1
RN ATI Fundamentals Test Bank 2025/2026 –
500 Actual Questions & Verified Answers |
Covers Chapters 1–58 | Fundamentals of
Nursing 10th Edition
Safety, Comfort, Clinical Decision-Making, Nursing Care,
and Assessment
1. What is the primary goal of the nursing process?
a) To document patient care
b) To provide individualized OT individualized care
c) To perform diagnostic tests
d) To administer medications
Correct Answer: b) To provide individualized care
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic approach to provide individualized,
patient-centered care through assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and
evaluation.
2. Which action should a nurse take first when a patient falls in their room?
a) Notify the physician
b) Assess the patient for injuries
c) Complete an incident report
d) Move the patient to a chair
Correct Answer: b) Assess the patient for injuries
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority; assessing for injuries ensures immediate care
needs are addressed before other actions.
3. What is the most important intervention to prevent healthcare-associated
infections?
a) Administering antibiotics
b) Hand hygiene
c) Using sterile equipment
d) Isolating patients
Correct Answer: b) Hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent the spread of pathogens
in healthcare settings.
, 2
4. A patient with a pressure ulcer is at risk for which complication?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Infection
c) Hypertension
d) Dehydration
Correct Answer: b) Infection
Rationale: Pressure ulcers involve open skin, increasing the risk of bacterial infection.
5. Which position is most appropriate for a patient experiencing dyspnea?
a) Supine
b) Prone
c) Fowler’s
d) Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: c) Fowler’s
Rationale: Fowler’s position (semi-sitting) promotes lung expansion and eases breathing
in patients with dyspnea.
6. What is the first step in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?
a) Check for a pulse
b) Ensure scene safety
c) Begin chest compressions
d) Administer rescue breaths
Correct Answer: b) Ensure scene safety
Rationale: Ensuring scene safety protects the rescuer and allows for effective CPR
delivery.
7. Which assessment finding indicates dehydration in an elderly patient?
a) Increased blood pressure
b) Dry mucous membranes
c) Bradycardia
d) Weight gain
Correct Answer: b) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration due to reduced fluid
volume.
8. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a suspected fracture?
a) Administer pain medication
b) Immobilize the affected limb
c) Apply a warm compress
d) Encourage ambulation
, 3
Correct Answer: b) Immobilize the affected limb
Rationale: Immobilization prevents further injury and reduces pain in a suspected
fracture.
9. Which type of isolation is required for a patient with active tuberculosis?
a) Contact
b) Droplet
c) Airborne
d) Standard
Correct Answer: c) Airborne
Rationale: Tuberculosis is spread via airborne transmission, requiring negative-pressure
room isolation.
10. What is the purpose of a nursing care plan?
a) To document past medical history
b) To guide individualized patient care
c) To schedule diagnostic tests
d) To assign staff duties
Correct Answer: b) To guide individualized patient care
Rationale: A nursing care plan outlines interventions tailored to a patient’s specific needs
and goals.
11. Which action promotes patient comfort during a bed bath?
a) Use cold water to stimulate circulation
b) Keep the patient exposed to air dry
c) Provide privacy and warmth
d) Rush to complete the task quickly
Correct Answer: c) Provide privacy and warmth
Rationale: Privacy and warmth enhance patient dignity and comfort during a bed bath.
12. What is the priority nursing action for a patient with a fever?
a) Administer antibiotics
b) Monitor temperature
c) Restrict fluids
d) Apply a heating pad
Correct Answer: b) Monitor temperature
Rationale: Monitoring temperature guides interventions and evaluates treatment
effectiveness.
13. Which finding indicates a potential urinary tract infection (UTI)?
a) Clear urine
b) Dysuria
, 4
c) Increased appetite
d) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: b) Dysuria
Rationale: Dysuria (painful urination) is a common symptom of a UTI due to bladder
irritation.
14. What is the best way to prevent falls in a hospitalized patient?
a) Keep bed in high position
b) Use restraints at all times
c) Ensure a clutter-free environment
d) Encourage rapid ambulation
Correct Answer: c) Ensure a clutter-free environment
Rationale: A clutter-free environment reduces tripping hazards, a common cause of falls.
15. Which vital sign should be assessed first in a patient with chest pain?
a) Blood pressure
b) Pulse
c) Respiratory rate
d) Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: d) Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Oxygen saturation assesses oxygenation, critical in chest pain that may
indicate cardiac or pulmonary issues.
16. What is the purpose of turning a patient every 2 hours?
a) Improve circulation
b) Prevent pressure ulcers
c) Increase respiratory rate
d) Reduce pain
Correct Answer: b) Prevent pressure ulcers
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on skin, preventing pressure
ulcer formation.
17. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with dysphagia?
a) Offer large bites of food
b) Thicken liquids
c) Encourage rapid eating
d) Provide thin liquids
Correct Answer: b) Thicken liquids
Rationale: Thickened liquids reduce aspiration risk in patients with swallowing
difficulties.
RN ATI Fundamentals Test Bank 2025/2026 –
500 Actual Questions & Verified Answers |
Covers Chapters 1–58 | Fundamentals of
Nursing 10th Edition
Safety, Comfort, Clinical Decision-Making, Nursing Care,
and Assessment
1. What is the primary goal of the nursing process?
a) To document patient care
b) To provide individualized OT individualized care
c) To perform diagnostic tests
d) To administer medications
Correct Answer: b) To provide individualized care
Rationale: The nursing process is a systematic approach to provide individualized,
patient-centered care through assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and
evaluation.
2. Which action should a nurse take first when a patient falls in their room?
a) Notify the physician
b) Assess the patient for injuries
c) Complete an incident report
d) Move the patient to a chair
Correct Answer: b) Assess the patient for injuries
Rationale: Patient safety is the priority; assessing for injuries ensures immediate care
needs are addressed before other actions.
3. What is the most important intervention to prevent healthcare-associated
infections?
a) Administering antibiotics
b) Hand hygiene
c) Using sterile equipment
d) Isolating patients
Correct Answer: b) Hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the most effective measure to prevent the spread of pathogens
in healthcare settings.
, 2
4. A patient with a pressure ulcer is at risk for which complication?
a) Hypoglycemia
b) Infection
c) Hypertension
d) Dehydration
Correct Answer: b) Infection
Rationale: Pressure ulcers involve open skin, increasing the risk of bacterial infection.
5. Which position is most appropriate for a patient experiencing dyspnea?
a) Supine
b) Prone
c) Fowler’s
d) Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: c) Fowler’s
Rationale: Fowler’s position (semi-sitting) promotes lung expansion and eases breathing
in patients with dyspnea.
6. What is the first step in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)?
a) Check for a pulse
b) Ensure scene safety
c) Begin chest compressions
d) Administer rescue breaths
Correct Answer: b) Ensure scene safety
Rationale: Ensuring scene safety protects the rescuer and allows for effective CPR
delivery.
7. Which assessment finding indicates dehydration in an elderly patient?
a) Increased blood pressure
b) Dry mucous membranes
c) Bradycardia
d) Weight gain
Correct Answer: b) Dry mucous membranes
Rationale: Dry mucous membranes are a classic sign of dehydration due to reduced fluid
volume.
8. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a suspected fracture?
a) Administer pain medication
b) Immobilize the affected limb
c) Apply a warm compress
d) Encourage ambulation
, 3
Correct Answer: b) Immobilize the affected limb
Rationale: Immobilization prevents further injury and reduces pain in a suspected
fracture.
9. Which type of isolation is required for a patient with active tuberculosis?
a) Contact
b) Droplet
c) Airborne
d) Standard
Correct Answer: c) Airborne
Rationale: Tuberculosis is spread via airborne transmission, requiring negative-pressure
room isolation.
10. What is the purpose of a nursing care plan?
a) To document past medical history
b) To guide individualized patient care
c) To schedule diagnostic tests
d) To assign staff duties
Correct Answer: b) To guide individualized patient care
Rationale: A nursing care plan outlines interventions tailored to a patient’s specific needs
and goals.
11. Which action promotes patient comfort during a bed bath?
a) Use cold water to stimulate circulation
b) Keep the patient exposed to air dry
c) Provide privacy and warmth
d) Rush to complete the task quickly
Correct Answer: c) Provide privacy and warmth
Rationale: Privacy and warmth enhance patient dignity and comfort during a bed bath.
12. What is the priority nursing action for a patient with a fever?
a) Administer antibiotics
b) Monitor temperature
c) Restrict fluids
d) Apply a heating pad
Correct Answer: b) Monitor temperature
Rationale: Monitoring temperature guides interventions and evaluates treatment
effectiveness.
13. Which finding indicates a potential urinary tract infection (UTI)?
a) Clear urine
b) Dysuria
, 4
c) Increased appetite
d) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: b) Dysuria
Rationale: Dysuria (painful urination) is a common symptom of a UTI due to bladder
irritation.
14. What is the best way to prevent falls in a hospitalized patient?
a) Keep bed in high position
b) Use restraints at all times
c) Ensure a clutter-free environment
d) Encourage rapid ambulation
Correct Answer: c) Ensure a clutter-free environment
Rationale: A clutter-free environment reduces tripping hazards, a common cause of falls.
15. Which vital sign should be assessed first in a patient with chest pain?
a) Blood pressure
b) Pulse
c) Respiratory rate
d) Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: d) Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Oxygen saturation assesses oxygenation, critical in chest pain that may
indicate cardiac or pulmonary issues.
16. What is the purpose of turning a patient every 2 hours?
a) Improve circulation
b) Prevent pressure ulcers
c) Increase respiratory rate
d) Reduce pain
Correct Answer: b) Prevent pressure ulcers
Rationale: Repositioning every 2 hours relieves pressure on skin, preventing pressure
ulcer formation.
17. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with dysphagia?
a) Offer large bites of food
b) Thicken liquids
c) Encourage rapid eating
d) Provide thin liquids
Correct Answer: b) Thicken liquids
Rationale: Thickened liquids reduce aspiration risk in patients with swallowing
difficulties.
