should the nurse use?
A) "SQ" for subcutaneous
B) "SS" for sliding scale
C) "BRP" for bathroom privileges
D) "OJ" for orange juice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: "BRP" (bathroom privileges) is an approved abbreviation. "SQ," "SS," and "OJ" are
error-prone abbreviations that should not be used .
Question 3
A nurse receives a telephone call from a person who identifies himself as a client's employer
and requests information about the client's diagnosis and expected return date. Which
response should the nurse make?
A) Provide the information since the employer may have a legitimate need to know
B) Verify the caller's identity and then provide the information
C) Inform the caller that client information cannot be disclosed without the client's written
authorization
D) Transfer the call to the client's room so the employer can ask the client directly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: HIPAA prohibits disclosure of protected health information without the client's
written authorization. The nurse must not confirm the client is even present in the facility .
Question 4
A nurse is delegating a task to assistive personnel. Which is the most important component of
right direction and communication?
A) Providing the AP with a written list of all tasks for the shift
B) Telling the AP to report any abnormal findings to the nurse immediately
C) Asking the AP to follow the same routine used on the previous shift
D) Documenting in the chart that the task was delegated to the AP
Correct Answer: B
,3
Rationale: Right direction and communication requires clear instructions about what to report
back to the nurse immediately. This ensures timely intervention .
Question 5
A nurse observes a colleague arriving for the night shift appearing intoxicated and smelling of
alcohol. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Confront the colleague and ask them to go home
B) Report the observation to the nursing supervisor immediately
C) Allow the colleague to work but assign only non-critical tasks
D) Document the observation in the colleague's personnel file
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse has a mandatory reporting obligation regarding impaired colleagues. The
first action is to report to the nursing supervisor to protect client safety .
Question 6
On discharge day, the nurse reviews the client's activity log and determines the client
ambulated 60 feet daily for the past 3 days. Which phase of the nursing process does this review
represent?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Implementation
D) Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation involves comparing actual outcomes against expected outcomes. The
nurse determined the goal was met .
Question 7
A nurse is writing an expected outcome for a client recovering from a stroke who has left-sided
weakness. Which statement is an appropriately written expected outcome?
, 4
A) The client will improve mobility gradually over time
B) The nurse will encourage the client to walk in the hallway twice each shift
C) The client will understand the importance of physical therapy
D) The client will ambulate 100 feet with a rolling walker without assistance by discharge in 5
days
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A well-written outcome is client-focused, measurable, realistic, and time-limited.
Option D meets all criteria .
Question 8
Which statement is a correctly written nursing diagnosis?
A) Pneumonia with productive cough
B) Encourage deep breathing and coughing every hour
C) Client needs to increase daily fluid intake
D) Activity intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A nursing diagnosis follows the PES format (Problem, Etiology, Signs/Symptoms).
Option D correctly links the problem to its cause .
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing morning assessment data for four clients. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) A client with heart failure who has 1+ bilateral ankle edema, unchanged from yesterday
B) A client who had a hip replacement 2 days ago and reports incision pain of 4 on a 0 to 10
scale
C) A client with pneumonia who has a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute and new
confusion
D) A client who is 1 day postoperative and reports not having a bowel movement since surgery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachypnea with new confusion indicates hypoxia and possible respiratory
deterioration, requiring immediate intervention .
