ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which of the
following food choices should the nurse allow?
A. Vanilla pudding
B. Orange juice with pulp
C. Apple juice
D. Cream of mushroom soup
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Clear liquids are fluids that are transparent to light and liquid at
room temperature. Apple juice is a clear liquid, whereas pudding and cream soups are full
liquids, and pulp makes juice opaque.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric (NG) tube. What is
the most reliable method to confirm tube placement before starting the feeding?
A. Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
B. Injecting air and listening for a gurgle
,C. Observing for respiratory distress
D. Radiographic examination (X-ray)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Radiographic examination is the gold standard and most reliable
method for confirming the initial placement of an NG tube. pH testing is used for
subsequent verification, but X-ray is definitive.
3. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is at risk for skin breakdown. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Massaging reddened bony prominences
B. Using a donut-shaped cushion for sitting
C. Repositioning the client every 2 hours
D. Applying cornstarch to the skin folds
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Frequent repositioning (at least every 2 hours) relieves pressure
and is the primary intervention for preventing pressure ulcers. Massaging reddened areas
or using donut cushions can actually cause more damage.
4. Which of the following legal documents allows a client to designate a specific person to
make medical decisions if the client becomes incapacitated?
A. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
, B. Living Will
C. Informed Consent
D. Provider’s orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (Healthcare
Proxy) designates a surrogate to make decisions. A living will describes specific treatments
the client does or does not want.
5. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which of the following actions is correct when using
an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Rubbing hands together until they are dry
B. Rinsing hands with water after application
C. Wiping excess hand rub off with a paper towel
D. Using the rub only when hands are visibly soiled
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Alcohol-based hand rubs must be rubbed into all surfaces of the
hands and fingers until the solution has completely evaporated (dried) to be effective.
6. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with a new prescription for a walker.
Which of the following instructions should be included?
A. Advance the walker 18 inches at a time
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a clear liquid diet. Which of the
following food choices should the nurse allow?
A. Vanilla pudding
B. Orange juice with pulp
C. Apple juice
D. Cream of mushroom soup
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Clear liquids are fluids that are transparent to light and liquid at
room temperature. Apple juice is a clear liquid, whereas pudding and cream soups are full
liquids, and pulp makes juice opaque.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an enteral feeding via a nasogastric (NG) tube. What is
the most reliable method to confirm tube placement before starting the feeding?
A. Aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
B. Injecting air and listening for a gurgle
,C. Observing for respiratory distress
D. Radiographic examination (X-ray)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Radiographic examination is the gold standard and most reliable
method for confirming the initial placement of an NG tube. pH testing is used for
subsequent verification, but X-ray is definitive.
3. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is at risk for skin breakdown. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse prioritize?
A. Massaging reddened bony prominences
B. Using a donut-shaped cushion for sitting
C. Repositioning the client every 2 hours
D. Applying cornstarch to the skin folds
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Frequent repositioning (at least every 2 hours) relieves pressure
and is the primary intervention for preventing pressure ulcers. Massaging reddened areas
or using donut cushions can actually cause more damage.
4. Which of the following legal documents allows a client to designate a specific person to
make medical decisions if the client becomes incapacitated?
A. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare
, B. Living Will
C. Informed Consent
D. Provider’s orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare (Healthcare
Proxy) designates a surrogate to make decisions. A living will describes specific treatments
the client does or does not want.
5. A nurse is performing hand hygiene. Which of the following actions is correct when using
an alcohol-based hand rub?
A. Rubbing hands together until they are dry
B. Rinsing hands with water after application
C. Wiping excess hand rub off with a paper towel
D. Using the rub only when hands are visibly soiled
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Alcohol-based hand rubs must be rubbed into all surfaces of the
hands and fingers until the solution has completely evaporated (dried) to be effective.
6. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with a new prescription for a walker.
Which of the following instructions should be included?
A. Advance the walker 18 inches at a time
