2026 ATI FUNDAMENTALS COMPREHENSIVE
PRACTICE EXAM
Questions with Highlighted ANSWERs and Detailed
Rationales
1. A nurse is planning care for a group of clients. Which task should the nurse delegate to assistive
personnel?
A. Changing a stage 3 pressure injury dressing
B. Evaluating a client response to a new diuretic
C. Comparing radial pulses for a postoperative client
D. Providing postmortem care to a deceased client
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Stage 3 dressing changes require sterile technique and nursing assessment, which cannot
be delegated.
B is incorrect: Evaluation is a step of the nursing process that requires professional nursing judgment
and cannot be delegated.
C is incorrect: Comparing pulses is an assessment function. Assistive personnel can measure vital signs,
but the nurse must interpret the findings.
D is correct: Postmortem care is a standard, non-invasive task that is appropriate to delegate to assistive
personnel to maintain dignity and prepare the body.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about herbal supplements. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. I take ginkgo biloba for headaches.
B. I take echinacea to control my cholesterol.
C. I use ginger when I get carsick.
D. I use garlic for my menopausal symptoms.
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Ginkgo biloba is used for memory and cognitive function, not headaches.
B is incorrect: Echinacea is used to boost the immune system, not to control cholesterol.
C is correct: Ginger is a well-documented, effective natural remedy for nausea and motion sickness.
D is incorrect: Garlic is used for cardiovascular health, not menopausal symptoms.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with influenza. Which action prevents the spread of infection?
A. Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the client.
B. Administer metronidazole prophylactically.
C. Don protective eyewear before entering the room.
D. Place the client in a negative airflow room.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale:
A is correct: Influenza requires droplet precautions, which include wearing a mask within 3 to 6 feet of
the client.
B is incorrect: Influenza is viral; metronidazole is an antibacterial medication and is ineffective.
C is incorrect: Protective eyewear is for airborne precautions or when splashing is anticipated, not
routine droplet precautions.
D is incorrect: Negative airflow rooms are for airborne precautions, not droplet precautions.
4. A nurse applies wrist restraints to a client pulling at an NG tube. Which action is correct?
A. Attach the restraints securely to the side rails.
B. Apply the restraints to allow as little movement as possible.
C. Allow room for two fingers to fit between the skin and the restraint.
D. Remove the restraints every 4 hours.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Restraints must never be attached to side rails, as lowering the rail can cause severe
injury.
B is incorrect: Restraints should allow maximum safe movement to prevent injury and promote
circulation.
,C is correct: A two-finger space ensures the restraint is secure but does not impair circulation or cause
tissue damage.
D is incorrect: Restraints must be removed, assessed, and cared for at least every 2 hours, not 4 hours.
5. A nurse is admitting a client with active tuberculosis. Which precaution is required?
A. Droplet
B. Airborne
C. Protective environment
D. Contact
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Droplet precautions are for illnesses like influenza or pertussis, not tuberculosis.
B is correct: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room and an N95
respirator, due to small airborne particles.
C is incorrect: Protective environments are for immunocompromised clients, not for containing an
infectious disease.
D is incorrect: Contact precautions are for diseases spread by direct or indirect touch, such as MRSA or
C. difficile.
6. A parent calls stating their child swallowed paint thinner but is awake and alert. What is the nurse's
best response?
A. Have your child drink a large glass of water immediately.
B. Hang up and call the poison control center hotline.
C. Bring your child into the clinic later today.
D. Induce vomiting in your child with syrup of ipecac.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Giving fluids can worsen certain poisonings and should not be done before consulting
experts.
B is correct: The poison control center provides immediate, expert, substance-specific guidance and is
the safest first action.
C is incorrect: Poisoning is an emergency requiring immediate action, not a delayed clinic visit.
D is incorrect: Inducing vomiting is contraindicated for hydrocarbons like paint thinner due to the high
risk of aspiration and severe lung damage.
, 7. A nurse is documenting in a client medical record. Which entry is appropriate?
A. Oral temperature slightly elevated at 0800.
B. Administered pain medication.
C. Incision without redness or drainage.
D. Drank adequate amounts of fluid with meals.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Documentation must be specific and objective, not vague terms like slightly elevated.
B is incorrect: Documentation must include the specific medication name, dose, route, and time.
C is correct: This is specific, objective, and clearly describes the wound assessment finding.
D is incorrect: Adequate amounts is vague. Fluid intake must be documented with specific measurable
volumes.
8. A nurse is providing oral care for an unconscious client. Which action is correct?
A. Place the client in a side-lying position.
B. Brush the client teeth only once daily.
C. Apply mineral oil to the client lips.
D. Rinse the mouth with an alcohol-based mouthwash.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale:
A is correct: A side-lying position prevents aspiration of secretions and fluids during oral care.
B is incorrect: Oral care for unconscious clients should be provided every 2 hours to prevent infection
and maintain tissue integrity.
C is incorrect: Mineral oil can be aspirated and cause lipid pneumonia; water-soluble lubricants should
be used instead.
D is incorrect: Alcohol-based mouthwashes dry the mucous membranes and should be avoided.
9. A nurse is reviewing legal issues. Which situation is an example of negligence?
A. An assistive personnel discusses client care in the cafeteria.
B. A nurse begins a blood transfusion without obtaining consent.
C. An assistive personnel prevents a competent client from leaving.
D. A nurse forgets to sign off on a completed task.
PRACTICE EXAM
Questions with Highlighted ANSWERs and Detailed
Rationales
1. A nurse is planning care for a group of clients. Which task should the nurse delegate to assistive
personnel?
A. Changing a stage 3 pressure injury dressing
B. Evaluating a client response to a new diuretic
C. Comparing radial pulses for a postoperative client
D. Providing postmortem care to a deceased client
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Stage 3 dressing changes require sterile technique and nursing assessment, which cannot
be delegated.
B is incorrect: Evaluation is a step of the nursing process that requires professional nursing judgment
and cannot be delegated.
C is incorrect: Comparing pulses is an assessment function. Assistive personnel can measure vital signs,
but the nurse must interpret the findings.
D is correct: Postmortem care is a standard, non-invasive task that is appropriate to delegate to assistive
personnel to maintain dignity and prepare the body.
2. A nurse is teaching a client about herbal supplements. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. I take ginkgo biloba for headaches.
B. I take echinacea to control my cholesterol.
C. I use ginger when I get carsick.
D. I use garlic for my menopausal symptoms.
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Ginkgo biloba is used for memory and cognitive function, not headaches.
B is incorrect: Echinacea is used to boost the immune system, not to control cholesterol.
C is correct: Ginger is a well-documented, effective natural remedy for nausea and motion sickness.
D is incorrect: Garlic is used for cardiovascular health, not menopausal symptoms.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with influenza. Which action prevents the spread of infection?
A. Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the client.
B. Administer metronidazole prophylactically.
C. Don protective eyewear before entering the room.
D. Place the client in a negative airflow room.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale:
A is correct: Influenza requires droplet precautions, which include wearing a mask within 3 to 6 feet of
the client.
B is incorrect: Influenza is viral; metronidazole is an antibacterial medication and is ineffective.
C is incorrect: Protective eyewear is for airborne precautions or when splashing is anticipated, not
routine droplet precautions.
D is incorrect: Negative airflow rooms are for airborne precautions, not droplet precautions.
4. A nurse applies wrist restraints to a client pulling at an NG tube. Which action is correct?
A. Attach the restraints securely to the side rails.
B. Apply the restraints to allow as little movement as possible.
C. Allow room for two fingers to fit between the skin and the restraint.
D. Remove the restraints every 4 hours.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Restraints must never be attached to side rails, as lowering the rail can cause severe
injury.
B is incorrect: Restraints should allow maximum safe movement to prevent injury and promote
circulation.
,C is correct: A two-finger space ensures the restraint is secure but does not impair circulation or cause
tissue damage.
D is incorrect: Restraints must be removed, assessed, and cared for at least every 2 hours, not 4 hours.
5. A nurse is admitting a client with active tuberculosis. Which precaution is required?
A. Droplet
B. Airborne
C. Protective environment
D. Contact
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Droplet precautions are for illnesses like influenza or pertussis, not tuberculosis.
B is correct: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room and an N95
respirator, due to small airborne particles.
C is incorrect: Protective environments are for immunocompromised clients, not for containing an
infectious disease.
D is incorrect: Contact precautions are for diseases spread by direct or indirect touch, such as MRSA or
C. difficile.
6. A parent calls stating their child swallowed paint thinner but is awake and alert. What is the nurse's
best response?
A. Have your child drink a large glass of water immediately.
B. Hang up and call the poison control center hotline.
C. Bring your child into the clinic later today.
D. Induce vomiting in your child with syrup of ipecac.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Giving fluids can worsen certain poisonings and should not be done before consulting
experts.
B is correct: The poison control center provides immediate, expert, substance-specific guidance and is
the safest first action.
C is incorrect: Poisoning is an emergency requiring immediate action, not a delayed clinic visit.
D is incorrect: Inducing vomiting is contraindicated for hydrocarbons like paint thinner due to the high
risk of aspiration and severe lung damage.
, 7. A nurse is documenting in a client medical record. Which entry is appropriate?
A. Oral temperature slightly elevated at 0800.
B. Administered pain medication.
C. Incision without redness or drainage.
D. Drank adequate amounts of fluid with meals.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A is incorrect: Documentation must be specific and objective, not vague terms like slightly elevated.
B is incorrect: Documentation must include the specific medication name, dose, route, and time.
C is correct: This is specific, objective, and clearly describes the wound assessment finding.
D is incorrect: Adequate amounts is vague. Fluid intake must be documented with specific measurable
volumes.
8. A nurse is providing oral care for an unconscious client. Which action is correct?
A. Place the client in a side-lying position.
B. Brush the client teeth only once daily.
C. Apply mineral oil to the client lips.
D. Rinse the mouth with an alcohol-based mouthwash.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Rationale:
A is correct: A side-lying position prevents aspiration of secretions and fluids during oral care.
B is incorrect: Oral care for unconscious clients should be provided every 2 hours to prevent infection
and maintain tissue integrity.
C is incorrect: Mineral oil can be aspirated and cause lipid pneumonia; water-soluble lubricants should
be used instead.
D is incorrect: Alcohol-based mouthwashes dry the mucous membranes and should be avoided.
9. A nurse is reviewing legal issues. Which situation is an example of negligence?
A. An assistive personnel discusses client care in the cafeteria.
B. A nurse begins a blood transfusion without obtaining consent.
C. An assistive personnel prevents a competent client from leaving.
D. A nurse forgets to sign off on a completed task.
