ATI FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE
Core Domains: - Basic Nursing Care and Comfort - Safety and Infection Control - Health
Promotion and Maintenance - Psychosocial Integrity - Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies - Reduction of Risk Potential - Physiological Adaptation - Legal, Ethical, and
Regulatory Frameworks
Introduction The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the foundational
clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, and critical thinking abilities required of entry-level
nursing professionals. This exam assesses essential concepts including client safety, infection
control, pharmacology administration, legal-ethical guidelines, and physiological adaptation.
Utilizing multiple-choice and complex, scenario-based structures, this instrument measures
the candidate's capacity for safe, evidence-based clinical decision-making. There is a strong
emphasis placed on real-world application, prioritizing the nursing process, and executing
sound nursing judgments within diverse clinical settings to ensure optimal, safe, and effective
client care outcomes.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1 A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an overweight
adult client. Which of the following needles should the nurse select to ensure proper
delivery into the ventrogluteal muscle?
A. 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle B. 22-gauge, 1.5-inch needle C. 18-gauge, 1-inch needle D. 23-
gauge, 1/2-inch needle
Correct answer B. Option
Explanation: For an intramuscular injection in an adult client of average or larger size, a
1.5-inch needle is required to penetrate the subcutaneous tissue and safely reach the
ventrogluteal muscle layer. A 22-gauge width is appropriate for standard aqueous solutions.
Question 2 A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative and reports a pain level of 7 on
a scale of 0 to 10. The client's provider has prescribed morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus PRN
every 2 hr for pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers. B. Check the client's respiratory rate. C.
Document the pain level in the electronic medical record. D. Dilute the medication with
normal saline.
Correct answer B. Option
Explanation: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that can cause severe respiratory
depression. The nurse must assess the client's respiratory status prior to administration to
,ensure safe parameters, making this the priority action before preparing or verifying the
medication.
Question 3 A nurse is assigned to care for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit.
Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as being at the highest risk for
developing a pressure injury?
A. A client who is ambulatory with a standard walker following an elective total hip
arthroplasty. B. A client who has a body mass index of 24 and requires assistance to transfer
to a bedside commode. C. A client who is unresponsive following a cerebrovascular accident
and is incontinent of stool. D. A client who has a history of controlled type 2 diabetes
mellitus and is receiving physical therapy.
Correct answer C. Option
Explanation: The risk for pressure injuries is heavily compounded by immobility and
continuous exposure to moisture from fecal incontinence. An unresponsive client cannot
shift weight, and fecal enzymes cause skin breakdown, creating the highest cumulative risk.
Question 4 A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include when teaching the client about
this procedure?
A. Save the first morning void on day one to begin the collection window. B. Discard the first
morning void on day one and save all subsequent urine for 24 hours. C. Keep the collected
urine container in the bathroom ambient temperature. D. Collect only the midstream
portion of each voiding throughout the day.
Correct answer B. Option
Explanation: To properly initiate a 24-hour urine collection, the first void must be
discarded so that the collection begins with an empty bladder at a specific timestamp. All
urine voided over the next 24 hours must be preserved, typically on ice or refrigerated.
Question 6 A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse perform to maintain strict surgical asepsis
during the procedure?
A. Wipe the labia minora from bottom to top using the antiseptic swabs. B. Open the
outermost flap of the sterile catheter kit toward their own body. C. Cleanse the urinary
meatus using a circular motion moving outward. D. Don sterile gloves before organizing the
sterile items inside the tray kit.
Correct answer D. Option
, Explanation: Organizing sterile instruments inside a sterile field requires that the nurse's
hands be covered by sterile gloves to prevent contamination of the field. Flaps must be
opened away first, and cleansing movements must go from anterior to posterior (top to
bottom).
Question 6 A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who requires home oxygen
therapy via a nasal cannula. Which of the following safety instructions should the nurse
emphasize during the session?
A. Secure the oxygen tubing to the wall using metal brackets or staples. B. Apply petroleum
jelly to the lips and nares if they become dry or irritated. C. Wear synthetic fabrics like nylon
and polyester while using the oxygen. D. Ensure that all electrical equipment in the room is
grounded properly.
Correct answer D. Option
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, making electrical safety paramount. All
appliances must be grounded to prevent sparks. Petroleum jelly is combustible and must be
avoided; water-soluble lubricants should be used instead. Synthetic fabrics can generate
static electricity.
Question 7 A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic venous insufficiency. Which of the
following clinical findings should the nurse expect to observe in the client's lower
extremities?
A. Shiny, hairless skin with thick, brittle toenails and pale color. B. Absent or weak dorsalis
pedis and posterior tibial pulses. C. Edema accompanied by a brownish pigmentation around
the ankles. D. Severe, sharp pain that intensifies when the legs are elevated.
Correct answer C. Option
Explanation: Chronic venous insufficiency causes blood pooling, leading to increased
hydrostatic pressure and fluid leakage (edema). Erythrocyte breakdown causes hemosiderin
staining, which results in characteristic brownish pigmentation. Shiny skin and weak pulses
indicate arterial insufficiency.
Question 8 A nurse enters a client's room and discovers a fire burning in a small wastebasket
next to the bed. Identify the correct sequence of actions the nurse should execute using the
RACE acronym.
A. Extinguish the fire, alarm the facility, confine the smoke, rescue the client. B. Rescue the
client, activate the fire alarm, confine the fire, extinguish the fire. C. Confine the fire, alarm
the facility, rescue the client, extinguish the fire. D. Activate the fire alarm, rescue the client,
extinguish the fire, confine the smoke.
Correct answer B. Option
, Explanation: The RACE acronym dictates the absolute priority sequence during a fire:
Rescue clients in immediate danger, Activate the fire alarm system, Confine/Contain the fire
by closing doors, and Extinguish the fire if small enough or Evacuate.
Question 9 A nurse is documenting clinical observations in a client's electronic health record.
Which of the following entries demonstrates the objective standards required for accurate
medical documentation?
A. The client is manipulative and refuses to cooperate with the physical therapist. B. The
client appears depressed and cried during the morning shift assessment. C. The client
ambulated 45 feet down the hallway with a steady gait without reporting dyspnea. D. The
client slept reasonably well throughout most of the evening shift duration.
Correct answer C. Option
Explanation: Objective documentation must be specific, measurable, and free of
personal bias, interpretation, or vague terms. Describing the exact distance ambulated and
specific absence of symptoms meets this professional reporting standard.
Question 10 A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of an adult client who reports
generalized fatigue. Which of the following values should the nurse identify as being outside
the expected reference range?
A. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L B. White blood cell count 6,500/mm3 C. Sodium 138 mEq/L D.
Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL
Correct answer D. Option
Explanation: A hemoglobin value of 9.5 g/dL is below the normal reference range for
adults (typically 12 to 16 g/dL for females and 14 to 18 g/dL for males), which correlates
directly with the clinical presentation of generalized fatigue due to reduced oxygen-carrying
capacity.
Question 11 A nurse is preparing to perform chest physiotherapy (CPT) for a client who has
cystic fibrosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse incorporate into the plan of
care?
A. Administer the scheduled bronchodilator medication after finishing the therapy session.
B. Schedule the treatment session 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. C. Perform
percussion maneuvers directly over the client's bare skin surface. D. Maintain the client in a
completely flat, supine position during percussion.
Correct answer B. Option
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM
UPDATE
Core Domains: - Basic Nursing Care and Comfort - Safety and Infection Control - Health
Promotion and Maintenance - Psychosocial Integrity - Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies - Reduction of Risk Potential - Physiological Adaptation - Legal, Ethical, and
Regulatory Frameworks
Introduction The purpose of this comprehensive assessment is to evaluate the foundational
clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, and critical thinking abilities required of entry-level
nursing professionals. This exam assesses essential concepts including client safety, infection
control, pharmacology administration, legal-ethical guidelines, and physiological adaptation.
Utilizing multiple-choice and complex, scenario-based structures, this instrument measures
the candidate's capacity for safe, evidence-based clinical decision-making. There is a strong
emphasis placed on real-world application, prioritizing the nursing process, and executing
sound nursing judgments within diverse clinical settings to ensure optimal, safe, and effective
client care outcomes.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1 A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an overweight
adult client. Which of the following needles should the nurse select to ensure proper
delivery into the ventrogluteal muscle?
A. 25-gauge, 5/8-inch needle B. 22-gauge, 1.5-inch needle C. 18-gauge, 1-inch needle D. 23-
gauge, 1/2-inch needle
Correct answer B. Option
Explanation: For an intramuscular injection in an adult client of average or larger size, a
1.5-inch needle is required to penetrate the subcutaneous tissue and safely reach the
ventrogluteal muscle layer. A 22-gauge width is appropriate for standard aqueous solutions.
Question 2 A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative and reports a pain level of 7 on
a scale of 0 to 10. The client's provider has prescribed morphine sulfate 2 mg IV bolus PRN
every 2 hr for pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers. B. Check the client's respiratory rate. C.
Document the pain level in the electronic medical record. D. Dilute the medication with
normal saline.
Correct answer B. Option
Explanation: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that can cause severe respiratory
depression. The nurse must assess the client's respiratory status prior to administration to
,ensure safe parameters, making this the priority action before preparing or verifying the
medication.
Question 3 A nurse is assigned to care for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit.
Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as being at the highest risk for
developing a pressure injury?
A. A client who is ambulatory with a standard walker following an elective total hip
arthroplasty. B. A client who has a body mass index of 24 and requires assistance to transfer
to a bedside commode. C. A client who is unresponsive following a cerebrovascular accident
and is incontinent of stool. D. A client who has a history of controlled type 2 diabetes
mellitus and is receiving physical therapy.
Correct answer C. Option
Explanation: The risk for pressure injuries is heavily compounded by immobility and
continuous exposure to moisture from fecal incontinence. An unresponsive client cannot
shift weight, and fecal enzymes cause skin breakdown, creating the highest cumulative risk.
Question 4 A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include when teaching the client about
this procedure?
A. Save the first morning void on day one to begin the collection window. B. Discard the first
morning void on day one and save all subsequent urine for 24 hours. C. Keep the collected
urine container in the bathroom ambient temperature. D. Collect only the midstream
portion of each voiding throughout the day.
Correct answer B. Option
Explanation: To properly initiate a 24-hour urine collection, the first void must be
discarded so that the collection begins with an empty bladder at a specific timestamp. All
urine voided over the next 24 hours must be preserved, typically on ice or refrigerated.
Question 6 A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse perform to maintain strict surgical asepsis
during the procedure?
A. Wipe the labia minora from bottom to top using the antiseptic swabs. B. Open the
outermost flap of the sterile catheter kit toward their own body. C. Cleanse the urinary
meatus using a circular motion moving outward. D. Don sterile gloves before organizing the
sterile items inside the tray kit.
Correct answer D. Option
, Explanation: Organizing sterile instruments inside a sterile field requires that the nurse's
hands be covered by sterile gloves to prevent contamination of the field. Flaps must be
opened away first, and cleansing movements must go from anterior to posterior (top to
bottom).
Question 6 A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who requires home oxygen
therapy via a nasal cannula. Which of the following safety instructions should the nurse
emphasize during the session?
A. Secure the oxygen tubing to the wall using metal brackets or staples. B. Apply petroleum
jelly to the lips and nares if they become dry or irritated. C. Wear synthetic fabrics like nylon
and polyester while using the oxygen. D. Ensure that all electrical equipment in the room is
grounded properly.
Correct answer D. Option
Explanation: Oxygen supports combustion, making electrical safety paramount. All
appliances must be grounded to prevent sparks. Petroleum jelly is combustible and must be
avoided; water-soluble lubricants should be used instead. Synthetic fabrics can generate
static electricity.
Question 7 A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic venous insufficiency. Which of the
following clinical findings should the nurse expect to observe in the client's lower
extremities?
A. Shiny, hairless skin with thick, brittle toenails and pale color. B. Absent or weak dorsalis
pedis and posterior tibial pulses. C. Edema accompanied by a brownish pigmentation around
the ankles. D. Severe, sharp pain that intensifies when the legs are elevated.
Correct answer C. Option
Explanation: Chronic venous insufficiency causes blood pooling, leading to increased
hydrostatic pressure and fluid leakage (edema). Erythrocyte breakdown causes hemosiderin
staining, which results in characteristic brownish pigmentation. Shiny skin and weak pulses
indicate arterial insufficiency.
Question 8 A nurse enters a client's room and discovers a fire burning in a small wastebasket
next to the bed. Identify the correct sequence of actions the nurse should execute using the
RACE acronym.
A. Extinguish the fire, alarm the facility, confine the smoke, rescue the client. B. Rescue the
client, activate the fire alarm, confine the fire, extinguish the fire. C. Confine the fire, alarm
the facility, rescue the client, extinguish the fire. D. Activate the fire alarm, rescue the client,
extinguish the fire, confine the smoke.
Correct answer B. Option
, Explanation: The RACE acronym dictates the absolute priority sequence during a fire:
Rescue clients in immediate danger, Activate the fire alarm system, Confine/Contain the fire
by closing doors, and Extinguish the fire if small enough or Evacuate.
Question 9 A nurse is documenting clinical observations in a client's electronic health record.
Which of the following entries demonstrates the objective standards required for accurate
medical documentation?
A. The client is manipulative and refuses to cooperate with the physical therapist. B. The
client appears depressed and cried during the morning shift assessment. C. The client
ambulated 45 feet down the hallway with a steady gait without reporting dyspnea. D. The
client slept reasonably well throughout most of the evening shift duration.
Correct answer C. Option
Explanation: Objective documentation must be specific, measurable, and free of
personal bias, interpretation, or vague terms. Describing the exact distance ambulated and
specific absence of symptoms meets this professional reporting standard.
Question 10 A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of an adult client who reports
generalized fatigue. Which of the following values should the nurse identify as being outside
the expected reference range?
A. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L B. White blood cell count 6,500/mm3 C. Sodium 138 mEq/L D.
Hemoglobin 9.5 g/dL
Correct answer D. Option
Explanation: A hemoglobin value of 9.5 g/dL is below the normal reference range for
adults (typically 12 to 16 g/dL for females and 14 to 18 g/dL for males), which correlates
directly with the clinical presentation of generalized fatigue due to reduced oxygen-carrying
capacity.
Question 11 A nurse is preparing to perform chest physiotherapy (CPT) for a client who has
cystic fibrosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse incorporate into the plan of
care?
A. Administer the scheduled bronchodilator medication after finishing the therapy session.
B. Schedule the treatment session 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. C. Perform
percussion maneuvers directly over the client's bare skin surface. D. Maintain the client in a
completely flat, supine position during percussion.
Correct answer B. Option
