ATI Fundamentals for Nursing Edition 12.0
Content Mastery Series Proctored Exam
Test Bank (2026/2027) | Complete
Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's allergies
B. Document administration of the medication
C. Place the medication at the client's bedside
D. Explain the medication's adverse effects
Answer: _A. Verify the client's allergies_
Rationale: Checking allergies is an essential safety step before medication
administration. The nurse should verify the medication order, identify the client,
assess allergies, and complete other required safety checks before administration.
A nurse is assessing a client who reports shortness of breath. Which finding
requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Mild anxiety
D. Heart rate of 96/min
Answer: _B. Oxygen saturation of 88%_
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates inadequate oxygenation for most
clients and requires prompt assessment and intervention. Airway and breathing
concerns take priority.
A nurse is caring for a client who has limited mobility. Which intervention is most
appropriate for preventing pressure injuries?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Restrict fluid intake
D. Keep the head of the bed elevated continuously
Answer: _B. Reposition the client regularly_
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure over bony
prominences and helps prevent pressure injuries. Reddened areas should not be
massaged because this can damage underlying tissue.
A nurse is teaching a client about hand hygiene. Which statement by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I only need to wash my hands when they look dirty."
B. "Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't visibly soiled."
C. "Wearing gloves means hand hygiene is unnecessary."
D. "Hand hygiene is needed only after patient contact."
Answer: _B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't
visibly soiled._
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is appropriate for routine hand hygiene
when hands are not visibly soiled. Hand hygiene remains necessary before and
after client contact and after glove removal.
A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Lock the wheelchair wheels
B. Position the wheelchair several feet from the bed
C. Keep the client's knees straight during transfer
D. Pull the client by the arms
,Answer: _A. Lock the wheelchair wheels_
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair wheels prevents movement during the transfer
and reduces the risk of falls. The nurse should also use appropriate body
mechanics and assistive devices as needed.
A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which question is most appropriate?
A. "You aren't having much pain, are you?"
B. "Can you describe your pain?"
C. "Does your pain mean something is seriously wrong?"
D. "Why didn't you report the pain earlier?"
Answer: _B. "Can you describe your pain?"_
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the client to describe the pain's quality,
location, intensity, timing, and characteristics without introducing bias.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention should the
nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place frequently used items within reach
C. Keep all four side rails raised
D. Encourage the client to walk independently
Answer: _B. Place frequently used items within reach_
Rationale: Keeping necessary items within reach reduces the need for the client to
stretch, climb, or get out of bed unnecessarily. The bed should generally be
maintained in a low position.
A nurse is preparing to obtain a client's blood pressure manually. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Place the cuff over the client's clothing
B. Use a cuff that is appropriately sized
C. Position the arm below heart level
D. Have the client talk during the measurement
Answer: _B. Use a cuff that is appropriately sized_
, Rationale: An appropriately sized blood pressure cuff is necessary for an accurate
measurement. The client's arm should be supported at approximately heart level,
and the client should remain quiet during measurement.
A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia. Which intervention reduces the
risk of aspiration during meals?
A. Position the client upright
B. Encourage the client to drink rapidly
C. Place food on the unaffected side without assessment
D. Have the client lie down after eating
Answer: _A. Position the client upright_
Rationale: Upright positioning during meals promotes safer swallowing and
decreases aspiration risk. The client should remain upright after eating according
to the care plan.
A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious client. Which position is safest?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Side-lying
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: _C. Side-lying_
Rationale: Side-lying positioning facilitates drainage of oral secretions and
decreases the risk of aspiration in an unconscious client.
A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action
helps prevent infection?
A. Keep the drainage bag above bladder level
B. Disconnect the drainage system routinely
C. Maintain a closed drainage system
D. Allow the tubing to rest on the floor
Answer: _C. Maintain a closed drainage system_
Content Mastery Series Proctored Exam
Test Bank (2026/2027) | Complete
Questions with Verified Answers and
Detailed Rationales
A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication to a client. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Verify the client's allergies
B. Document administration of the medication
C. Place the medication at the client's bedside
D. Explain the medication's adverse effects
Answer: _A. Verify the client's allergies_
Rationale: Checking allergies is an essential safety step before medication
administration. The nurse should verify the medication order, identify the client,
assess allergies, and complete other required safety checks before administration.
A nurse is assessing a client who reports shortness of breath. Which finding
requires the nurse's immediate attention?
A. Respiratory rate of 24/min
B. Oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Mild anxiety
D. Heart rate of 96/min
Answer: _B. Oxygen saturation of 88%_
,Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates inadequate oxygenation for most
clients and requires prompt assessment and intervention. Airway and breathing
concerns take priority.
A nurse is caring for a client who has limited mobility. Which intervention is most
appropriate for preventing pressure injuries?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Restrict fluid intake
D. Keep the head of the bed elevated continuously
Answer: _B. Reposition the client regularly_
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure over bony
prominences and helps prevent pressure injuries. Reddened areas should not be
massaged because this can damage underlying tissue.
A nurse is teaching a client about hand hygiene. Which statement by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I only need to wash my hands when they look dirty."
B. "Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't visibly soiled."
C. "Wearing gloves means hand hygiene is unnecessary."
D. "Hand hygiene is needed only after patient contact."
Answer: _B. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used when my hands aren't
visibly soiled._
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is appropriate for routine hand hygiene
when hands are not visibly soiled. Hand hygiene remains necessary before and
after client contact and after glove removal.
A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Lock the wheelchair wheels
B. Position the wheelchair several feet from the bed
C. Keep the client's knees straight during transfer
D. Pull the client by the arms
,Answer: _A. Lock the wheelchair wheels_
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair wheels prevents movement during the transfer
and reduces the risk of falls. The nurse should also use appropriate body
mechanics and assistive devices as needed.
A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which question is most appropriate?
A. "You aren't having much pain, are you?"
B. "Can you describe your pain?"
C. "Does your pain mean something is seriously wrong?"
D. "Why didn't you report the pain earlier?"
Answer: _B. "Can you describe your pain?"_
Rationale: An open-ended question allows the client to describe the pain's quality,
location, intensity, timing, and characteristics without introducing bias.
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention should the
nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Place frequently used items within reach
C. Keep all four side rails raised
D. Encourage the client to walk independently
Answer: _B. Place frequently used items within reach_
Rationale: Keeping necessary items within reach reduces the need for the client to
stretch, climb, or get out of bed unnecessarily. The bed should generally be
maintained in a low position.
A nurse is preparing to obtain a client's blood pressure manually. Which action is
appropriate?
A. Place the cuff over the client's clothing
B. Use a cuff that is appropriately sized
C. Position the arm below heart level
D. Have the client talk during the measurement
Answer: _B. Use a cuff that is appropriately sized_
, Rationale: An appropriately sized blood pressure cuff is necessary for an accurate
measurement. The client's arm should be supported at approximately heart level,
and the client should remain quiet during measurement.
A nurse is caring for a client who has dysphagia. Which intervention reduces the
risk of aspiration during meals?
A. Position the client upright
B. Encourage the client to drink rapidly
C. Place food on the unaffected side without assessment
D. Have the client lie down after eating
Answer: _A. Position the client upright_
Rationale: Upright positioning during meals promotes safer swallowing and
decreases aspiration risk. The client should remain upright after eating according
to the care plan.
A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious client. Which position is safest?
A. Supine
B. Prone
C. Side-lying
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: _C. Side-lying_
Rationale: Side-lying positioning facilitates drainage of oral secretions and
decreases the risk of aspiration in an unconscious client.
A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action
helps prevent infection?
A. Keep the drainage bag above bladder level
B. Disconnect the drainage system routinely
C. Maintain a closed drainage system
D. Allow the tubing to rest on the floor
Answer: _C. Maintain a closed drainage system_
