ATI Fundamentals: Basic Nursing Skills, Safety & Infection Control
Practice Exam 2026 |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for wrist restraints. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Ensure two fingers can be inserted under the restraint.
B. Secure the restraints to the side rails of the bed.
C. Tie the restraints using a square knot.
D. Renew the restraint prescription every 48 hours.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should be able to insert two fingers under the restraint to ensure it is
not too tight and does not impede circulation.
2. Which of the following is the first action a nurse should take when a fire is
discovered in a client’s room?
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.
C. Rescue the client from the room.
D. Close all doors and windows.
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the RACE mnemonic, the priority is to Rescue the client from
immediate danger.
,3. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which of the following actions is
appropriate when using an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Rub hands together until they are completely dry.
B. Dry hands with a paper towel after application.
C. Rinse hands with water after applying the rub.
D. Apply the rub only to the palms of the hands.
Answer: A
Rationale: The hands should be rubbed together until the alcohol-based rub has
completely evaporated and the skin is dry.
4. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. Which of the
following actions violates surgical asepsis?
A. Opening the sterile pack away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile field above waist level.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up an item.
D. Discarding the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because microorganisms can fall
from the nurse’s sleeves or skin onto the field.
5. Which type of precaution should a nurse implement for a client diagnosed
with pulmonary tuberculosis?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: A
, Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted through small droplets that remain suspended in
the air, requiring airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room and N95
respirator.
6. A nurse is assisting a client with a high fall risk. Which of the following is the
most appropriate safety intervention?
A. Maintain the bed in the lowest position.
B. Place the bedside table far away from the bed.
C. Keep all four side rails in the up position.
D. Apply a vest restraint while the client is sleeping.
Answer: A
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed independently.
7. What is the correct sequence for removing Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) after caring for a client on isolation?
A. Mask, gown, goggles, gloves
B. Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
C. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
D. Gloves, mask, gown, goggles
Answer: B
Rationale: The sequence for doffing (removing) PPE generally starts with the most
contaminated items: gloves, then goggles or face shield, then gown, and finally the
mask/respirator.
Practice Exam 2026 |Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for wrist restraints. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Ensure two fingers can be inserted under the restraint.
B. Secure the restraints to the side rails of the bed.
C. Tie the restraints using a square knot.
D. Renew the restraint prescription every 48 hours.
Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should be able to insert two fingers under the restraint to ensure it is
not too tight and does not impede circulation.
2. Which of the following is the first action a nurse should take when a fire is
discovered in a client’s room?
A. Activate the fire alarm system.
B. Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.
C. Rescue the client from the room.
D. Close all doors and windows.
Answer: C
Rationale: According to the RACE mnemonic, the priority is to Rescue the client from
immediate danger.
,3. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which of the following actions is
appropriate when using an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Rub hands together until they are completely dry.
B. Dry hands with a paper towel after application.
C. Rinse hands with water after applying the rub.
D. Apply the rub only to the palms of the hands.
Answer: A
Rationale: The hands should be rubbed together until the alcohol-based rub has
completely evaporated and the skin is dry.
4. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. Which of the
following actions violates surgical asepsis?
A. Opening the sterile pack away from the body.
B. Keeping the sterile field above waist level.
C. Reaching over the sterile field to pick up an item.
D. Discarding the outer 1-inch border of the sterile drape.
Answer: C
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it because microorganisms can fall
from the nurse’s sleeves or skin onto the field.
5. Which type of precaution should a nurse implement for a client diagnosed
with pulmonary tuberculosis?
A. Airborne precautions
B. Contact precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Standard precautions only
Answer: A
, Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted through small droplets that remain suspended in
the air, requiring airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room and N95
respirator.
6. A nurse is assisting a client with a high fall risk. Which of the following is the
most appropriate safety intervention?
A. Maintain the bed in the lowest position.
B. Place the bedside table far away from the bed.
C. Keep all four side rails in the up position.
D. Apply a vest restraint while the client is sleeping.
Answer: A
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed independently.
7. What is the correct sequence for removing Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) after caring for a client on isolation?
A. Mask, gown, goggles, gloves
B. Gloves, goggles, gown, mask
C. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
D. Gloves, mask, gown, goggles
Answer: B
Rationale: The sequence for doffing (removing) PPE generally starts with the most
contaminated items: gloves, then goggles or face shield, then gown, and finally the
mask/respirator.
