ATI CMS Fundamentals Proctored Exam
2026 | Verified Questions & Expert Rationales
| Scored A+ | Updated for 2025–2026
ATI CMS Fundamentals Proctored Exam –
Practice Questions 1–50 (2025–2026)
1. Before administering any medication, the nurse should:
A. Ask the patient about allergies
B. Check the medication expiration date
C. Verify the provider’s order
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Safety requires verifying allergies, the order, and medication integrity before
administration.
2. The best method to prevent hospital-acquired infections is:
A. Using gloves only when touching blood
B. Frequent hand hygiene
C. Wearing a mask at all times
D. Limiting patient contact
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective method to prevent infection.
3. When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should:
,A. Rub hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and water
B. Use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds if hands are not visibly soiled
C. Rinse hands under cold water only
D. Skip handwashing if wearing gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based sanitizer is effective when hands are not visibly soiled; soap and
water is needed if soiled.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with an indwelling catheter. To prevent
infection, the nurse should:
A. Maintain a closed drainage system
B. Clean the insertion site with alcohol daily
C. Disconnect the tubing for easier drainage
D. Empty the bag only when full
Answer: A
Rationale: Maintaining a closed system reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTIs).
5. When measuring blood pressure, the nurse should:
A. Use the same arm for all readings
B. Use a cuff that fits correctly
C. Position the arm at heart level
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Accurate readings require proper cuff size, positioning, and consistency in arm
selection.
6. A patient has a new IV. The nurse’s priority assessment is:
A. Patency, site redness, swelling
B. Dressing type
C. IV bag expiration date
D. Documentation
, Answer: A
Rationale: Ensuring patency and absence of infiltration or infection is critical for patient safety.
7. When giving an intramuscular injection, the nurse should:
A. Use a 25–27 gauge needle for adults
B. Aspirate in all injections
C. Rotate injection sites regularly
D. Inject slowly and at a 45° angle
Answer: C
Rationale: Rotating sites prevents tissue damage; IM injections are given at 90°, and aspiration
is no longer recommended for most medications.
8. When documenting patient care, the nurse should:
A. Include all assessments and interventions
B. Use subjective language
C. Document before performing care
D. Use abbreviations without verifying
Answer: A
Rationale: Complete, factual documentation ensures accurate communication and legal
protection.
9. Patient safety requires fall prevention. Which intervention is most
effective?
A. Keeping the call light within reach
B. Using bed rails properly
C. Assessing fall risk at each shift
D. All of the above
Answer: D
10. When caring for a patient with a surgical wound, the nurse should:
2026 | Verified Questions & Expert Rationales
| Scored A+ | Updated for 2025–2026
ATI CMS Fundamentals Proctored Exam –
Practice Questions 1–50 (2025–2026)
1. Before administering any medication, the nurse should:
A. Ask the patient about allergies
B. Check the medication expiration date
C. Verify the provider’s order
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Safety requires verifying allergies, the order, and medication integrity before
administration.
2. The best method to prevent hospital-acquired infections is:
A. Using gloves only when touching blood
B. Frequent hand hygiene
C. Wearing a mask at all times
D. Limiting patient contact
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective method to prevent infection.
3. When performing hand hygiene, the nurse should:
,A. Rub hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and water
B. Use hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds if hands are not visibly soiled
C. Rinse hands under cold water only
D. Skip handwashing if wearing gloves
Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based sanitizer is effective when hands are not visibly soiled; soap and
water is needed if soiled.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient with an indwelling catheter. To prevent
infection, the nurse should:
A. Maintain a closed drainage system
B. Clean the insertion site with alcohol daily
C. Disconnect the tubing for easier drainage
D. Empty the bag only when full
Answer: A
Rationale: Maintaining a closed system reduces the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract
infections (CAUTIs).
5. When measuring blood pressure, the nurse should:
A. Use the same arm for all readings
B. Use a cuff that fits correctly
C. Position the arm at heart level
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Accurate readings require proper cuff size, positioning, and consistency in arm
selection.
6. A patient has a new IV. The nurse’s priority assessment is:
A. Patency, site redness, swelling
B. Dressing type
C. IV bag expiration date
D. Documentation
, Answer: A
Rationale: Ensuring patency and absence of infiltration or infection is critical for patient safety.
7. When giving an intramuscular injection, the nurse should:
A. Use a 25–27 gauge needle for adults
B. Aspirate in all injections
C. Rotate injection sites regularly
D. Inject slowly and at a 45° angle
Answer: C
Rationale: Rotating sites prevents tissue damage; IM injections are given at 90°, and aspiration
is no longer recommended for most medications.
8. When documenting patient care, the nurse should:
A. Include all assessments and interventions
B. Use subjective language
C. Document before performing care
D. Use abbreviations without verifying
Answer: A
Rationale: Complete, factual documentation ensures accurate communication and legal
protection.
9. Patient safety requires fall prevention. Which intervention is most
effective?
A. Keeping the call light within reach
B. Using bed rails properly
C. Assessing fall risk at each shift
D. All of the above
Answer: D
10. When caring for a patient with a surgical wound, the nurse should:
