ATI Nursing Skills 2026/2027 | ACTUAL-Style
Practice Questions & Answers, ATI RN Nursing
Skills Exam Prep, Nursing Procedures Test Bank,
Sterile Technique, Infection Control, Vital Signs,
Wound Care, Urinary Catheterization, Specimen
Collection, Medication Administration, Patient
Safety, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change.
Which action indicates a correct understanding of surgical asepsis?
A. The nurse places the sterile field on a dry, waist-level table.
B. The nurse keeps the sterile field within view at all times.
C. The nurse considers the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape sterile.
D. The nurse reaches across the sterile field to place supplies.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The nurse places the sterile field on a dry, waist-
level table.
Rationale: A sterile field must be established on a clean, dry, waist-level
surface to maintain sterility. Items below waist level are considered
contaminated. The nurse should keep the field within view (not option B’s
vague “at all times” which is impractical during actual care), the outer
border is contaminated (not option C), and reaching across the field
contaminates it (not option D).
Question 2: A nurse is donning sterile gloves using the open method.
Which technique is correct?
A. The nurse touches the outside of the glove with the ungloved hand to
pull it on.
B. The nurse picks up the first glove by the inside cuff.
C. The nurse adjusts the gloves by touching the sterile exterior after both
are on.
D. The nurse applies the glove to the non-dominant hand first.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The nurse picks up the first glove by the inside
cuff.
Rationale: When donning sterile gloves open method, the nurse picks up
the first glove by touching only the inside cuff (the folded inner surface).
The outside of the glove must not be touched with the bare hand (not
option A). Once both gloves are on, the nurse may adjust the fit by touching
,only the sterile exterior (option C is correct for adjustment, but not for initial
donning technique). The dominant hand is gloved first (not option D).
Question 3: A nurse is preparing a sterile field and needs to add a
sterile item wrapped in paper. Which action is appropriate?
A. The nurse opens the package by unfolding the top flap toward the body.
B. The nurse drops the sterile item onto the field from a height of 12 inches.
C. The nurse opens the outermost flap away from the body first.
D. The nurse holds the item directly over the sterile field while unwrapping.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The nurse opens the outermost flap away from
the body first.
Rationale: When opening a sterile package, the outermost flap is opened
away from the body to prevent the nurse’s arm from crossing over the
sterile contents. The top flap should be opened away from the body (not
option A, which would contaminate the field). Items should be dropped
gently from a low height (not option B), and holding an item over the field
while unwrapping risks contamination (not option D).
Question 4: A nurse is performing a urinary catheter insertion. Which
principle of sterile technique applies?
A. The catheter may touch the patient’s thigh as long as it does not touch
the meatus.
B. Sterile gloves may touch the patient’s skin after the area is prepped.
C. The sterile field may be placed on the patient’s bed between the legs.
D. Sterile items must remain within the nurse’s line of sight.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Sterile items must remain within the nurse’s
line of sight.
Rationale: Sterile items must be kept within the nurse’s line of sight to
ensure they remain sterile. The catheter must not touch any non-sterile
surface including the patient’s thigh (not option A). Sterile gloves must not
touch non-sterile skin (not option B). A sterile field placed on the bed
between the legs is acceptable if the bed is clean and dry, but the
fundamental principle is maintaining line of sight (D is the best answer).
Question 5: A nurse is removing sterile gloves after a procedure. Which
action is correct?
,A. The nurse grasps the outside of the first glove and pulls it off, turning it
inside out.
B. The nurse pulls the glove off by the fingertips to avoid touching the palm.
C. The nurse removes both gloves simultaneously by pulling at the cuffs.
D. The nurse washes the gloves with soap and water before removal.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The nurse grasps the outside of the first glove
and pulls it off, turning it inside out.
Rationale: To remove sterile gloves safely, the nurse grasps the outside of
the first glove and pulls it off, turning it inside out so contaminated surfaces
are contained. Pulling by the fingertips risks contaminating the hand (not
option B). Removing both simultaneously is not standard technique (not
option C). Gloves are not washed before removal (not option D).
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a
client. Which action demonstrates correct use of the “rights” of
medication administration?
A. The nurse prepares medications for multiple clients at once to save time.
B. The nurse verifies the client’s identity using two identifiers.
C. The nurse documents administration before giving the medication.
D. The nurse leaves medications at the bedside for the client to take later.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The nurse verifies the client’s identity using two
identifiers.
Rationale: Verifying client identity with two identifiers (e.g., name and date
of birth) is a core right of medication administration. Preparing for multiple
clients simultaneously increases error risk (not option A). Documentation
occurs after administration (not option C). Medications should not be left
unattended (not option D).
Question 7: A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous
injection. Which needle angle is correct?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 25 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 45 degrees
, Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are typically administered at a 45-
degree angle (or 90 degrees for clients with adequate subcutaneous
tissue). A 15-degree angle is used for intradermal injections (not option A).
A 90-degree angle is used for intramuscular injections (not option C). A 25-
degree angle is not a standard injection angle (not option D).
Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection. Which angle is correct?
A. 15 degrees
B. 30 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 90 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 90 degrees
Rationale: Intramuscular injections are administered at a 90-degree angle
to deposit medication deep into muscle tissue. A 15-degree angle is for
intradermal (not option A). A 30-degree angle is not standard for injections
(not option B). A 45-degree angle is used for subcutaneous injections (not
option C).
Question 9: A nurse is administering medication through a nasogastric
tube. Which action is appropriate?
A. The nurse mixes all medications together before administration.
B. The nurse flushes the tube before and after each medication.
C. The nurse adds medications directly to the enteral feeding solution.
D. The nurse skips checking tube placement to save time.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The nurse flushes the tube before and after
each medication.
Rationale: Flushing the tube before and after each medication prevents
clogging and ensures complete delivery. Medications should be
administered separately, not mixed together (not option A). Medications are
not added to feeding solutions (not option C). Tube placement must always
be verified before administration (not option D).
Question 10: A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and
notices the client’s name on the medication label does not match the
identification band. What is the nurse’s priority action?
Practice Questions & Answers, ATI RN Nursing
Skills Exam Prep, Nursing Procedures Test Bank,
Sterile Technique, Infection Control, Vital Signs,
Wound Care, Urinary Catheterization, Specimen
Collection, Medication Administration, Patient
Safety, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change.
Which action indicates a correct understanding of surgical asepsis?
A. The nurse places the sterile field on a dry, waist-level table.
B. The nurse keeps the sterile field within view at all times.
C. The nurse considers the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape sterile.
D. The nurse reaches across the sterile field to place supplies.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The nurse places the sterile field on a dry, waist-
level table.
Rationale: A sterile field must be established on a clean, dry, waist-level
surface to maintain sterility. Items below waist level are considered
contaminated. The nurse should keep the field within view (not option B’s
vague “at all times” which is impractical during actual care), the outer
border is contaminated (not option C), and reaching across the field
contaminates it (not option D).
Question 2: A nurse is donning sterile gloves using the open method.
Which technique is correct?
A. The nurse touches the outside of the glove with the ungloved hand to
pull it on.
B. The nurse picks up the first glove by the inside cuff.
C. The nurse adjusts the gloves by touching the sterile exterior after both
are on.
D. The nurse applies the glove to the non-dominant hand first.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The nurse picks up the first glove by the inside
cuff.
Rationale: When donning sterile gloves open method, the nurse picks up
the first glove by touching only the inside cuff (the folded inner surface).
The outside of the glove must not be touched with the bare hand (not
option A). Once both gloves are on, the nurse may adjust the fit by touching
,only the sterile exterior (option C is correct for adjustment, but not for initial
donning technique). The dominant hand is gloved first (not option D).
Question 3: A nurse is preparing a sterile field and needs to add a
sterile item wrapped in paper. Which action is appropriate?
A. The nurse opens the package by unfolding the top flap toward the body.
B. The nurse drops the sterile item onto the field from a height of 12 inches.
C. The nurse opens the outermost flap away from the body first.
D. The nurse holds the item directly over the sterile field while unwrapping.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The nurse opens the outermost flap away from
the body first.
Rationale: When opening a sterile package, the outermost flap is opened
away from the body to prevent the nurse’s arm from crossing over the
sterile contents. The top flap should be opened away from the body (not
option A, which would contaminate the field). Items should be dropped
gently from a low height (not option B), and holding an item over the field
while unwrapping risks contamination (not option D).
Question 4: A nurse is performing a urinary catheter insertion. Which
principle of sterile technique applies?
A. The catheter may touch the patient’s thigh as long as it does not touch
the meatus.
B. Sterile gloves may touch the patient’s skin after the area is prepped.
C. The sterile field may be placed on the patient’s bed between the legs.
D. Sterile items must remain within the nurse’s line of sight.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Sterile items must remain within the nurse’s
line of sight.
Rationale: Sterile items must be kept within the nurse’s line of sight to
ensure they remain sterile. The catheter must not touch any non-sterile
surface including the patient’s thigh (not option A). Sterile gloves must not
touch non-sterile skin (not option B). A sterile field placed on the bed
between the legs is acceptable if the bed is clean and dry, but the
fundamental principle is maintaining line of sight (D is the best answer).
Question 5: A nurse is removing sterile gloves after a procedure. Which
action is correct?
,A. The nurse grasps the outside of the first glove and pulls it off, turning it
inside out.
B. The nurse pulls the glove off by the fingertips to avoid touching the palm.
C. The nurse removes both gloves simultaneously by pulling at the cuffs.
D. The nurse washes the gloves with soap and water before removal.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The nurse grasps the outside of the first glove
and pulls it off, turning it inside out.
Rationale: To remove sterile gloves safely, the nurse grasps the outside of
the first glove and pulls it off, turning it inside out so contaminated surfaces
are contained. Pulling by the fingertips risks contaminating the hand (not
option B). Removing both simultaneously is not standard technique (not
option C). Gloves are not washed before removal (not option D).
Question 6: A nurse is preparing to administer oral medications to a
client. Which action demonstrates correct use of the “rights” of
medication administration?
A. The nurse prepares medications for multiple clients at once to save time.
B. The nurse verifies the client’s identity using two identifiers.
C. The nurse documents administration before giving the medication.
D. The nurse leaves medications at the bedside for the client to take later.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The nurse verifies the client’s identity using two
identifiers.
Rationale: Verifying client identity with two identifiers (e.g., name and date
of birth) is a core right of medication administration. Preparing for multiple
clients simultaneously increases error risk (not option A). Documentation
occurs after administration (not option C). Medications should not be left
unattended (not option D).
Question 7: A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous
injection. Which needle angle is correct?
A. 15 degrees
B. 45 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 25 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 45 degrees
, Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are typically administered at a 45-
degree angle (or 90 degrees for clients with adequate subcutaneous
tissue). A 15-degree angle is used for intradermal injections (not option A).
A 90-degree angle is used for intramuscular injections (not option C). A 25-
degree angle is not a standard injection angle (not option D).
Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection. Which angle is correct?
A. 15 degrees
B. 30 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 90 degrees
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 90 degrees
Rationale: Intramuscular injections are administered at a 90-degree angle
to deposit medication deep into muscle tissue. A 15-degree angle is for
intradermal (not option A). A 30-degree angle is not standard for injections
(not option B). A 45-degree angle is used for subcutaneous injections (not
option C).
Question 9: A nurse is administering medication through a nasogastric
tube. Which action is appropriate?
A. The nurse mixes all medications together before administration.
B. The nurse flushes the tube before and after each medication.
C. The nurse adds medications directly to the enteral feeding solution.
D. The nurse skips checking tube placement to save time.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The nurse flushes the tube before and after
each medication.
Rationale: Flushing the tube before and after each medication prevents
clogging and ensures complete delivery. Medications should be
administered separately, not mixed together (not option A). Medications are
not added to feeding solutions (not option C). Tube placement must always
be verified before administration (not option D).
Question 10: A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and
notices the client’s name on the medication label does not match the
identification band. What is the nurse’s priority action?
