ATI CMS
FUNDAMENTALS –
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027
Q1: A nurse is assessing four clients in the emergency department simultaneously.
Which client should the nurse see first?
A. A client with a sprained ankle and a pain rating of 6/10
B. A client with chest pain and an oxygen saturation of 88%
C. A client with a 4 cm laceration on the forearm requiring sutures
D. A client reporting nausea and vomiting after surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the client with an oxygen saturation of 88% has a
compromised airway/breathing issue, which takes priority per the ABCDE approach.
Per ATI Fundamentals guidelines, the nurse must always address life -threatening
respiratory compromise before any other complaint. The other clients have stable
conditions that can safely wait.
Q2: An RN is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate for the LPN to
perform?
A. Administer an IV push medication of furosemide
B. Reinforce discharge teaching for a client with a new colostomy
,C. Assess a post-operative client's pain level using a numeric rating scale
D. Evaluate the effectiveness of a new pain management plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because reinforcing teaching is within the LPN scope of practice;
LPNs can provide re-teaching under RN supervision. Per ATI Fundamentals
delegation guidelines, assessment (C), evaluation (D), and IV push medication
administration (A) are RN-only responsibilities. The 5 rights of delegation include
right task, and reinforcement of established teaching is an appropriate delegated task.
Q3: A provider orders 750 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 750 mg ÷ 250 mg per tablet = 3 tablets. Per ATI
Fundamentals medication administration guidelines, the nurse must always perform
dosage calculations before administering any medication to ensure the right dose. This
is a basic dimensional analysis problem that prevents medication errors.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a client with active tuberculosis. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear when entering the room?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. N95 respirator
C. Face shield and gown
D. Standard precautions only
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, and an N95
respirator is required to filter out airborne particles ≤ 5 microns. Per CDC and ATI
Fundamentals infection control guidelines, airborne precautions mandate N95 or
higher-level respirator use. Surgical masks do not provide adequate protection against
airborne transmission of TB.
Q5: A client says, "I'm so scared about my surgery tomorrow. What if something goes
wrong?" Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Don't worry, the surgeon is the best in the hospital."
B. "You shouldn't be scared. Everything will be fine."
C. "Tell me more about what specifically concerns you about the surgery."
D. "Have you thought about what you'll do if something does go wrong?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because using an open-ended question to explore the client's
feelings is a therapeutic communication technique that promotes expression and
builds trust. Per ATI Fundamentals psychosocial integrity guidelines, advising (A, B),
changing the subject (D), and making assumptions are non-therapeutic responses.
Open-ended questions encourage the client to verbalize concerns and allow the nurse
to address specific fears.
Q6: A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication to a client. The client
shows no adverse effects. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the error in the client's medical record
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Complete an incident report
D. Administer the antidote as a precaution
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because an incident report must be completed for any medication
error, regardless of whether harm occurred, per ATI Fundamentals safety and quality
improvement guidelines. The incident report is an internal document used for quality
improvement and root cause analysis, not part of the medical record. Notifying the
provider (B) is also required, but the incident report is the first documented action in
the error process.
Q7: An RN is delegating tasks to a UAP. Which task is appropriate for the UAP to
perform?
A. Assess a post-operative client's surgical incision for signs of infection
B. Ambulate a client with a gait belt using proper body mechanics
C. Teach a client with new-onset diabetes about insulin self-administration
D. Evaluate a client's response to a newly prescribed antihypertensive medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ambulating a client with a gait belt is a basic activity of
daily living task that falls within the UAP scope of practice. Per ATI Fundamentals
delegation guidelines, UAPs can assist with mobility under supervision but cannot
perform assessments (A), patient education on complex topics (C), or evaluations (D),
which require licensed nursing judgment.
Q8: A client's serum sodium level is 155 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize this
finding as:
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
FUNDAMENTALS –
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026/2027
Q1: A nurse is assessing four clients in the emergency department simultaneously.
Which client should the nurse see first?
A. A client with a sprained ankle and a pain rating of 6/10
B. A client with chest pain and an oxygen saturation of 88%
C. A client with a 4 cm laceration on the forearm requiring sutures
D. A client reporting nausea and vomiting after surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the client with an oxygen saturation of 88% has a
compromised airway/breathing issue, which takes priority per the ABCDE approach.
Per ATI Fundamentals guidelines, the nurse must always address life -threatening
respiratory compromise before any other complaint. The other clients have stable
conditions that can safely wait.
Q2: An RN is delegating tasks to an LPN. Which task is appropriate for the LPN to
perform?
A. Administer an IV push medication of furosemide
B. Reinforce discharge teaching for a client with a new colostomy
,C. Assess a post-operative client's pain level using a numeric rating scale
D. Evaluate the effectiveness of a new pain management plan
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because reinforcing teaching is within the LPN scope of practice;
LPNs can provide re-teaching under RN supervision. Per ATI Fundamentals
delegation guidelines, assessment (C), evaluation (D), and IV push medication
administration (A) are RN-only responsibilities. The 5 rights of delegation include
right task, and reinforcement of established teaching is an appropriate delegated task.
Q3: A provider orders 750 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 750 mg ÷ 250 mg per tablet = 3 tablets. Per ATI
Fundamentals medication administration guidelines, the nurse must always perform
dosage calculations before administering any medication to ensure the right dose. This
is a basic dimensional analysis problem that prevents medication errors.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a client with active tuberculosis. Which personal protective
equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear when entering the room?
A. Surgical mask and gloves
B. N95 respirator
C. Face shield and gown
D. Standard precautions only
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, and an N95
respirator is required to filter out airborne particles ≤ 5 microns. Per CDC and ATI
Fundamentals infection control guidelines, airborne precautions mandate N95 or
higher-level respirator use. Surgical masks do not provide adequate protection against
airborne transmission of TB.
Q5: A client says, "I'm so scared about my surgery tomorrow. What if something goes
wrong?" Which response by the nurse is therapeutic?
A. "Don't worry, the surgeon is the best in the hospital."
B. "You shouldn't be scared. Everything will be fine."
C. "Tell me more about what specifically concerns you about the surgery."
D. "Have you thought about what you'll do if something does go wrong?"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because using an open-ended question to explore the client's
feelings is a therapeutic communication technique that promotes expression and
builds trust. Per ATI Fundamentals psychosocial integrity guidelines, advising (A, B),
changing the subject (D), and making assumptions are non-therapeutic responses.
Open-ended questions encourage the client to verbalize concerns and allow the nurse
to address specific fears.
Q6: A nurse accidentally administers the wrong medication to a client. The client
shows no adverse effects. What should the nurse do first?
A. Document the error in the client's medical record
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Complete an incident report
D. Administer the antidote as a precaution
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because an incident report must be completed for any medication
error, regardless of whether harm occurred, per ATI Fundamentals safety and quality
improvement guidelines. The incident report is an internal document used for quality
improvement and root cause analysis, not part of the medical record. Notifying the
provider (B) is also required, but the incident report is the first documented action in
the error process.
Q7: An RN is delegating tasks to a UAP. Which task is appropriate for the UAP to
perform?
A. Assess a post-operative client's surgical incision for signs of infection
B. Ambulate a client with a gait belt using proper body mechanics
C. Teach a client with new-onset diabetes about insulin self-administration
D. Evaluate a client's response to a newly prescribed antihypertensive medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because ambulating a client with a gait belt is a basic activity of
daily living task that falls within the UAP scope of practice. Per ATI Fundamentals
delegation guidelines, UAPs can assist with mobility under supervision but cannot
perform assessments (A), patient education on complex topics (C), or evaluations (D),
which require licensed nursing judgment.
Q8: A client's serum sodium level is 155 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize this
finding as:
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
