,ATI Fundamentals Assessment - PN Exam Questions And Answers
2026/2027
SECTION 1: SAFE & EFFECTIVE CARE ENVIRONMENT (Questions 1-15)
**1.** A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which
action is most important to prevent medication errors?
A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
B) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
C) Verify the medication with another nurse
D) Review the client's allergy list
**Correct Answer:** A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
**Rationale:** Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the
most critical safety step to prevent medication errors. The other actions are
important but should follow identification verification.
**2.** A nurse discovers that a client's family member has administered a
dose of medication from the client's PCA pump. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Assess the client for signs of oversedation
B) Discontinue use and tag the PCA pump
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Document the incident in the client's chart
**Correct Answer:** A) Assess the client for signs of oversedation
,**Rationale:** The nurse must first assess the client for potential harm
(oversedation, respiratory depression) before taking other actions.
**3.** A client is on contact precautions. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear when entering the room?
A) Gloves only
B) Gloves and gown
C) Gloves, gown, and mask
D) Gloves, gown, mask, and goggles
**Correct Answer:** B) Gloves and gown
**Rationale:** Contact precautions require gloves and gown because
transmission occurs through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Masks and goggles are not required unless there is a risk of splash.
**4.** A charge nurse is making client assignments. Which client should be
assigned to the most experienced practical nurse (PN)?
A) A client with diabetes requiring routine fingerstick blood glucose checks
B) A client with a new colostomy requiring initial stoma care teaching
C) A client with stable heart failure receiving daily oral medications
D) A client with an indwelling urinary catheter requiring routine care
**Correct Answer:** B) A client with a new colostomy requiring initial stoma
care teaching
, **Rationale:** Client education, especially initial teaching, requires advanced
nursing knowledge and should be assigned to the most experienced PN.
Routine tasks can be assigned to less experienced staff.
**5.** A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions. Which
intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A) Apply restraints to prevent wandering
B) Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
C) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
D) Encourage the client to ambulate independently
**Correct Answer:** B) Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
**Rationale:** Keeping the bed in the lowest position minimizes injury from
falls, and side rails provide a barrier while allowing client movement.
Restraints are a last resort.
**6.** A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action is most important to prevent a catheter-associated urinary tract
infection (CAUTI)?
A) Use sterile technique during insertion
B) Clean the perineal area with soap and water
C) Apply lubricant to the catheter tip
D) Inflate the balloon with sterile water
**Correct Answer:** A) Use sterile technique during insertion
2026/2027
SECTION 1: SAFE & EFFECTIVE CARE ENVIRONMENT (Questions 1-15)
**1.** A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which
action is most important to prevent medication errors?
A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
B) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
C) Verify the medication with another nurse
D) Review the client's allergy list
**Correct Answer:** A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
**Rationale:** Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the
most critical safety step to prevent medication errors. The other actions are
important but should follow identification verification.
**2.** A nurse discovers that a client's family member has administered a
dose of medication from the client's PCA pump. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Assess the client for signs of oversedation
B) Discontinue use and tag the PCA pump
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Document the incident in the client's chart
**Correct Answer:** A) Assess the client for signs of oversedation
,**Rationale:** The nurse must first assess the client for potential harm
(oversedation, respiratory depression) before taking other actions.
**3.** A client is on contact precautions. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear when entering the room?
A) Gloves only
B) Gloves and gown
C) Gloves, gown, and mask
D) Gloves, gown, mask, and goggles
**Correct Answer:** B) Gloves and gown
**Rationale:** Contact precautions require gloves and gown because
transmission occurs through direct contact with contaminated surfaces.
Masks and goggles are not required unless there is a risk of splash.
**4.** A charge nurse is making client assignments. Which client should be
assigned to the most experienced practical nurse (PN)?
A) A client with diabetes requiring routine fingerstick blood glucose checks
B) A client with a new colostomy requiring initial stoma care teaching
C) A client with stable heart failure receiving daily oral medications
D) A client with an indwelling urinary catheter requiring routine care
**Correct Answer:** B) A client with a new colostomy requiring initial stoma
care teaching
, **Rationale:** Client education, especially initial teaching, requires advanced
nursing knowledge and should be assigned to the most experienced PN.
Routine tasks can be assigned to less experienced staff.
**5.** A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions. Which
intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A) Apply restraints to prevent wandering
B) Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
C) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
D) Encourage the client to ambulate independently
**Correct Answer:** B) Keep the bed in the lowest position with side rails up
**Rationale:** Keeping the bed in the lowest position minimizes injury from
falls, and side rails provide a barrier while allowing client movement.
Restraints are a last resort.
**6.** A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
action is most important to prevent a catheter-associated urinary tract
infection (CAUTI)?
A) Use sterile technique during insertion
B) Clean the perineal area with soap and water
C) Apply lubricant to the catheter tip
D) Inflate the balloon with sterile water
**Correct Answer:** A) Use sterile technique during insertion
