ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2026
Edition: 200+ Practice Questions with Rationales
Covering Nursing Fundamentals, Pharmacology,
and Prioritization
Question 1
A nurse is teaching an assistive personnel (AP) about upper body mechanics to prevent
injury. Which of the following actions by the AP demonstrates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. The AP lifts an object with his back arched and knees locked.
B. The AP keeps the object he is lifting close to his body.
C. The AP bends at the waist to lift an object.
D. The AP lifts an object above his head.
Correct Answer: B. The AP keeps the object he is lifting close to his body.
Rationale: Keeping the object close to the body reduces the lever arm and the amount
of strain placed on the lower back muscles and spine. Proper body mechanics prioritize
a wide base of support, bending at the knees, and holding objects close to the center of
gravity to prevent injury .
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who is immobile and notices a red area over the client's
coccyx. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Apply a warm compress to the area.
B. Assess the red area for blanching.
C. Massage the area gently.
D. Document the finding and continue monitoring.
Correct Answer: B. Assess the red area for blanching.
,Rationale: Assessing for blanching (whether the area turns white when pressed with a
finger) helps determine if the redness is due to reactive hyperemia (a normal response
to pressure that should blanch) or a Stage 1 pressure ulcer (which does not blanch and
indicates tissue damage). Massage over bony prominences can further damage capillary
beds .
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to insert an IV catheter for a client following a right mastectomy.
Which of the following veins should the nurse select when initiating IV therapy?
A. The cephalic vein in the right distal forearm.
B. The cephalic vein in the left distal forearm.
C. The basilic vein in the right arm.
D. The median cubital vein in the left arm.
Correct Answer: B. The cephalic vein in the left distal forearm.
Rationale: Following a mastectomy, there is an increased risk of lymphedema and
infection in the arm on the same side as the surgery. The nurse should select a vein in
the unaffected arm (the left arm) to reduce the risk of complications. The cephalic vein is
an appropriate choice for peripheral IV access .
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing client confidentiality with a newly licensed nurse. The nurse should
identify which of the following examples as a violation of HIPAA?
A. Discussing the client's diagnosis with the client's family member.
B. Discussing the client's transfer to a long-term care facility with a nurse from another
unit.
C. Documenting the client's medical history in the client's chart.
D. Sharing the client's lab results with the client's primary care physician.
Correct Answer: B. Discussing the client's transfer to a long-term care facility with
a nurse from another unit.
Rationale: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects a
client's personal health information. Discussing a client's protected health information
,(such as a transfer) with a nurse who is not directly involved in that client's care is a
violation of confidentiality. Information should only be shared on a need-to-know basis .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy and requires suctioning. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Hyperoxygenate the client before suctioning.
B. Insert the catheter during exhalation.
C. Apply suction during insertion of the catheter.
D. Apply suction for no more than 15 seconds.
Correct Answer: A. Hyperoxygenate the client before suctioning.
Rationale: Hyperoxygenating the client with a manual resuscitation bag before,
between, and after suctioning passes helps prevent hypoxemia, a common complication
of suctioning. Suction should be applied only during withdrawal, not insertion, and for
no more than 10-15 seconds .
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine 5 mg IM and
accidentally administers the whole 10 mg from the single-dose vial. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the client's provider.
B. Report the incident to the pharmacy.
C. Complete an incident report.
D. Measure the client's respiratory rate.
Correct Answer: D. Measure the client's respiratory rate.
Rationale: The priority action is to assess the client. Morphine can cause respiratory
depression. The nurse must first check the client's respiratory status to ensure safety and
intervene if necessary (e.g., administer naloxone). After assessment and stabilization, the
nurse would then notify the provider, complete an incident report, and follow facility
protocol .
, Question 7
A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a client who
has diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to defecate into the toilet bowl.
B. Transfer the specimen to a sterile container.
C. Refrigerate the collected specimen.
D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard bag.
Correct Answer: D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard
bag.
Rationale: Standard precautions require that all specimens be placed in a biohazard
bag for transport to the laboratory to prevent the spread of infection. The client should
defecate into a clean, dry container (not the toilet, as water contaminates the specimen),
and the specimen should be sent to the lab immediately without refrigeration .
Question 8
A nurse is assisting with conducting a home hazard assessment for a client who has
dementia. Which of the following findings indicates an understanding of home safety?
A. An extension cord is secured under a rug.
B. A toaster is plugged in when not in use.
C. The water heater is set to 55°C (131°F).
D. The edges of stairs are marked with brightly colored tape.
Correct Answer: D. The edges of stairs are marked with brightly colored tape.
Rationale: Clients with dementia often have visual-spatial deficits and depth perception
issues. Marking the edges of stairs with brightly colored tape provides a visual cue to
identify the step, significantly reducing the risk of falls. Extension cords under rugs pose
a fire hazard and trip risk .
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for suicide. Which of the following actions
Edition: 200+ Practice Questions with Rationales
Covering Nursing Fundamentals, Pharmacology,
and Prioritization
Question 1
A nurse is teaching an assistive personnel (AP) about upper body mechanics to prevent
injury. Which of the following actions by the AP demonstrates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. The AP lifts an object with his back arched and knees locked.
B. The AP keeps the object he is lifting close to his body.
C. The AP bends at the waist to lift an object.
D. The AP lifts an object above his head.
Correct Answer: B. The AP keeps the object he is lifting close to his body.
Rationale: Keeping the object close to the body reduces the lever arm and the amount
of strain placed on the lower back muscles and spine. Proper body mechanics prioritize
a wide base of support, bending at the knees, and holding objects close to the center of
gravity to prevent injury .
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who is immobile and notices a red area over the client's
coccyx. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Apply a warm compress to the area.
B. Assess the red area for blanching.
C. Massage the area gently.
D. Document the finding and continue monitoring.
Correct Answer: B. Assess the red area for blanching.
,Rationale: Assessing for blanching (whether the area turns white when pressed with a
finger) helps determine if the redness is due to reactive hyperemia (a normal response
to pressure that should blanch) or a Stage 1 pressure ulcer (which does not blanch and
indicates tissue damage). Massage over bony prominences can further damage capillary
beds .
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to insert an IV catheter for a client following a right mastectomy.
Which of the following veins should the nurse select when initiating IV therapy?
A. The cephalic vein in the right distal forearm.
B. The cephalic vein in the left distal forearm.
C. The basilic vein in the right arm.
D. The median cubital vein in the left arm.
Correct Answer: B. The cephalic vein in the left distal forearm.
Rationale: Following a mastectomy, there is an increased risk of lymphedema and
infection in the arm on the same side as the surgery. The nurse should select a vein in
the unaffected arm (the left arm) to reduce the risk of complications. The cephalic vein is
an appropriate choice for peripheral IV access .
Question 4
A nurse is reviewing client confidentiality with a newly licensed nurse. The nurse should
identify which of the following examples as a violation of HIPAA?
A. Discussing the client's diagnosis with the client's family member.
B. Discussing the client's transfer to a long-term care facility with a nurse from another
unit.
C. Documenting the client's medical history in the client's chart.
D. Sharing the client's lab results with the client's primary care physician.
Correct Answer: B. Discussing the client's transfer to a long-term care facility with
a nurse from another unit.
Rationale: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protects a
client's personal health information. Discussing a client's protected health information
,(such as a transfer) with a nurse who is not directly involved in that client's care is a
violation of confidentiality. Information should only be shared on a need-to-know basis .
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy and requires suctioning. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Hyperoxygenate the client before suctioning.
B. Insert the catheter during exhalation.
C. Apply suction during insertion of the catheter.
D. Apply suction for no more than 15 seconds.
Correct Answer: A. Hyperoxygenate the client before suctioning.
Rationale: Hyperoxygenating the client with a manual resuscitation bag before,
between, and after suctioning passes helps prevent hypoxemia, a common complication
of suctioning. Suction should be applied only during withdrawal, not insertion, and for
no more than 10-15 seconds .
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for morphine 5 mg IM and
accidentally administers the whole 10 mg from the single-dose vial. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the client's provider.
B. Report the incident to the pharmacy.
C. Complete an incident report.
D. Measure the client's respiratory rate.
Correct Answer: D. Measure the client's respiratory rate.
Rationale: The priority action is to assess the client. Morphine can cause respiratory
depression. The nurse must first check the client's respiratory status to ensure safety and
intervene if necessary (e.g., administer naloxone). After assessment and stabilization, the
nurse would then notify the provider, complete an incident report, and follow facility
protocol .
, Question 7
A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a client who
has diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to defecate into the toilet bowl.
B. Transfer the specimen to a sterile container.
C. Refrigerate the collected specimen.
D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard bag.
Correct Answer: D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard
bag.
Rationale: Standard precautions require that all specimens be placed in a biohazard
bag for transport to the laboratory to prevent the spread of infection. The client should
defecate into a clean, dry container (not the toilet, as water contaminates the specimen),
and the specimen should be sent to the lab immediately without refrigeration .
Question 8
A nurse is assisting with conducting a home hazard assessment for a client who has
dementia. Which of the following findings indicates an understanding of home safety?
A. An extension cord is secured under a rug.
B. A toaster is plugged in when not in use.
C. The water heater is set to 55°C (131°F).
D. The edges of stairs are marked with brightly colored tape.
Correct Answer: D. The edges of stairs are marked with brightly colored tape.
Rationale: Clients with dementia often have visual-spatial deficits and depth perception
issues. Marking the edges of stairs with brightly colored tape provides a visual cue to
identify the step, significantly reducing the risk of falls. Extension cords under rugs pose
a fire hazard and trip risk .
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for suicide. Which of the following actions
