ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam
Study Guide: Practice Questions,
Answers, and Clinical Rationales
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 1-
30)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following actions
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Wearing artificial nails when providing direct patient care
B. Using hot water to remove microorganisms more effectively
C. Rubbing hands together for at least 15-20 seconds
D. Drying hands with a cloth towel before turning off the faucet
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene should involve rubbing hands together with soap and water
for at least 15-20 seconds to ensure adequate removal of microorganisms. Artificial nails
should not be worn in patient care areas as they harbor pathogens. Warm (not hot)
water should be used, and hands should be dried with paper towels, using the towel to
turn off the faucet to prevent recontamination.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has influenza and is on isolation precautions.
Which action should the nurse take to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the client
B. Administer metronidazole to the client
C. Don protective eyewear before entering the room
D. Place the client in a negative airflow room
,Answer: A
Rationale: Influenza requires droplet precautions. A mask should be worn when within 3
feet of the client. Negative airflow rooms are for airborne precautions (TB, measles,
varicella). Metronidazole treats bacterial infections, not viral influenza.
3. A nurse is planning care for a client who is on contact precautions. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the client in a private room with negative pressure
B. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
C. Wear gloves and a gown when entering the room
D. Keep the door closed at all times
Answer: C
Rationale: Contact precautions require gloves and gown for all entries into the room.
Negative pressure and N95 respirators are for airborne precautions. The door does not
need to be closed for contact precautions.
4. A nurse obtains a prescription for wrist restraints for a client who is trying to
pull out his NG tube. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Attach the restraints securely to the side rails of the client's bed
B. Tie restraints with a quick-release knot to the bed frame
C. Remove restraints every 4 hours
D. Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Restraints must be tied to the bed frame (not side rails) with a quick-release
knot to allow rapid removal in an emergency. Restraints should be removed every 2
hours for range of motion and circulation checks, not every 4 hours.
5. A nurse is preparing to use a fire extinguisher. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
A. Pull the pin
B. Aim at the base of the fire
,C. Squeeze the handle
D. Sweep from side to side
E. Aim at the top of the flames
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The correct sequence for using a fire extinguisher is PASS: Pull the pin, Aim
at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. Aiming at the
top of the flames is ineffective.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a seizure. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Record the time and length of the seizure
B. Restrain the client's extremities
C. Place the client in the prone position
D. Monitor the client's hemoglobin level
Answer: A
Rationale: Precise documentation of the seizure's onset, duration, and body
movements is critical for identifying the seizure type and determining appropriate
medical intervention. Restraints should never be used as they can cause injury, and the
client should be placed in a side-lying (not prone) position to prevent aspiration.
7. A nurse is assisting with conducting a home hazard assessment for a client who
has dementia. Which of the following findings indicates an understanding of home
safety?
A. An extension cord is secured under a rug
B. A toaster is plugged in when not in use
C. The water heater is set to 55°C (131°F)
D. The edges of stairs are marked with brightly colored tape
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with dementia often experience changes in depth perception and
visual processing. Marking the edges of stairs with high-contrast, brightly colored tape
, provides a visual cue that helps the client identify the step, significantly reducing the risk
of falls.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for suicide. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
A. Place the client on round-the-clock surveillance
B. Remove objects from the room that the client could use to harm themselves
C. Search items brought into the client's room by visitors
D. Refrain from asking the client if they intend to harm themselves
E. Screen the client for suicidal ideations
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Safety for a suicidal client requires a multi-layered approach: continuous
observation (surveillance), a "ligature-safe" environment (removing sharp objects/cords),
monitoring visitor items to prevent contraband, and active screening. Contrary to myth,
asking a client directly about self-harm does not increase the risk and is an essential part
of assessment.
9. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to help dilate the vein?
A. Stroke the skin near the vein in an upward position
B. Dangle the patient's arm over the edge of the bed
C. Apply a cool compress to the vein for 10 minutes
D. Instruct the patient to flex their arm with the hand open
Answer: B
Rationale: Gravity can help distend the veins when the arm is dangled, making IV
insertion easier. Stroking downward (not upward) can help, and warm (not cool)
compresses promote vasodilation.
10. A nurse is preparing to suction a patient's tracheostomy tube. What action
should the nurse take?
A. Apply intermittent suction during catheter insertion
Study Guide: Practice Questions,
Answers, and Clinical Rationales
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 1-
30)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following actions
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Wearing artificial nails when providing direct patient care
B. Using hot water to remove microorganisms more effectively
C. Rubbing hands together for at least 15-20 seconds
D. Drying hands with a cloth towel before turning off the faucet
Answer: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene should involve rubbing hands together with soap and water
for at least 15-20 seconds to ensure adequate removal of microorganisms. Artificial nails
should not be worn in patient care areas as they harbor pathogens. Warm (not hot)
water should be used, and hands should be dried with paper towels, using the towel to
turn off the faucet to prevent recontamination.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has influenza and is on isolation precautions.
Which action should the nurse take to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Wear a mask when working within 3 feet of the client
B. Administer metronidazole to the client
C. Don protective eyewear before entering the room
D. Place the client in a negative airflow room
,Answer: A
Rationale: Influenza requires droplet precautions. A mask should be worn when within 3
feet of the client. Negative airflow rooms are for airborne precautions (TB, measles,
varicella). Metronidazole treats bacterial infections, not viral influenza.
3. A nurse is planning care for a client who is on contact precautions. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Place the client in a private room with negative pressure
B. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
C. Wear gloves and a gown when entering the room
D. Keep the door closed at all times
Answer: C
Rationale: Contact precautions require gloves and gown for all entries into the room.
Negative pressure and N95 respirators are for airborne precautions. The door does not
need to be closed for contact precautions.
4. A nurse obtains a prescription for wrist restraints for a client who is trying to
pull out his NG tube. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Attach the restraints securely to the side rails of the client's bed
B. Tie restraints with a quick-release knot to the bed frame
C. Remove restraints every 4 hours
D. Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
Answer: B
Rationale: Restraints must be tied to the bed frame (not side rails) with a quick-release
knot to allow rapid removal in an emergency. Restraints should be removed every 2
hours for range of motion and circulation checks, not every 4 hours.
5. A nurse is preparing to use a fire extinguisher. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
A. Pull the pin
B. Aim at the base of the fire
,C. Squeeze the handle
D. Sweep from side to side
E. Aim at the top of the flames
Answer: A, B, C, D
Rationale: The correct sequence for using a fire extinguisher is PASS: Pull the pin, Aim
at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. Aiming at the
top of the flames is ineffective.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a seizure. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Record the time and length of the seizure
B. Restrain the client's extremities
C. Place the client in the prone position
D. Monitor the client's hemoglobin level
Answer: A
Rationale: Precise documentation of the seizure's onset, duration, and body
movements is critical for identifying the seizure type and determining appropriate
medical intervention. Restraints should never be used as they can cause injury, and the
client should be placed in a side-lying (not prone) position to prevent aspiration.
7. A nurse is assisting with conducting a home hazard assessment for a client who
has dementia. Which of the following findings indicates an understanding of home
safety?
A. An extension cord is secured under a rug
B. A toaster is plugged in when not in use
C. The water heater is set to 55°C (131°F)
D. The edges of stairs are marked with brightly colored tape
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with dementia often experience changes in depth perception and
visual processing. Marking the edges of stairs with high-contrast, brightly colored tape
, provides a visual cue that helps the client identify the step, significantly reducing the risk
of falls.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for suicide. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply)
A. Place the client on round-the-clock surveillance
B. Remove objects from the room that the client could use to harm themselves
C. Search items brought into the client's room by visitors
D. Refrain from asking the client if they intend to harm themselves
E. Screen the client for suicidal ideations
Answer: A, B, C, E
Rationale: Safety for a suicidal client requires a multi-layered approach: continuous
observation (surveillance), a "ligature-safe" environment (removing sharp objects/cords),
monitoring visitor items to prevent contraband, and active screening. Contrary to myth,
asking a client directly about self-harm does not increase the risk and is an essential part
of assessment.
9. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take to help dilate the vein?
A. Stroke the skin near the vein in an upward position
B. Dangle the patient's arm over the edge of the bed
C. Apply a cool compress to the vein for 10 minutes
D. Instruct the patient to flex their arm with the hand open
Answer: B
Rationale: Gravity can help distend the veins when the arm is dangled, making IV
insertion easier. Stroking downward (not upward) can help, and warm (not cool)
compresses promote vasodilation.
10. A nurse is preparing to suction a patient's tracheostomy tube. What action
should the nurse take?
A. Apply intermittent suction during catheter insertion
