ATI RN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2025 – Full
Study Guide with Practice Questions, Expert
Rationales, and NCLEX-Aligned Review
Question 1: Respiratory Rate Measurement Guidelines
A nurse is instructing a group of nursing students in measuring a client's respiratory
rate (RR). Which of the following guidelines should the nurse include? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position
B. Have the client rest an arm across the abdomen
C. Observe 1 full respiratory cycle before counting the rate
D. Count the rate for 1 min if it is regular
E. Count and report any sighs the client demonstrates
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale:
• A. Semi-Fowler's position promotes full lung expansion and accurate RR
assessment. ✅
• B. Placing an arm across the abdomen makes respiratory movements easier to
observe. ✅
• C. Observing one full cycle before starting ensures the rhythm and depth are
understood. ✅
• D. For a regular RR, counting for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is typically
sufficient. Count for a full minute if the rhythm is irregular.
• E. Occasional sighs are a normal part of respiratory function and do not typically
require reporting unless excessive.
Question 2: Elevated BP on Admission
A nurse is admitting a client who has a fractured femur and obtains a blood
pressure reading of 140/94 mmHg. The client denies any history of hypertension.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
,A. Request a prescription for an antihypertensive medication
B. Ask the client if she is having pain
C. Request a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication
D. Return in 30 minutes to recheck the client's blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• B. Pain is a common cause of elevated blood pressure. The nurse should assess
for pain before considering other interventions. ✅
• A. It is premature to request antihypertensives without determining the cause.
• C. Anxiety could also affect BP, but pain is more likely with a fracture and should
be assessed first.
• D. While rechecking is appropriate, pain assessment should come first.
Question 3: Calculating Pulse Deficit
A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. When measuring her
vital signs, the nurse finds that her radial pulse rate is 68/min and her simultaneous
apical pulse rate is 84/min. What is the client's pulse deficit?
A. 12/min
B. 14/min
C. 16/min
D. 18/min
Correct Answer: C (16/min)
Rationale:
• The pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates.
84 - 68 = 16 ✅
• A significant pulse deficit may indicate decreased cardiac output or arrhythmias.
Question 4: Fecal Occult Blood Testing at Home
A nurse is caring for a client who will perform fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) at
home. Which of the following information should the nurse include when
explaining the procedure?
,A. Eating more protein is optimal prior to testing
B. One stool specimen is sufficient for testing
C. A red color change indicates a positive test
D. The specimen cannot be contaminated
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• D. The stool sample must not be contaminated by water or urine, as this can
cause inaccurate test results. ✅
• A. High protein intake isn't relevant and could confound results.
• B. Typically, multiple specimens from separate bowel movements are needed.
• C. A blue color change (not red) indicates the presence of blood in guaiac-based
testing.
A nurse is caring for a client who will perform fecal occult blood testing at home. Which
of the following info should the nurse include when explaining the procedure to the
client?
A. Eating more protein is optimal prior to testing
B. One stool specimen is sufficient for testing
C. A red color change indicates a positive test
D. The specimen cannot be contaminated - - correct ans- -D.
The stool specimens cannot be contaminated with water or urine
A nurse is talking w/a client who reports constipation. When the nurse discusses dietary
changes that can help prevent constipation, which of the following foods should the
nurse recommend?
A. Macaroni & cheese
B. Fresh fruit & whole wheat toast
, C. Rice pudding & ripe bananas
D. Roast chicken & white rice - - correct ans- -B.
A high-fiber diet promotes normal bowel elimination
A nurse is talking w/a client who reports constipation. When the nurse discusses dietary
changes that can help prevent constipation, which of the following foods should the
nurse recommend?
A. Macaroni & cheese
B. Fresh fruit & whole wheat toast
C. Rice pudding & ripe bananas
D. Roast chicken & white rice - - correct ans- -B.
A high-fiber diet promotes normal bowel elimination
A nurse is caring for a client who has had diarrhea for the past 4 days. When assessing
the client, the nurse should expect which of the following findings? Select all.
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Fever
D. Poor skin turgor
E. Peripheral edema - - correct ans- -B, C, D
fever=caused by dehydration
tachycardia not brady
hypotension because of decreased BP from dehydration
fluid overload=peripheral edema
Study Guide with Practice Questions, Expert
Rationales, and NCLEX-Aligned Review
Question 1: Respiratory Rate Measurement Guidelines
A nurse is instructing a group of nursing students in measuring a client's respiratory
rate (RR). Which of the following guidelines should the nurse include? (Select all
that apply.)
A. Place the client in semi-Fowler's position
B. Have the client rest an arm across the abdomen
C. Observe 1 full respiratory cycle before counting the rate
D. Count the rate for 1 min if it is regular
E. Count and report any sighs the client demonstrates
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Rationale:
• A. Semi-Fowler's position promotes full lung expansion and accurate RR
assessment. ✅
• B. Placing an arm across the abdomen makes respiratory movements easier to
observe. ✅
• C. Observing one full cycle before starting ensures the rhythm and depth are
understood. ✅
• D. For a regular RR, counting for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is typically
sufficient. Count for a full minute if the rhythm is irregular.
• E. Occasional sighs are a normal part of respiratory function and do not typically
require reporting unless excessive.
Question 2: Elevated BP on Admission
A nurse is admitting a client who has a fractured femur and obtains a blood
pressure reading of 140/94 mmHg. The client denies any history of hypertension.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
,A. Request a prescription for an antihypertensive medication
B. Ask the client if she is having pain
C. Request a prescription for an anti-anxiety medication
D. Return in 30 minutes to recheck the client's blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
• B. Pain is a common cause of elevated blood pressure. The nurse should assess
for pain before considering other interventions. ✅
• A. It is premature to request antihypertensives without determining the cause.
• C. Anxiety could also affect BP, but pain is more likely with a fracture and should
be assessed first.
• D. While rechecking is appropriate, pain assessment should come first.
Question 3: Calculating Pulse Deficit
A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. When measuring her
vital signs, the nurse finds that her radial pulse rate is 68/min and her simultaneous
apical pulse rate is 84/min. What is the client's pulse deficit?
A. 12/min
B. 14/min
C. 16/min
D. 18/min
Correct Answer: C (16/min)
Rationale:
• The pulse deficit is the difference between the apical and radial pulse rates.
84 - 68 = 16 ✅
• A significant pulse deficit may indicate decreased cardiac output or arrhythmias.
Question 4: Fecal Occult Blood Testing at Home
A nurse is caring for a client who will perform fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) at
home. Which of the following information should the nurse include when
explaining the procedure?
,A. Eating more protein is optimal prior to testing
B. One stool specimen is sufficient for testing
C. A red color change indicates a positive test
D. The specimen cannot be contaminated
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
• D. The stool sample must not be contaminated by water or urine, as this can
cause inaccurate test results. ✅
• A. High protein intake isn't relevant and could confound results.
• B. Typically, multiple specimens from separate bowel movements are needed.
• C. A blue color change (not red) indicates the presence of blood in guaiac-based
testing.
A nurse is caring for a client who will perform fecal occult blood testing at home. Which
of the following info should the nurse include when explaining the procedure to the
client?
A. Eating more protein is optimal prior to testing
B. One stool specimen is sufficient for testing
C. A red color change indicates a positive test
D. The specimen cannot be contaminated - - correct ans- -D.
The stool specimens cannot be contaminated with water or urine
A nurse is talking w/a client who reports constipation. When the nurse discusses dietary
changes that can help prevent constipation, which of the following foods should the
nurse recommend?
A. Macaroni & cheese
B. Fresh fruit & whole wheat toast
, C. Rice pudding & ripe bananas
D. Roast chicken & white rice - - correct ans- -B.
A high-fiber diet promotes normal bowel elimination
A nurse is talking w/a client who reports constipation. When the nurse discusses dietary
changes that can help prevent constipation, which of the following foods should the
nurse recommend?
A. Macaroni & cheese
B. Fresh fruit & whole wheat toast
C. Rice pudding & ripe bananas
D. Roast chicken & white rice - - correct ans- -B.
A high-fiber diet promotes normal bowel elimination
A nurse is caring for a client who has had diarrhea for the past 4 days. When assessing
the client, the nurse should expect which of the following findings? Select all.
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Fever
D. Poor skin turgor
E. Peripheral edema - - correct ans- -B, C, D
fever=caused by dehydration
tachycardia not brady
hypotension because of decreased BP from dehydration
fluid overload=peripheral edema
