ATI RN Fundamentals Exam Prep Test Bank | 250+
Verified Questions with Detailed Answers and
Rationales | Latest 2025/2026 Comprehensive
Nursing Fundamentals Study Guide for BSN
Students and NCLEX Preparation
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A) To document patient care
B) To provide a systematic approach to patient care
C) To increase hospital revenue
D) To manage staff schedules
Answer: B - To provide a systematic approach to patient care
Rationale: The nursing process is a structured method for delivering care to patients.
Question 2:
What is the first step in the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Answer: A - Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the initial step where data about the patient is collected.
Question 3:
Which of the following is an example of a subjective assessment finding?
A) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
B) "I have a headache."
C) Temperature of 101°F
D) Heart rate of 72 bpm
Answer: B - "I have a headache."
Rationale: Subjective data is based on the patient's feelings or statements.
Question 4:
What is the priority nursing action when a patient is experiencing shortness of breath?
,A) Ask about the patient's medical history
B) Administer oxygen therapy
C) Perform a physical assessment
D) Document the finding
Answer: B - Administer oxygen therapy
Rationale: Providing oxygen is essential for addressing shortness of breath.
Question 5:
Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with a risk for falls?
A) Encourage independence
B) Place the patient in a private room
C) Use bed alarms and keep the bed in a low position
D) Limit fluid intake
Answer: C - Use bed alarms and keep the bed in a low position
Rationale: These measures reduce the risk of falls.
Question 6:
What is the primary role of the nurse during the implementation phase of the nursing
process?
A) Delivering care and interventions
B) Analyzing patient data
C) Establishing nursing diagnoses
D) Evaluating patient outcomes
Answer: A - Delivering care and interventions
Rationale: The implementation phase involves executing the care plan.
Question 7:
What is a key component of patient education regarding medication administration?
A) Instructing the patient to take medications as prescribed
B) Advising the patient to stop medications if side effects occur
C) Encouraging the patient to share medications with family
D) Informing the patient to take medications with any liquid
Answer: A - Instructing the patient to take medications as prescribed
Rationale: Adherence to prescribed medications is critical for effective treatment.
,Question 8:
What is the most important nursing action before administering a medication?
A) Check the patient's medical history
B) Verify the patient’s identity
C) Review the medication side effects
D) Document the medication administration
Answer: B - Verify the patient’s identity
Rationale: Confirming the patient's identity prevents medication errors.
Question 9:
Which of the following is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for a patient with chronic
pain?
A) Acute Pain
B) Chronic Pain
C) Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
D) Impaired Physical Mobility
Answer: B - Chronic Pain
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis should accurately reflect the patient's ongoing
condition.
Question 10:
What is the main purpose of a nursing care plan?
A) To increase the nurse's workload
B) To provide individualized patient care
C) To document patient history
D) To ensure compliance with hospital policies
Answer: B - To provide individualized patient care
Rationale: Care plans are tailored to meet each patient's specific needs.
Question 11:
Which assessment finding would indicate a possible infection?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Elevated white blood cell count
C) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
D) Temperature of 98.6°F
, Answer: B - Elevated white blood cell count
Rationale: An increased WBC count often indicates an infection.
Question 12:
What is the best action for a nurse when a patient expresses anxiety about a procedure?
A) Provide reassurance and explain the procedure
B) Ignore the patient’s concerns
C) Tell the patient not to worry
D) Proceed with the procedure quickly
Answer: A - Provide reassurance and explain the procedure
Rationale: Addressing anxiety helps improve patient cooperation and comfort.
Question 13:
What is the appropriate nursing action when a patient is in respiratory distress?
A) Assess the patient’s pain level
B) Administer oxygen as prescribed
C) Encourage the patient to speak
D) Check blood pressure
Answer: B - Administer oxygen as prescribed
Rationale: Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention for patients in respiratory distress.
Question 14:
Which finding would indicate effective pain management in a postoperative patient?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Patient grimacing
C) Patient reports pain level of 2/10
D) Elevated blood pressure
Answer: C - Patient reports pain level of 2/10
Rationale: A low pain level indicates effective pain management.
Question 15:
What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare
setting?
Verified Questions with Detailed Answers and
Rationales | Latest 2025/2026 Comprehensive
Nursing Fundamentals Study Guide for BSN
Students and NCLEX Preparation
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of the nursing process?
A) To document patient care
B) To provide a systematic approach to patient care
C) To increase hospital revenue
D) To manage staff schedules
Answer: B - To provide a systematic approach to patient care
Rationale: The nursing process is a structured method for delivering care to patients.
Question 2:
What is the first step in the nursing process?
A) Assessment
B) Diagnosis
C) Planning
D) Implementation
Answer: A - Assessment
Rationale: Assessment is the initial step where data about the patient is collected.
Question 3:
Which of the following is an example of a subjective assessment finding?
A) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
B) "I have a headache."
C) Temperature of 101°F
D) Heart rate of 72 bpm
Answer: B - "I have a headache."
Rationale: Subjective data is based on the patient's feelings or statements.
Question 4:
What is the priority nursing action when a patient is experiencing shortness of breath?
,A) Ask about the patient's medical history
B) Administer oxygen therapy
C) Perform a physical assessment
D) Document the finding
Answer: B - Administer oxygen therapy
Rationale: Providing oxygen is essential for addressing shortness of breath.
Question 5:
Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a patient with a risk for falls?
A) Encourage independence
B) Place the patient in a private room
C) Use bed alarms and keep the bed in a low position
D) Limit fluid intake
Answer: C - Use bed alarms and keep the bed in a low position
Rationale: These measures reduce the risk of falls.
Question 6:
What is the primary role of the nurse during the implementation phase of the nursing
process?
A) Delivering care and interventions
B) Analyzing patient data
C) Establishing nursing diagnoses
D) Evaluating patient outcomes
Answer: A - Delivering care and interventions
Rationale: The implementation phase involves executing the care plan.
Question 7:
What is a key component of patient education regarding medication administration?
A) Instructing the patient to take medications as prescribed
B) Advising the patient to stop medications if side effects occur
C) Encouraging the patient to share medications with family
D) Informing the patient to take medications with any liquid
Answer: A - Instructing the patient to take medications as prescribed
Rationale: Adherence to prescribed medications is critical for effective treatment.
,Question 8:
What is the most important nursing action before administering a medication?
A) Check the patient's medical history
B) Verify the patient’s identity
C) Review the medication side effects
D) Document the medication administration
Answer: B - Verify the patient’s identity
Rationale: Confirming the patient's identity prevents medication errors.
Question 9:
Which of the following is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for a patient with chronic
pain?
A) Acute Pain
B) Chronic Pain
C) Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
D) Impaired Physical Mobility
Answer: B - Chronic Pain
Rationale: The nursing diagnosis should accurately reflect the patient's ongoing
condition.
Question 10:
What is the main purpose of a nursing care plan?
A) To increase the nurse's workload
B) To provide individualized patient care
C) To document patient history
D) To ensure compliance with hospital policies
Answer: B - To provide individualized patient care
Rationale: Care plans are tailored to meet each patient's specific needs.
Question 11:
Which assessment finding would indicate a possible infection?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Elevated white blood cell count
C) Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
D) Temperature of 98.6°F
, Answer: B - Elevated white blood cell count
Rationale: An increased WBC count often indicates an infection.
Question 12:
What is the best action for a nurse when a patient expresses anxiety about a procedure?
A) Provide reassurance and explain the procedure
B) Ignore the patient’s concerns
C) Tell the patient not to worry
D) Proceed with the procedure quickly
Answer: A - Provide reassurance and explain the procedure
Rationale: Addressing anxiety helps improve patient cooperation and comfort.
Question 13:
What is the appropriate nursing action when a patient is in respiratory distress?
A) Assess the patient’s pain level
B) Administer oxygen as prescribed
C) Encourage the patient to speak
D) Check blood pressure
Answer: B - Administer oxygen as prescribed
Rationale: Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention for patients in respiratory distress.
Question 14:
Which finding would indicate effective pain management in a postoperative patient?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Patient grimacing
C) Patient reports pain level of 2/10
D) Elevated blood pressure
Answer: C - Patient reports pain level of 2/10
Rationale: A low pain level indicates effective pain management.
Question 15:
What is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection in a healthcare
setting?
