GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING ATI FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*- Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment*
*- Infection Control and Safety Protocols*
*- Basic Physiological Needs and Nutrition*
*- Mobility and Body Mechanics*
*- Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards*
*- Medication Administration and Safety*
*- Communication and Therapeutic Relationships*
*- Documentation and Information Technology*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the foundational knowledge and clinical judgment skills essential for entry-level nurs
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is preoperative for abdominal surgery. The client expresses anxiety and states, "I am not sure I want
to go through with this surgery." Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the surgeon immediately.
B. Explain the risks of not having the surgery.
C. Ask the client to identify their specific concerns.
D. Administer the prescribed preoperative sedative.
🟢 C. Ask the client to identify their specific concerns.
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must first perform a comprehensive assessment to understand the client's underlying fears or information
gaps before taking further action.
Which intervention is most effective in preventing healthcare-associated infections during a dressing change?
A. Using sterile gloves for all dressing changes.
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
C. Keeping the client’s room door closed at all times.
,D. Applying prophylactic antibiotics to the wound bed.
🟢 B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
🔴 RATIONALE: Consistent and correct hand hygiene remains the single most effective measure to reduce the transmission of
microorganisms in a clinical setting.
A client is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 4 L/min. Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. The client reports dry nasal passages.
B. The client's ears show signs of skin breakdown.
C. The client's oxygen saturation has decreased from 95% to 88%.
D. The nasal cannula tubing is slightly kinked.
🟢 C. The client's oxygen saturation has decreased from 95% to 88%.
🔴 RATIONALE: A drop in oxygen saturation indicates inadequate gas exchange and necessitates immediate assessment of the
airway and oxygen delivery system.
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action ensures the "right" medication is administered?
A. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times.
B. Asking the client to state their name and birth date.
C. Verifying the medication with another nurse.
D. Checking the patient's allergy band.
🟢 A. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times.
🔴 RATIONALE: Comparing the medication label to the medication administration record (MAR) at three distinct times is a standard
safety protocol to prevent medication errors.
When assessing a client’s gait, the nurse observes the client leaning to the left and taking uneven steps. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Document the findings in the electronic health record.
B. Instruct the client to use a cane for stability.
C. Evaluate the client for risk of falls.
D. Request a physical therapy consultation.
🟢 C. Evaluate the client for risk of falls.
🔴 RATIONALE: Safety is the primary concern; identifying the client's fall risk allows for the implementation of immediate protective
interventions.
Which statement by a student nurse regarding the use of restraints indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will check the client's neurovascular status every 2 hours."
B. "I will use the least restrictive restraint possible."
, C. "I will ensure the restraint is tied to the side rail of the bed."
D. "I will obtain a provider's order within the facility's timeframe."
🟢 C. "I will ensure the restraint is tied to the side rail of the bed."
🔴 RATIONALE: Restraints must always be secured to the bed frame, not the side rail, to prevent injury if the side rail is lowered.
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Assessing the client's wound healing progress.
B. Feeding a client who has difficulty swallowing.
C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client.
D. Educating the client on their new medication.
🟢 C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client.
🔴 RATIONALE: APs are trained to perform routine tasks such as measuring vital signs for stable patients, whereas assessment and
teaching require the skill set of a registered nurse.
A client with a stage 2 pressure ulcer requires a dressing change. What is the priority goal of care?
A. Maintain a moist wound environment.
B. Completely dry the wound bed with gauze.
C. Apply a topical antibiotic to prevent infection.
D. Use a transparent film dressing to cover the ulcer.
🟢 A. Maintain a moist wound environment.
🔴 RATIONALE: A moist wound environment promotes epithelialization and faster healing for a stage 2 pressure ulcer.
A nurse is conducting a health history. Which finding should the nurse identify as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
A. A BMI of 22.
B. A sedentary lifestyle.
C. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
D. Occasional alcohol consumption.
🟢 B. A sedentary lifestyle.
🔴 RATIONALE: Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor that contributes to hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular
disease development.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on an older adult. Which finding is considered an age-related change?
A. Increased muscle mass.
B. Decreased skin elasticity.
C. Faster reaction times.
D. Improved night vision.
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*- Nursing Process and Clinical Judgment*
*- Infection Control and Safety Protocols*
*- Basic Physiological Needs and Nutrition*
*- Mobility and Body Mechanics*
*- Ethical, Legal, and Professional Standards*
*- Medication Administration and Safety*
*- Communication and Therapeutic Relationships*
*- Documentation and Information Technology*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the foundational knowledge and clinical judgment skills essential for entry-level nurs
Section One: Questions 1–100
A nurse is caring for a client who is preoperative for abdominal surgery. The client expresses anxiety and states, "I am not sure I want
to go through with this surgery." Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the surgeon immediately.
B. Explain the risks of not having the surgery.
C. Ask the client to identify their specific concerns.
D. Administer the prescribed preoperative sedative.
🟢 C. Ask the client to identify their specific concerns.
🔴 RATIONALE: The nurse must first perform a comprehensive assessment to understand the client's underlying fears or information
gaps before taking further action.
Which intervention is most effective in preventing healthcare-associated infections during a dressing change?
A. Using sterile gloves for all dressing changes.
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
C. Keeping the client’s room door closed at all times.
,D. Applying prophylactic antibiotics to the wound bed.
🟢 B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client contact.
🔴 RATIONALE: Consistent and correct hand hygiene remains the single most effective measure to reduce the transmission of
microorganisms in a clinical setting.
A client is receiving oxygen via a nasal cannula at 4 L/min. Which assessment finding requires immediate nursing intervention?
A. The client reports dry nasal passages.
B. The client's ears show signs of skin breakdown.
C. The client's oxygen saturation has decreased from 95% to 88%.
D. The nasal cannula tubing is slightly kinked.
🟢 C. The client's oxygen saturation has decreased from 95% to 88%.
🔴 RATIONALE: A drop in oxygen saturation indicates inadequate gas exchange and necessitates immediate assessment of the
airway and oxygen delivery system.
A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action ensures the "right" medication is administered?
A. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times.
B. Asking the client to state their name and birth date.
C. Verifying the medication with another nurse.
D. Checking the patient's allergy band.
🟢 A. Checking the medication label against the MAR three times.
🔴 RATIONALE: Comparing the medication label to the medication administration record (MAR) at three distinct times is a standard
safety protocol to prevent medication errors.
When assessing a client’s gait, the nurse observes the client leaning to the left and taking uneven steps. What is the priority nursing
action?
A. Document the findings in the electronic health record.
B. Instruct the client to use a cane for stability.
C. Evaluate the client for risk of falls.
D. Request a physical therapy consultation.
🟢 C. Evaluate the client for risk of falls.
🔴 RATIONALE: Safety is the primary concern; identifying the client's fall risk allows for the implementation of immediate protective
interventions.
Which statement by a student nurse regarding the use of restraints indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will check the client's neurovascular status every 2 hours."
B. "I will use the least restrictive restraint possible."
, C. "I will ensure the restraint is tied to the side rail of the bed."
D. "I will obtain a provider's order within the facility's timeframe."
🟢 C. "I will ensure the restraint is tied to the side rail of the bed."
🔴 RATIONALE: Restraints must always be secured to the bed frame, not the side rail, to prevent injury if the side rail is lowered.
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Assessing the client's wound healing progress.
B. Feeding a client who has difficulty swallowing.
C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client.
D. Educating the client on their new medication.
🟢 C. Obtaining vital signs for a stable client.
🔴 RATIONALE: APs are trained to perform routine tasks such as measuring vital signs for stable patients, whereas assessment and
teaching require the skill set of a registered nurse.
A client with a stage 2 pressure ulcer requires a dressing change. What is the priority goal of care?
A. Maintain a moist wound environment.
B. Completely dry the wound bed with gauze.
C. Apply a topical antibiotic to prevent infection.
D. Use a transparent film dressing to cover the ulcer.
🟢 A. Maintain a moist wound environment.
🔴 RATIONALE: A moist wound environment promotes epithelialization and faster healing for a stage 2 pressure ulcer.
A nurse is conducting a health history. Which finding should the nurse identify as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
A. A BMI of 22.
B. A sedentary lifestyle.
C. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
D. Occasional alcohol consumption.
🟢 B. A sedentary lifestyle.
🔴 RATIONALE: Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor that contributes to hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular
disease development.
A nurse is performing a physical assessment on an older adult. Which finding is considered an age-related change?
A. Increased muscle mass.
B. Decreased skin elasticity.
C. Faster reaction times.
D. Improved night vision.
