ATI RN Fundamentals 2026/2027 – ATI
Testing Fundamentals Content Mastery Series
Study Guide, Proctored Exam Prep, RN
Nursing Fundamentals Review, Clinical
Judgment, Patient Safety, Health Assessment,
Basic Nursing Care, Practice Questions &
Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. The
client states, "I don't want to take that medication." Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication via an alternative route.
B. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
C. Document the client's refusal and notify the provider.
D. Explain the risks of refusing the medication and administer it.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Document the client's refusal and notify the provider.
Rationale: A client who is competent has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse should
respect this autonomy, document the refusal, and notify the provider to discuss
alternative options. Administering the medication against the client's will constitutes
battery .
Question 2: A nurse is performing a pain assessment on a 3-year-old child.
Which pain scale is appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. Numeric Rating Scale
C. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
D. FLACC Scale
CORRECT ANSWER: D. FLACC Scale
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is used for
nonverbal clients, including infants, young children, and those who are cognitively
impaired. The Wong-Baker FACES scale is appropriate for children who can
communicate and identify with the faces, typically starting around age 3, but FLACC is a
behavioral observation tool for those who cannot self-report .
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client who is on contact precautions for a
Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following actions is appropriate?
A. Wear an N95 respirator mask during care.
B. Use alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves.
C. Wear a gown and gloves during client care.
D. Keep the client's door closed at all times.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wear a gown and gloves during client care.
,Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves to prevent the
transmission of organisms like C. difficile. Alcohol-based hand rubs are ineffective
against C. difficile spores; the nurse must wash hands with soap and water. N95
respirators are for airborne precautions .
Question 4: A client is at an increased risk for falls. Which of the following is
the priority nursing intervention to promote safety?
A. Keep all four side rails up on the bed.
B. Place the bed in the lowest position.
C. Apply restraints to prevent the client from falling.
D. Keep the room dark to promote sleep.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Place the bed in the lowest position.
Rationale: Placing the bed in the lowest position minimizes the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed and falls. Side rails are considered restraints if all four are up
and require an order. Restraints should be a last resort .
Question 5: A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client.
After inserting the tube, which of the following methods is the best way to
confirm proper placement?
A. Auscultate for air instilled over the stomach.
B. Have the client speak to confirm vocal cord placement.
C. Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric fluid.
D. Visualize the tube exiting the mouth.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric fluid.
Rationale: The most reliable method to confirm NG tube placement is to aspirate gastric
contents and measure the pH. Gastric fluid typically has a pH of 5.5 or less. Auscultation
is no longer considered a reliable method for confirmation .
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of falls. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the call light within the client's reach.
B. Place the client's personal items far away to encourage ambulation.
C. Keep the bed in the highest position for easier transfer.
D. Encourage the client to wear loose-fitting slippers.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Keep the call light within the client's reach.
Rationale: The call light should always be within reach so the client can summon
assistance to get out of bed or use the restroom, reducing the risk of attempting unsafe
transfers. A low bed position and non-skid footwear (not loose slippers) are also
essential interventions .
, Question 7: A client is refusing a prescribed medication. The nurse explains
the risks and benefits, and the client still refuses. What is the nurse's
appropriate documentation?
A. "Client was educated on the medication and refused to take it."
B. "Client is non-compliant and refuses all medical care."
C. "Client refused medication due to personal reasons."
D. "Provider was notified of the client's non-compliance."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "Client was educated on the medication and refused to
take it."
Rationale: Documentation should be objective and factual, noting the client's refusal and
any education provided. It should avoid subjective terms like "non-compliant." The
nurse must also notify the provider .
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about foot care. Which of
the following instructions is appropriate?
A. Soak feet in warm water daily to improve circulation.
B. Use a heating pad to warm cold feet.
C. Apply lotion between the toes to prevent cracking.
D. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks at all times.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks at all times.
Rationale: Clients with diabetes should wear well-fitted shoes and socks to protect their
feet from injury. They should not soak their feet, use heating pads due to loss of
sensation, or apply lotion between the toes as this can cause maceration and infection .
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client who is NPO (nothing by mouth)
before surgery. Which of the following actions is appropriate?
A. Allow the client to have ice chips up to 2 hours before surgery.
B. Discontinue IV fluids if the client is NPO.
C. Allow the client to have a small meal 4 hours before surgery.
D. Ensure the client remains NPO, but administer prescribed medications with a sip of
water.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Ensure the client remains NPO, but administer
prescribed medications with a sip of water.
Rationale: NPO status prohibits all food and liquids, but prescribed medications are
often administered with a small sip of water to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent
withdrawal (e.g., for beta-blockers). The healthcare provider should be consulted for
clarification on specific medications .
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube connected to a
water-seal drainage system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-
seal chamber. What is the priority action?
Testing Fundamentals Content Mastery Series
Study Guide, Proctored Exam Prep, RN
Nursing Fundamentals Review, Clinical
Judgment, Patient Safety, Health Assessment,
Basic Nursing Care, Practice Questions &
Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. The
client states, "I don't want to take that medication." Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication via an alternative route.
B. Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce.
C. Document the client's refusal and notify the provider.
D. Explain the risks of refusing the medication and administer it.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Document the client's refusal and notify the provider.
Rationale: A client who is competent has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse should
respect this autonomy, document the refusal, and notify the provider to discuss
alternative options. Administering the medication against the client's will constitutes
battery .
Question 2: A nurse is performing a pain assessment on a 3-year-old child.
Which pain scale is appropriate for the nurse to use?
A. Visual Analog Scale
B. Numeric Rating Scale
C. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
D. FLACC Scale
CORRECT ANSWER: D. FLACC Scale
Rationale: The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is used for
nonverbal clients, including infants, young children, and those who are cognitively
impaired. The Wong-Baker FACES scale is appropriate for children who can
communicate and identify with the faces, typically starting around age 3, but FLACC is a
behavioral observation tool for those who cannot self-report .
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client who is on contact precautions for a
Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following actions is appropriate?
A. Wear an N95 respirator mask during care.
B. Use alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves.
C. Wear a gown and gloves during client care.
D. Keep the client's door closed at all times.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Wear a gown and gloves during client care.
,Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves to prevent the
transmission of organisms like C. difficile. Alcohol-based hand rubs are ineffective
against C. difficile spores; the nurse must wash hands with soap and water. N95
respirators are for airborne precautions .
Question 4: A client is at an increased risk for falls. Which of the following is
the priority nursing intervention to promote safety?
A. Keep all four side rails up on the bed.
B. Place the bed in the lowest position.
C. Apply restraints to prevent the client from falling.
D. Keep the room dark to promote sleep.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Place the bed in the lowest position.
Rationale: Placing the bed in the lowest position minimizes the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed and falls. Side rails are considered restraints if all four are up
and require an order. Restraints should be a last resort .
Question 5: A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client.
After inserting the tube, which of the following methods is the best way to
confirm proper placement?
A. Auscultate for air instilled over the stomach.
B. Have the client speak to confirm vocal cord placement.
C. Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric fluid.
D. Visualize the tube exiting the mouth.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Measure the pH of the aspirated gastric fluid.
Rationale: The most reliable method to confirm NG tube placement is to aspirate gastric
contents and measure the pH. Gastric fluid typically has a pH of 5.5 or less. Auscultation
is no longer considered a reliable method for confirmation .
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of falls. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the call light within the client's reach.
B. Place the client's personal items far away to encourage ambulation.
C. Keep the bed in the highest position for easier transfer.
D. Encourage the client to wear loose-fitting slippers.
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Keep the call light within the client's reach.
Rationale: The call light should always be within reach so the client can summon
assistance to get out of bed or use the restroom, reducing the risk of attempting unsafe
transfers. A low bed position and non-skid footwear (not loose slippers) are also
essential interventions .
, Question 7: A client is refusing a prescribed medication. The nurse explains
the risks and benefits, and the client still refuses. What is the nurse's
appropriate documentation?
A. "Client was educated on the medication and refused to take it."
B. "Client is non-compliant and refuses all medical care."
C. "Client refused medication due to personal reasons."
D. "Provider was notified of the client's non-compliance."
CORRECT ANSWER: A. "Client was educated on the medication and refused to
take it."
Rationale: Documentation should be objective and factual, noting the client's refusal and
any education provided. It should avoid subjective terms like "non-compliant." The
nurse must also notify the provider .
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client with diabetes about foot care. Which of
the following instructions is appropriate?
A. Soak feet in warm water daily to improve circulation.
B. Use a heating pad to warm cold feet.
C. Apply lotion between the toes to prevent cracking.
D. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks at all times.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Wear properly fitted shoes and socks at all times.
Rationale: Clients with diabetes should wear well-fitted shoes and socks to protect their
feet from injury. They should not soak their feet, use heating pads due to loss of
sensation, or apply lotion between the toes as this can cause maceration and infection .
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client who is NPO (nothing by mouth)
before surgery. Which of the following actions is appropriate?
A. Allow the client to have ice chips up to 2 hours before surgery.
B. Discontinue IV fluids if the client is NPO.
C. Allow the client to have a small meal 4 hours before surgery.
D. Ensure the client remains NPO, but administer prescribed medications with a sip of
water.
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Ensure the client remains NPO, but administer
prescribed medications with a sip of water.
Rationale: NPO status prohibits all food and liquids, but prescribed medications are
often administered with a small sip of water to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent
withdrawal (e.g., for beta-blockers). The healthcare provider should be consulted for
clarification on specific medications .
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube connected to a
water-seal drainage system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-
seal chamber. What is the priority action?
