ATI Fundamentals: Basic Nursing Skills, Safety & Infection Control
Exam Practice 2026 |Answers
1. A nurse is washing their hands with soap and water after providing care to a
client. For how many seconds should the nurse rub their hands together?
A. 15 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 5 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the CDC and standard nursing practice, handwashing with soap
and water should involve rubbing hands together for at least 15 to 20 seconds to effectively
remove microorganisms.
2. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client’s trash can. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Pull the fire alarm
B. Rescue the client from the room
C. Extinguish the fire
D. Close the door to the room
Answer: B
Rationale: The RACE acronym (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish) prioritizes rescuing
and protecting clients in immediate danger as the first step.
,3. Which of the following clients should the nurse place on airborne
precautions?
A. A client with influenza
B. A client with MRSA
C. A client with C. difficile
D. A client with Tuberculosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a private room with
negative-pressure airflow and the use of an N95 respirator.
4. A nurse is preparing to exit the room of a client who is on contact
precautions. In what order should the nurse remove their PPE?
A. Gown, gloves, mask, goggles
B. Goggles, mask, gloves, gown
C. Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
D. Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
Answer: D
Rationale: The recommended sequence for doffing PPE is gloves, followed by goggles or
face shield, then gown, and finally the mask or respirator.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at high risk for falls. Which of the
following is an appropriate safety intervention?
A. Place a ‘fall risk’ ID band on the client
B. Place the bed in the highest position
C. Keep all four side rails up at all times
D. Ensure the room is dark for better sleep
Answer: A
, Rationale: Applying a fall risk ID band alerts all staff to the client’s status. Keeping four
side rails up can be considered a restraint and increases injury risk if the client tries to
climb over them.
6. When using a fire extinguisher, what does the ‘P’ in the PASS acronym stand
for?
A. Pull the pin
B. Press the handle
C. Point the nozzle
D. Push the lever
Answer: A
Rationale: The PASS acronym stands for: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze
the handle, and Sweep from side to side.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridium difficile. Which hand hygiene
method is mandatory?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Chlorhexidine scrub
C. Soap and water
D. Sterile water rinse
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based rubs; therefore, mechanical
scrubbing with soap and water is required to remove them from the hands.
Exam Practice 2026 |Answers
1. A nurse is washing their hands with soap and water after providing care to a
client. For how many seconds should the nurse rub their hands together?
A. 15 seconds
B. 10 seconds
C. 5 seconds
D. 60 seconds
Answer: A
Rationale: According to the CDC and standard nursing practice, handwashing with soap
and water should involve rubbing hands together for at least 15 to 20 seconds to effectively
remove microorganisms.
2. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client’s trash can. What is the nurse’s first
action?
A. Pull the fire alarm
B. Rescue the client from the room
C. Extinguish the fire
D. Close the door to the room
Answer: B
Rationale: The RACE acronym (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish) prioritizes rescuing
and protecting clients in immediate danger as the first step.
,3. Which of the following clients should the nurse place on airborne
precautions?
A. A client with influenza
B. A client with MRSA
C. A client with C. difficile
D. A client with Tuberculosis
Answer: D
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a private room with
negative-pressure airflow and the use of an N95 respirator.
4. A nurse is preparing to exit the room of a client who is on contact
precautions. In what order should the nurse remove their PPE?
A. Gown, gloves, mask, goggles
B. Goggles, mask, gloves, gown
C. Mask, goggles, gown, gloves
D. Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
Answer: D
Rationale: The recommended sequence for doffing PPE is gloves, followed by goggles or
face shield, then gown, and finally the mask or respirator.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is at high risk for falls. Which of the
following is an appropriate safety intervention?
A. Place a ‘fall risk’ ID band on the client
B. Place the bed in the highest position
C. Keep all four side rails up at all times
D. Ensure the room is dark for better sleep
Answer: A
, Rationale: Applying a fall risk ID band alerts all staff to the client’s status. Keeping four
side rails up can be considered a restraint and increases injury risk if the client tries to
climb over them.
6. When using a fire extinguisher, what does the ‘P’ in the PASS acronym stand
for?
A. Pull the pin
B. Press the handle
C. Point the nozzle
D. Push the lever
Answer: A
Rationale: The PASS acronym stands for: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze
the handle, and Sweep from side to side.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridium difficile. Which hand hygiene
method is mandatory?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub
B. Chlorhexidine scrub
C. Soap and water
D. Sterile water rinse
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol-based rubs; therefore, mechanical
scrubbing with soap and water is required to remove them from the hands.
