ATI FUNDAMENTALS PRACTICE B QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
Introduction
This examination is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical judgment essential for safe,
entry-level practice. It covers key areas including patient safety, basic care, pharmacological principles, legal-
ethical parameters, and the nursing process. Each item is structured as a multiple-choice question or clinical
scenario that requires application of theory to realistic patient situations. Emphasis is placed on prioritization,
delegation, and evidence-based decision-making. This assessment prepares learners for standardized testing
environments and reinforces the critical thinking skills necessary for competent, patient-centered care across
diverse healthcare settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who requires a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile package, which
action by the nurse maintains sterility?
A. Placing the sterile supplies 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field
B. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an additional item
C. Pouring sterile solution into a container held at the edge of the sterile field
D. Allowing the sterile field to become wet without changing it
🟢 A. Placing the sterile supplies 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field
🔴 RATIONALE: A sterile field’s outer 2.5 cm (1 inch) border is considered non-sterile. Placing supplies at least
this distance from the edge maintains sterility. Reaching across, pouring from a height causing splashing, or
allowing moisture to wick contaminants all break sterility.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client’s peripheral vascular status. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. +2 pedal pulses bilaterally
B. Capillary refill of 3 seconds in the toes
C. Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
D. Cool feet with symmetric hair distribution
🟢 C. Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
🔴 RATIONALE: Unilateral calf swelling and warmth suggest deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires
,immediate intervention to prevent pulmonary embolism. Symmetric findings, normal pulses, and capillary refill
under 3–5 seconds are expected.
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching about foot care to a client with diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will trim my toenails straight across.”
B. “I will soak my feet daily to soften calluses.”
C. “I will check the inside of my shoes before wearing them.”
D. “I will apply lotion to my feet but not between my toes.”
🟢 B. “I will soak my feet daily to soften calluses.”
🔴 RATIONALE: Soaking feet increases maceration and infection risk in clients with diabetes. Toenails should be
trimmed straight across, shoes checked for foreign objects, and lotion applied avoiding between toes to
prevent fungal growth.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric tube. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents
C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
D. Check the residual volume
🟢 B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents
🔴 RATIONALE: Confirming correct tube placement is the priority before any enteral feeding to prevent
aspiration or mediastinal instillation. Residual check, elevation, and flushing follow placement verification.
, Question 5
A nurse observes a client having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Insert a padded tongue blade into the client’s mouth
B. Restrain the client’s arms to prevent injury
C. Turn the client to a lateral position
D. Administer intravenous lorazepam
🟢 C. Turn the client to a lateral position
🔴 RATIONALE: Turning the client to a lateral position maintains a patent airway and allows secretions to drain,
preventing aspiration. Do not insert anything into the mouth or restrain. Medication is not first-line during an
active seizure without orders.
Question 6
A nurse is evaluating a client’s understanding of a low-sodium diet. Which meal choice indicates teaching was
effective?
A. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, baked potato with unsalted margarine
B. Ham sandwich on rye bread with pickles and mustard
C. Canned tomato soup with saltine crackers and cheese
D. Deli roast beef with sauerkraut and french fries
🟢 A. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, baked potato with unsalted margarine
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh or grilled meats, vegetables, and unsalted margarine are naturally low in sodium. Ham,
pickles, canned soups, deli meats, sauerkraut, and cheese are high-sodium choices.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of terminal cancer. The client states, “I don’t believe this is
happening to me. There must be a mistake.” The nurse identifies that the client is in which stage of grief
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safety and Infection Control
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Psychosocial Integrity
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
Introduction
This examination is designed to assess foundational nursing knowledge and clinical judgment essential for safe,
entry-level practice. It covers key areas including patient safety, basic care, pharmacological principles, legal-
ethical parameters, and the nursing process. Each item is structured as a multiple-choice question or clinical
scenario that requires application of theory to realistic patient situations. Emphasis is placed on prioritization,
delegation, and evidence-based decision-making. This assessment prepares learners for standardized testing
environments and reinforces the critical thinking skills necessary for competent, patient-centered care across
diverse healthcare settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who requires a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile package, which
action by the nurse maintains sterility?
A. Placing the sterile supplies 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field
B. Reaching across the sterile field to retrieve an additional item
C. Pouring sterile solution into a container held at the edge of the sterile field
D. Allowing the sterile field to become wet without changing it
🟢 A. Placing the sterile supplies 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field
🔴 RATIONALE: A sterile field’s outer 2.5 cm (1 inch) border is considered non-sterile. Placing supplies at least
this distance from the edge maintains sterility. Reaching across, pouring from a height causing splashing, or
allowing moisture to wick contaminants all break sterility.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client’s peripheral vascular status. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A. +2 pedal pulses bilaterally
B. Capillary refill of 3 seconds in the toes
C. Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
D. Cool feet with symmetric hair distribution
🟢 C. Unilateral calf swelling and warmth
🔴 RATIONALE: Unilateral calf swelling and warmth suggest deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which requires
,immediate intervention to prevent pulmonary embolism. Symmetric findings, normal pulses, and capillary refill
under 3–5 seconds are expected.
Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching about foot care to a client with diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will trim my toenails straight across.”
B. “I will soak my feet daily to soften calluses.”
C. “I will check the inside of my shoes before wearing them.”
D. “I will apply lotion to my feet but not between my toes.”
🟢 B. “I will soak my feet daily to soften calluses.”
🔴 RATIONALE: Soaking feet increases maceration and infection risk in clients with diabetes. Toenails should be
trimmed straight across, shoes checked for foreign objects, and lotion applied avoiding between toes to
prevent fungal growth.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding through a nasogastric tube. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water
B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents
C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30 degrees
D. Check the residual volume
🟢 B. Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents
🔴 RATIONALE: Confirming correct tube placement is the priority before any enteral feeding to prevent
aspiration or mediastinal instillation. Residual check, elevation, and flushing follow placement verification.
, Question 5
A nurse observes a client having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Insert a padded tongue blade into the client’s mouth
B. Restrain the client’s arms to prevent injury
C. Turn the client to a lateral position
D. Administer intravenous lorazepam
🟢 C. Turn the client to a lateral position
🔴 RATIONALE: Turning the client to a lateral position maintains a patent airway and allows secretions to drain,
preventing aspiration. Do not insert anything into the mouth or restrain. Medication is not first-line during an
active seizure without orders.
Question 6
A nurse is evaluating a client’s understanding of a low-sodium diet. Which meal choice indicates teaching was
effective?
A. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, baked potato with unsalted margarine
B. Ham sandwich on rye bread with pickles and mustard
C. Canned tomato soup with saltine crackers and cheese
D. Deli roast beef with sauerkraut and french fries
🟢 A. Grilled chicken breast, steamed broccoli, baked potato with unsalted margarine
🔴 RATIONALE: Fresh or grilled meats, vegetables, and unsalted margarine are naturally low in sodium. Ham,
pickles, canned soups, deli meats, sauerkraut, and cheese are high-sodium choices.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of terminal cancer. The client states, “I don’t believe this is
happening to me. There must be a mistake.” The nurse identifies that the client is in which stage of grief
