ATI FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Infection Control
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Psychosocial Integrity
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate foundational knowledge and clinical judgment essential for
success on the ATI Fundamentals Proctored examination. The exam measures proficiency in key nursing domains
including safety, infection control, basic care, pharmacology, ethics, and patient-centered decision-making. Each
question is presented in a multiple-choice or scenario-based format that mirrors real-world nursing practice.
Emphasis is placed on application, prioritization, and critical thinking in clinical settings. This resource supports
examination readiness by reinforcing correct answers with concise rationales. No dates or years are referenced to
ensure enduring relevance.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. Which action demonstrates the
correct technique for maintaining aseptic technique?
A. Opening the sterile kit and placing the sterile drape on the overbed table before washing hands
B. Using sterile gloves to handle the catheter but touching the patient’s perineum with ungloved fingers
C. Wearing sterile gloves and maintaining one sterile hand and one clean hand during the procedure
D. Positioning the patient supine and using clean gloves to cleanse the perineum before the sterile procedure
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Cleansing the perineum with clean gloves removes debris and reduces contamination before
the sterile phase. Sterile gloves are then applied for catheter insertion. Option A violates aseptic sequence; hand
hygiene must precede opening sterile supplies. Option B introduces contamination. Option C is incorrect
because both hands should be sterile when handling the catheter.
Question 2
A nurse observes a colleague administering a medication without checking the patient’s identification band.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor immediately
B. Remind the colleague to verify patient identity before future administrations
C. Document the omission in the patient’s chart as a near miss
D. Ignore the situation because the patient received the correct medication
,🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Direct, non-punitive peer reminders promote a safety culture. Reporting immediately may be
premature without addressing the colleague first. Documentation as a near miss is appropriate after discussion.
Ignoring the error is unsafe and unprofessional.
Question 3
A patient with a history of falls is at risk for injury. Which nursing intervention is most effective for preventing
falls?
A. Keeping the bed in the highest position for easy transfer
B. Placing all personal belongings on a high shelf
C. Locking the bed wheels and using bed alarms
D. Encouraging the patient to ambulate without assistance to build strength
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Locked bed wheels prevent unexpected movement, and bed alarms alert staff to attempts to
get up. High bed position increases fall risk. Placing belongings out of reach encourages unsafe reaching.
Ambulating without assistance increases injury risk.
Question 4
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new prescription for warfarin. Which patient
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take my medication at the same time every evening.”
B. “I will avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables.”
C. “I can take ibuprofen if I have a headache.”
D. “I will report any bleeding gums to my doctor.”
, 🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Ibuprofen increases bleeding risk when combined with warfarin. Acetaminophen is safer.
Consistent timing and avoiding vitamin K-rich foods are correct. Reporting bleeding gums is appropriate.
Question 5
A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile kit, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad
onto the patient’s bedside table, which is dry and clean. What should the nurse do?
A. Pick up the gauze and use it because the table appears clean
B. Discard the gauze and obtain a new sterile one
C. Rinse the gauze with sterile water and then use it
D. Move the gauze to the sterile field and continue
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Any sterile item that touches a non-sterile surface (even if clean) is considered contaminated
and must be discarded. Option A introduces infection risk. Option C does not restore sterility. Option D
contaminates the sterile field.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day one following abdominal surgery. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Pain level of 4 on a 0–10 scale
B. Temperature of 99.8°F (37.7°C)
C. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D. Purulent drainage from the incision site
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Management of Care
Infection Control
Basic Care and Comfort
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Reduction of Risk Potential
Physiological Adaptation
Psychosocial Integrity
Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate foundational knowledge and clinical judgment essential for
success on the ATI Fundamentals Proctored examination. The exam measures proficiency in key nursing domains
including safety, infection control, basic care, pharmacology, ethics, and patient-centered decision-making. Each
question is presented in a multiple-choice or scenario-based format that mirrors real-world nursing practice.
Emphasis is placed on application, prioritization, and critical thinking in clinical settings. This resource supports
examination readiness by reinforcing correct answers with concise rationales. No dates or years are referenced to
ensure enduring relevance.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female patient. Which action demonstrates the
correct technique for maintaining aseptic technique?
A. Opening the sterile kit and placing the sterile drape on the overbed table before washing hands
B. Using sterile gloves to handle the catheter but touching the patient’s perineum with ungloved fingers
C. Wearing sterile gloves and maintaining one sterile hand and one clean hand during the procedure
D. Positioning the patient supine and using clean gloves to cleanse the perineum before the sterile procedure
🟢D
🔴 RATIONALE: Cleansing the perineum with clean gloves removes debris and reduces contamination before
the sterile phase. Sterile gloves are then applied for catheter insertion. Option A violates aseptic sequence; hand
hygiene must precede opening sterile supplies. Option B introduces contamination. Option C is incorrect
because both hands should be sterile when handling the catheter.
Question 2
A nurse observes a colleague administering a medication without checking the patient’s identification band.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor immediately
B. Remind the colleague to verify patient identity before future administrations
C. Document the omission in the patient’s chart as a near miss
D. Ignore the situation because the patient received the correct medication
,🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Direct, non-punitive peer reminders promote a safety culture. Reporting immediately may be
premature without addressing the colleague first. Documentation as a near miss is appropriate after discussion.
Ignoring the error is unsafe and unprofessional.
Question 3
A patient with a history of falls is at risk for injury. Which nursing intervention is most effective for preventing
falls?
A. Keeping the bed in the highest position for easy transfer
B. Placing all personal belongings on a high shelf
C. Locking the bed wheels and using bed alarms
D. Encouraging the patient to ambulate without assistance to build strength
🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Locked bed wheels prevent unexpected movement, and bed alarms alert staff to attempts to
get up. High bed position increases fall risk. Placing belongings out of reach encourages unsafe reaching.
Ambulating without assistance increases injury risk.
Question 4
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a patient with a new prescription for warfarin. Which patient
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take my medication at the same time every evening.”
B. “I will avoid eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables.”
C. “I can take ibuprofen if I have a headache.”
D. “I will report any bleeding gums to my doctor.”
, 🟢C
🔴 RATIONALE: Ibuprofen increases bleeding risk when combined with warfarin. Acetaminophen is safer.
Consistent timing and avoiding vitamin K-rich foods are correct. Reporting bleeding gums is appropriate.
Question 5
A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile kit, the nurse drops a sterile gauze pad
onto the patient’s bedside table, which is dry and clean. What should the nurse do?
A. Pick up the gauze and use it because the table appears clean
B. Discard the gauze and obtain a new sterile one
C. Rinse the gauze with sterile water and then use it
D. Move the gauze to the sterile field and continue
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Any sterile item that touches a non-sterile surface (even if clean) is considered contaminated
and must be discarded. Option A introduces infection risk. Option C does not restore sterility. Option D
contaminates the sterile field.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day one following abdominal surgery. Which finding should
the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Pain level of 4 on a 0–10 scale
B. Temperature of 99.8°F (37.7°C)
C. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D. Purulent drainage from the incision site
