ATI RN Comprehensive Basic Care & Comfort
Practice Test 2026/2027 | ATI RN Basic Care &
Comfort Study Guide, NCLEX-RN Questions &
Answers, Hygiene, Nutrition, Mobility, Elimination,
Rest & Sleep, Comfort Measures, Assistive Devices &
Clinical Judgment Exam Prep
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who reports pain at the IV
insertion site. The site is red, swollen, and warm to the touch. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress to the site
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV catheter
C. Elevate the extremity and continue monitoring
D. Flush the catheter with normal saline
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV catheter
Rationale: Redness, swelling, and warmth at an IV site indicate phlebitis or
infiltration. The priority action is to stop the infusion and remove the
catheter to prevent further tissue damage and complications. Warm
compresses and elevation may be used after removal, but stopping the
infusion is the first and most critical step.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client who has been receiving opioid
analgesia for postoperative pain. The client's respiratory rate is 8/min
and oxygen saturation is 88%. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer naloxone as prescribed
B. Stimulate the client and encourage deep breathing
C. Document the findings and continue monitoring
D. Elevate the head of the bed and apply oxygen
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stimulate the client and encourage deep
breathing
Rationale: The client is showing signs of opioid-induced respiratory
depression. The first action is to stimulate the client and encourage deep
breathing to increase respiratory effort. If this is ineffective, naloxone
should be administered. Oxygen may be applied, but stimulation and
arousal are the immediate priorities.
,Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer a bed bath to a client
who is unconscious. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to maintain the client's dignity?
A. Keep the door open for easy access
B. Expose only the body part being washed
C. Complete the bath quickly without explanation
D. Ask family members to leave the room
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Expose only the body part being washed
Rationale: Maintaining privacy and dignity for an unconscious client
includes exposing only the area being bathed and covering the rest of the
body. This preserves the client's dignity even when they are unaware.
Keeping the door open and rushing the bath do not respect the client's
privacy.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a
clear liquid diet. Which of the following items should the nurse offer
the client?
A. Vanilla milkshake
B. Orange gelatin
C. Cream of chicken soup
D. Oatmeal with milk
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Orange gelatin
Rationale: A clear liquid diet includes items that are transparent and liquid
at room temperature, such as gelatin, broth, clear juices, and tea.
Milkshakes, cream soups, and oatmeal are not clear liquids. Orange gelatin
is an appropriate choice.
Question 5: A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation when the
client begins to fall. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Attempt to catch the client and hold them upright
B. Lower the client gently to the floor while protecting the head
C. Call for help and wait for assistance before moving the client
D. Allow the client to slide down the wall independently
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Lower the client gently to the floor while
protecting the head
Rationale: If a client begins to fall, the nurse should gently lower the client
to the floor while protecting the client's head and preventing injury.
Attempting to catch or hold the client upright can cause injury to both the
client and the nurse. Calling for help is important, but the immediate action
is to control the fall.
Question 6: A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which of
the following actions indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field
C. Reaching over the sterile field with ungloved hands
D. Using sterile gloves to handle sterile supplies
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reaching over the sterile field with ungloved
hands
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field with ungloved hands contaminates
the field. Sterile technique requires that only sterile items touch the sterile
field. Opening packages away from the body, placing sterile supplies on the
field, and using sterile gloves are all appropriate actions.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the FACES pain
scale. The client is 6 years old. Which of the following findings should
the nurse document as the client's pain level?
A. The client points to a face showing a small amount of pain
B. The client rates pain as 10 out of 10
C. The client refuses to answer questions about pain
D. The client's parents report the child is in pain
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The client points to a face showing a small
amount of pain
Rationale: The FACES pain scale uses facial expressions to help children
describe their pain. The client pointing to a face indicates their self-
reported pain level. Parental reports are helpful but the child's self-report is
the most reliable indicator. A numeric rating is not used with the FACES
scale.
, Question 8: A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Apply a yellow wristband to the client
C. Leave the side rails down for easy access
D. Place the call light on the bedside table
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Apply a yellow wristband to the client
Rationale: A yellow wristband is commonly used to identify clients at risk
for falls. Keeping the bed in the lowest position, raising side rails as
appropriate, and placing the call light within reach are also fall precautions.
Leaving the bed high or side rails down increases fall risk.
Question 9: A nurse is administering a prescribed enema to a client.
Which of the following positions should the nurse place the client in?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. Left lateral Sims' position
C. High Fowler's position
D. Prone position
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Left lateral Sims' position
Rationale: The left lateral Sims' position allows the enema solution to flow
along the natural curve of the sigmoid colon and rectum. This position
facilitates retention and effectiveness of the enema. Other positions do not
promote optimal flow.
Question 10: A nurse is providing oral care to a client who is
unconscious. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use a toothbrush with toothpaste
B. Position the client supine
C. Turn the client's head to the side
D. Avoid using suction equipment
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Turn the client's head to the side
Rationale: Turning the head to the side allows secretions and fluid to drain
from the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration. An unconscious client
should not be positioned supine during oral care. Suction equipment
Practice Test 2026/2027 | ATI RN Basic Care &
Comfort Study Guide, NCLEX-RN Questions &
Answers, Hygiene, Nutrition, Mobility, Elimination,
Rest & Sleep, Comfort Measures, Assistive Devices &
Clinical Judgment Exam Prep
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who reports pain at the IV
insertion site. The site is red, swollen, and warm to the touch. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress to the site
B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV catheter
C. Elevate the extremity and continue monitoring
D. Flush the catheter with normal saline
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stop the infusion and remove the IV catheter
Rationale: Redness, swelling, and warmth at an IV site indicate phlebitis or
infiltration. The priority action is to stop the infusion and remove the
catheter to prevent further tissue damage and complications. Warm
compresses and elevation may be used after removal, but stopping the
infusion is the first and most critical step.
Question 2: A nurse is assessing a client who has been receiving opioid
analgesia for postoperative pain. The client's respiratory rate is 8/min
and oxygen saturation is 88%. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer naloxone as prescribed
B. Stimulate the client and encourage deep breathing
C. Document the findings and continue monitoring
D. Elevate the head of the bed and apply oxygen
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Stimulate the client and encourage deep
breathing
Rationale: The client is showing signs of opioid-induced respiratory
depression. The first action is to stimulate the client and encourage deep
breathing to increase respiratory effort. If this is ineffective, naloxone
should be administered. Oxygen may be applied, but stimulation and
arousal are the immediate priorities.
,Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer a bed bath to a client
who is unconscious. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to maintain the client's dignity?
A. Keep the door open for easy access
B. Expose only the body part being washed
C. Complete the bath quickly without explanation
D. Ask family members to leave the room
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Expose only the body part being washed
Rationale: Maintaining privacy and dignity for an unconscious client
includes exposing only the area being bathed and covering the rest of the
body. This preserves the client's dignity even when they are unaware.
Keeping the door open and rushing the bath do not respect the client's
privacy.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a
clear liquid diet. Which of the following items should the nurse offer
the client?
A. Vanilla milkshake
B. Orange gelatin
C. Cream of chicken soup
D. Oatmeal with milk
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Orange gelatin
Rationale: A clear liquid diet includes items that are transparent and liquid
at room temperature, such as gelatin, broth, clear juices, and tea.
Milkshakes, cream soups, and oatmeal are not clear liquids. Orange gelatin
is an appropriate choice.
Question 5: A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation when the
client begins to fall. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Attempt to catch the client and hold them upright
B. Lower the client gently to the floor while protecting the head
C. Call for help and wait for assistance before moving the client
D. Allow the client to slide down the wall independently
,CORRECT ANSWER: B. Lower the client gently to the floor while
protecting the head
Rationale: If a client begins to fall, the nurse should gently lower the client
to the floor while protecting the client's head and preventing injury.
Attempting to catch or hold the client upright can cause injury to both the
client and the nurse. Calling for help is important, but the immediate action
is to control the fall.
Question 6: A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which of
the following actions indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field
C. Reaching over the sterile field with ungloved hands
D. Using sterile gloves to handle sterile supplies
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reaching over the sterile field with ungloved
hands
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field with ungloved hands contaminates
the field. Sterile technique requires that only sterile items touch the sterile
field. Opening packages away from the body, placing sterile supplies on the
field, and using sterile gloves are all appropriate actions.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the FACES pain
scale. The client is 6 years old. Which of the following findings should
the nurse document as the client's pain level?
A. The client points to a face showing a small amount of pain
B. The client rates pain as 10 out of 10
C. The client refuses to answer questions about pain
D. The client's parents report the child is in pain
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The client points to a face showing a small
amount of pain
Rationale: The FACES pain scale uses facial expressions to help children
describe their pain. The client pointing to a face indicates their self-
reported pain level. Parental reports are helpful but the child's self-report is
the most reliable indicator. A numeric rating is not used with the FACES
scale.
, Question 8: A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position
B. Apply a yellow wristband to the client
C. Leave the side rails down for easy access
D. Place the call light on the bedside table
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Apply a yellow wristband to the client
Rationale: A yellow wristband is commonly used to identify clients at risk
for falls. Keeping the bed in the lowest position, raising side rails as
appropriate, and placing the call light within reach are also fall precautions.
Leaving the bed high or side rails down increases fall risk.
Question 9: A nurse is administering a prescribed enema to a client.
Which of the following positions should the nurse place the client in?
A. Supine with legs extended
B. Left lateral Sims' position
C. High Fowler's position
D. Prone position
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Left lateral Sims' position
Rationale: The left lateral Sims' position allows the enema solution to flow
along the natural curve of the sigmoid colon and rectum. This position
facilitates retention and effectiveness of the enema. Other positions do not
promote optimal flow.
Question 10: A nurse is providing oral care to a client who is
unconscious. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use a toothbrush with toothpaste
B. Position the client supine
C. Turn the client's head to the side
D. Avoid using suction equipment
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Turn the client's head to the side
Rationale: Turning the head to the side allows secretions and fluid to drain
from the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration. An unconscious client
should not be positioned supine during oral care. Suction equipment
