ATI RN Fundamentals Proctored
Exam 2026: The Ultimate 200-
Questions Practice Bank with NGN-
Style Rationales With Correct
Verified Answers Latest 2026[Most
Recent]/Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse enters a client's room to obtain vital signs. What is the
priority action?
• A. Put on gloves
• B. Perform hand hygiene
• C. Adjust the bed height
• D. Introduce herself
Correct Answer: B. Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to
prevent the transmission of microorganisms and is the priority
action before any client contact .
2. Which client requires standard precautions only?
• A. A client with active tuberculosis
• B. A client with influenza
• C. A client with a MRSA wound infection
• D. A client with hypertension
Correct Answer: D. A client with hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension is a non-infectious condition and requires
only standard precautions. Conditions like TB, influenza, and MRSA
require transmission-based precautions in addition to standard
precautions .
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions maintains sterile technique?
, • A. Placing the sterile field on a clean bedside table
• B. Opening the sterile package towards the body
• C. Using sterile gloves to handle the catheter
• D. Allowing the sterile field to become wet
Correct Answer: C. Using sterile gloves to handle the catheter
Rationale: Using sterile gloves is a key component of maintaining
a sterile field and preventing infection during a sterile procedure
like catheter insertion .
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical incision. Which
finding indicates wound infection?
• A. Serosanguineous drainage
• B. Wound edges approximated
• C. Purulent drainage with foul odor
• D. Decreased pain at site
Correct Answer: C. Purulent drainage with foul odor
Rationale: Purulent (thick, yellow/green) drainage with a foul odor
is a classic sign of infection. Serosanguineous drainage and
approximated edges are normal findings in a healing wound .
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridium difficile. Which
hand hygiene method is most appropriate?
• A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• B. Antimicrobial soap and water
• C. Chlorhexidine wipes
• D. Plain soap only
Correct Answer: B. Antimicrobial soap and water
Rationale: C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol-based
sanitizers. The nurse must wash hands with antimicrobial or plain
soap and water using friction for at least 20 seconds .
6. A nurse is donning personal protective equipment (PPE) to enter
a client's room. Which item should be put on first?
• A. Gloves
• B. Gown
• C. Mask
, • D. Goggles
Correct Answer: B. Gown
Rationale: The gown is put on first, followed by the mask, goggles,
and gloves last. This sequence ensures the gloves remain sterile
and the gown covers other PPE .
7. A nurse is removing PPE after leaving a client's room. Which item
should be removed first?
• A. Gloves
• B. Gown
• C. Mask
• D. Goggles
Correct Answer: A. Gloves
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated and
should be removed first, followed by goggles, gown, and mask
last .
8. A client is using a cane for mobility. Which instruction is correct?
• A. Hold the cane on the weak side
• B. Hold the cane on the strong side
• C. Advance the cane with the weak leg
• D. Advance the cane with the strong leg
Correct Answer: B. Hold the cane on the strong side
Rationale: The cane should be held on the strong side and
advanced with the weak leg to provide support and maintain
balance .
9. A nurse is preparing to apply wrist restraints. Which assessment is
required?
• A. Respiratory rate every 8 hours
• B. Skin integrity and circulation every 2 hours
• C. Blood pressure every 4 hours
• D. Temperature every shift
Correct Answer: B. Skin integrity and circulation every 2 hours
Rationale: Skin integrity and circulation must be assessed at least
, every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown and neurovascular
compromise. Restraints should be removed periodically .
10. A client is at risk for aspiration. Which action should the nurse
take during feeding?
• A. Place the client in a supine position
• B. Offer thin liquids to ease swallowing
• C. Position the client in high Fowler's position
• D. Allow the client to self-feed without supervision
Correct Answer: C. Position the client in high Fowler's position
Rationale: High Fowler's position (sitting upright) uses gravity to
help prevent aspiration and maintain a patent airway .
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has left lower atelectasis. In
which of the following positions should the nurse place the client
for postural drainage?
• A. Left lateral in Trendelenburg position
• B. Right lateral in Trendelenburg position
• C. Supine with the head elevated
• D. Prone with the foot of the bed elevated
Correct Answer: B. Right lateral in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: This position uses gravity to help drain the affected
lung segments. For left lower lobe, the client is positioned on the
right side with the head down .
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine
5mg IM and accidentally administers the whole 10 mg from the
single-dose vial. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
• A. Call the provider
• B. Document the error
• C. Complete an incident report
• D. Measure the client's respiratory rate
Correct Answer: D. Measure the client's respiratory rate
Rationale: The priority is to assess the client. A respiratory rate of
Exam 2026: The Ultimate 200-
Questions Practice Bank with NGN-
Style Rationales With Correct
Verified Answers Latest 2026[Most
Recent]/Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse enters a client's room to obtain vital signs. What is the
priority action?
• A. Put on gloves
• B. Perform hand hygiene
• C. Adjust the bed height
• D. Introduce herself
Correct Answer: B. Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to
prevent the transmission of microorganisms and is the priority
action before any client contact .
2. Which client requires standard precautions only?
• A. A client with active tuberculosis
• B. A client with influenza
• C. A client with a MRSA wound infection
• D. A client with hypertension
Correct Answer: D. A client with hypertension
Rationale: Hypertension is a non-infectious condition and requires
only standard precautions. Conditions like TB, influenza, and MRSA
require transmission-based precautions in addition to standard
precautions .
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions maintains sterile technique?
, • A. Placing the sterile field on a clean bedside table
• B. Opening the sterile package towards the body
• C. Using sterile gloves to handle the catheter
• D. Allowing the sterile field to become wet
Correct Answer: C. Using sterile gloves to handle the catheter
Rationale: Using sterile gloves is a key component of maintaining
a sterile field and preventing infection during a sterile procedure
like catheter insertion .
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical incision. Which
finding indicates wound infection?
• A. Serosanguineous drainage
• B. Wound edges approximated
• C. Purulent drainage with foul odor
• D. Decreased pain at site
Correct Answer: C. Purulent drainage with foul odor
Rationale: Purulent (thick, yellow/green) drainage with a foul odor
is a classic sign of infection. Serosanguineous drainage and
approximated edges are normal findings in a healing wound .
5. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridium difficile. Which
hand hygiene method is most appropriate?
• A. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• B. Antimicrobial soap and water
• C. Chlorhexidine wipes
• D. Plain soap only
Correct Answer: B. Antimicrobial soap and water
Rationale: C. difficile spores are not killed by alcohol-based
sanitizers. The nurse must wash hands with antimicrobial or plain
soap and water using friction for at least 20 seconds .
6. A nurse is donning personal protective equipment (PPE) to enter
a client's room. Which item should be put on first?
• A. Gloves
• B. Gown
• C. Mask
, • D. Goggles
Correct Answer: B. Gown
Rationale: The gown is put on first, followed by the mask, goggles,
and gloves last. This sequence ensures the gloves remain sterile
and the gown covers other PPE .
7. A nurse is removing PPE after leaving a client's room. Which item
should be removed first?
• A. Gloves
• B. Gown
• C. Mask
• D. Goggles
Correct Answer: A. Gloves
Rationale: Gloves are considered the most contaminated and
should be removed first, followed by goggles, gown, and mask
last .
8. A client is using a cane for mobility. Which instruction is correct?
• A. Hold the cane on the weak side
• B. Hold the cane on the strong side
• C. Advance the cane with the weak leg
• D. Advance the cane with the strong leg
Correct Answer: B. Hold the cane on the strong side
Rationale: The cane should be held on the strong side and
advanced with the weak leg to provide support and maintain
balance .
9. A nurse is preparing to apply wrist restraints. Which assessment is
required?
• A. Respiratory rate every 8 hours
• B. Skin integrity and circulation every 2 hours
• C. Blood pressure every 4 hours
• D. Temperature every shift
Correct Answer: B. Skin integrity and circulation every 2 hours
Rationale: Skin integrity and circulation must be assessed at least
, every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown and neurovascular
compromise. Restraints should be removed periodically .
10. A client is at risk for aspiration. Which action should the nurse
take during feeding?
• A. Place the client in a supine position
• B. Offer thin liquids to ease swallowing
• C. Position the client in high Fowler's position
• D. Allow the client to self-feed without supervision
Correct Answer: C. Position the client in high Fowler's position
Rationale: High Fowler's position (sitting upright) uses gravity to
help prevent aspiration and maintain a patent airway .
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has left lower atelectasis. In
which of the following positions should the nurse place the client
for postural drainage?
• A. Left lateral in Trendelenburg position
• B. Right lateral in Trendelenburg position
• C. Supine with the head elevated
• D. Prone with the foot of the bed elevated
Correct Answer: B. Right lateral in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: This position uses gravity to help drain the affected
lung segments. For left lower lobe, the client is positioned on the
right side with the head down .
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine
5mg IM and accidentally administers the whole 10 mg from the
single-dose vial. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
• A. Call the provider
• B. Document the error
• C. Complete an incident report
• D. Measure the client's respiratory rate
Correct Answer: D. Measure the client's respiratory rate
Rationale: The priority is to assess the client. A respiratory rate of
