ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026 Edition
100 Advanced Questions with Answers
and Detailed Rationales
These 100-question original practice exam covers key ATI RN Fundamentals
domains, including:
Patient safety and quality improvement
Infection prevention and control
Medication administration
Delegation and supervision
Therapeutic communication
Mobility and positioning
Oxygenation
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Documentation and legal/ethical practice
NGN-style clinical judgment, prioritization, and SATA items
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which action should the nurse perform
FIRST?
A. Compare the medication label with the MAR
B. Assess the client's allergies
C. Explain the medication
D. Check the client's vital signs
✅ Correct Answer: B. Assess the client's allergies
Rationale:
Patient safety begins with determining whether the client has allergies that could result
in serious adverse reactions before medication administration.
, ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
Question 2
A client is admitted with pulmonary tuberculosis. Which PPE is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. Gloves only
C. N95 respirator
D. Face shield
✅ Correct Answer: C. N95 respirator
Rationale:
Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions; healthcare workers should wear a fit-tested
N95 respirator.
Question 3
Which client should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. Client requesting pain medication rated 7/10
B. Client with BP 132/78 mmHg
C. Client whose oxygen saturation suddenly falls from 97% to 88%
D. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Using the ABC framework, compromised oxygenation is the highest priority.
Question 4
Which statement demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "Everything will be okay."
B. "Why did you wait so long?"
C. "Tell me more about how you're feeling."
D. "You shouldn't worry."
✅ Correct Answer: C
, ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
Rationale:
Open-ended questions encourage expression and establish therapeutic rapport.
Question 5
A UAP reports a client's temperature is 39.4°C (103°F). What is the nurse's priority?
A. Document the finding
B. Assess the client immediately
C. Repeat the temperature tomorrow
D. Notify dietary services
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Abnormal findings require RN assessment before further intervention.
Question 6
Which client is at greatest risk for falls?
A. 25-year-old postoperative appendectomy
B. 70-year-old receiving opioids
C. 32-year-old with migraine
D. 18-year-old athlete
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Advanced age combined with opioid use significantly increases fall risk.
Question 7
The best method to prevent healthcare-associated infections is:
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
, ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
C. Wearing a gown
D. Wearing goggles
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to reduce transmission.
Question 8
When removing gloves, the nurse should:
A. Pull both gloves off together
B. Remove gloves before hand hygiene
C. Remove gloves after leaving the room
D. Wash gloves with sanitizer
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Gloves are removed first, followed immediately by hand hygiene.
Question 9
Which position is best for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Sims'
C. High Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
High Fowler's maximizes lung expansion.
Question 10
ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026 Edition
100 Advanced Questions with Answers
and Detailed Rationales
These 100-question original practice exam covers key ATI RN Fundamentals
domains, including:
Patient safety and quality improvement
Infection prevention and control
Medication administration
Delegation and supervision
Therapeutic communication
Mobility and positioning
Oxygenation
Fluid and electrolyte balance
Documentation and legal/ethical practice
NGN-style clinical judgment, prioritization, and SATA items
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer medications. Which action should the nurse perform
FIRST?
A. Compare the medication label with the MAR
B. Assess the client's allergies
C. Explain the medication
D. Check the client's vital signs
✅ Correct Answer: B. Assess the client's allergies
Rationale:
Patient safety begins with determining whether the client has allergies that could result
in serious adverse reactions before medication administration.
, ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
Question 2
A client is admitted with pulmonary tuberculosis. Which PPE is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. Gloves only
C. N95 respirator
D. Face shield
✅ Correct Answer: C. N95 respirator
Rationale:
Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions; healthcare workers should wear a fit-tested
N95 respirator.
Question 3
Which client should the nurse assess FIRST?
A. Client requesting pain medication rated 7/10
B. Client with BP 132/78 mmHg
C. Client whose oxygen saturation suddenly falls from 97% to 88%
D. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Using the ABC framework, compromised oxygenation is the highest priority.
Question 4
Which statement demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "Everything will be okay."
B. "Why did you wait so long?"
C. "Tell me more about how you're feeling."
D. "You shouldn't worry."
✅ Correct Answer: C
, ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
Rationale:
Open-ended questions encourage expression and establish therapeutic rapport.
Question 5
A UAP reports a client's temperature is 39.4°C (103°F). What is the nurse's priority?
A. Document the finding
B. Assess the client immediately
C. Repeat the temperature tomorrow
D. Notify dietary services
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Abnormal findings require RN assessment before further intervention.
Question 6
Which client is at greatest risk for falls?
A. 25-year-old postoperative appendectomy
B. 70-year-old receiving opioids
C. 32-year-old with migraine
D. 18-year-old athlete
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Advanced age combined with opioid use significantly increases fall risk.
Question 7
The best method to prevent healthcare-associated infections is:
A. Wearing gloves
B. Hand hygiene
, ATI RN Fundamentals Exam 2026
C. Wearing a gown
D. Wearing goggles
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Hand hygiene is the single most effective intervention to reduce transmission.
Question 8
When removing gloves, the nurse should:
A. Pull both gloves off together
B. Remove gloves before hand hygiene
C. Remove gloves after leaving the room
D. Wash gloves with sanitizer
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Gloves are removed first, followed immediately by hand hygiene.
Question 9
Which position is best for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Sims'
C. High Fowler's
D. Trendelenburg
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
High Fowler's maximizes lung expansion.
Question 10
