ATI RN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2026 Level 3 |
200 Practice Questions and Answers
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to transfer a client who is partially weight bearing from the bed
to the chair. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the nurse's knees straight when moving the client
B. Position the chair next to the bed at a 90-degree angle
C. Stand with the nurse's feet together when lifting the client
D. Have the client bear weight on the stronger leg
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Utilizing the stronger leg provides a stable base of support, which is essential for
clients who are only partially weight-bearing. The chair should be positioned at a 45-degree
angle, not 90 degrees, to facilitate transfer. The nurse should keep feet shoulder-width apart for
a broad base of support, not together, and bend at the knees, not keep them straight.
Question 2: A charge nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing an educational program
about delirium for newly hired nurses. Which of the following statements should the nurse plan
to include?
A. "Delirium does not affect a client's perception of her environment."
B. "Delirium does not affect a client's sleep cycle."
C. "Delirium has an abrupt onset."
D. "Delirium develops gradually over several months."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute change in mental status, typically
occurring over hours or a few days. It affects perception, sleep-wake cycles, and attention.
Unlike dementia, which develops gradually, delirium has an abrupt onset and is often reversible
with treatment of the underlying cause.
Question 3: A charge nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the use of
restraints. In which of the following clinical situations should the nurse apply restraints?
,A. If the client is pacing in the hallway
B. As a part of a fall prevention program
C. At the request of the client's family
D. When the client poses a threat to self or others
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Restraints should only be used when the client poses an immediate threat to self or
others and less restrictive interventions have failed. Restraints are never used for convenience,
as a routine fall prevention measure, or at the family's request without clinical indication. The
least restrictive restraint should be used, and frequent reassessment is required.
Question 4: A nurse is admitting a client who is malnourished. The client states, "My wedding
ring is loose and I'm worried I will lose it if it falls off." Which of the following is an appropriate
response by the nurse?
A. "I will place it in your drawer so it won't get lost."
B. "I can pin it to your hospital gown so you won't lose it."
C. "I will hold onto it until a family member can take it home."
D. "I can put it in a locked storage unit for you."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Placing valuables in a locked storage area protects the client's belongings while
respecting their property. It is important to ensure the safety of personal items without taking
possession away indefinitely or risking loss. Leaving valuables in a drawer or pinning them to a
gown creates a risk of loss or theft.
Question 5: A nurse is discussing restorative health care with a newly licensed nurse. Which of
the following examples should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Home health care
B. Rehabilitation facilities
C. Diagnostic centers
D. Skilled nursing facilities
E. Oncology centers
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Restorative health care focuses on returning clients to their highest level of function
after illness or injury. Home health care, rehabilitation facilities, and skilled nursing facilities all
provide supportive, restorative services. Diagnostic centers and oncology centers are primarily
diagnostic or specialized treatment facilities, not restorative care.
,Question 6: A nurse is explaining the various types of health care coverage clients might have to
a group of nursing students. Which of the following health care financing mechanisms are
federally funded? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preferred provider organization (PPO)
B. Medicare
C. Long-term care insurance
D. Exclusive provider organization (EPO)
E. Medicaid
Correct Answers: B, E
Rationale: Medicare and Medicaid are government-funded programs. Medicare is federally
funded for individuals 65 and older or with certain disabilities, while Medicaid is jointly funded
by federal and state governments for low-income individuals. PPO and EPO plans are private
insurance, and long-term care insurance is also private.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client who decides not to have surgery despite significant
blockages in his coronary arteries. The nurse understands that this client's choice is an example
of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to respecting the client's right to make decisions about their care,
including the right to refuse treatment. Fidelity refers to keeping promises. Justice refers to
fairness in care distribution. Nonmaleficence refers to the duty to do no harm.
Question 8: A nurse offers pain medication to a client who is postoperative prior to ambulation.
The nurse understands that this aspect of care delivery is an example of which of the following
ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Beneficence is taking actions to promote well-being, such as managing pain before
an activity. This principle guides nurses to act in the best interest of clients and to prevent harm
while promoting good.
Question 9: A nurse is instructing a group of nursing students about the responsibilities of organ
donation and procurement. When the nurse explains that all clients waiting for a kidney
transplant have to meet the same qualifications, the students should understand that this
aspect of care delivery is an example of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources and care. When all
clients must meet the same qualifications for a transplant, this demonstrates the ethical
principle of justice by ensuring equal access and fair allocation of scarce organs.
Question 10: A nurse manager is developing strategies to care for the increasing number of
clients who have obesity. Which of the following actions should the nurse include as a primary
health care strategy?
A. Providing community education on nutrition and exercise
B. Offering weight loss surgery
C. Prescribing weight loss medications
D. Referring clients to inpatient treatment programs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary health care focuses on health promotion and disease prevention.
Community education on nutrition and exercise is a primary prevention strategy. Weight loss
surgery, medications, and inpatient treatment are secondary or tertiary interventions after
obesity has already developed.
Question 11: A nurse is caring for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit. For which of the
following client care needs should the nurse initiate a referral for a social worker? (Select all that
apply.)
A. A client who has terminal cancer requests hospice care in her home
B. A client asks about community resources available for older adults
C. A client states that she wants her child baptized before surgery
200 Practice Questions and Answers
Safe and Effective Care Environment
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to transfer a client who is partially weight bearing from the bed
to the chair. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the nurse's knees straight when moving the client
B. Position the chair next to the bed at a 90-degree angle
C. Stand with the nurse's feet together when lifting the client
D. Have the client bear weight on the stronger leg
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Utilizing the stronger leg provides a stable base of support, which is essential for
clients who are only partially weight-bearing. The chair should be positioned at a 45-degree
angle, not 90 degrees, to facilitate transfer. The nurse should keep feet shoulder-width apart for
a broad base of support, not together, and bend at the knees, not keep them straight.
Question 2: A charge nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing an educational program
about delirium for newly hired nurses. Which of the following statements should the nurse plan
to include?
A. "Delirium does not affect a client's perception of her environment."
B. "Delirium does not affect a client's sleep cycle."
C. "Delirium has an abrupt onset."
D. "Delirium develops gradually over several months."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delirium is characterized by a rapid, acute change in mental status, typically
occurring over hours or a few days. It affects perception, sleep-wake cycles, and attention.
Unlike dementia, which develops gradually, delirium has an abrupt onset and is often reversible
with treatment of the underlying cause.
Question 3: A charge nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the use of
restraints. In which of the following clinical situations should the nurse apply restraints?
,A. If the client is pacing in the hallway
B. As a part of a fall prevention program
C. At the request of the client's family
D. When the client poses a threat to self or others
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Restraints should only be used when the client poses an immediate threat to self or
others and less restrictive interventions have failed. Restraints are never used for convenience,
as a routine fall prevention measure, or at the family's request without clinical indication. The
least restrictive restraint should be used, and frequent reassessment is required.
Question 4: A nurse is admitting a client who is malnourished. The client states, "My wedding
ring is loose and I'm worried I will lose it if it falls off." Which of the following is an appropriate
response by the nurse?
A. "I will place it in your drawer so it won't get lost."
B. "I can pin it to your hospital gown so you won't lose it."
C. "I will hold onto it until a family member can take it home."
D. "I can put it in a locked storage unit for you."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Placing valuables in a locked storage area protects the client's belongings while
respecting their property. It is important to ensure the safety of personal items without taking
possession away indefinitely or risking loss. Leaving valuables in a drawer or pinning them to a
gown creates a risk of loss or theft.
Question 5: A nurse is discussing restorative health care with a newly licensed nurse. Which of
the following examples should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Home health care
B. Rehabilitation facilities
C. Diagnostic centers
D. Skilled nursing facilities
E. Oncology centers
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Restorative health care focuses on returning clients to their highest level of function
after illness or injury. Home health care, rehabilitation facilities, and skilled nursing facilities all
provide supportive, restorative services. Diagnostic centers and oncology centers are primarily
diagnostic or specialized treatment facilities, not restorative care.
,Question 6: A nurse is explaining the various types of health care coverage clients might have to
a group of nursing students. Which of the following health care financing mechanisms are
federally funded? (Select all that apply.)
A. Preferred provider organization (PPO)
B. Medicare
C. Long-term care insurance
D. Exclusive provider organization (EPO)
E. Medicaid
Correct Answers: B, E
Rationale: Medicare and Medicaid are government-funded programs. Medicare is federally
funded for individuals 65 and older or with certain disabilities, while Medicaid is jointly funded
by federal and state governments for low-income individuals. PPO and EPO plans are private
insurance, and long-term care insurance is also private.
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client who decides not to have surgery despite significant
blockages in his coronary arteries. The nurse understands that this client's choice is an example
of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Nonmaleficence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to respecting the client's right to make decisions about their care,
including the right to refuse treatment. Fidelity refers to keeping promises. Justice refers to
fairness in care distribution. Nonmaleficence refers to the duty to do no harm.
Question 8: A nurse offers pain medication to a client who is postoperative prior to ambulation.
The nurse understands that this aspect of care delivery is an example of which of the following
ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: D
, Rationale: Beneficence is taking actions to promote well-being, such as managing pain before
an activity. This principle guides nurses to act in the best interest of clients and to prevent harm
while promoting good.
Question 9: A nurse is instructing a group of nursing students about the responsibilities of organ
donation and procurement. When the nurse explains that all clients waiting for a kidney
transplant have to meet the same qualifications, the students should understand that this
aspect of care delivery is an example of which of the following ethical principles?
A. Fidelity
B. Autonomy
C. Justice
D. Beneficence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Justice refers to the fair and equitable distribution of resources and care. When all
clients must meet the same qualifications for a transplant, this demonstrates the ethical
principle of justice by ensuring equal access and fair allocation of scarce organs.
Question 10: A nurse manager is developing strategies to care for the increasing number of
clients who have obesity. Which of the following actions should the nurse include as a primary
health care strategy?
A. Providing community education on nutrition and exercise
B. Offering weight loss surgery
C. Prescribing weight loss medications
D. Referring clients to inpatient treatment programs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Primary health care focuses on health promotion and disease prevention.
Community education on nutrition and exercise is a primary prevention strategy. Weight loss
surgery, medications, and inpatient treatment are secondary or tertiary interventions after
obesity has already developed.
Question 11: A nurse is caring for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit. For which of the
following client care needs should the nurse initiate a referral for a social worker? (Select all that
apply.)
A. A client who has terminal cancer requests hospice care in her home
B. A client asks about community resources available for older adults
C. A client states that she wants her child baptized before surgery
