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ATI Proctored Fundamentals Review
2025 Actual – Real Practice Questions
with Verified Answers
Question 1
Which action is most appropriate when a nurse is preparing to administer a medication via
intramuscular injection?
A) Inject the medication quickly without aspirating
B) Aspirate after inserting the needle to check for blood return
C) Massage the site vigorously after injection
D) Use a 25-gauge needle for all IM injections
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirating after needle insertion during an IM injection ensures the needle is not in a
blood vessel, preventing inadvertent intravenous administration. Quick injection without
aspiration risks IV delivery, vigorous massage can cause tissue damage, and a 25-gauge needle is
too small for most IM injections.
Question 2
What is the priority action for a nurse when a patient refuses a prescribed medication?
A) Administer the medication anyway
B) Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C) Convince the patient to take the medication
D) Discard the medication immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respecting patient autonomy, the nurse should document the refusal, including the
reason, and notify the healthcare provider for further guidance. Forcing medication violates
patient rights, convincing may undermine trust, and discarding is inappropriate without
documentation.
Question 3
Which position is most appropriate for a patient receiving a nasogastric tube feeding?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Semi-Fowler’s
D) Trendelenburg
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Semi-Fowler’s position (head of bed elevated 30–45 degrees) reduces the risk of
aspiration during nasogastric tube feedings by promoting gastric emptying and preventing reflux.
Supine increases aspiration risk, while prone and Trendelenburg are inappropriate.
Question 4
What is the nurse’s priority action when a patient exhibits signs of a transfusion reaction?
A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
C) Administer an antihistamine
D) Notify the blood bank
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stopping the transfusion immediately prevents further exposure to potentially
harmful blood components during a reaction. Slowing the rate may worsen the reaction,
antihistamines are secondary, and notifying the blood bank occurs after stopping the transfusion.
Question 5
Which technique is correct when performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Rub hands for 10 seconds
B) Apply a dime-sized amount of rub
C) Rub hands until dry, at least 20 seconds
D) Rinse hands with water after rubbing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub requires rubbing hands until dry, typically 20–30 seconds, to
ensure adequate antimicrobial action. A dime-sized amount is insufficient, 10 seconds is too
short, and rinsing negates the rub’s effectiveness.
Question 6
What is the most appropriate method to prevent pressure injuries in a bedridden patient?
A) Reposition the patient every 4 hours
B) Use a foam mattress without repositioning
C) Reposition the patient every 2 hours
D) Apply lotion to bony prominences daily
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours redistributes pressure, preventing tissue ischemia and
pressure injuries. Four-hour intervals are too long, foam mattresses are adjunctive, and lotion
does not prevent pressure injuries.
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Question 7
Which vital sign should a nurse assess first in a patient reporting chest pain?
A) Blood pressure
B) Pulse oximetry
C) Respiratory rate
D) Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate cardiac ischemia, making pulse oximetry the priority to
assess oxygenation status. Blood pressure and respiratory rate are important but secondary, and
temperature is less urgent.
Question 8
What is the nurse’s priority action when a patient with a tracheostomy has difficulty breathing?
A) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
B) Suction the tracheostomy tube
C) Call for a respiratory therapist
D) Remove the tracheostomy tube
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning clears mucus or obstructions, restoring airway patency in a tracheostomy
patient. Nasal cannula is ineffective, calling a therapist delays care, and removing the tube is a
last resort.
Question 9
Which precaution is most appropriate for a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA)?
A) Droplet precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Standard precautions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MRSA is transmitted via contact, requiring contact precautions (gloves, gown,
private room). Droplet and airborne precautions are for respiratory pathogens, and standard
precautions are insufficient.
Question 10
What is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
ATI Proctored Fundamentals Review
2025 Actual – Real Practice Questions
with Verified Answers
Question 1
Which action is most appropriate when a nurse is preparing to administer a medication via
intramuscular injection?
A) Inject the medication quickly without aspirating
B) Aspirate after inserting the needle to check for blood return
C) Massage the site vigorously after injection
D) Use a 25-gauge needle for all IM injections
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirating after needle insertion during an IM injection ensures the needle is not in a
blood vessel, preventing inadvertent intravenous administration. Quick injection without
aspiration risks IV delivery, vigorous massage can cause tissue damage, and a 25-gauge needle is
too small for most IM injections.
Question 2
What is the priority action for a nurse when a patient refuses a prescribed medication?
A) Administer the medication anyway
B) Document the refusal and notify the healthcare provider
C) Convince the patient to take the medication
D) Discard the medication immediately
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Respecting patient autonomy, the nurse should document the refusal, including the
reason, and notify the healthcare provider for further guidance. Forcing medication violates
patient rights, convincing may undermine trust, and discarding is inappropriate without
documentation.
Question 3
Which position is most appropriate for a patient receiving a nasogastric tube feeding?
A) Supine
B) Prone
C) Semi-Fowler’s
D) Trendelenburg
, 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Semi-Fowler’s position (head of bed elevated 30–45 degrees) reduces the risk of
aspiration during nasogastric tube feedings by promoting gastric emptying and preventing reflux.
Supine increases aspiration risk, while prone and Trendelenburg are inappropriate.
Question 4
What is the nurse’s priority action when a patient exhibits signs of a transfusion reaction?
A) Slow the transfusion rate
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
C) Administer an antihistamine
D) Notify the blood bank
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stopping the transfusion immediately prevents further exposure to potentially
harmful blood components during a reaction. Slowing the rate may worsen the reaction,
antihistamines are secondary, and notifying the blood bank occurs after stopping the transfusion.
Question 5
Which technique is correct when performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Rub hands for 10 seconds
B) Apply a dime-sized amount of rub
C) Rub hands until dry, at least 20 seconds
D) Rinse hands with water after rubbing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub requires rubbing hands until dry, typically 20–30 seconds, to
ensure adequate antimicrobial action. A dime-sized amount is insufficient, 10 seconds is too
short, and rinsing negates the rub’s effectiveness.
Question 6
What is the most appropriate method to prevent pressure injuries in a bedridden patient?
A) Reposition the patient every 4 hours
B) Use a foam mattress without repositioning
C) Reposition the patient every 2 hours
D) Apply lotion to bony prominences daily
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours redistributes pressure, preventing tissue ischemia and
pressure injuries. Four-hour intervals are too long, foam mattresses are adjunctive, and lotion
does not prevent pressure injuries.
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Question 7
Which vital sign should a nurse assess first in a patient reporting chest pain?
A) Blood pressure
B) Pulse oximetry
C) Respiratory rate
D) Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate cardiac ischemia, making pulse oximetry the priority to
assess oxygenation status. Blood pressure and respiratory rate are important but secondary, and
temperature is less urgent.
Question 8
What is the nurse’s priority action when a patient with a tracheostomy has difficulty breathing?
A) Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
B) Suction the tracheostomy tube
C) Call for a respiratory therapist
D) Remove the tracheostomy tube
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Suctioning clears mucus or obstructions, restoring airway patency in a tracheostomy
patient. Nasal cannula is ineffective, calling a therapist delays care, and removing the tube is a
last resort.
Question 9
Which precaution is most appropriate for a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA)?
A) Droplet precautions
B) Contact precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Standard precautions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MRSA is transmitted via contact, requiring contact precautions (gloves, gown,
private room). Droplet and airborne precautions are for respiratory pathogens, and standard
precautions are insufficient.
Question 10
What is the correct sequence for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
