ATI Nursing Skills 2026/2027 | ACTUAL-Style
Practice Questions & Answers, ATI RN Nursing
Skills Exam Prep, Basic Nursing Procedures Test
Bank, Sterile Technique, Infection Control, Vital
Signs, Wound Care, Catheterization, Specimen
Collection, Medication Administration, Patient
Safety, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to assess a client's blood pressure.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Position the client's arm above the level of the heart
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C. Inflate the cuff rapidly to 30 mm Hg above the estimated systolic
pressure
D. Ask the client about recent caffeine intake
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: Verification of client identity using two identifiers is the first step
before any nursing procedure to prevent errors. Arm positioning, cuff
inflation, and assessing caffeine intake occur after identity verification. This
aligns with National Patient Safety Goals.
Question 2: A nurse is performing hand hygiene before entering a
client's room. Which technique is correct?
A. Using an alcohol-based hand rub when hands are visibly soiled
B. Washing hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water
C. Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are not visibly soiled
D. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are
not visibly soiled
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is appropriate when hands are not
visibly soiled. Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly dirty or
contaminated with blood/body fluids. Hand washing requires at least 20
seconds. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous
injection. Which needle gauge and length is most appropriate for an
average adult?
,A. 18 gauge, 1.5 inches
B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
C. 21 gauge, 1 inch
D. 27 gauge, 1.5 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections require a short, fine needle. A 25-
gauge, 5/8-inch needle is standard for subcutaneous tissue. An 18-gauge
needle is too large; a 1.5-inch length risks intramuscular administration.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client's radial pulse. Which
technique is correct?
A. Using the thumb to palpate the pulse
B. Counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4
C. Applying light pressure with two or three fingertips
D. Palpating over the antecubital fossa
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Applying light pressure with two or three
fingertips
Rationale: The radial pulse is assessed with two or three fingertips applying
light pressure over the radial artery. The thumb should not be used because
it has its own pulse. Counting for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is
acceptable for regular pulses. The antecubital fossa is the site for the
brachial pulse.
Question 5: A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process
B. Lubricate the tube with petroleum jelly
C. Ask the client to swallow ice chips during insertion
D. Verify the client's gag reflex
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the
earlobe to the xiphoid process
Rationale: Measuring from nose to earlobe to xiphoid process determines
appropriate insertion length before the procedure. Petroleum jelly is not
,used for NG tube lubrication (water-soluble lubricant is used). Swallowing
ice chips and verifying gag reflex occur after measurement.
Question 6: A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which
action violates sterile technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Reaching over the sterile field with an ungloved hand
C. Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field using sterile gloves
D. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Reaching over the sterile field with an ungloved
hand
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field with an ungloved hand
contaminates the field. Sterile objects must only be touched with sterile
gloves or sterile instruments. Opening packages away from the body, using
sterile gloves, and keeping the field above waist level are correct practices.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client's temperature via the oral
route. Which factor should the nurse consider?
A. The client drank a cold beverage 5 minutes ago
B. The client is on strict bed rest
C. The client is receiving oxygen therapy
D. The client has a nasogastric tube in place
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The client drank a cold beverage 5 minutes ago
Rationale: Oral temperature should be delayed 15-30 minutes after
ingestion of hot or cold liquids or smoking. Oxygen therapy and nasogastric
tubes are relative contraindications for oral temperature. Bed rest does not
affect oral temperature accuracy.
Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection using the ventrogluteal site. Which landmark identifies this
site?
A. The deltoid muscle
B. The anterior thigh
C. The greater trochanter and iliac crest
D. The buttock's upper outer quadrant
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The greater trochanter and iliac crest
, Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is located by placing the palm on the
greater trochanter, the index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine, and
the middle finger on the iliac crest. The deltoid and anterior thigh are
different sites. The upper outer quadrant of the buttock is the dorsogluteal
site.
Question 9: A nurse is performing a focused respiratory assessment.
Which technique should the nurse use to assess for tactile fremitus?
A. Percussing over the lung fields
B. Auscultating for breath sounds
C. Palpating the chest while the client speaks
D. Observing chest expansion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Palpating the chest while the client speaks
Rationale: Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpating the chest while the
client repeats a phrase. Increased fremitus occurs with consolidation;
decreased fremitus occurs with pleural effusion or pneumothorax.
Percussion and auscultation assess different findings.
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Beefy red stoma
B. Slight bleeding at the stoma site
C. Dusky, dark stoma
D. Gas output from the colostomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Dusky, dark stoma
Rationale: A dusky or dark stoma indicates ischemia and requires
immediate notification of the provider. A beefy red stoma is normal. Slight
bleeding and gas output are expected findings.
Question 11: A nurse is performing a urinary catheterization. Which
action is correct for obtaining a sterile urine specimen?
A. Collecting urine from the drainage bag
B. Cleansing the port with alcohol and aspirating urine with a syringe
C. Disconnecting the catheter from the tubing
D. Emptying the bag into a sterile container
Practice Questions & Answers, ATI RN Nursing
Skills Exam Prep, Basic Nursing Procedures Test
Bank, Sterile Technique, Infection Control, Vital
Signs, Wound Care, Catheterization, Specimen
Collection, Medication Administration, Patient
Safety, and Detailed Rationales
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to assess a client's blood pressure.
Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Position the client's arm above the level of the heart
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C. Inflate the cuff rapidly to 30 mm Hg above the estimated systolic
pressure
D. Ask the client about recent caffeine intake
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: Verification of client identity using two identifiers is the first step
before any nursing procedure to prevent errors. Arm positioning, cuff
inflation, and assessing caffeine intake occur after identity verification. This
aligns with National Patient Safety Goals.
Question 2: A nurse is performing hand hygiene before entering a
client's room. Which technique is correct?
A. Using an alcohol-based hand rub when hands are visibly soiled
B. Washing hands for at least 10 seconds with soap and water
C. Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are not visibly soiled
D. Wearing gloves instead of performing hand hygiene
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are
not visibly soiled
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is appropriate when hands are not
visibly soiled. Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly dirty or
contaminated with blood/body fluids. Hand washing requires at least 20
seconds. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous
injection. Which needle gauge and length is most appropriate for an
average adult?
,A. 18 gauge, 1.5 inches
B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
C. 21 gauge, 1 inch
D. 27 gauge, 1.5 inches
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections require a short, fine needle. A 25-
gauge, 5/8-inch needle is standard for subcutaneous tissue. An 18-gauge
needle is too large; a 1.5-inch length risks intramuscular administration.
Question 4: A nurse is assessing a client's radial pulse. Which
technique is correct?
A. Using the thumb to palpate the pulse
B. Counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4
C. Applying light pressure with two or three fingertips
D. Palpating over the antecubital fossa
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Applying light pressure with two or three
fingertips
Rationale: The radial pulse is assessed with two or three fingertips applying
light pressure over the radial artery. The thumb should not be used because
it has its own pulse. Counting for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is
acceptable for regular pulses. The antecubital fossa is the site for the
brachial pulse.
Question 5: A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric tube. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid
process
B. Lubricate the tube with petroleum jelly
C. Ask the client to swallow ice chips during insertion
D. Verify the client's gag reflex
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the
earlobe to the xiphoid process
Rationale: Measuring from nose to earlobe to xiphoid process determines
appropriate insertion length before the procedure. Petroleum jelly is not
,used for NG tube lubrication (water-soluble lubricant is used). Swallowing
ice chips and verifying gag reflex occur after measurement.
Question 6: A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which
action violates sterile technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Reaching over the sterile field with an ungloved hand
C. Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field using sterile gloves
D. Keeping the sterile field above waist level
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Reaching over the sterile field with an ungloved
hand
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field with an ungloved hand
contaminates the field. Sterile objects must only be touched with sterile
gloves or sterile instruments. Opening packages away from the body, using
sterile gloves, and keeping the field above waist level are correct practices.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client's temperature via the oral
route. Which factor should the nurse consider?
A. The client drank a cold beverage 5 minutes ago
B. The client is on strict bed rest
C. The client is receiving oxygen therapy
D. The client has a nasogastric tube in place
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The client drank a cold beverage 5 minutes ago
Rationale: Oral temperature should be delayed 15-30 minutes after
ingestion of hot or cold liquids or smoking. Oxygen therapy and nasogastric
tubes are relative contraindications for oral temperature. Bed rest does not
affect oral temperature accuracy.
Question 8: A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection using the ventrogluteal site. Which landmark identifies this
site?
A. The deltoid muscle
B. The anterior thigh
C. The greater trochanter and iliac crest
D. The buttock's upper outer quadrant
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The greater trochanter and iliac crest
, Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is located by placing the palm on the
greater trochanter, the index finger on the anterior superior iliac spine, and
the middle finger on the iliac crest. The deltoid and anterior thigh are
different sites. The upper outer quadrant of the buttock is the dorsogluteal
site.
Question 9: A nurse is performing a focused respiratory assessment.
Which technique should the nurse use to assess for tactile fremitus?
A. Percussing over the lung fields
B. Auscultating for breath sounds
C. Palpating the chest while the client speaks
D. Observing chest expansion
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Palpating the chest while the client speaks
Rationale: Tactile fremitus is assessed by palpating the chest while the
client repeats a phrase. Increased fremitus occurs with consolidation;
decreased fremitus occurs with pleural effusion or pneumothorax.
Percussion and auscultation assess different findings.
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Beefy red stoma
B. Slight bleeding at the stoma site
C. Dusky, dark stoma
D. Gas output from the colostomy
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Dusky, dark stoma
Rationale: A dusky or dark stoma indicates ischemia and requires
immediate notification of the provider. A beefy red stoma is normal. Slight
bleeding and gas output are expected findings.
Question 11: A nurse is performing a urinary catheterization. Which
action is correct for obtaining a sterile urine specimen?
A. Collecting urine from the drainage bag
B. Cleansing the port with alcohol and aspirating urine with a syringe
C. Disconnecting the catheter from the tubing
D. Emptying the bag into a sterile container
