ATI Fundamentals Exam – Questions with 100%
Correct Answers 2026
Welcome to this comprehensive ATI Fundamentals practice exam. This
guide contains questions covering essential nursing fundamentals
including safety, infection control, mobility, nutrition, elimination,
medication administration, and professional nursing concepts. Each
question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to support
your exam preparation.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following
actions is the priority when verifying the client's identity?
A. Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
B. Check the client's identification band
C. Ask the client to state their room number
D. Confirm the client's identity with a family member
Answer: B. Check the client's identification band.
Rationale: The most reliable method of client identification is to check the client's
identification band against the medication administration record (MAR). Two identifiers
are required, and the identification band is the primary source. According to the Joint
Commission, using at least two patient identifiers is essential for patient safety .
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position
B. Place all four side rails in the up position
,C. Keep the bed in the highest position for ease of care
D. Leave the room lights turned off to promote sleep
Answer: A. Keep the bed in the lowest position.
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed. Placing all four side rails up is considered a restraint and
requires a provider's order. Adequate lighting should be maintained for safety .
Question 3
Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing the spread of
infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Hand hygiene
C. Wearing a mask
D. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer exclusively
Answer: B. Hand hygiene.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective method of preventing the spread of
infection. Handwashing with soap and water should be performed when hands are visibly
soiled; alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used when hands are not visibly soiled .
Question 4
A nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which of the following actions is
appropriate?
A. Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
B. Tie restraints to the side rails of the bed
C. Secure restraints with a quick-release knot
D. Leave restraints in place for 8 hours before removal
Answer: C. Secure restraints with a quick-release knot.
,Rationale: Restraints should be secured with a quick-release knot to allow for rapid
removal in an emergency. Restraints should not be tied to side rails, should allow for some
movement, and require frequent assessment and release every 2 hours .
Question 5
The nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following actions would
contaminate the sterile field?
A. Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge of the field
B. Opening sterile packages away from the field
C. Reaching over the sterile field
D. Using sterile gloves to arrange items on the field
Answer: C. Reaching over the sterile field.
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it by passing non-sterile objects or
surfaces over the sterile area. The 1-inch border around the sterile field is considered
contaminated. Items should be placed at least 1 inch from the edge .
Question 6
A client is on contact precautions. Which of the following personal protective
equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear?
A. Gown and gloves
B. Mask, gown, and gloves
C. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
D. Gloves only
Answer: A. Gown and gloves.
Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves. A mask is not
required for contact precautions unless there is a risk of splash or spray. N95 is required
for airborne precautions .
, Question 7
A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which of the following is the
correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C. Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
D. Mask, goggles, gloves, gown
Answer: B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.
Rationale: The correct order for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, then goggles (or
face shield), and gloves last. This sequence ensures proper protection and minimizes
contamination .
Question 8
A client has a new prescription for a restraint. Which of the following is the most
appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Apply the restraint and document the client's behavior
B. Obtain a provider's order for the restraint
C. Apply the restraint and notify the provider later
D. Apply the restraint to prevent the client from falling
Answer: B. Obtain a provider's order for the restraint.
Rationale: Restraints require a provider's order. The order must specify the type of
restraint, the reason for use, and the duration. Restraints should only be used as a last
resort when alternative interventions have failed .
Question 9
Correct Answers 2026
Welcome to this comprehensive ATI Fundamentals practice exam. This
guide contains questions covering essential nursing fundamentals
including safety, infection control, mobility, nutrition, elimination,
medication administration, and professional nursing concepts. Each
question includes the correct answer and a detailed rationale to support
your exam preparation.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which of the following
actions is the priority when verifying the client's identity?
A. Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
B. Check the client's identification band
C. Ask the client to state their room number
D. Confirm the client's identity with a family member
Answer: B. Check the client's identification band.
Rationale: The most reliable method of client identification is to check the client's
identification band against the medication administration record (MAR). Two identifiers
are required, and the identification band is the primary source. According to the Joint
Commission, using at least two patient identifiers is essential for patient safety .
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the lowest position
B. Place all four side rails in the up position
,C. Keep the bed in the highest position for ease of care
D. Leave the room lights turned off to promote sleep
Answer: A. Keep the bed in the lowest position.
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of injury if the client
attempts to get out of bed. Placing all four side rails up is considered a restraint and
requires a provider's order. Adequate lighting should be maintained for safety .
Question 3
Which of the following is the most effective method for preventing the spread of
infection in a healthcare setting?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Hand hygiene
C. Wearing a mask
D. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer exclusively
Answer: B. Hand hygiene.
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective method of preventing the spread of
infection. Handwashing with soap and water should be performed when hands are visibly
soiled; alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used when hands are not visibly soiled .
Question 4
A nurse is applying restraints to a client. Which of the following actions is
appropriate?
A. Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
B. Tie restraints to the side rails of the bed
C. Secure restraints with a quick-release knot
D. Leave restraints in place for 8 hours before removal
Answer: C. Secure restraints with a quick-release knot.
,Rationale: Restraints should be secured with a quick-release knot to allow for rapid
removal in an emergency. Restraints should not be tied to side rails, should allow for some
movement, and require frequent assessment and release every 2 hours .
Question 5
The nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following actions would
contaminate the sterile field?
A. Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge of the field
B. Opening sterile packages away from the field
C. Reaching over the sterile field
D. Using sterile gloves to arrange items on the field
Answer: C. Reaching over the sterile field.
Rationale: Reaching over a sterile field contaminates it by passing non-sterile objects or
surfaces over the sterile area. The 1-inch border around the sterile field is considered
contaminated. Items should be placed at least 1 inch from the edge .
Question 6
A client is on contact precautions. Which of the following personal protective
equipment (PPE) should the nurse wear?
A. Gown and gloves
B. Mask, gown, and gloves
C. N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
D. Gloves only
Answer: A. Gown and gloves.
Rationale: Contact precautions require the use of a gown and gloves. A mask is not
required for contact precautions unless there is a risk of splash or spray. N95 is required
for airborne precautions .
, Question 7
A nurse is preparing to insert a urinary catheter. Which of the following is the
correct order for donning personal protective equipment (PPE)?
A. Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
C. Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
D. Mask, goggles, gloves, gown
Answer: B. Gown, mask, goggles, gloves.
Rationale: The correct order for donning PPE is: gown first, then mask, then goggles (or
face shield), and gloves last. This sequence ensures proper protection and minimizes
contamination .
Question 8
A client has a new prescription for a restraint. Which of the following is the most
appropriate action by the nurse?
A. Apply the restraint and document the client's behavior
B. Obtain a provider's order for the restraint
C. Apply the restraint and notify the provider later
D. Apply the restraint to prevent the client from falling
Answer: B. Obtain a provider's order for the restraint.
Rationale: Restraints require a provider's order. The order must specify the type of
restraint, the reason for use, and the duration. Restraints should only be used as a last
resort when alternative interventions have failed .
Question 9
