Comprehensive ATI Fundamentals
Proctored Exam & Retake Review:
Practice Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Safety and Infection Control (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to verify the client's
identity?
A) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
B) Check the client's room number and bed label
C) Ask the client's family member to confirm the client's name
D) Check the client's identification band only
Answer: A) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
Rationale: The Joint Commission requires two client identifiers (e.g., name
and date of birth) before any procedure or medication administration. The
client should be asked to state this information. Checking the room number
or relying solely on family members is not acceptable. The identification
band should be checked but is not sufficient alone.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a wound infection. Which of
the following types of transmission precautions should the nurse
implement?
A) Contact precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Protective environment
Answer: A) Contact precautions
Rationale: Wound infections are typically transmitted through direct or
indirect contact. Contact precautions include using gloves and gowns when
entering the room. Droplet precautions are for infections spread through
respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza), and airborne precautions are for
tuberculosis, measles, and varicella.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions is most important for preventing infection?
A) Using sterile gloves
B) Applying lubricant to the catheter tip
C) Maintaining sterile technique throughout the procedure
D) Securing the catheter to the client's leg
Answer: C) Maintaining sterile technique throughout the procedure
Rationale: Strict sterile technique is the most critical intervention to prevent
catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). While sterile gloves
and lubricant are important, maintaining the sterile field and technique
throughout the procedure is paramount.
,4. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client's room. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A) Pull the fire alarm
B) Rescue the client
C) Extinguish the fire
D) Close the door
Answer: B) Rescue the client
Rationale: In a fire emergency, the priority is R.A.C.E.: Rescue anyone in
immediate danger, Alert others and activate the alarm, Confine the fire by
closing doors, and Extinguish the fire if possible. Rescuing the client is
always the first priority.
5. A nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which of the following
actions is appropriate?
A) Tie the restraints to the side rails of the bed
B) Ensure that two fingers can fit between the restraint and the client's skin
C) Apply restraints for 4 hours before reassessment
D) Use a knot that can be easily released in an emergency
Answer: B) Ensure that two fingers can fit between the restraint and
the client's skin
Rationale: Restraints should be applied loosely enough to allow two fingers
to fit between the restraint and the client's skin to prevent circulatory
impairment and skin breakdown. Restraints should never be tied to side
, rails (should be tied to the bed frame), should be reassessed every 2 hours,
and use a quick-release knot.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Verify the client's blood type with another nurse
B) Check the expiration date on the blood product
C) Obtain the client's vital signs
D) Start the transfusion slowly
Answer: A) Verify the client's blood type with another nurse
Rationale: The most critical safety step before a blood transfusion is
verifying the client's identity and blood type with another licensed nurse to
prevent transfusion reactions. This is a two-nurse verification process.
7. A client on airborne precautions requires transport to radiology.
Which action should the nurse take?
A) Place a surgical mask on the client
B) Place an N95 respirator on the client
C) Have the client wear a gown
D) No special precautions are needed for transport
Answer: B) Place an N95 respirator on the client
Proctored Exam & Retake Review:
Practice Questions with Answers and
Detailed Rationales
Section 1: Safety and Infection Control (Questions 1-20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take to verify the client's
identity?
A) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
B) Check the client's room number and bed label
C) Ask the client's family member to confirm the client's name
D) Check the client's identification band only
Answer: A) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
Rationale: The Joint Commission requires two client identifiers (e.g., name
and date of birth) before any procedure or medication administration. The
client should be asked to state this information. Checking the room number
or relying solely on family members is not acceptable. The identification
band should be checked but is not sufficient alone.
,2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a wound infection. Which of
the following types of transmission precautions should the nurse
implement?
A) Contact precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Protective environment
Answer: A) Contact precautions
Rationale: Wound infections are typically transmitted through direct or
indirect contact. Contact precautions include using gloves and gowns when
entering the room. Droplet precautions are for infections spread through
respiratory droplets (e.g., influenza), and airborne precautions are for
tuberculosis, measles, and varicella.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions is most important for preventing infection?
A) Using sterile gloves
B) Applying lubricant to the catheter tip
C) Maintaining sterile technique throughout the procedure
D) Securing the catheter to the client's leg
Answer: C) Maintaining sterile technique throughout the procedure
Rationale: Strict sterile technique is the most critical intervention to prevent
catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). While sterile gloves
and lubricant are important, maintaining the sterile field and technique
throughout the procedure is paramount.
,4. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client's room. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A) Pull the fire alarm
B) Rescue the client
C) Extinguish the fire
D) Close the door
Answer: B) Rescue the client
Rationale: In a fire emergency, the priority is R.A.C.E.: Rescue anyone in
immediate danger, Alert others and activate the alarm, Confine the fire by
closing doors, and Extinguish the fire if possible. Rescuing the client is
always the first priority.
5. A nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which of the following
actions is appropriate?
A) Tie the restraints to the side rails of the bed
B) Ensure that two fingers can fit between the restraint and the client's skin
C) Apply restraints for 4 hours before reassessment
D) Use a knot that can be easily released in an emergency
Answer: B) Ensure that two fingers can fit between the restraint and
the client's skin
Rationale: Restraints should be applied loosely enough to allow two fingers
to fit between the restraint and the client's skin to prevent circulatory
impairment and skin breakdown. Restraints should never be tied to side
, rails (should be tied to the bed frame), should be reassessed every 2 hours,
and use a quick-release knot.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Verify the client's blood type with another nurse
B) Check the expiration date on the blood product
C) Obtain the client's vital signs
D) Start the transfusion slowly
Answer: A) Verify the client's blood type with another nurse
Rationale: The most critical safety step before a blood transfusion is
verifying the client's identity and blood type with another licensed nurse to
prevent transfusion reactions. This is a two-nurse verification process.
7. A client on airborne precautions requires transport to radiology.
Which action should the nurse take?
A) Place a surgical mask on the client
B) Place an N95 respirator on the client
C) Have the client wear a gown
D) No special precautions are needed for transport
Answer: B) Place an N95 respirator on the client
