ATI PN CMS FUNDAMENTALS
PROCTORED EXAM (VERSION 3)
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Safe, Effective Care Environment
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
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the fundamental nursing
knowledge, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills required of
practical nursing students preparing for the ATI PN CMS Proctored Exam.
The assessment evaluates proficiency in safe and effective care,
infection control, health promotion, psychosocial integrity, basic care and
comfort, pharmacology, and physiological adaptation. Items are
presented in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats designed to
,simulate realistic clinical encounters. Emphasis is placed on
prioritization, delegation, client rights, and evidence-based nursing
interventions. The examination challenges candidates to integrate the
nursing process, safety principles, and professional standards to deliver
competent, compassionate, and patient-centered care.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy.
The client signed the informed consent form earlier in the day but
now tells the nurse, "I changed my mind. I don't want this
procedure done." Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Tell the client the procedure is already scheduled and cannot be
canceled.
B. Notify the provider immediately and document the client's refusal.
C. Explain the risks of not having the procedure and encourage the client
to reconsider.
D. Ask the client's family to persuade the client to go through with the
procedure.
B. Notify the provider immediately and document the client's refusal.
RATIONALE: The client has the right to refuse any treatment or
procedure at any time, even after signing a consent form. The nurse must
notify the provider and document the refusal. Coercing the client or
involving family violates client autonomy.
2. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive personnel
(AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the
AP?
,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 a 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 the nurse, "What are the risks of
this surgery?" Which of the following is the appropriate response by
the nurse?
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 on a medical-surgical unit receives report on four clients.
Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the LPN?
A. Admitting a new client with a history of seizures and completing the
initial assessment.
B. Administering an oral analgesic to a client with chronic pain.
C. Developing a nursing care plan for a client who is postoperative.
D. Teaching a client how to perform self-catheterization.
B. Administering an oral analgesic to a client with chronic pain.
RATIONALE: Administering oral medications is within the LPN scope
of practice. Initial assessments, care plan development, and client
teaching require the RN's education and clinical judgment.
5. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is dying.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend
to include the client's family in the plan of care? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Keep the family updated about the client's status.
B. Suggest the family members return home at night to allow the client to
rest.
C. Encourage the family to comb the client's hair.
D. Tell the client's family what to expect as the client's death nears.
E. Ask the family to encourage the client to eat.
A, C, D
RATIONALE: Keeping the family updated, involving them in simple
care activities, and explaining what to expect as death nears help reduce
anxiety and promote family-centered end-of-life care. Forcing the client
PROCTORED EXAM (VERSION 3)
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Safe, Effective Care Environment
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
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing Practice
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the fundamental nursing
knowledge, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills required of
practical nursing students preparing for the ATI PN CMS Proctored Exam.
The assessment evaluates proficiency in safe and effective care,
infection control, health promotion, psychosocial integrity, basic care and
comfort, pharmacology, and physiological adaptation. Items are
presented in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats designed to
,simulate realistic clinical encounters. Emphasis is placed on
prioritization, delegation, client rights, and evidence-based nursing
interventions. The examination challenges candidates to integrate the
nursing process, safety principles, and professional standards to deliver
competent, compassionate, and patient-centered care.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for a colonoscopy.
The client signed the informed consent form earlier in the day but
now tells the nurse, "I changed my mind. I don't want this
procedure done." Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Tell the client the procedure is already scheduled and cannot be
canceled.
B. Notify the provider immediately and document the client's refusal.
C. Explain the risks of not having the procedure and encourage the client
to reconsider.
D. Ask the client's family to persuade the client to go through with the
procedure.
B. Notify the provider immediately and document the client's refusal.
RATIONALE: The client has the right to refuse any treatment or
procedure at any time, even after signing a consent form. The nurse must
notify the provider and document the refusal. Coercing the client or
involving family violates client autonomy.
2. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive personnel
(AP). Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the
AP?
,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 a 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 the nurse, "What are the risks of
this surgery?" Which of the following is the appropriate response by
the nurse?
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 on a medical-surgical unit receives report on four clients.
Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the LPN?
A. Admitting a new client with a history of seizures and completing the
initial assessment.
B. Administering an oral analgesic to a client with chronic pain.
C. Developing a nursing care plan for a client who is postoperative.
D. Teaching a client how to perform self-catheterization.
B. Administering an oral analgesic to a client with chronic pain.
RATIONALE: Administering oral medications is within the LPN scope
of practice. Initial assessments, care plan development, and client
teaching require the RN's education and clinical judgment.
5. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is dying.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse recommend
to include the client's family in the plan of care? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Keep the family updated about the client's status.
B. Suggest the family members return home at night to allow the client to
rest.
C. Encourage the family to comb the client's hair.
D. Tell the client's family what to expect as the client's death nears.
E. Ask the family to encourage the client to eat.
A, C, D
RATIONALE: Keeping the family updated, involving them in simple
care activities, and explaining what to expect as death nears help reduce
anxiety and promote family-centered end-of-life care. Forcing the client
