ATI Fundamentals CMS Proctored
Exam | 2025–2026 Latest Edition
210 Verified Questions and Answers | 100% Correct |
Exams of Nursing
Introduction
This resource contains 210 fully verified questions and correct answers for the ATI
Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam, reflecting the most current 2025–2026 testing
standards. Content is aligned with ATI’s exam blueprint and mirrors actual proctored exam
conditions.
Topics Covered:
• Safety & Infection Control
• Basic Care & Comfort
• Health Promotion & Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Adaptation
• Nursing Process & Clinical Decision-Making
• Patient Education & Documentation
• Legal & Ethical Responsibilities
All answers are clearly identified in bold and green to ensure efficient review and accuracy.
Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1
Question: A nurse is caring for a client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Which precaution should the nurse implement?
A) Use droplet precautions with a surgical mask
B) Implement contact precautions with gloves and gown
C) Place the client in a shared room
D) Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
Rationale: MRSA requires contact precautions, including gloves and gown, to prevent
transmission.
Question 2
Question: A client with a recent stroke has difficulty swallowing. What should the nurse do
to reduce aspiration risk?
A) Offer thin liquids first
B) Feed the client in a reclined position
C) Position the client upright at 90 degrees
D) Encourage rapid feeding
,Rationale: An upright position minimizes aspiration risk during meals.
Question 3
Question: A nurse is teaching a client about hypertension management. Which dietary
recommendation is most appropriate?
A) Increase consumption of processed foods
B) Limit fresh fruits and vegetables
C) Reduce sodium intake
D) Avoid lean proteins
Rationale: Reducing sodium helps manage hypertension effectively.
Question 4
Question: A client expresses anxiety about an upcoming procedure. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A) “There’s no need to worry.”
B) “I’ll get the doctor to explain.”
C) “Can you share what’s making you anxious?”
D) “Everyone feels this way.”
Rationale: Encouraging expression of feelings promotes therapeutic communication.
Question 5
Question: A client with heart failure reports shortness of breath. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
B) Heart rate 72 bpm
C) Crackles in lung bases
D) Clear urine output
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid overload, a critical issue in heart failure.
Question 6
Question: A nurse identifies a medication error by a colleague. What is the first action?
A) Report to the supervisor
B) Assess the client for adverse effects
C) Confront the colleague
D) Document the error
Rationale: Client safety is the priority, so assessing for adverse effects comes first.
Question 7
Question: A nurse documents a client’s pain in the electronic health record. Which entry is
most appropriate?
A) “Client seems uncomfortable.”
B) “Client reports severe pain.”
C) “Client rates pain 7/10 in left leg at 0900.”
D) “Client is in pain.”
Rationale: Documentation must be specific, objective, and include time.
,Question 8
Question: A nurse prepares to administer an IV medication. What is the first step?
A) Flush the IV line
B) Administer the medication
C) Verify the medication order
D) Check the client’s wristband
Rationale: Verifying the order ensures the correct medication and dose.
Question 9
Question: A client with a recent knee replacement reports pain when moving. Which
position should be avoided?
A) Supine with leg elevated
B) Side-lying with support
C) Excessive flexion of the knee
D) Sitting with leg extended
Rationale: Excessive flexion can strain the surgical site.
Question 10
Question: A nurse teaches a client about fall prevention at home. Which instruction is most
effective?
A) Keep walkways cluttered for support
B) Wear loose slippers indoors
C) Install handrails in the bathroom
D) Avoid lighting at night
Rationale: Handrails provide support and reduce fall risk.
Question 11
Case Study: A 50-year-old client with depression reports feeling hopeless.
Question: What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Encourage immediate socialization
B) Assess for suicidal ideation
C) Administer antidepressants
D) Provide educational pamphlets
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation ensures client safety.
Question 12
Question: A client with hypoglycemia exhibits which symptom?
A) Increased thirst
B) Warm, dry skin
C) Tremors and sweating
D) Slowed respirations
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes tremors and sweating due to low blood sugar.
Question 13
Question: During a handoff report, which information is most critical?
, A) Client’s meal preferences
B) Recent change in vital signs
C) Client’s family contacts
D) Scheduled visitors
Rationale: Vital sign changes impact immediate care decisions.
Question 14
Question: A nurse enters a room of a client on airborne precautions. What should the nurse
wear?
A) Surgical mask and gloves
B) Gown only
C) N95 respirator and gown
D) Face shield only
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator and gown.
Question 15
Question: A client with a stage II pressure injury needs care. Which intervention promotes
healing?
A) Apply a dry dressing
B) Massage the surrounding area
C) Keep the area moist and covered
D) Use a heating pad
Rationale: Moist, covered dressings promote healing of pressure injuries.
Question 16
Question: A client refuses a prescribed procedure. What should the nurse do?
A) Proceed with the procedure
B) Convince the client to comply
C) Document refusal and notify provider
D) Ignore the refusal
Rationale: Respecting autonomy requires documentation and provider notification.
Question 17
Question: A nurse teaches a client about smoking cessation. Which approach is most
effective?
A) Quit abruptly without support
B) Use over-the-counter nicotine patches
C) Create a tailored cessation plan
D) Reduce smoking gradually
Rationale: A tailored plan increases cessation success.
Question 18
Question: A client with asthma reports wheezing. What is the nurse’s first action?
A) Encourage coughing
B) Monitor respiratory rate
Exam | 2025–2026 Latest Edition
210 Verified Questions and Answers | 100% Correct |
Exams of Nursing
Introduction
This resource contains 210 fully verified questions and correct answers for the ATI
Fundamentals CMS Proctored Exam, reflecting the most current 2025–2026 testing
standards. Content is aligned with ATI’s exam blueprint and mirrors actual proctored exam
conditions.
Topics Covered:
• Safety & Infection Control
• Basic Care & Comfort
• Health Promotion & Maintenance
• Psychosocial Integrity
• Physiological Adaptation
• Nursing Process & Clinical Decision-Making
• Patient Education & Documentation
• Legal & Ethical Responsibilities
All answers are clearly identified in bold and green to ensure efficient review and accuracy.
Exam Questions and Answers
Question 1
Question: A nurse is caring for a client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Which precaution should the nurse implement?
A) Use droplet precautions with a surgical mask
B) Implement contact precautions with gloves and gown
C) Place the client in a shared room
D) Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only
Rationale: MRSA requires contact precautions, including gloves and gown, to prevent
transmission.
Question 2
Question: A client with a recent stroke has difficulty swallowing. What should the nurse do
to reduce aspiration risk?
A) Offer thin liquids first
B) Feed the client in a reclined position
C) Position the client upright at 90 degrees
D) Encourage rapid feeding
,Rationale: An upright position minimizes aspiration risk during meals.
Question 3
Question: A nurse is teaching a client about hypertension management. Which dietary
recommendation is most appropriate?
A) Increase consumption of processed foods
B) Limit fresh fruits and vegetables
C) Reduce sodium intake
D) Avoid lean proteins
Rationale: Reducing sodium helps manage hypertension effectively.
Question 4
Question: A client expresses anxiety about an upcoming procedure. What is the nurse’s best
response?
A) “There’s no need to worry.”
B) “I’ll get the doctor to explain.”
C) “Can you share what’s making you anxious?”
D) “Everyone feels this way.”
Rationale: Encouraging expression of feelings promotes therapeutic communication.
Question 5
Question: A client with heart failure reports shortness of breath. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
B) Heart rate 72 bpm
C) Crackles in lung bases
D) Clear urine output
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid overload, a critical issue in heart failure.
Question 6
Question: A nurse identifies a medication error by a colleague. What is the first action?
A) Report to the supervisor
B) Assess the client for adverse effects
C) Confront the colleague
D) Document the error
Rationale: Client safety is the priority, so assessing for adverse effects comes first.
Question 7
Question: A nurse documents a client’s pain in the electronic health record. Which entry is
most appropriate?
A) “Client seems uncomfortable.”
B) “Client reports severe pain.”
C) “Client rates pain 7/10 in left leg at 0900.”
D) “Client is in pain.”
Rationale: Documentation must be specific, objective, and include time.
,Question 8
Question: A nurse prepares to administer an IV medication. What is the first step?
A) Flush the IV line
B) Administer the medication
C) Verify the medication order
D) Check the client’s wristband
Rationale: Verifying the order ensures the correct medication and dose.
Question 9
Question: A client with a recent knee replacement reports pain when moving. Which
position should be avoided?
A) Supine with leg elevated
B) Side-lying with support
C) Excessive flexion of the knee
D) Sitting with leg extended
Rationale: Excessive flexion can strain the surgical site.
Question 10
Question: A nurse teaches a client about fall prevention at home. Which instruction is most
effective?
A) Keep walkways cluttered for support
B) Wear loose slippers indoors
C) Install handrails in the bathroom
D) Avoid lighting at night
Rationale: Handrails provide support and reduce fall risk.
Question 11
Case Study: A 50-year-old client with depression reports feeling hopeless.
Question: What is the nurse’s priority action?
A) Encourage immediate socialization
B) Assess for suicidal ideation
C) Administer antidepressants
D) Provide educational pamphlets
Rationale: Assessing for suicidal ideation ensures client safety.
Question 12
Question: A client with hypoglycemia exhibits which symptom?
A) Increased thirst
B) Warm, dry skin
C) Tremors and sweating
D) Slowed respirations
Rationale: Hypoglycemia causes tremors and sweating due to low blood sugar.
Question 13
Question: During a handoff report, which information is most critical?
, A) Client’s meal preferences
B) Recent change in vital signs
C) Client’s family contacts
D) Scheduled visitors
Rationale: Vital sign changes impact immediate care decisions.
Question 14
Question: A nurse enters a room of a client on airborne precautions. What should the nurse
wear?
A) Surgical mask and gloves
B) Gown only
C) N95 respirator and gown
D) Face shield only
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator and gown.
Question 15
Question: A client with a stage II pressure injury needs care. Which intervention promotes
healing?
A) Apply a dry dressing
B) Massage the surrounding area
C) Keep the area moist and covered
D) Use a heating pad
Rationale: Moist, covered dressings promote healing of pressure injuries.
Question 16
Question: A client refuses a prescribed procedure. What should the nurse do?
A) Proceed with the procedure
B) Convince the client to comply
C) Document refusal and notify provider
D) Ignore the refusal
Rationale: Respecting autonomy requires documentation and provider notification.
Question 17
Question: A nurse teaches a client about smoking cessation. Which approach is most
effective?
A) Quit abruptly without support
B) Use over-the-counter nicotine patches
C) Create a tailored cessation plan
D) Reduce smoking gradually
Rationale: A tailored plan increases cessation success.
Question 18
Question: A client with asthma reports wheezing. What is the nurse’s first action?
A) Encourage coughing
B) Monitor respiratory rate
