ATI FUNDAMENTALS PRO EXAM REVIEW
2026 HIGH-YIELD Q AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep all four side rails raised while the client is in bed.
B. Place the client's bedside table 3 feet away from the bed.
C. Ensure the client's bed is locked and in its lowest position.
D. Remind the client to use their call light after they stand up.
• CorreCt Answer: C. Ensure the client's bed is
locked and in its lowest position.
• rAtionAle: Keeping the bed locked and low
minimizes injury risk if a fall occurs. Four rails up is
a restraint. Call lights must be used before rising.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an adult client. Which of the following sites
is the safest choice?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus lateralis
• CorreCt Answer: B. Ventrogluteal
, • rAtionAle: The ventrogluteal site is the safest
because it is deep, located away from major blood
vessels and the sciatic nerve, and has a thick muscle
mass.
3. A nurse is reviewing standard precautions with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
interventions should be included?
A. Wearing a gown for all client contact.
B. Using an alcohol-based hand rub if hands are not visibly soiled.
C. Recapping needles after administering an injection.
D. Washing hands with antimicrobial soap for at least 5 seconds.
• CorreCt Answer: B. Using an alcohol-based hand
rub if hands are not visibly soiled.
• rAtionAle: Alcohol rubs are recommended for
routine hand hygiene when hands are not visibly
contaminated. Never recap needles; wash hands for
15–20 seconds.
4. A nurse is changing the linens for a client who is on
airborne precautions. Which of the following protective
equipment is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Face shield
D. Sterile gloves
• CorreCt Answer: B. N95 respirator
, • rAtionAle: Airborne precautions require an N95
respirator to filter out small droplet nuclei
suspended in the air. Surgical masks are for droplet
precautions.
5. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile wound
dressing change. Which of the following actions
indicates a breach of sterile technique?
A. Opening the outer wrapper of the sterile kit away from the
body.
B. Maintaining a 1-inch border around the edge of the sterile field.
C. Keeping sterile gloved hands above the level of the waist.
D. Turning away from the sterile field to pick up a piece of tape.
• CorreCt Answer: D. Turning away from the sterile
field to pick up a piece of tape.
• rAtionAle: Turning your back on a sterile field
compromises its sterility because contamination
cannot be actively monitored. All sterile items must
remain in view.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage 2
pressure injury. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness.
B. Partial-thickness skin loss involving an exposed dermis.
C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue.
D. Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle within the wound bed.
, • CorreCt Answer: B. Partial-thickness skin loss
involving an exposed dermis.
• rAtionAle: A stage 2 pressure injury presents as
partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis,
such as a shallow open ulcer or an intact/ruptured
blister.
7. A nurse is assisting a client with a history of dysphagia
during mealtime. Which of the following actions should
the nurse perform?
A. Encourage the client to use a straw for thin liquids.
B. Place the client in a semi-Fowler's position during meals.
C. Flex the client's neck slightly forward into a chin-tuck position.
D. Offer large bites of food to stimulate the swallowing reflex.
• CorreCt Answer: C. Flex the client's neck slightly
forward into a chin-tuck position.
• rAtionAle: The chin-tuck position closes the
airway off and widens the esophagus, significantly
reducing the risk of aspiration.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days
postoperative and reports sudden chest pain and
dyspnea. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Elevate the head of the client's bed.
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
C. Administer prescribed PRN analgesic medication.
D. Notify the rapid response team.
2026 HIGH-YIELD Q AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep all four side rails raised while the client is in bed.
B. Place the client's bedside table 3 feet away from the bed.
C. Ensure the client's bed is locked and in its lowest position.
D. Remind the client to use their call light after they stand up.
• CorreCt Answer: C. Ensure the client's bed is
locked and in its lowest position.
• rAtionAle: Keeping the bed locked and low
minimizes injury risk if a fall occurs. Four rails up is
a restraint. Call lights must be used before rising.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an adult client. Which of the following sites
is the safest choice?
A. Dorsogluteal
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Deltoid
D. Vastus lateralis
• CorreCt Answer: B. Ventrogluteal
, • rAtionAle: The ventrogluteal site is the safest
because it is deep, located away from major blood
vessels and the sciatic nerve, and has a thick muscle
mass.
3. A nurse is reviewing standard precautions with a
newly licensed nurse. Which of the following
interventions should be included?
A. Wearing a gown for all client contact.
B. Using an alcohol-based hand rub if hands are not visibly soiled.
C. Recapping needles after administering an injection.
D. Washing hands with antimicrobial soap for at least 5 seconds.
• CorreCt Answer: B. Using an alcohol-based hand
rub if hands are not visibly soiled.
• rAtionAle: Alcohol rubs are recommended for
routine hand hygiene when hands are not visibly
contaminated. Never recap needles; wash hands for
15–20 seconds.
4. A nurse is changing the linens for a client who is on
airborne precautions. Which of the following protective
equipment is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Face shield
D. Sterile gloves
• CorreCt Answer: B. N95 respirator
, • rAtionAle: Airborne precautions require an N95
respirator to filter out small droplet nuclei
suspended in the air. Surgical masks are for droplet
precautions.
5. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile wound
dressing change. Which of the following actions
indicates a breach of sterile technique?
A. Opening the outer wrapper of the sterile kit away from the
body.
B. Maintaining a 1-inch border around the edge of the sterile field.
C. Keeping sterile gloved hands above the level of the waist.
D. Turning away from the sterile field to pick up a piece of tape.
• CorreCt Answer: D. Turning away from the sterile
field to pick up a piece of tape.
• rAtionAle: Turning your back on a sterile field
compromises its sterility because contamination
cannot be actively monitored. All sterile items must
remain in view.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage 2
pressure injury. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A. Intact skin with non-blanchable redness.
B. Partial-thickness skin loss involving an exposed dermis.
C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue.
D. Exposed bone, tendon, or muscle within the wound bed.
, • CorreCt Answer: B. Partial-thickness skin loss
involving an exposed dermis.
• rAtionAle: A stage 2 pressure injury presents as
partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis,
such as a shallow open ulcer or an intact/ruptured
blister.
7. A nurse is assisting a client with a history of dysphagia
during mealtime. Which of the following actions should
the nurse perform?
A. Encourage the client to use a straw for thin liquids.
B. Place the client in a semi-Fowler's position during meals.
C. Flex the client's neck slightly forward into a chin-tuck position.
D. Offer large bites of food to stimulate the swallowing reflex.
• CorreCt Answer: C. Flex the client's neck slightly
forward into a chin-tuck position.
• rAtionAle: The chin-tuck position closes the
airway off and widens the esophagus, significantly
reducing the risk of aspiration.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days
postoperative and reports sudden chest pain and
dyspnea. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
A. Elevate the head of the client's bed.
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
C. Administer prescribed PRN analgesic medication.
D. Notify the rapid response team.
