1
ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2023 \ 70 Questions and
Verified Answers with Full Rationales \ Complete Study Guide
| Guaranteed Pass | PN NCLEX-Level
UNIT 1 — SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client who has tuberculosis. Which of the following
personal protective equipment should the nurse wear when entering the client's
room?
A. Surgical mask
B. B. N95 respirator
C. C. Face shield only
D. D. Gown and gloves only
Rationale: Tuberculosis (TB) is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei (particles
<5 microns) that remain suspended in the air for long periods. The nurse must
wear an N95 respirator (or higher) when entering the room of a client with known
or suspected TB. A surgical mask is NOT sufficient — it does not filter small
airborne particles. The client should be placed in a negative pressure isolation
room (airborne precautions). Additional PPE (gown, gloves, eye protection) may
be added based on anticipated exposure but the N95 is the priority.
Transmission-based precautions — memorize:
Precaution Type Diseases PPE Required
Airborne TB, measles, varicella, COVID-19 N95 respirator, negative pressur
Droplet Influenza, meningitis, pertussis, mumps Surgical mask, private room
Contact MRSA, VRE, C. diff, wound infections Gown + gloves
pg. 1
, 2
Q2. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand
rub. Which of the following situations requires handwashing with soap and
water instead?
A. Before performing a dressing change
B. B. After removing gloves
C. C. When hands are visibly soiled with blood
D. D. Before administering oral medications
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is effective for most situations but has
important limitations. Soap and water is REQUIRED when:
• Hands are visibly soiled with blood, body fluids, or organic material
• After caring for a client with C. difficile (spores not killed by alcohol)
• After caring for a client with norovirus
• Before eating and after using the restroom
Hand hygiene is indicated (either ABHR or soap and water):
• Before and after patient contact
• Before performing aseptic procedures
• After touching patient surroundings
• After removing gloves
Q3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is being discharged with a
prescription for a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop taking the medication when I feel better."
B. "I will take the medication with antacids to prevent stomach upset."
pg. 2
, 3
C. "I will complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed."
D. "I will double my dose if I miss one."
Rationale: Clients must complete the entire prescribed course of antibiotics even
if they feel better before the medication is finished. Stopping antibiotics early:
• Allows partially resistant bacteria to survive and multiply
• Contributes to antibiotic resistance
• May result in recurrence of infection
Incorrect options:
• Antacids can decrease absorption of many antibiotics (fluoroquinolones,
tetracyclines)
• Never double a dose if one is missed — take the missed dose as soon as
remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose
• Feeling better does NOT mean the infection is fully eradicated
Q4. A nurse notices a visitor smoking in a client's room. The client has oxygen
running at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action?
A. Notify the charge nurse immediately
B. B. Ask the visitor to extinguish the cigarette and leave the room
C. C. Turn off the oxygen
D. D. Document the incident in the medical record
Rationale: This is an immediate safety emergency. Oxygen accelerates
combustion — smoking near oxygen can cause a fire or explosion, putting the
client and others at serious risk. The nurse's priority action is to directly
intervene: ask the visitor to extinguish the cigarette and leave the room
immediately. This follows the nursing priority framework — eliminate the
immediate hazard first. After addressing the immediate danger, the nurse should
pg. 3
, 4
notify the charge nurse, document the incident, and reinforce the no-smoking
policy with the client and visitors.
Q5. A nurse is preparing to apply wrist restraints to a client who is at risk for
falling out of bed. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Tie the restraint to the side rail of the bed
B. Check the client's circulation every 4 hours C. Obtain a prescription from the
provider before applying the restraint
D. Apply the restraint tightly to prevent the client from removing it
Rationale: Restraints require a provider's prescription (order) before application
in most facilities — they are considered a last resort after other alternatives have
been attempted. Key restraint principles:
• Least restrictive method possible
• Reassess need every 2 hours (not 4)
• Check circulation, sensation, and movement every 15–30 minutes
• Tie to the bed FRAME (not side rails — rails move and can injure the client)
• Apply with 2 finger breadths between restraint and skin
• Knot: quick-release knot only (bow or clove hitch)
• Document: behavior requiring restraint, alternatives tried, assessment
findings
Q6. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. The client's wound has evisceration. Which of the following is the
nurse's priority action?
pg. 4
ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2023 \ 70 Questions and
Verified Answers with Full Rationales \ Complete Study Guide
| Guaranteed Pass | PN NCLEX-Level
UNIT 1 — SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client who has tuberculosis. Which of the following
personal protective equipment should the nurse wear when entering the client's
room?
A. Surgical mask
B. B. N95 respirator
C. C. Face shield only
D. D. Gown and gloves only
Rationale: Tuberculosis (TB) is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei (particles
<5 microns) that remain suspended in the air for long periods. The nurse must
wear an N95 respirator (or higher) when entering the room of a client with known
or suspected TB. A surgical mask is NOT sufficient — it does not filter small
airborne particles. The client should be placed in a negative pressure isolation
room (airborne precautions). Additional PPE (gown, gloves, eye protection) may
be added based on anticipated exposure but the N95 is the priority.
Transmission-based precautions — memorize:
Precaution Type Diseases PPE Required
Airborne TB, measles, varicella, COVID-19 N95 respirator, negative pressur
Droplet Influenza, meningitis, pertussis, mumps Surgical mask, private room
Contact MRSA, VRE, C. diff, wound infections Gown + gloves
pg. 1
, 2
Q2. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand
rub. Which of the following situations requires handwashing with soap and
water instead?
A. Before performing a dressing change
B. B. After removing gloves
C. C. When hands are visibly soiled with blood
D. D. Before administering oral medications
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is effective for most situations but has
important limitations. Soap and water is REQUIRED when:
• Hands are visibly soiled with blood, body fluids, or organic material
• After caring for a client with C. difficile (spores not killed by alcohol)
• After caring for a client with norovirus
• Before eating and after using the restroom
Hand hygiene is indicated (either ABHR or soap and water):
• Before and after patient contact
• Before performing aseptic procedures
• After touching patient surroundings
• After removing gloves
Q3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is being discharged with a
prescription for a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop taking the medication when I feel better."
B. "I will take the medication with antacids to prevent stomach upset."
pg. 2
, 3
C. "I will complete the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed."
D. "I will double my dose if I miss one."
Rationale: Clients must complete the entire prescribed course of antibiotics even
if they feel better before the medication is finished. Stopping antibiotics early:
• Allows partially resistant bacteria to survive and multiply
• Contributes to antibiotic resistance
• May result in recurrence of infection
Incorrect options:
• Antacids can decrease absorption of many antibiotics (fluoroquinolones,
tetracyclines)
• Never double a dose if one is missed — take the missed dose as soon as
remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose
• Feeling better does NOT mean the infection is fully eradicated
Q4. A nurse notices a visitor smoking in a client's room. The client has oxygen
running at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. What is the nurse's PRIORITY action?
A. Notify the charge nurse immediately
B. B. Ask the visitor to extinguish the cigarette and leave the room
C. C. Turn off the oxygen
D. D. Document the incident in the medical record
Rationale: This is an immediate safety emergency. Oxygen accelerates
combustion — smoking near oxygen can cause a fire or explosion, putting the
client and others at serious risk. The nurse's priority action is to directly
intervene: ask the visitor to extinguish the cigarette and leave the room
immediately. This follows the nursing priority framework — eliminate the
immediate hazard first. After addressing the immediate danger, the nurse should
pg. 3
, 4
notify the charge nurse, document the incident, and reinforce the no-smoking
policy with the client and visitors.
Q5. A nurse is preparing to apply wrist restraints to a client who is at risk for
falling out of bed. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Tie the restraint to the side rail of the bed
B. Check the client's circulation every 4 hours C. Obtain a prescription from the
provider before applying the restraint
D. Apply the restraint tightly to prevent the client from removing it
Rationale: Restraints require a provider's prescription (order) before application
in most facilities — they are considered a last resort after other alternatives have
been attempted. Key restraint principles:
• Least restrictive method possible
• Reassess need every 2 hours (not 4)
• Check circulation, sensation, and movement every 15–30 minutes
• Tie to the bed FRAME (not side rails — rails move and can injure the client)
• Apply with 2 finger breadths between restraint and skin
• Knot: quick-release knot only (bow or clove hitch)
• Document: behavior requiring restraint, alternatives tried, assessment
findings
Q6. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. The client's wound has evisceration. Which of the following is the
nurse's priority action?
pg. 4
