ATI RN PROTOCTORED EXAMS FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLTETE ANSWERS 2025-2026
A nurse is preparing to administer a tap water enema to a client. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
a. Raise the enema bag if the client experiences cramping
b. Lubricate 2.54 cm (1 in) off the tip of the rectal tube prior to insertion
c. Place the client in a left Sims' position
d. Don sterile gloves prior to the procedure
c. Place the client in a left Sims' position
A nurse is preparing to administer an otic antibiotic to an adult client who has otic media. Which of the
following actions should the nurse plan to take?
a. Hold the dropper 1 cm (0.5 in) above the ear canal during administration
b. Apply pressure to the nasolacrimal duct following administration
c. Place a cotton ball into the inner ear canal for 30 minutes following administration
d. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the auricle down and back prior to administration
a. Hold the dropper 1 cm (0.5 in) above the ear canal during administration
A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory system. Which of the following breath sounds should the nurse
expect to hear over the periphery of the major lung fields?
a. Vesicular
b. Bronchial
c. Rhonchi
d. Bronchovesicular
,a. Vesicular
A nurse is preparing to administer a feeding via gastrostomy tube to a client who had a stroke. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take prior to initiating the feeding?
a. Warm the feeding in a microwave oven
b. Elevate the head of the client's bed
c. Flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride for irrigation
d. Verify that the client's gastric pH is above 4
b. Elevate the head of the client's bed
INCORRECT:
a. Warm the feeding tube in a microwave oven--> ROOM TEMP
c. Flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride for irrigation--> FLUSH WITH WATER PRIOR
d. Verify that the client's gastric pH is above 4--> should be BELOW 4
A nurse is preparing to insert an NG tube for a client who requires enteral feedings. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse give the client before beginning the procedure?
a. "Inhale forcefully during insertion."
b. "Raise your index finger if you need to pause during the insertion."
c. "Bear down during insertion."
d. "Avoid making any swallowing motions during the insertion."
c. "Bear down during insertion."
,A nurse on a medical surgical unit is washing her hands prior to assisting with a surgical procedure.
Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates proper surgical handwashing technique?
a. The nurse washes each part of her hands with 5 strokes.
b. The nurse washes from the elbows down to the hands.
c. The nurse holds her hands higher than her elbows while washing.
d. The nurse uses minimal friction when washing her hands.
c. The nurse holds her hands higher than her elbows while washing.
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled for arthroplasty in the next
month and may require a blood transfusion. The client expresses concern about the risk of acquiring an
infection from the blood transfusion. Which of the following statements should the nurse share with the
client?
a. "Ask your provider to prescribe epoetin before the surgery."
b. "You should ask your provider about taking iron supplements prior to the surgery."
c. "Ask a family member to donate blood for you."
d. "Donate autologous blood before the surgery."
d. "Donate autologous blood before the surgery."
A nurse is preparing to administer an afternoon dose of ampicillin to a client. The client appears upset
and refuses to take the medication before throwing the pill on the floor. Which of the following entries
should the nurse enter into the client's medical record?
a. The client refused to take medication today.
b. The client stated, "I will not take this pill."
c. The client seemed angry and hostile.
d. The client threw the medication on the floor.
, d. The client threw the medication on the floor.
A nurse is caring for client who has terminal pancreatic cancer. When the client states, "It's devastating
that I will not be here to see my child graduate," the nurse should identify that the client is in which of
the following stages of grief as defined by Kubler-Ross?
a. Anger
b. Bargaining
c. Depression
d. Acceptance
c. Depression
A nurse is assessing a client who reports nausea and vomiting for 2 days. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
a. Decreased urine specific gravity
b. Increased heart rate
c. Decreased hematocrit
d. Increased skin turgor
c. Decreased hematocrit
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has heart failure. The client has gained weight
since her last visit, and her ankles are edematous. Which of the following findings is another clinical
manifestation of fluid volume excess?
a. Sunken eyeballs
WITH COMPLTETE ANSWERS 2025-2026
A nurse is preparing to administer a tap water enema to a client. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
a. Raise the enema bag if the client experiences cramping
b. Lubricate 2.54 cm (1 in) off the tip of the rectal tube prior to insertion
c. Place the client in a left Sims' position
d. Don sterile gloves prior to the procedure
c. Place the client in a left Sims' position
A nurse is preparing to administer an otic antibiotic to an adult client who has otic media. Which of the
following actions should the nurse plan to take?
a. Hold the dropper 1 cm (0.5 in) above the ear canal during administration
b. Apply pressure to the nasolacrimal duct following administration
c. Place a cotton ball into the inner ear canal for 30 minutes following administration
d. Straighten the ear canal by pulling the auricle down and back prior to administration
a. Hold the dropper 1 cm (0.5 in) above the ear canal during administration
A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory system. Which of the following breath sounds should the nurse
expect to hear over the periphery of the major lung fields?
a. Vesicular
b. Bronchial
c. Rhonchi
d. Bronchovesicular
,a. Vesicular
A nurse is preparing to administer a feeding via gastrostomy tube to a client who had a stroke. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take prior to initiating the feeding?
a. Warm the feeding in a microwave oven
b. Elevate the head of the client's bed
c. Flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride for irrigation
d. Verify that the client's gastric pH is above 4
b. Elevate the head of the client's bed
INCORRECT:
a. Warm the feeding tube in a microwave oven--> ROOM TEMP
c. Flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride for irrigation--> FLUSH WITH WATER PRIOR
d. Verify that the client's gastric pH is above 4--> should be BELOW 4
A nurse is preparing to insert an NG tube for a client who requires enteral feedings. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse give the client before beginning the procedure?
a. "Inhale forcefully during insertion."
b. "Raise your index finger if you need to pause during the insertion."
c. "Bear down during insertion."
d. "Avoid making any swallowing motions during the insertion."
c. "Bear down during insertion."
,A nurse on a medical surgical unit is washing her hands prior to assisting with a surgical procedure.
Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates proper surgical handwashing technique?
a. The nurse washes each part of her hands with 5 strokes.
b. The nurse washes from the elbows down to the hands.
c. The nurse holds her hands higher than her elbows while washing.
d. The nurse uses minimal friction when washing her hands.
c. The nurse holds her hands higher than her elbows while washing.
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled for arthroplasty in the next
month and may require a blood transfusion. The client expresses concern about the risk of acquiring an
infection from the blood transfusion. Which of the following statements should the nurse share with the
client?
a. "Ask your provider to prescribe epoetin before the surgery."
b. "You should ask your provider about taking iron supplements prior to the surgery."
c. "Ask a family member to donate blood for you."
d. "Donate autologous blood before the surgery."
d. "Donate autologous blood before the surgery."
A nurse is preparing to administer an afternoon dose of ampicillin to a client. The client appears upset
and refuses to take the medication before throwing the pill on the floor. Which of the following entries
should the nurse enter into the client's medical record?
a. The client refused to take medication today.
b. The client stated, "I will not take this pill."
c. The client seemed angry and hostile.
d. The client threw the medication on the floor.
, d. The client threw the medication on the floor.
A nurse is caring for client who has terminal pancreatic cancer. When the client states, "It's devastating
that I will not be here to see my child graduate," the nurse should identify that the client is in which of
the following stages of grief as defined by Kubler-Ross?
a. Anger
b. Bargaining
c. Depression
d. Acceptance
c. Depression
A nurse is assessing a client who reports nausea and vomiting for 2 days. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
a. Decreased urine specific gravity
b. Increased heart rate
c. Decreased hematocrit
d. Increased skin turgor
c. Decreased hematocrit
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has heart failure. The client has gained weight
since her last visit, and her ankles are edematous. Which of the following findings is another clinical
manifestation of fluid volume excess?
a. Sunken eyeballs
