,
,ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2026 | Level 3 |
Practice Questions, Answers and Rationales | Complete
Review
1. A nurse is assessing an older adult client. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an expected age-related change?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Increased body temperature
D. Increased bladder capacity
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor is an expected age-related change due to loss of elasticity
and subcutaneous fat. Older adults typically have a decreased, not increased, bladder capacity;
body temperature tends to be lower; and respiratory rate is largely unchanged at rest.
2. A nurse is preparing to measure a client's blood pressure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Place the cuff over the client's clothing
B. Position the client's arm at heart level
C. Inflate the cuff 10 mm Hg above the palpated systolic pressure
D. Deflate the cuff at 5 mm Hg per second
Rationale: The arm should be at heart level to obtain an accurate reading. The cuff should
be placed on bare skin, inflated 20–30 mm Hg above the point at which the pulse disappears,
and deflated at 2–3 mm Hg per second.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's radial pulse. Which of the following findings should the nurse
document as tachycardia?
A. 48/min
B. 58/min
C. 110/min
D. 88/min
, Rationale: Tachycardia in adults is a heart rate greater than 100/min. A rate below 60/min is
bradycardia. 88/min and 58/min are within or near normal limits.
4. A nurse is obtaining a client's temperature via the oral route. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Wait 5 minutes after the client drinks hot coffee
B. Wait 15 to 30 minutes after the client smokes
C. Place the probe in the posterior sublingual pocket
D. Use the oral route for a client who is confused
Rationale: The nurse should wait 15–30 minutes after smoking, eating, or drinking before
taking an oral temperature. The probe is placed in the posterior sublingual pocket (not just
anywhere under the tongue). The oral route is contraindicated for confused or uncooperative
clients.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's respirations. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min with shallow breathing
C. Respiratory rate of 20/min with regular rhythm
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min after exercise
Rationale: A rate of 8/min with shallow breathing indicates bradypnea with inadequate
ventilation and should be reported immediately. Rates of 16 and 20/min are normal; 24/min
after exercise may be expected.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a potential cause of an inaccurate reading?
A. Dark nail polish on the finger
B. Warm hands
C. Oxygen saturation of 98%
D. Pulse rate of 72/min
,ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2026 | Level 3 |
Practice Questions, Answers and Rationales | Complete
Review
1. A nurse is assessing an older adult client. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an expected age-related change?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Decreased skin turgor
C. Increased body temperature
D. Increased bladder capacity
Rationale: Decreased skin turgor is an expected age-related change due to loss of elasticity
and subcutaneous fat. Older adults typically have a decreased, not increased, bladder capacity;
body temperature tends to be lower; and respiratory rate is largely unchanged at rest.
2. A nurse is preparing to measure a client's blood pressure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Place the cuff over the client's clothing
B. Position the client's arm at heart level
C. Inflate the cuff 10 mm Hg above the palpated systolic pressure
D. Deflate the cuff at 5 mm Hg per second
Rationale: The arm should be at heart level to obtain an accurate reading. The cuff should
be placed on bare skin, inflated 20–30 mm Hg above the point at which the pulse disappears,
and deflated at 2–3 mm Hg per second.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's radial pulse. Which of the following findings should the nurse
document as tachycardia?
A. 48/min
B. 58/min
C. 110/min
D. 88/min
, Rationale: Tachycardia in adults is a heart rate greater than 100/min. A rate below 60/min is
bradycardia. 88/min and 58/min are within or near normal limits.
4. A nurse is obtaining a client's temperature via the oral route. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Wait 5 minutes after the client drinks hot coffee
B. Wait 15 to 30 minutes after the client smokes
C. Place the probe in the posterior sublingual pocket
D. Use the oral route for a client who is confused
Rationale: The nurse should wait 15–30 minutes after smoking, eating, or drinking before
taking an oral temperature. The probe is placed in the posterior sublingual pocket (not just
anywhere under the tongue). The oral route is contraindicated for confused or uncooperative
clients.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's respirations. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report immediately?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min with shallow breathing
C. Respiratory rate of 20/min with regular rhythm
D. Respiratory rate of 24/min after exercise
Rationale: A rate of 8/min with shallow breathing indicates bradypnea with inadequate
ventilation and should be reported immediately. Rates of 16 and 20/min are normal; 24/min
after exercise may be expected.
6. A nurse is assessing a client's oxygen saturation using pulse oximetry. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a potential cause of an inaccurate reading?
A. Dark nail polish on the finger
B. Warm hands
C. Oxygen saturation of 98%
D. Pulse rate of 72/min
