2026
ATI Fundamentals 2026 Proctored Exam
Prep Mastery Guide: Comprehensive
Review, Practice Exams, and Nursing
Essentials
hen ambulating with a cane, which instruction promotes safe mobility?
A. Keep only one point of contact with the floor
B. Advance the stronger leg first
C. Keep two points of support on the floor and move the weaker leg forward after
advancing the cane
D. Hold the cane on the weaker side
Rationale: Maintaining two points of support improves balance and stability. Advancing the
weaker leg after the cane reduces stress on the injured extremity. Using only one point of support
or holding the cane on the weaker side increases fall risk.
Which findings are effects of immobility on the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased cardiac output and improved circulation
B. Increased blood volume and decreased workload
C. Orthostatic hypotension, venous stasis, increased thrombus risk, decreased cardiac
output
D. Increased autonomic response
Rationale: Immobility leads to venous pooling, reduced circulating volume, and decreased
cardiac efficiency. The other options describe effects opposite of immobility.
What are effects of immobility on the respiratory system?
A. Increased lung expansion
B. Improved oxygen exchange
C. Decreased respiratory movement, secretion stasis, atelectasis, hypostatic pneumonia
D. Strengthened respiratory muscles
Rationale: Immobility limits chest expansion and weakens respiratory muscles, promoting
secretion buildup and impaired gas exchange.
,2026
Which strategies should the nurse use during a physical examination?
A. Ask only closed-ended questions
B. Increase environmental stimulation
C. Use open- and closed-ended questions and reduce environmental noise
D. Perform invasive procedures first
Rationale: Clear communication and a calm environment improve data accuracy and client
comfort.
What should be included in the general survey of a client?
A. Reflexes and lung sounds
B. Blood pressure and pulse
C. Posture, skin lesions, and speech
D. Abdominal contour
Rationale: The general survey provides an overall impression of the client’s physical and
behavioral status.
After inspecting the abdomen, what is the next step in the assessment sequence?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion to avoid altering bowel
sounds.
Which interventions are appropriate when examining an older adult?
A. Rush the examination
B. Remove assistive devices
C. Allow time for position changes, ensure sensory aids are in place, and allow bathroom
use
D. Limit explanations
Rationale: Older adults require accommodations to promote comfort, safety, and accurate
assessment.
,2026
An 82-year-old client presents with fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, restlessness, and warm skin.
What actions are appropriate?
A. Start antibiotics immediately
B. Restrict fluids
C. Obtain cultures before antimicrobials, encourage rest, assist with oral hygiene, increase
fluids
D. Delay treatment
Rationale: Cultures must be obtained prior to antibiotics to identify pathogens accurately.
Supportive care helps prevent complications.
A client receiving chemotherapy has a low platelet count. What is the priority consideration
when measuring vital signs?
A. Avoid oral temperature
B. Use a tympanic thermometer
C. Do not measure temperature rectally
D. Measure temperature hourly
Rationale: Rectal temperatures can cause mucosal trauma and bleeding in thrombocytopenic
clients.
Which guidelines should be followed when measuring respiratory rate?
A. Count respirations for 15 seconds
B. Ask the client to breathe deeply
C. Place the client in semi-Fowler’s, rest an arm over the abdomen, observe a full cycle
before counting
D. Measure after activity
Rationale: Proper positioning and observation ensure accurate respiratory assessment.
A client with a fractured femur has a blood pressure of 140/94. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Administer antihypertensive medication
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Ask if the client is experiencing pain
D. Restrict fluids
Rationale: Pain commonly elevates blood pressure and should be assessed before initiating
interventions.
, 2026
Which directions should the nurse give when testing cranial nerve V?
A. Smile and frown
B. Stick out your tongue
C. Clench your teeth and report when you feel touch
D. Follow my finger
Rationale: Cranial nerve V controls facial sensation and the muscles of mastication.
Which findings are expected when assessing the thyroid gland?
A. Thyroid is not palpable
B. Trachea deviates to one side
C. Thyroid ascends with swallowing and trachea is midline
D. Thyroid remains fixed
Rationale: Normal thyroid movement and symmetry indicate normal anatomy.
When examining an adult ear canal with an otoscope, which actions are appropriate?
A. Insert upward and backward
B. Touch the ear canal
C. Insert the speculum slightly down and forward and visualize the tympanic membrane
D. Apply pressure
Rationale: Correct technique prevents injury and allows proper visualization of the tympanic
membrane.
What age-related findings are expected in the head and neck of an older adult?
A. Increased hearing acuity
B. Improved vision
C. Tooth loss, glare intolerance, thickened eardrums
D. Thinner tympanic membranes
Rationale: Structural and sensory changes commonly occur with aging.
Which breast findings are expected in an older adult client?
A. Firm tissue and erect nipples
B. Smaller nipples, pendulous breasts, nipple inversion
ATI Fundamentals 2026 Proctored Exam
Prep Mastery Guide: Comprehensive
Review, Practice Exams, and Nursing
Essentials
hen ambulating with a cane, which instruction promotes safe mobility?
A. Keep only one point of contact with the floor
B. Advance the stronger leg first
C. Keep two points of support on the floor and move the weaker leg forward after
advancing the cane
D. Hold the cane on the weaker side
Rationale: Maintaining two points of support improves balance and stability. Advancing the
weaker leg after the cane reduces stress on the injured extremity. Using only one point of support
or holding the cane on the weaker side increases fall risk.
Which findings are effects of immobility on the cardiovascular system?
A. Increased cardiac output and improved circulation
B. Increased blood volume and decreased workload
C. Orthostatic hypotension, venous stasis, increased thrombus risk, decreased cardiac
output
D. Increased autonomic response
Rationale: Immobility leads to venous pooling, reduced circulating volume, and decreased
cardiac efficiency. The other options describe effects opposite of immobility.
What are effects of immobility on the respiratory system?
A. Increased lung expansion
B. Improved oxygen exchange
C. Decreased respiratory movement, secretion stasis, atelectasis, hypostatic pneumonia
D. Strengthened respiratory muscles
Rationale: Immobility limits chest expansion and weakens respiratory muscles, promoting
secretion buildup and impaired gas exchange.
,2026
Which strategies should the nurse use during a physical examination?
A. Ask only closed-ended questions
B. Increase environmental stimulation
C. Use open- and closed-ended questions and reduce environmental noise
D. Perform invasive procedures first
Rationale: Clear communication and a calm environment improve data accuracy and client
comfort.
What should be included in the general survey of a client?
A. Reflexes and lung sounds
B. Blood pressure and pulse
C. Posture, skin lesions, and speech
D. Abdominal contour
Rationale: The general survey provides an overall impression of the client’s physical and
behavioral status.
After inspecting the abdomen, what is the next step in the assessment sequence?
A. Palpation
B. Percussion
C. Auscultation
D. Deep palpation
Rationale: Auscultation is performed before palpation and percussion to avoid altering bowel
sounds.
Which interventions are appropriate when examining an older adult?
A. Rush the examination
B. Remove assistive devices
C. Allow time for position changes, ensure sensory aids are in place, and allow bathroom
use
D. Limit explanations
Rationale: Older adults require accommodations to promote comfort, safety, and accurate
assessment.
,2026
An 82-year-old client presents with fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, restlessness, and warm skin.
What actions are appropriate?
A. Start antibiotics immediately
B. Restrict fluids
C. Obtain cultures before antimicrobials, encourage rest, assist with oral hygiene, increase
fluids
D. Delay treatment
Rationale: Cultures must be obtained prior to antibiotics to identify pathogens accurately.
Supportive care helps prevent complications.
A client receiving chemotherapy has a low platelet count. What is the priority consideration
when measuring vital signs?
A. Avoid oral temperature
B. Use a tympanic thermometer
C. Do not measure temperature rectally
D. Measure temperature hourly
Rationale: Rectal temperatures can cause mucosal trauma and bleeding in thrombocytopenic
clients.
Which guidelines should be followed when measuring respiratory rate?
A. Count respirations for 15 seconds
B. Ask the client to breathe deeply
C. Place the client in semi-Fowler’s, rest an arm over the abdomen, observe a full cycle
before counting
D. Measure after activity
Rationale: Proper positioning and observation ensure accurate respiratory assessment.
A client with a fractured femur has a blood pressure of 140/94. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Administer antihypertensive medication
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Ask if the client is experiencing pain
D. Restrict fluids
Rationale: Pain commonly elevates blood pressure and should be assessed before initiating
interventions.
, 2026
Which directions should the nurse give when testing cranial nerve V?
A. Smile and frown
B. Stick out your tongue
C. Clench your teeth and report when you feel touch
D. Follow my finger
Rationale: Cranial nerve V controls facial sensation and the muscles of mastication.
Which findings are expected when assessing the thyroid gland?
A. Thyroid is not palpable
B. Trachea deviates to one side
C. Thyroid ascends with swallowing and trachea is midline
D. Thyroid remains fixed
Rationale: Normal thyroid movement and symmetry indicate normal anatomy.
When examining an adult ear canal with an otoscope, which actions are appropriate?
A. Insert upward and backward
B. Touch the ear canal
C. Insert the speculum slightly down and forward and visualize the tympanic membrane
D. Apply pressure
Rationale: Correct technique prevents injury and allows proper visualization of the tympanic
membrane.
What age-related findings are expected in the head and neck of an older adult?
A. Increased hearing acuity
B. Improved vision
C. Tooth loss, glare intolerance, thickened eardrums
D. Thinner tympanic membranes
Rationale: Structural and sensory changes commonly occur with aging.
Which breast findings are expected in an older adult client?
A. Firm tissue and erect nipples
B. Smaller nipples, pendulous breasts, nipple inversion
