ATI FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM 2026/2027 – EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. A nurse is beginning care for a newly admitted client. Which action best
demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care?
A. Completing all care according to the unit's routine schedule
B. Incorporating the client's preferences and values into the plan of care
C. Asking the family to make all decisions for the client
D. Using the same interventions for clients with the same diagnosis
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the individual client's values, preferences, needs,
and goals. Standardized routines may support consistency, but they should be adapted when
appropriate to the client's circumstances.
2. Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process?
A. To establish the medical diagnosis
B. To determine the client's insurance eligibility
C. To replace clinical judgment with standardized procedures
D. To provide a systematic framework for individualized nursing care
Rationale: The nursing process provides a systematic approach to assessment, diagnosis,
planning, implementation, and evaluation. It supports individualized clinical decision-making
rather than replacing nursing judgment.
3. A nurse is collecting information from a client who reports abdominal discomfort.
Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. The client states, "My pain is a 7 out of 10."
B. The nurse observes abdominal guarding
C. The client's temperature is 38.1°C (100.6°F)
D. The nurse notes abdominal distention
,Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the client, such as pain or nausea.
Temperature, observed guarding, and abdominal distention are objective findings that can be
measured or observed.
4. During an assessment, which finding should the nurse recognize as objective
data?
A. "I feel dizzy when I stand."
B. "My stomach has been hurting all morning."
C. Blood pressure of 146/88 mm Hg
D. "I am worried about my surgery."
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained through assessment.
Blood pressure is a measurable physiologic finding, whereas the other statements represent the
client's reported experiences or feelings.
5. A nurse is developing a care plan after identifying a client's risk for impaired skin
integrity. Which outcome is written appropriately?
A. The nurse will reposition the client every 2 hours.
B. The client will understand pressure injury prevention.
C. The nurse will monitor the client's skin frequently.
D. The client will maintain intact skin throughout hospitalization.
Rationale: An appropriate outcome describes the client's expected response and should be
measurable. Maintaining intact skin provides a clear outcome that can be evaluated.
6. A nurse evaluates whether an intervention was effective. Which nursing-process
phase is being performed?
A. Assessment
B. Evaluation
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether the client's outcomes have been achieved and whether
the plan of care should be continued, modified, or discontinued.
, 7. Which action is most appropriate when a nurse identifies conflicting information
during an assessment?
A. Validate the information before documenting it as factual
B. Ignore the information because it may be insignificant
C. Document the conflicting information as confirmed
D. Ask another client whether the information is accurate
Rationale: Inconsistent or unexpected assessment findings should be validated before being
accepted as accurate. Validation may involve reassessment, clarification with the client, or
comparison with another reliable source.
8. A client tells the nurse, "I don't understand why I need this procedure." What is
the nurse's most appropriate initial response?
A. "The provider already explained it to you."
B. "Your family can explain it when they visit."
C. "You should sign the consent form before the procedure."
D. "Tell me what you understand about the procedure so far."
Rationale: Asking the client to describe what they understand assesses existing knowledge and
allows the nurse to identify gaps. The nurse can reinforce information and notify the appropriate
provider when additional explanation is required.
9. Which action by a nurse is consistent with maintaining client confidentiality?
A. Discussing a client's condition in the hallway with another nurse
B. Leaving the electronic health record open at the nurses' station
C. Sharing client information only with healthcare professionals involved in the client's
care
D. Discussing an unusual case with friends without using the client's name
Rationale: Confidential information should be shared only with individuals who have a
legitimate need to know for the client's care. Removing a name does not necessarily eliminate the
risk of identifying the client.
, 10. A client becomes visibly upset while discussing a recent diagnosis. Which
response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should try to stay positive."
B. "Everything will probably be fine."
C. "This seems difficult for you. Tell me more about what concerns you."
D. "You should discuss these feelings with your family."
Rationale: An open-ended response acknowledges the client's feelings and encourages
expression. Giving false reassurance, changing the subject, or immediately directing the client
elsewhere can inhibit communication.
11. Which nursing action is most effective for reducing the risk of healthcare-
associated infection?
A. Wearing gloves for every interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate moments during client care
C. Keeping all client-care equipment at the nurses' station
D. Using antibiotics whenever infection is suspected
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental measure for preventing transmission of
microorganisms. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene, and antibiotics are not appropriate for
every suspected infection.
12. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. Which action is essential for
maintaining sterility?
A. Keeping sterile supplies below waist level
B. Reaching over the sterile field when necessary
C. Turning away from the sterile field briefly
D. Keeping sterile objects within the nurse's view and above waist level
Rationale: Sterile objects should remain visible and within the appropriate sterile field. Items
below waist level, out of sight, or contaminated by reaching over them should be considered
contaminated.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is beginning care for a newly admitted client. Which action best
demonstrates the principle of patient-centered care?
A. Completing all care according to the unit's routine schedule
B. Incorporating the client's preferences and values into the plan of care
C. Asking the family to make all decisions for the client
D. Using the same interventions for clients with the same diagnosis
Rationale: Patient-centered care recognizes the individual client's values, preferences, needs,
and goals. Standardized routines may support consistency, but they should be adapted when
appropriate to the client's circumstances.
2. Which statement accurately describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process?
A. To establish the medical diagnosis
B. To determine the client's insurance eligibility
C. To replace clinical judgment with standardized procedures
D. To provide a systematic framework for individualized nursing care
Rationale: The nursing process provides a systematic approach to assessment, diagnosis,
planning, implementation, and evaluation. It supports individualized clinical decision-making
rather than replacing nursing judgment.
3. A nurse is collecting information from a client who reports abdominal discomfort.
Which finding is considered subjective data?
A. The client states, "My pain is a 7 out of 10."
B. The nurse observes abdominal guarding
C. The client's temperature is 38.1°C (100.6°F)
D. The nurse notes abdominal distention
,Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the client, such as pain or nausea.
Temperature, observed guarding, and abdominal distention are objective findings that can be
measured or observed.
4. During an assessment, which finding should the nurse recognize as objective
data?
A. "I feel dizzy when I stand."
B. "My stomach has been hurting all morning."
C. Blood pressure of 146/88 mm Hg
D. "I am worried about my surgery."
Rationale: Objective data are observable or measurable findings obtained through assessment.
Blood pressure is a measurable physiologic finding, whereas the other statements represent the
client's reported experiences or feelings.
5. A nurse is developing a care plan after identifying a client's risk for impaired skin
integrity. Which outcome is written appropriately?
A. The nurse will reposition the client every 2 hours.
B. The client will understand pressure injury prevention.
C. The nurse will monitor the client's skin frequently.
D. The client will maintain intact skin throughout hospitalization.
Rationale: An appropriate outcome describes the client's expected response and should be
measurable. Maintaining intact skin provides a clear outcome that can be evaluated.
6. A nurse evaluates whether an intervention was effective. Which nursing-process
phase is being performed?
A. Assessment
B. Evaluation
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether the client's outcomes have been achieved and whether
the plan of care should be continued, modified, or discontinued.
, 7. Which action is most appropriate when a nurse identifies conflicting information
during an assessment?
A. Validate the information before documenting it as factual
B. Ignore the information because it may be insignificant
C. Document the conflicting information as confirmed
D. Ask another client whether the information is accurate
Rationale: Inconsistent or unexpected assessment findings should be validated before being
accepted as accurate. Validation may involve reassessment, clarification with the client, or
comparison with another reliable source.
8. A client tells the nurse, "I don't understand why I need this procedure." What is
the nurse's most appropriate initial response?
A. "The provider already explained it to you."
B. "Your family can explain it when they visit."
C. "You should sign the consent form before the procedure."
D. "Tell me what you understand about the procedure so far."
Rationale: Asking the client to describe what they understand assesses existing knowledge and
allows the nurse to identify gaps. The nurse can reinforce information and notify the appropriate
provider when additional explanation is required.
9. Which action by a nurse is consistent with maintaining client confidentiality?
A. Discussing a client's condition in the hallway with another nurse
B. Leaving the electronic health record open at the nurses' station
C. Sharing client information only with healthcare professionals involved in the client's
care
D. Discussing an unusual case with friends without using the client's name
Rationale: Confidential information should be shared only with individuals who have a
legitimate need to know for the client's care. Removing a name does not necessarily eliminate the
risk of identifying the client.
, 10. A client becomes visibly upset while discussing a recent diagnosis. Which
response demonstrates therapeutic communication?
A. "You should try to stay positive."
B. "Everything will probably be fine."
C. "This seems difficult for you. Tell me more about what concerns you."
D. "You should discuss these feelings with your family."
Rationale: An open-ended response acknowledges the client's feelings and encourages
expression. Giving false reassurance, changing the subject, or immediately directing the client
elsewhere can inhibit communication.
11. Which nursing action is most effective for reducing the risk of healthcare-
associated infection?
A. Wearing gloves for every interaction
B. Performing hand hygiene at appropriate moments during client care
C. Keeping all client-care equipment at the nurses' station
D. Using antibiotics whenever infection is suspected
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental measure for preventing transmission of
microorganisms. Gloves do not replace hand hygiene, and antibiotics are not appropriate for
every suspected infection.
12. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile procedure. Which action is essential for
maintaining sterility?
A. Keeping sterile supplies below waist level
B. Reaching over the sterile field when necessary
C. Turning away from the sterile field briefly
D. Keeping sterile objects within the nurse's view and above waist level
Rationale: Sterile objects should remain visible and within the appropriate sterile field. Items
below waist level, out of sight, or contaminated by reaching over them should be considered
contaminated.
