ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING
PROCTORED EXAM 2023/2026 WITH NGN]
Actual Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Core Domains Covered:
• Foundations of Nursing Practice
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Safety and Infection Control
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Physiological Adaptation
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Clinical Judgment and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Scenarios
Question 1
The nurse is admitting a patient to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following
actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take when establishing a therapeutic
relationship with the patient?
A) Inform the patient that the nurse will be caring for them and outline the plan of
care
B) Focus primarily on completing the admission assessment quickly
C) Avoid asking the patient personal questions
D) Use medical terminology to ensure accurate communication
Answer: A
,Rationale: Establishing a therapeutic relationship begins with introducing oneself,
identifying the patient, and outlining the plan of care. This helps build trust and
sets the foundation for effective communication. Focusing only on completing the
admission assessment quickly may make the patient feel rushed and undervalued.
Avoiding personal questions may prevent the nurse from gathering important
psychosocial information. Using medical terminology without explanation can
confuse the patient and hinder communication.
Question 2
A patient is scheduled for a surgical procedure and asks the nurse to explain the
procedure again, stating, "The doctor already told me, but I want to make sure I
understand." The nurse should:
A) Explain the procedure in simple terms
B) Tell the patient to ask the doctor again
C) Reassure the patient that everything will be fine
D) Document that the patient is confused
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should provide clear, understandable information about the
procedure to reinforce what the doctor has told the patient. This supports informed
consent and reduces anxiety. Telling the patient to ask the doctor again dismisses
the patient's concerns. Reassuring without providing information does not address
the patient's need for understanding. Documenting confusion is inappropriate when
the patient is simply seeking clarification.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative and reports severe pain. After
administering the prescribed analgesic, which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A) Document the medication administration and reassess the patient's pain level
B) Wait for the patient to report pain relief
,C) Administer another dose immediately
D) Tell the patient to take deep breaths to manage the pain
Answer: A
Rationale: After administering an analgesic, the nurse should reassess the patient's
pain level at the appropriate time interval (e.g., 30-60 minutes for IV medications)
to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Documentation should reflect the
assessment and interventions. Waiting for the patient to report pain relief is not
sufficient; proactive reassessment is essential for effective pain management.
Question 4
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can handle this surgery. I'm really scared."
Which of the following is the most appropriate therapeutic response?
A) "You shouldn't be scared; this is a routine procedure."
B) "Tell me more about what is making you feel scared."
C) "Everything will be fine; try not to worry."
D) "Most patients do very well with this surgery."
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic response acknowledges the patient's expressed fear and
encourages the patient to elaborate on their concerns. This opens the door for
further discussion and allows the nurse to address specific fears. Dismissing the
patient's fear or reassuring without acknowledging the emotion may invalidate the
patient's feelings and hinder therapeutic communication.
Question 5
The nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene before entering a patient's room.
Which of the following is the most appropriate method?
A) Washing hands with soap and water for 15 seconds
B) Using an alcohol-based hand rub for 15-20 seconds
, C) Washing hands with soap and water for 40-60 seconds
D) Using an alcohol-based hand rub until hands are dry
Answer: D
Rationale: When hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand rub is the
preferred method for hand hygiene. The rub should be applied to the palm of one
hand and hands should be rubbed together, covering all surfaces, until dry
(approximately 15-20 seconds). Soap and water should be used for at least 40-60
seconds when hands are visibly soiled or after using the restroom.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a patient who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of
the following actions is most appropriate when maintaining the catheter?
A) Keep the drainage bag on the patient's bed
B) Ensure the drainage bag is below the level of the bladder
C) Drain the catheter bag only when it is full
D) Irrigate the catheter routinely to prevent obstruction
Answer: B
Rationale: The urinary drainage bag must be kept below the level of the bladder to
promote gravity drainage and prevent backflow of urine into the bladder, which
could cause infection. The bag should not be placed on the bed. Routine irrigation
is not recommended and increases infection risk. The bag should be emptied when
it is two-thirds full or per facility policy.
Question 7
A patient is being discharged home with a prescription for a new medication. The
nurse should assess the patient's understanding by:
A) Asking the patient if they have any questions about the medication
B) Providing a written handout about the medication
PROCTORED EXAM 2023/2026 WITH NGN]
Actual Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Core Domains Covered:
• Foundations of Nursing Practice
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Safety and Infection Control
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Physiological Adaptation
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Clinical Judgment and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Scenarios
Question 1
The nurse is admitting a patient to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following
actions is most appropriate for the nurse to take when establishing a therapeutic
relationship with the patient?
A) Inform the patient that the nurse will be caring for them and outline the plan of
care
B) Focus primarily on completing the admission assessment quickly
C) Avoid asking the patient personal questions
D) Use medical terminology to ensure accurate communication
Answer: A
,Rationale: Establishing a therapeutic relationship begins with introducing oneself,
identifying the patient, and outlining the plan of care. This helps build trust and
sets the foundation for effective communication. Focusing only on completing the
admission assessment quickly may make the patient feel rushed and undervalued.
Avoiding personal questions may prevent the nurse from gathering important
psychosocial information. Using medical terminology without explanation can
confuse the patient and hinder communication.
Question 2
A patient is scheduled for a surgical procedure and asks the nurse to explain the
procedure again, stating, "The doctor already told me, but I want to make sure I
understand." The nurse should:
A) Explain the procedure in simple terms
B) Tell the patient to ask the doctor again
C) Reassure the patient that everything will be fine
D) Document that the patient is confused
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should provide clear, understandable information about the
procedure to reinforce what the doctor has told the patient. This supports informed
consent and reduces anxiety. Telling the patient to ask the doctor again dismisses
the patient's concerns. Reassuring without providing information does not address
the patient's need for understanding. Documenting confusion is inappropriate when
the patient is simply seeking clarification.
Question 3
The nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative and reports severe pain. After
administering the prescribed analgesic, which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A) Document the medication administration and reassess the patient's pain level
B) Wait for the patient to report pain relief
,C) Administer another dose immediately
D) Tell the patient to take deep breaths to manage the pain
Answer: A
Rationale: After administering an analgesic, the nurse should reassess the patient's
pain level at the appropriate time interval (e.g., 30-60 minutes for IV medications)
to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Documentation should reflect the
assessment and interventions. Waiting for the patient to report pain relief is not
sufficient; proactive reassessment is essential for effective pain management.
Question 4
A patient tells the nurse, "I don't think I can handle this surgery. I'm really scared."
Which of the following is the most appropriate therapeutic response?
A) "You shouldn't be scared; this is a routine procedure."
B) "Tell me more about what is making you feel scared."
C) "Everything will be fine; try not to worry."
D) "Most patients do very well with this surgery."
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic response acknowledges the patient's expressed fear and
encourages the patient to elaborate on their concerns. This opens the door for
further discussion and allows the nurse to address specific fears. Dismissing the
patient's fear or reassuring without acknowledging the emotion may invalidate the
patient's feelings and hinder therapeutic communication.
Question 5
The nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene before entering a patient's room.
Which of the following is the most appropriate method?
A) Washing hands with soap and water for 15 seconds
B) Using an alcohol-based hand rub for 15-20 seconds
, C) Washing hands with soap and water for 40-60 seconds
D) Using an alcohol-based hand rub until hands are dry
Answer: D
Rationale: When hands are not visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand rub is the
preferred method for hand hygiene. The rub should be applied to the palm of one
hand and hands should be rubbed together, covering all surfaces, until dry
(approximately 15-20 seconds). Soap and water should be used for at least 40-60
seconds when hands are visibly soiled or after using the restroom.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a patient who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of
the following actions is most appropriate when maintaining the catheter?
A) Keep the drainage bag on the patient's bed
B) Ensure the drainage bag is below the level of the bladder
C) Drain the catheter bag only when it is full
D) Irrigate the catheter routinely to prevent obstruction
Answer: B
Rationale: The urinary drainage bag must be kept below the level of the bladder to
promote gravity drainage and prevent backflow of urine into the bladder, which
could cause infection. The bag should not be placed on the bed. Routine irrigation
is not recommended and increases infection risk. The bag should be emptied when
it is two-thirds full or per facility policy.
Question 7
A patient is being discharged home with a prescription for a new medication. The
nurse should assess the patient's understanding by:
A) Asking the patient if they have any questions about the medication
B) Providing a written handout about the medication
