ATI Fundamentals Practice Assessment A 2026–
2027 Complete Study Guide with Practice
Questions, Verified Rationales, and
Comprehensive Nursing Review
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide contains 100, exam-style questions designed to
prepare nursing students for the ATI Fundamentals Practice Assessment A for the
2026–2027 academic year. All questions are aligned with ATI Nursing Content
Mastery Series standards, current nursing best practices, and the Next Generation
NCLEX (NGN) format.
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
B) Place the client in a negative-pressure room
C) Wear a gown and gloves for all interactions with the client
D) Keep the door closed at all times
Answer: C) Wear a gown and gloves for all interactions with the client
Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves for any direct
contact with the client or the client's environment. Contact precautions are used for
clients with infections spread by direct contact or contact with contaminated
surfaces (e.g., MRSA, VRE, C. difficile). N95 respirators (A) and negative-
pressure rooms (B) are required for airborne precautions (e.g., tuberculosis,
measles, varicella). Keeping the door closed (D) is not required for contact
precautions.
,Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following statements
indicates proper understanding of hand hygiene principles?
A) "I can use alcohol-based hand rub if my hands are visibly soiled."
B) "I should wash with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds."
C) "Hand hygiene is unnecessary if I wear gloves."
D) "I should rub my hands with alcohol-based rub until dry, then rinse."
Answer: B) "I should wash with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds."
Rationale: Handwashing with soap and water should be performed for at least 15
to 20 seconds, especially when hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand rub
(A) is not effective when hands are visibly soiled; soap and water should be used
instead. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene (C); hand hygiene must be performed
before and after glove use. Alcohol-based rub should be rubbed until dry, but
rinsing is not part of the process (D).
Question 3
A client is placed in wrist restraints after attempting to remove an IV line. How
often must the nurse assess the client?
A) Every 30 minutes
B) Every 1 hour
C) Every 2 hours
D) Every 4 hours
Answer: C) Every 2 hours
Rationale: ATI and CMS guidelines require restraint assessment every 2 hours for
adults. Restraints are used only as a last resort to ensure client safety and must be
removed or released every 2 hours for range-of-motion exercises, toileting, and
reassessment of the need for continued restraint. Children require assessment every
1 hour, and infants require assessment every 30 minutes. The nurse must also
obtain a provider's order for restraints, which must be renewed within 24 hours.
Question 4
A nurse is applying sterile gloves. After putting on the first glove, the nurse
,touches the outer surface of the second glove with the bare hand. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A) Continue; contamination is acceptable
B) Remove the first glove and start over
C) Open a new pair of sterile gloves
D) Use alcohol rub on the bare hand first
Answer: C) Open a new pair of sterile gloves
Rationale: The outer surface of a sterile glove is considered sterile. Touching it
with a bare hand contaminates the glove. Once contamination occurs, the nurse
must discard the contaminated glove and obtain a new pair of sterile gloves.
Continuing with contaminated gloves (A) would violate sterile technique and
increase the risk of infection. Removing only the first glove (B) would not address
the contaminated second glove. Using alcohol rub (D) does not make the bare hand
sterile; the glove remains contaminated.
Question 5
A nurse is educating a client on fall prevention at home. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will wear socks without grips to be comfortable."
B) "I should keep my walker close to the bed."
C) "Night lights can make falls more likely."
D) "I will remove all area rugs from my home."
Answer: D) "I will remove all area rugs from my home."
Rationale: Area rugs and throw rugs are common tripping hazards and should be
removed to prevent falls. Clients should wear non-skid footwear or socks with
grips (A), not smooth socks. While mobility aids should be accessible, they should
not block pathways (B). Night lights reduce fall risk by improving visibility during
nighttime toileting (C). The nurse should also teach clients to keep pathways clear,
use grab bars in bathrooms, and ensure adequate lighting throughout the home.
, Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Apply the restraints tightly to prevent movement
B) Tie the restraints to the bed frame
C) Pad the client's wrists before applying the restraints
D) Remove the restraints every 4 hours
Answer: C) Pad the client's wrists before applying the restraints
Rationale: Padded restraints help prevent skin breakdown and nerve
damage. Restraints should be applied snugly but not tightly enough to restrict
circulation (A); the nurse should be able to insert two fingers between the restraint
and the client's wrist. Restraints should be tied to the bed frame (B) using a quick-
release knot, not to the side rails, to prevent injury if the bed is moved. Restraints
must be removed at least every 2 hours (D), not every 4 hours, for assessment,
range-of-motion exercises, and toileting.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer an injection of an opioid medication to a client.
The nurse draws out 1 mL of the medication from a 2 mL vial. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A) Dispose of the remaining medication in the trash
B) Save the remaining medication for the next dose
C) Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
D) Return the remaining medication to the pharmacy
Answer: C) Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
Rationale: When wasting a controlled substance (such as an opioid), a second
nurse must witness the wastage to ensure accountability and compliance with legal
requirements. Controlled substances require strict documentation and witnessing of
any unused medication. The remaining medication should not be disposed of in the
trash (A), saved for later use (B), or returned to the pharmacy without proper
witnessing and documentation (D).
2027 Complete Study Guide with Practice
Questions, Verified Rationales, and
Comprehensive Nursing Review
Introduction
This comprehensive study guide contains 100, exam-style questions designed to
prepare nursing students for the ATI Fundamentals Practice Assessment A for the
2026–2027 academic year. All questions are aligned with ATI Nursing Content
Mastery Series standards, current nursing best practices, and the Next Generation
NCLEX (NGN) format.
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
B) Place the client in a negative-pressure room
C) Wear a gown and gloves for all interactions with the client
D) Keep the door closed at all times
Answer: C) Wear a gown and gloves for all interactions with the client
Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves for any direct
contact with the client or the client's environment. Contact precautions are used for
clients with infections spread by direct contact or contact with contaminated
surfaces (e.g., MRSA, VRE, C. difficile). N95 respirators (A) and negative-
pressure rooms (B) are required for airborne precautions (e.g., tuberculosis,
measles, varicella). Keeping the door closed (D) is not required for contact
precautions.
,Question 2
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following statements
indicates proper understanding of hand hygiene principles?
A) "I can use alcohol-based hand rub if my hands are visibly soiled."
B) "I should wash with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds."
C) "Hand hygiene is unnecessary if I wear gloves."
D) "I should rub my hands with alcohol-based rub until dry, then rinse."
Answer: B) "I should wash with soap and water for at least 15 to 20 seconds."
Rationale: Handwashing with soap and water should be performed for at least 15
to 20 seconds, especially when hands are visibly soiled. Alcohol-based hand rub
(A) is not effective when hands are visibly soiled; soap and water should be used
instead. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene (C); hand hygiene must be performed
before and after glove use. Alcohol-based rub should be rubbed until dry, but
rinsing is not part of the process (D).
Question 3
A client is placed in wrist restraints after attempting to remove an IV line. How
often must the nurse assess the client?
A) Every 30 minutes
B) Every 1 hour
C) Every 2 hours
D) Every 4 hours
Answer: C) Every 2 hours
Rationale: ATI and CMS guidelines require restraint assessment every 2 hours for
adults. Restraints are used only as a last resort to ensure client safety and must be
removed or released every 2 hours for range-of-motion exercises, toileting, and
reassessment of the need for continued restraint. Children require assessment every
1 hour, and infants require assessment every 30 minutes. The nurse must also
obtain a provider's order for restraints, which must be renewed within 24 hours.
Question 4
A nurse is applying sterile gloves. After putting on the first glove, the nurse
,touches the outer surface of the second glove with the bare hand. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A) Continue; contamination is acceptable
B) Remove the first glove and start over
C) Open a new pair of sterile gloves
D) Use alcohol rub on the bare hand first
Answer: C) Open a new pair of sterile gloves
Rationale: The outer surface of a sterile glove is considered sterile. Touching it
with a bare hand contaminates the glove. Once contamination occurs, the nurse
must discard the contaminated glove and obtain a new pair of sterile gloves.
Continuing with contaminated gloves (A) would violate sterile technique and
increase the risk of infection. Removing only the first glove (B) would not address
the contaminated second glove. Using alcohol rub (D) does not make the bare hand
sterile; the glove remains contaminated.
Question 5
A nurse is educating a client on fall prevention at home. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will wear socks without grips to be comfortable."
B) "I should keep my walker close to the bed."
C) "Night lights can make falls more likely."
D) "I will remove all area rugs from my home."
Answer: D) "I will remove all area rugs from my home."
Rationale: Area rugs and throw rugs are common tripping hazards and should be
removed to prevent falls. Clients should wear non-skid footwear or socks with
grips (A), not smooth socks. While mobility aids should be accessible, they should
not block pathways (B). Night lights reduce fall risk by improving visibility during
nighttime toileting (C). The nurse should also teach clients to keep pathways clear,
use grab bars in bathrooms, and ensure adequate lighting throughout the home.
, Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for wrist restraints. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Apply the restraints tightly to prevent movement
B) Tie the restraints to the bed frame
C) Pad the client's wrists before applying the restraints
D) Remove the restraints every 4 hours
Answer: C) Pad the client's wrists before applying the restraints
Rationale: Padded restraints help prevent skin breakdown and nerve
damage. Restraints should be applied snugly but not tightly enough to restrict
circulation (A); the nurse should be able to insert two fingers between the restraint
and the client's wrist. Restraints should be tied to the bed frame (B) using a quick-
release knot, not to the side rails, to prevent injury if the bed is moved. Restraints
must be removed at least every 2 hours (D), not every 4 hours, for assessment,
range-of-motion exercises, and toileting.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer an injection of an opioid medication to a client.
The nurse draws out 1 mL of the medication from a 2 mL vial. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A) Dispose of the remaining medication in the trash
B) Save the remaining medication for the next dose
C) Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
D) Return the remaining medication to the pharmacy
Answer: C) Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
Rationale: When wasting a controlled substance (such as an opioid), a second
nurse must witness the wastage to ensure accountability and compliance with legal
requirements. Controlled substances require strict documentation and witnessing of
any unused medication. The remaining medication should not be disposed of in the
trash (A), saved for later use (B), or returned to the pharmacy without proper
witnessing and documentation (D).
