Exam 1: Fundamentals ATI Questions -
2026 Update COMPREHENSIVE
FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS and
verified answers WITH
RATIONALES|100% accurate answers
already graded A+
1. Which step of the nursing process involves analyzing patient data?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing diagnosis involves analyzing assessment data to identify patient
problems.
2. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic back pain
B. Client with acute shortness of breath
C. Client requesting pain medication
D. Client awaiting discharge
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority (ABCs).
3. Which action demonstrates evaluation?
A. Collecting vital signs
B. Administering medication
C. Determining if goals were met
D. Writing nursing diagnoses
Answer: C
Rationale: Evaluation determines the effectiveness of interventions.
4. Which nursing action is part of planning?
A. Identifying outcomes
B. Collecting data
C. Implementing care
D. Documenting findings
Answer: A
Rationale: Planning includes setting measurable goals and outcomes.
, 5. A nurse documents “patient reports pain 8/10.” This is:
A. Objective data
B. Assessment
C. Diagnosis
D. Subjective data
Answer: D
Rationale: Pain level reported by the patient is subjective.
SECTION 2 — SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL
6. Which action best prevents the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Donning a gown
D. Wearing a mask
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective infection control measure.
7. Which situation requires contact precautions?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Influenza
C. Clostridioides difficile
D. Varicella
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff requires contact precautions due to spore transmission.
8. Which patient is at greatest risk for falls?
A. 30-year-old with appendicitis
B. 65-year-old with cataracts
C. 45-year-old with asthma
D. 25-year-old postpartum client
Answer: B
Rationale: Visual impairment increases fall risk.
9. Which intervention reduces the risk of aspiration?
A. Supine positioning
B. Thickened liquids
C. Rapid feeding
D. Use of straws
Answer: B
Rationale: Thickened liquids reduce aspiration risk.
10. The nurse should place the bed in which position for a confused client?
A. Highest position
B. Trendelenburg
C. Lowest position
D. Fowler’s
, Answer: C
Rationale: Lowest position reduces fall risk.
SECTION 3 — VITAL SIGNS & BASIC CARE
11. Which vital sign is most affected by fever?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Pulse
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer: C
Rationale: Fever increases metabolic rate, raising heart rate.
12. Normal adult respiratory rate is:
A. 8–12/min
B. 12–20/min
C. 20–30/min
D. 30–40/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal adult RR is 12–20 breaths/min.
13. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. BP 118/72
B. HR 88
C. RR 32
D. Temp 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: C
Rationale: RR of 32 indicates respiratory distress.
14. A client is NPO. Which oral care action is appropriate?
A. Withhold all oral care
B. Use lemon-glycerin swabs
C. Provide frequent mouth care
D. Encourage fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: Oral care prevents mucosal dryness even when NPO.
15. Which position is best for eating?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Trendelenburg
D. Side-lying
Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s reduces aspiration risk.
2026 Update COMPREHENSIVE
FREQUENTLY TESTED QUESTIONS and
verified answers WITH
RATIONALES|100% accurate answers
already graded A+
1. Which step of the nursing process involves analyzing patient data?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Evaluation
Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing diagnosis involves analyzing assessment data to identify patient
problems.
2. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic back pain
B. Client with acute shortness of breath
C. Client requesting pain medication
D. Client awaiting discharge
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority (ABCs).
3. Which action demonstrates evaluation?
A. Collecting vital signs
B. Administering medication
C. Determining if goals were met
D. Writing nursing diagnoses
Answer: C
Rationale: Evaluation determines the effectiveness of interventions.
4. Which nursing action is part of planning?
A. Identifying outcomes
B. Collecting data
C. Implementing care
D. Documenting findings
Answer: A
Rationale: Planning includes setting measurable goals and outcomes.
, 5. A nurse documents “patient reports pain 8/10.” This is:
A. Objective data
B. Assessment
C. Diagnosis
D. Subjective data
Answer: D
Rationale: Pain level reported by the patient is subjective.
SECTION 2 — SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL
6. Which action best prevents the spread of infection?
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
C. Donning a gown
D. Wearing a mask
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective infection control measure.
7. Which situation requires contact precautions?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Influenza
C. Clostridioides difficile
D. Varicella
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff requires contact precautions due to spore transmission.
8. Which patient is at greatest risk for falls?
A. 30-year-old with appendicitis
B. 65-year-old with cataracts
C. 45-year-old with asthma
D. 25-year-old postpartum client
Answer: B
Rationale: Visual impairment increases fall risk.
9. Which intervention reduces the risk of aspiration?
A. Supine positioning
B. Thickened liquids
C. Rapid feeding
D. Use of straws
Answer: B
Rationale: Thickened liquids reduce aspiration risk.
10. The nurse should place the bed in which position for a confused client?
A. Highest position
B. Trendelenburg
C. Lowest position
D. Fowler’s
, Answer: C
Rationale: Lowest position reduces fall risk.
SECTION 3 — VITAL SIGNS & BASIC CARE
11. Which vital sign is most affected by fever?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Pulse
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer: C
Rationale: Fever increases metabolic rate, raising heart rate.
12. Normal adult respiratory rate is:
A. 8–12/min
B. 12–20/min
C. 20–30/min
D. 30–40/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal adult RR is 12–20 breaths/min.
13. Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. BP 118/72
B. HR 88
C. RR 32
D. Temp 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: C
Rationale: RR of 32 indicates respiratory distress.
14. A client is NPO. Which oral care action is appropriate?
A. Withhold all oral care
B. Use lemon-glycerin swabs
C. Provide frequent mouth care
D. Encourage fluids
Answer: C
Rationale: Oral care prevents mucosal dryness even when NPO.
15. Which position is best for eating?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Trendelenburg
D. Side-lying
Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s reduces aspiration risk.
