ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS CMS
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Safety and Infection Control
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
The ATI RN Fundamentals CMS Exam assesses the foundational
knowledge and clinical judgment required for safe, effective
nursing practice. The examination evaluates core concepts
including infection control, medication administration, delegation,
documentation, patient safety, and basic care skills. Questions
incorporate multiple-choice and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
formats emphasizing real-world application, prioritization, and
,clinical decision-making. Candidates must demonstrate
competency in the nursing process, therapeutic communication,
and evidence-based interventions. The assessment underscores
critical thinking, patient advocacy, and ethical decision-making in
fundamental nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is preparing to delegate client care tasks to an
assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks
should the nurse delegate?
A. Administering a tube feeding
B. Ambulating a client who is postoperative
C. Assessing a client's pain level
D. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
B. Ambulating a client who is postoperative
RATIONALE: Ambulating a stable, postoperative client is
within the scope of practice for assistive personnel.
Administration of tube feedings, assessment, and teaching
require licensed nursing judgment and should not be delegated .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription
for wrist restraints. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Tie the restraints to the side rail of the bed
B. Remove the restraints every 2 hours to check skin integrity
C. Secure the restraints with a quick-release knot
D. Apply the restraints tightly to prevent movement
C. Secure the restraints with a quick-release knot
, RATIONALE: Restraints must be secured with a quick-release
knot to allow for rapid removal in an emergency. They should be
tied to the bed frame, not the side rail, and removed every 2
hours for skin assessment and range of motion .
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which
action requires intervention?
A. The nurse places the sterile field at waist level
B. The nurse opens the outer packaging away from the body
C. The nurse uses sterile gloves to handle the catheter
D. The nurse sets up the sterile field 10 minutes before the
procedure
D. The nurse sets up the sterile field 10 minutes before the
procedure
RATIONALE: A sterile field should be set up immediately
before use to minimize the risk of contamination. The other
actions are correct sterile technique .
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who is on contact
precautions. Which of the following items must be worn
when entering the client's room?
A. Mask
B. Gown and gloves
C. N95 respirator
D. Eye protection
B. Gown and gloves
RATIONALE: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to
prevent transmission of organisms via direct contact. Mask, N95
respirator, and eye protection are used for droplet or airborne
precautions .
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion.
Which of the following actions is most important to
prevent a transfusion reaction?
A. Use a 20-gauge IV catheter
B. Prime the tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride
C. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
D. Stay with the client for the first 15 minutes
C. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
RATIONALE: Verification of client identity is the most critical
step to prevent a transfusion reaction (e.g., ABO incompatibility).
Two identifiers (name, date of birth, medical record number)
must be checked against the blood product .
6. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client
who has a new prescription for home oxygen therapy.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I can use an electric razor for shaving."
B. "I will store my oxygen tank in the garage."
C. "I can smoke as long as I am 10 feet away from the oxygen."
D. "I will wear cotton clothing while using oxygen."
D. "I will wear cotton clothing while using oxygen."
RATIONALE: Cotton is non-static and safe. Electric razors and
smoking are dangerous near oxygen. Oxygen tanks should be
stored in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of
Clostridioides difficile. Which of the following is the
appropriate type of precautions?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Contact precautions
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Safe and Effective Care Environment
• Safety and Infection Control
• Health Promotion and Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Basic Care and Comfort
• Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
• Reduction of Risk Potential
• Physiological Adaptation
Introduction
The ATI RN Fundamentals CMS Exam assesses the foundational
knowledge and clinical judgment required for safe, effective
nursing practice. The examination evaluates core concepts
including infection control, medication administration, delegation,
documentation, patient safety, and basic care skills. Questions
incorporate multiple-choice and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
formats emphasizing real-world application, prioritization, and
,clinical decision-making. Candidates must demonstrate
competency in the nursing process, therapeutic communication,
and evidence-based interventions. The assessment underscores
critical thinking, patient advocacy, and ethical decision-making in
fundamental nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is preparing to delegate client care tasks to an
assistive personnel (AP). Which of the following tasks
should the nurse delegate?
A. Administering a tube feeding
B. Ambulating a client who is postoperative
C. Assessing a client's pain level
D. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
B. Ambulating a client who is postoperative
RATIONALE: Ambulating a stable, postoperative client is
within the scope of practice for assistive personnel.
Administration of tube feedings, assessment, and teaching
require licensed nursing judgment and should not be delegated .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription
for wrist restraints. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Tie the restraints to the side rail of the bed
B. Remove the restraints every 2 hours to check skin integrity
C. Secure the restraints with a quick-release knot
D. Apply the restraints tightly to prevent movement
C. Secure the restraints with a quick-release knot
, RATIONALE: Restraints must be secured with a quick-release
knot to allow for rapid removal in an emergency. They should be
tied to the bed frame, not the side rail, and removed every 2
hours for skin assessment and range of motion .
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which
action requires intervention?
A. The nurse places the sterile field at waist level
B. The nurse opens the outer packaging away from the body
C. The nurse uses sterile gloves to handle the catheter
D. The nurse sets up the sterile field 10 minutes before the
procedure
D. The nurse sets up the sterile field 10 minutes before the
procedure
RATIONALE: A sterile field should be set up immediately
before use to minimize the risk of contamination. The other
actions are correct sterile technique .
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who is on contact
precautions. Which of the following items must be worn
when entering the client's room?
A. Mask
B. Gown and gloves
C. N95 respirator
D. Eye protection
B. Gown and gloves
RATIONALE: Contact precautions require a gown and gloves to
prevent transmission of organisms via direct contact. Mask, N95
respirator, and eye protection are used for droplet or airborne
precautions .
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion.
Which of the following actions is most important to
prevent a transfusion reaction?
A. Use a 20-gauge IV catheter
B. Prime the tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride
C. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
D. Stay with the client for the first 15 minutes
C. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
RATIONALE: Verification of client identity is the most critical
step to prevent a transfusion reaction (e.g., ABO incompatibility).
Two identifiers (name, date of birth, medical record number)
must be checked against the blood product .
6. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client
who has a new prescription for home oxygen therapy.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I can use an electric razor for shaving."
B. "I will store my oxygen tank in the garage."
C. "I can smoke as long as I am 10 feet away from the oxygen."
D. "I will wear cotton clothing while using oxygen."
D. "I will wear cotton clothing while using oxygen."
RATIONALE: Cotton is non-static and safe. Electric razors and
smoking are dangerous near oxygen. Oxygen tanks should be
stored in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of
Clostridioides difficile. Which of the following is the
appropriate type of precautions?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Contact precautions
