ATI Fundamentals Examination With
Actual Questions And Correct
Answers Updated Rationales
2026/2027 Instant Downloaded PDF.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a respiratory rate of
8/min. Which finding requires the nurse to take immediate
action?
A. Oxygen saturation of 96%
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
D. Heart rate of 78/min
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and
inadequate ventilation. The nurse should immediately assess
the client's airway, breathing, level of consciousness, and other
respiratory findings.
2. Which action should a nurse take to prevent the spread of
infection when caring for a client?
A. Wear gloves for every client interaction
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Keep the client's door closed at all times
D. Place all clients on contact precautions
Answer: B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important measure for
preventing transmission of microorganisms in healthcare
settings.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client.
Which action is appropriate for verifying the client's identity?
A. Ask the client's roommate to identify the client
B. Check the client's room number
C. Use two client identifiers
D. Ask the client whether the medication looks familiar
Answer: C. Use two client identifiers
Rationale: Using two approved identifiers, such as the client's
name and date of birth, helps prevent medication errors. Room
numbers should not be used as identifiers.
4. A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Raise the bed to its highest position
C. Remove the client's nonskid footwear
D. Place the wheelchair several feet from the bed
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair prevents it from moving
during the transfer and reduces the risk of injury.
5. A client reports pain at a level of 8 on a 0-to-10 scale. Which
action should the nurse take?
,A. Document the pain as mild
B. Ask the client to wait until the next scheduled medication
C. Assess the characteristics of the pain
D. Tell the client that an 8 indicates severe pain
Answer: C. Assess the characteristics of the pain
Rationale: The nurse should further assess the pain, including
location, quality, duration, onset, and aggravating or relieving
factors, before determining appropriate interventions.
6. Which position is generally appropriate for a client
experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion
and can improve ventilation in clients experiencing respiratory
difficulty.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for pressure injuries.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the skin continuously moist
D. Place a donut-shaped device under the sacrum
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
, Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure
over bony prominences. Massage over reddened areas can
cause tissue damage.
8. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a possible
indication of dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Increased urine output
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Poor skin turgor can occur with fluid volume deficit.
Other findings can include dry mucous membranes,
concentrated urine, and increased thirst.
9. A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious client. Which
action is appropriate?
A. Place the client in a side-lying position
B. Use a large amount of water
C. Place the client flat on the back
D. Pour mouthwash directly into the client's mouth
Answer: A. Place the client in a side-lying position
Rationale: Side-lying positioning facilitates drainage of oral
secretions and reduces the risk of aspiration.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary
catheter. Which action helps prevent infection?
Actual Questions And Correct
Answers Updated Rationales
2026/2027 Instant Downloaded PDF.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a respiratory rate of
8/min. Which finding requires the nurse to take immediate
action?
A. Oxygen saturation of 96%
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Temperature of 37.1°C (98.8°F)
D. Heart rate of 78/min
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate respiratory depression and
inadequate ventilation. The nurse should immediately assess
the client's airway, breathing, level of consciousness, and other
respiratory findings.
2. Which action should a nurse take to prevent the spread of
infection when caring for a client?
A. Wear gloves for every client interaction
B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
C. Keep the client's door closed at all times
D. Place all clients on contact precautions
Answer: B. Perform hand hygiene before and after client contact
,Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most important measure for
preventing transmission of microorganisms in healthcare
settings.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client.
Which action is appropriate for verifying the client's identity?
A. Ask the client's roommate to identify the client
B. Check the client's room number
C. Use two client identifiers
D. Ask the client whether the medication looks familiar
Answer: C. Use two client identifiers
Rationale: Using two approved identifiers, such as the client's
name and date of birth, helps prevent medication errors. Room
numbers should not be used as identifiers.
4. A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
B. Raise the bed to its highest position
C. Remove the client's nonskid footwear
D. Place the wheelchair several feet from the bed
Answer: A. Lock the wheelchair brakes
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair prevents it from moving
during the transfer and reduces the risk of injury.
5. A client reports pain at a level of 8 on a 0-to-10 scale. Which
action should the nurse take?
,A. Document the pain as mild
B. Ask the client to wait until the next scheduled medication
C. Assess the characteristics of the pain
D. Tell the client that an 8 indicates severe pain
Answer: C. Assess the characteristics of the pain
Rationale: The nurse should further assess the pain, including
location, quality, duration, onset, and aggravating or relieving
factors, before determining appropriate interventions.
6. Which position is generally appropriate for a client
experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion
and can improve ventilation in clients experiencing respiratory
difficulty.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for pressure injuries.
Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened bony prominences
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the skin continuously moist
D. Place a donut-shaped device under the sacrum
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
, Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure
over bony prominences. Massage over reddened areas can
cause tissue damage.
8. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a possible
indication of dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Increased urine output
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Bounding pulse
Answer: C. Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Poor skin turgor can occur with fluid volume deficit.
Other findings can include dry mucous membranes,
concentrated urine, and increased thirst.
9. A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious client. Which
action is appropriate?
A. Place the client in a side-lying position
B. Use a large amount of water
C. Place the client flat on the back
D. Pour mouthwash directly into the client's mouth
Answer: A. Place the client in a side-lying position
Rationale: Side-lying positioning facilitates drainage of oral
secretions and reduces the risk of aspiration.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary
catheter. Which action helps prevent infection?
