ATI RN Fundamentals 2026 Proctored Exam
- Level 3 Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
Section 1: Safety and Infection Control (Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change on a postoperative
abdominal wound. The nurse accidentally touches the edge of the sterile drape
with an ungloved hand. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Continue the procedure using the remaining uncontaminated portion of the
drape
B. Apply clean gloves and continue the procedure
C. Replace the contaminated drape with a new sterile drape before proceeding
D. Use an alcohol swab to clean the contaminated area of the drape
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The edge of a sterile drape is considered contaminated once
touched by an ungloved hand. The nurse must replace the entire drape with a
new sterile one. Using the remaining portion risks introducing microorganisms
into the wound, and alcohol swabs do not restore sterility to a contaminated field.
2. A nurse is caring for a client on contact isolation for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The client needs to be transported to radiology.
Which action should the nurse implement to prevent the spread of infection
during transport?
A. Place a surgical mask on the client during transport
B. Cover the client with a clean gown and have the client perform hand hygiene
before leaving the room
C. Request that radiology come to the client's room instead of transporting the
,client
D. Wipe the wheelchair with alcohol after returning the client to the room
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For contact isolation, the client should be covered with a clean
gown and perform hand hygiene before leaving the room to prevent
contamination of the environment and other individuals. MRSA is spread by direct
contact, so a mask is not required unless the client has a respiratory MRSA
infection.
3. A nurse discovers a small fire in the trash can of a client's room. The client is on
oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher
B. Activate the fire alarm
C. Remove the client from the room
D. Confine the fire by closing the door
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the RACE fire safety protocol, the nurse's first priority
is to Rescue and remove the client from immediate danger, especially because the
client is on oxygen which supports combustion. After removing the client, the
nurse should activate the alarm, confine the fire, and then extinguish it.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is part of
safe medication administration practice?
A. Ask the roommate to confirm the client's identity
B. Use the client's room number as an identifier
C. Verify the client using two identifiers
D. Give the medication without checking identification
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Two identifiers (name and date of birth, or name and medical
record number) are required by The Joint Commission to prevent medication
errors.
5. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with constipation requesting a laxative
B. Client with COPD whose oxygen saturation is 88%
C. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom
D. Client asking for discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC priority framework, impaired oxygenation takes
priority. Hypoxemia can rapidly become life-threatening.
6. A charge nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the use of
restraints. In which clinical situation should the nurse apply restraints?
A. If the client is pacing in the hallway
B. As a part of a fall prevention program
C. At the request of the client's family
D. When the client poses a threat to self
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Restraints should only be used when there is a threat of harm to
the client or others and less restrictive measures have failed.
7. A nurse observes an assistive personnel reprimanding a client for not using the
urinal properly. The AP tells him she will put a diaper on him if he does not use the
urinal more carefully next time. Which tort is the AP committing?
A. Battery
B. Assault
, C. False imprisonment
D. Negligence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assault is the threat of harmful or offensive contact. The AP's
threat to put a diaper on the client constitutes assault.
8. A nurse is caring for a competent adult client who tells the nurse that he is
thinking about leaving the hospital against medical advice. The nurse believes that
this is not in the client's best interest, so she prepares to administer PRN sedative
medication the client has not requested along with his usual medication. Which
type of tort is the nurse about to commit?
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. False imprisonment
D. Negligence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: False imprisonment is the unjustified restraint of a person without
legal warrant. The nurse would be restraining the client's freedom of movement.
9. A nurse in a surgeon's office is providing preoperative teaching for a client
scheduled for surgery the following week. The client tells the nurse that he will
prepare his advance directives before he goes to the hospital. Which statement by
the client indicates an understanding of advance directives?
A. "I plan to write that I don't want them to keep me on a breathing machine."
B. "I will give my wife the authority to make all medical decisions."
C. "I need to have this notarized before I go to the hospital."
D. "My doctor will help me decide what to include."
Correct Answer: A
- Level 3 Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales
Section 1: Safety and Infection Control (Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change on a postoperative
abdominal wound. The nurse accidentally touches the edge of the sterile drape
with an ungloved hand. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Continue the procedure using the remaining uncontaminated portion of the
drape
B. Apply clean gloves and continue the procedure
C. Replace the contaminated drape with a new sterile drape before proceeding
D. Use an alcohol swab to clean the contaminated area of the drape
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The edge of a sterile drape is considered contaminated once
touched by an ungloved hand. The nurse must replace the entire drape with a
new sterile one. Using the remaining portion risks introducing microorganisms
into the wound, and alcohol swabs do not restore sterility to a contaminated field.
2. A nurse is caring for a client on contact isolation for methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The client needs to be transported to radiology.
Which action should the nurse implement to prevent the spread of infection
during transport?
A. Place a surgical mask on the client during transport
B. Cover the client with a clean gown and have the client perform hand hygiene
before leaving the room
C. Request that radiology come to the client's room instead of transporting the
,client
D. Wipe the wheelchair with alcohol after returning the client to the room
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For contact isolation, the client should be covered with a clean
gown and perform hand hygiene before leaving the room to prevent
contamination of the environment and other individuals. MRSA is spread by direct
contact, so a mask is not required unless the client has a respiratory MRSA
infection.
3. A nurse discovers a small fire in the trash can of a client's room. The client is on
oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min. What is the nurse's first action?
A. Extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher
B. Activate the fire alarm
C. Remove the client from the room
D. Confine the fire by closing the door
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: According to the RACE fire safety protocol, the nurse's first priority
is to Rescue and remove the client from immediate danger, especially because the
client is on oxygen which supports combustion. After removing the client, the
nurse should activate the alarm, confine the fire, and then extinguish it.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which action is part of
safe medication administration practice?
A. Ask the roommate to confirm the client's identity
B. Use the client's room number as an identifier
C. Verify the client using two identifiers
D. Give the medication without checking identification
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Two identifiers (name and date of birth, or name and medical
record number) are required by The Joint Commission to prevent medication
errors.
5. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with constipation requesting a laxative
B. Client with COPD whose oxygen saturation is 88%
C. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom
D. Client asking for discharge instructions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using the ABC priority framework, impaired oxygenation takes
priority. Hypoxemia can rapidly become life-threatening.
6. A charge nurse is teaching a group of newly licensed nurses about the use of
restraints. In which clinical situation should the nurse apply restraints?
A. If the client is pacing in the hallway
B. As a part of a fall prevention program
C. At the request of the client's family
D. When the client poses a threat to self
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Restraints should only be used when there is a threat of harm to
the client or others and less restrictive measures have failed.
7. A nurse observes an assistive personnel reprimanding a client for not using the
urinal properly. The AP tells him she will put a diaper on him if he does not use the
urinal more carefully next time. Which tort is the AP committing?
A. Battery
B. Assault
, C. False imprisonment
D. Negligence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assault is the threat of harmful or offensive contact. The AP's
threat to put a diaper on the client constitutes assault.
8. A nurse is caring for a competent adult client who tells the nurse that he is
thinking about leaving the hospital against medical advice. The nurse believes that
this is not in the client's best interest, so she prepares to administer PRN sedative
medication the client has not requested along with his usual medication. Which
type of tort is the nurse about to commit?
A. Assault
B. Battery
C. False imprisonment
D. Negligence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: False imprisonment is the unjustified restraint of a person without
legal warrant. The nurse would be restraining the client's freedom of movement.
9. A nurse in a surgeon's office is providing preoperative teaching for a client
scheduled for surgery the following week. The client tells the nurse that he will
prepare his advance directives before he goes to the hospital. Which statement by
the client indicates an understanding of advance directives?
A. "I plan to write that I don't want them to keep me on a breathing machine."
B. "I will give my wife the authority to make all medical decisions."
C. "I need to have this notarized before I go to the hospital."
D. "My doctor will help me decide what to include."
Correct Answer: A
