ATI RN Comprehensive Predictor 2026 – Version 2:
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Exam (180 Questions with
Detailed Rationales)
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action helps maintain surgical
asepsis during the procedure?
A. Place the sterile kit on the client’s over-bed table.
B. Keep the sterile field above waist level.
C. Pour antiseptic solution directly onto sterile gloves.
D. Touch the catheter tip with sterile gloves after insertion.
Answer: B
Rationale: The sterile field must remain above waist level and within sight to maintain asepsis. Touching
nonsterile objects or dropping below waist level contaminates the field.
2. A nurse is performing hand hygiene after removing gloves. Which handwashing technique is correct?
A. Wash hands for at least 10 seconds.
B. Turn off the faucet using bare hands.
C. Rub hands together vigorously for 20 seconds.
D. Rinse with very hot water to kill bacteria.
Answer: C
Rationale: Friction for at least 20 seconds mechanically removes microorganisms. Warm (not hot) water
prevents skin irritation.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about fire safety (RACE). What is the correct order of actions?
1. Contain the fire.
2. Activate the alarm.
3. Rescue the clients.
4. Extinguish the fire.
Answer: 3, 2, 1, 4
Rationale: RACE: Rescue → Alarm → Contain → Extinguish. Prioritize life safety first.
4. A nurse prepares to administer ear drops to an adult. Which step should be performed? A. Pull
the auricle down and back.
B. Pull the auricle up and back.
C. Insert the dropper deeply into the canal.
,D. Administer the medication directly onto the eardrum.
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulling the pinna up and back straightens the ear canal for adults. For children under 3, pull
down and back.
5. (Select all that apply) A nurse identifies clients at risk for falls. Which situations increase fall risk?
☑ A. Client with orthostatic hypotension
☑ B. Client taking opioid analgesics
☐ C. Client who exercises daily
☑ D. Client with visual impairment ☐
E. Client who uses nonskid footwear
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension, opioid use, and poor vision increase fall risk. Regular exercise and
proper footwear reduce it.
6. A nurse collects data from a client with influenza. Which type of isolation precaution is required? A.
Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective Answer: B
Rationale: Droplet precautions prevent spread of pathogens like influenza, meningitis, and pertussis.
7. Which finding indicates the need to use protective (reverse) isolation?
A. Client with tuberculosis
B. Client with measles
C. Client with neutropenia after chemotherapy
D. Client with MRSA
Answer: C
Rationale: Protective isolation prevents infection in immunocompromised clients (e.g., neutropenia).
8. The nurse is documenting an incident report after a client falls. Which statement is correct?
A. “Client appeared careless and unsteady.”
B. “Client fell while trying to reach for water pitcher.”
C. “Incident was due to staff negligence.”
D. “Client stated staff did not assist appropriately.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation must be objective, factual, and free from blame or opinion.
9. A nurse should identify which of the following as an example of a violation of client confidentiality?
,A. Sharing information with the charge nurse
B. Reporting findings to the provider
C. Discussing client details in the hallway
D. Documenting care in the electronic chart
Answer: C
Rationale: Discussing client information where others can overhear breaches HIPAA confidentiality.
10. When transferring a client from bed to wheelchair, what should the nurse do first? A.
Lock the wheelchair brakes.
B. Assist the client to stand.
C. Raise the bed height.
D. Place a blanket on the seat.
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety first—locking the wheelchair prevents movement during transfer.
11. A nurse prepares to provide oral hygiene to an unconscious client. What is the most important
action?
A. Brush the teeth using firm pressure.
B. Place the client in a side-lying position.
C. Use a large amount of water to rinse.
D. Clean the tongue with a cotton swab only.
Answer: B
Rationale: Side-lying position prevents aspiration during oral care in unconscious clients.
12. (Select all that apply) Which actions reduce the risk of infection during indwelling catheter care?
☑ A. Clean from the urethral meatus outward
☑ B. Maintain a closed drainage system
☐ C. Hang the drainage bag above bladder level
☑ D. Perform hand hygiene before and after ☐
E. Disconnect the tubing daily to drain urine
Rationale: Cleaning outward, maintaining a closed system, and hand hygiene prevent infection. The bag
should stay below bladder level.
13. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about incentive spirometry. Which instruction should be included?
A. “Exhale as deeply as possible into the mouthpiece.”
B. “Inhale slowly and hold your breath for 3–5 seconds.”
C. “Use the spirometer once per day.”
D. “Exhale forcefully to raise the indicator.”
Answer: B
, Rationale: Slow inhalation and breath-hold promote alveolar expansion and prevent atelectasis.
14. A nurse observes a colleague document care provided to a client that was not actually performed.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Report the observation to the charge nurse
C. Ask the coworker privately to change the note
D. Alter the documentation to match reality
Answer: B
Rationale: Falsifying documentation is unethical and illegal; report per facility policy.
15. Which nursing action demonstrates advocacy?
A. Ensuring client understands all treatment options before consenting
B. Telling the family about the client’s condition without permission
C. Signing consent forms for the client
D. Encouraging the client to follow provider orders
Answer: A
Rationale: Advocacy protects clients’ rights and ensures informed decision-making.
16. (Ordered response) Arrange the steps for removing PPE (personal protective equipment):
1. Remove gloves
2. Remove goggles/face shield
3. Remove gown
4. Perform hand hygiene Answer: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4
Rationale: Gloves (most contaminated) are removed first, followed by goggles, gown, and then
hand hygiene.
17. A nurse notes redness at a client’s sacral area. What is the priority action?
A. Apply a hydrocolloid dressing
B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
C. Massage the reddened area
D. Increase protein intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and prevents tissue breakdown.
18. Which finding indicates proper use of a cane on the left side?
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice Exam (180 Questions with
Detailed Rationales)
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action helps maintain surgical
asepsis during the procedure?
A. Place the sterile kit on the client’s over-bed table.
B. Keep the sterile field above waist level.
C. Pour antiseptic solution directly onto sterile gloves.
D. Touch the catheter tip with sterile gloves after insertion.
Answer: B
Rationale: The sterile field must remain above waist level and within sight to maintain asepsis. Touching
nonsterile objects or dropping below waist level contaminates the field.
2. A nurse is performing hand hygiene after removing gloves. Which handwashing technique is correct?
A. Wash hands for at least 10 seconds.
B. Turn off the faucet using bare hands.
C. Rub hands together vigorously for 20 seconds.
D. Rinse with very hot water to kill bacteria.
Answer: C
Rationale: Friction for at least 20 seconds mechanically removes microorganisms. Warm (not hot) water
prevents skin irritation.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about fire safety (RACE). What is the correct order of actions?
1. Contain the fire.
2. Activate the alarm.
3. Rescue the clients.
4. Extinguish the fire.
Answer: 3, 2, 1, 4
Rationale: RACE: Rescue → Alarm → Contain → Extinguish. Prioritize life safety first.
4. A nurse prepares to administer ear drops to an adult. Which step should be performed? A. Pull
the auricle down and back.
B. Pull the auricle up and back.
C. Insert the dropper deeply into the canal.
,D. Administer the medication directly onto the eardrum.
Answer: B
Rationale: Pulling the pinna up and back straightens the ear canal for adults. For children under 3, pull
down and back.
5. (Select all that apply) A nurse identifies clients at risk for falls. Which situations increase fall risk?
☑ A. Client with orthostatic hypotension
☑ B. Client taking opioid analgesics
☐ C. Client who exercises daily
☑ D. Client with visual impairment ☐
E. Client who uses nonskid footwear
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension, opioid use, and poor vision increase fall risk. Regular exercise and
proper footwear reduce it.
6. A nurse collects data from a client with influenza. Which type of isolation precaution is required? A.
Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective Answer: B
Rationale: Droplet precautions prevent spread of pathogens like influenza, meningitis, and pertussis.
7. Which finding indicates the need to use protective (reverse) isolation?
A. Client with tuberculosis
B. Client with measles
C. Client with neutropenia after chemotherapy
D. Client with MRSA
Answer: C
Rationale: Protective isolation prevents infection in immunocompromised clients (e.g., neutropenia).
8. The nurse is documenting an incident report after a client falls. Which statement is correct?
A. “Client appeared careless and unsteady.”
B. “Client fell while trying to reach for water pitcher.”
C. “Incident was due to staff negligence.”
D. “Client stated staff did not assist appropriately.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Documentation must be objective, factual, and free from blame or opinion.
9. A nurse should identify which of the following as an example of a violation of client confidentiality?
,A. Sharing information with the charge nurse
B. Reporting findings to the provider
C. Discussing client details in the hallway
D. Documenting care in the electronic chart
Answer: C
Rationale: Discussing client information where others can overhear breaches HIPAA confidentiality.
10. When transferring a client from bed to wheelchair, what should the nurse do first? A.
Lock the wheelchair brakes.
B. Assist the client to stand.
C. Raise the bed height.
D. Place a blanket on the seat.
Answer: A
Rationale: Safety first—locking the wheelchair prevents movement during transfer.
11. A nurse prepares to provide oral hygiene to an unconscious client. What is the most important
action?
A. Brush the teeth using firm pressure.
B. Place the client in a side-lying position.
C. Use a large amount of water to rinse.
D. Clean the tongue with a cotton swab only.
Answer: B
Rationale: Side-lying position prevents aspiration during oral care in unconscious clients.
12. (Select all that apply) Which actions reduce the risk of infection during indwelling catheter care?
☑ A. Clean from the urethral meatus outward
☑ B. Maintain a closed drainage system
☐ C. Hang the drainage bag above bladder level
☑ D. Perform hand hygiene before and after ☐
E. Disconnect the tubing daily to drain urine
Rationale: Cleaning outward, maintaining a closed system, and hand hygiene prevent infection. The bag
should stay below bladder level.
13. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about incentive spirometry. Which instruction should be included?
A. “Exhale as deeply as possible into the mouthpiece.”
B. “Inhale slowly and hold your breath for 3–5 seconds.”
C. “Use the spirometer once per day.”
D. “Exhale forcefully to raise the indicator.”
Answer: B
, Rationale: Slow inhalation and breath-hold promote alveolar expansion and prevent atelectasis.
14. A nurse observes a colleague document care provided to a client that was not actually performed.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Ignore the situation
B. Report the observation to the charge nurse
C. Ask the coworker privately to change the note
D. Alter the documentation to match reality
Answer: B
Rationale: Falsifying documentation is unethical and illegal; report per facility policy.
15. Which nursing action demonstrates advocacy?
A. Ensuring client understands all treatment options before consenting
B. Telling the family about the client’s condition without permission
C. Signing consent forms for the client
D. Encouraging the client to follow provider orders
Answer: A
Rationale: Advocacy protects clients’ rights and ensures informed decision-making.
16. (Ordered response) Arrange the steps for removing PPE (personal protective equipment):
1. Remove gloves
2. Remove goggles/face shield
3. Remove gown
4. Perform hand hygiene Answer: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4
Rationale: Gloves (most contaminated) are removed first, followed by goggles, gown, and then
hand hygiene.
17. A nurse notes redness at a client’s sacral area. What is the priority action?
A. Apply a hydrocolloid dressing
B. Reposition the client every 2 hours
C. Massage the reddened area
D. Increase protein intake
Answer: B
Rationale: Frequent repositioning relieves pressure and prevents tissue breakdown.
18. Which finding indicates proper use of a cane on the left side?
