ATI Fundamentals Practice Exam 2026 –
Complete Questions with Correct
Answers & Explanations- Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an injection of an opioid medication to a client. The
nurse draws out 1 mL of the medication from a 2 mL vial. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
B. Notify the pharmacy when wasting medication
C. Lock the remaining medication in the controlled substances cabinet
D. Dispose of the vial with the remaining medication in a sharps container
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: When wasting a controlled substance (opioid), a second nurse must
witness and verify the wastage. The remaining medication should be wasted properly,
not locked or disposed of without witness. The pharmacy does not need to be notified
for routine wastage .
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 750 mL IV to infuse over 7 hr.
The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the
answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a
trailing zero)
Correct Answer: 107 mL/hr
Explanation: 750 mL ÷ 7 hr = 107.14 mL/hr, rounded to 107 mL/hr.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a client who has a terminal illness about declining resuscitation in a
living will. The client asks, "What would happen if I arrived at the emergency
department and I had difficulty breathing?" Which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
A. "We would consult the person appointed by your health care proxy to make
decisions."
pg. 1
,B. "We would give you oxygen through a tube in your nose."
C. "You would be unable to change your previous wishes about your care."
D. "We would insert a breathing tube while we evaluate your condition."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Oxygen via nasal cannula is considered comfort care, not resuscitation.
It would be provided even with a DNR order. Intubation is resuscitation and would not
be done if the client has a valid DNR. The health care proxy would only be consulted if
the client cannot make decisions .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and refuses to use an incentive
spirometer following major abdominal surgery. Which of the following actions is the
nurse's priority?
A. Request that a respiratory therapist discuss the technique for incentive spirometry
with the client.
B. Determine the reasons why the client is refusing to use the incentive spirometer.
C. Document the client's refusal to participate in health restorative activities.
D. Administer a pain medication to the client.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The priority is to assess the reason for refusal (e.g., pain, lack of
understanding, fear). After identifying the cause, the nurse can address it.
Documentation and respiratory therapist referral come after assessment .
Question 5
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who has a new prescription for
wrist restraints. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints.
B. Evaluate the client's circulation every 8 hr after application.
C. Remove the restraints every 4 hr to evaluate the client's status.
D. Secure the restraint ties to the bed's side rails.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Pads prevent skin breakdown. Circulation should be checked every 1-2
hours, not every 8 hours. Restraints should be removed every 2 hours (not 4) for range
of motion. Restraints should be attached to the bed frame, not side rails (which can
move) .
pg. 2
, Question 6
A nurse is talking with an older adult client who is contemplating retirement. The client
states, "I keep thinking about how much I enjoy my job. I'm not sure I want to retire."
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "You would have so much more time to spend with your family."
B. "You should consider getting a part-time job or doing volunteer work."
C. "Let's talk about how the change in your job status will affect you."
D. "Why wouldn't you want to retire and relax?"
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This open-ended response invites the client to explore feelings and
concerns. It is therapeutic and non-judgmental. The other options offer advice,
minimize feelings, or are closed-ended .
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has pharyngeal diphtheria. Which of the following
types of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Pharyngeal diphtheria is transmitted by respiratory droplets. Droplet
precautions include a surgical mask within 3 feet of the client. Contact precautions are
for organisms like MRSA; airborne for TB, measles; protective for immunocompromised
.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Carry a client's soiled linens out of the room in a mesh linen bag.
B. Place a client who has tuberculosis in a room with negative-pressure airflow.
C. Provide disposable plates and utensils for a client who is HIV-positive.
D. Dispose of a client's blood-saturated dressing in a trash bag inside a second trash bag.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including negative-pressure
airflow. Soiled linens should be placed in fluid-resistant bags, not mesh. HIV is not
pg. 3
Complete Questions with Correct
Answers & Explanations- Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an injection of an opioid medication to a client. The
nurse draws out 1 mL of the medication from a 2 mL vial. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Ask another nurse to observe the medication wastage
B. Notify the pharmacy when wasting medication
C. Lock the remaining medication in the controlled substances cabinet
D. Dispose of the vial with the remaining medication in a sharps container
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: When wasting a controlled substance (opioid), a second nurse must
witness and verify the wastage. The remaining medication should be wasted properly,
not locked or disposed of without witness. The pharmacy does not need to be notified
for routine wastage .
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 750 mL IV to infuse over 7 hr.
The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the
answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a
trailing zero)
Correct Answer: 107 mL/hr
Explanation: 750 mL ÷ 7 hr = 107.14 mL/hr, rounded to 107 mL/hr.
Question 3
A nurse is educating a client who has a terminal illness about declining resuscitation in a
living will. The client asks, "What would happen if I arrived at the emergency
department and I had difficulty breathing?" Which of the following responses should the
nurse make?
A. "We would consult the person appointed by your health care proxy to make
decisions."
pg. 1
,B. "We would give you oxygen through a tube in your nose."
C. "You would be unable to change your previous wishes about your care."
D. "We would insert a breathing tube while we evaluate your condition."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Oxygen via nasal cannula is considered comfort care, not resuscitation.
It would be provided even with a DNR order. Intubation is resuscitation and would not
be done if the client has a valid DNR. The health care proxy would only be consulted if
the client cannot make decisions .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and refuses to use an incentive
spirometer following major abdominal surgery. Which of the following actions is the
nurse's priority?
A. Request that a respiratory therapist discuss the technique for incentive spirometry
with the client.
B. Determine the reasons why the client is refusing to use the incentive spirometer.
C. Document the client's refusal to participate in health restorative activities.
D. Administer a pain medication to the client.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The priority is to assess the reason for refusal (e.g., pain, lack of
understanding, fear). After identifying the cause, the nurse can address it.
Documentation and respiratory therapist referral come after assessment .
Question 5
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client who has a new prescription for
wrist restraints. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Pad the client's wrist before applying the restraints.
B. Evaluate the client's circulation every 8 hr after application.
C. Remove the restraints every 4 hr to evaluate the client's status.
D. Secure the restraint ties to the bed's side rails.
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Pads prevent skin breakdown. Circulation should be checked every 1-2
hours, not every 8 hours. Restraints should be removed every 2 hours (not 4) for range
of motion. Restraints should be attached to the bed frame, not side rails (which can
move) .
pg. 2
, Question 6
A nurse is talking with an older adult client who is contemplating retirement. The client
states, "I keep thinking about how much I enjoy my job. I'm not sure I want to retire."
Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
A. "You would have so much more time to spend with your family."
B. "You should consider getting a part-time job or doing volunteer work."
C. "Let's talk about how the change in your job status will affect you."
D. "Why wouldn't you want to retire and relax?"
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: This open-ended response invites the client to explore feelings and
concerns. It is therapeutic and non-judgmental. The other options offer advice,
minimize feelings, or are closed-ended .
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has pharyngeal diphtheria. Which of the following
types of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Pharyngeal diphtheria is transmitted by respiratory droplets. Droplet
precautions include a surgical mask within 3 feet of the client. Contact precautions are
for organisms like MRSA; airborne for TB, measles; protective for immunocompromised
.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent the spread of infection?
A. Carry a client's soiled linens out of the room in a mesh linen bag.
B. Place a client who has tuberculosis in a room with negative-pressure airflow.
C. Provide disposable plates and utensils for a client who is HIV-positive.
D. Dispose of a client's blood-saturated dressing in a trash bag inside a second trash bag.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including negative-pressure
airflow. Soiled linens should be placed in fluid-resistant bags, not mesh. HIV is not
pg. 3
