ATI RN Fundamentals 2026–2027 Exam
Preparation | Comprehensive Nursing
Questions, Rationales, Key Concepts, Clinical
Judgment & Fundamentals
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Keep all four side rails raised.
B. Place the call light within the client's reach.
C. Keep the client's bed in the highest position.
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently.
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach allows the client to request assistance before attempting to get
out of bed, reducing fall risk.
2. Which action is appropriate when measuring a client's blood pressure?
A. Place the cuff over clothing.
B. Position the arm below heart level.
C. Use a cuff with an appropriate bladder size.
D. Have the client talk during the measurement.
Answer: C
Rationale: An appropriately sized cuff provides the most accurate blood-pressure measurement.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the medication.
B. Identify the client using two identifiers.
C. Open all medication packages.
D. Offer the client water.
,Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should verify the client's identity using two identifiers before administering medication
to promote medication safety.
4. Which finding indicates that a client may be experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Increased thirst
Answer: C
Rationale: Sweating, tremors, hunger, tachycardia, and altered mental status are common manifestations of
hypoglycemia.
5. A nurse is performing hand hygiene with soap and water. Which action is correct?
A. Wash hands for approximately 5 seconds.
B. Keep hands below the elbows while rinsing.
C. Use friction to clean all hand surfaces.
D. Touch the sink after washing.
Answer: C
Rationale: Friction helps remove microorganisms from the hands. The nurse should avoid contaminating
clean hands afterward.
6. Which intervention helps prevent pressure injuries in an immobile client?
A. Massage reddened areas.
B. Reposition the client regularly.
C. Keep the skin moist.
D. Use donut-shaped devices routinely.
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps maintain tissue perfusion.
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula. Which action is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nares.
B. Ensure the tubing is positioned comfortably.
C. Increase the oxygen flow rate independently.
D. Remove oxygen during meals.
,Answer: B
Rationale: Proper positioning improves comfort and helps ensure effective oxygen delivery.
8. Which finding should a nurse report immediately for a client receiving oxygen therapy?
A. Dry nasal passages
B. Mild skin irritation behind the ears
C. New onset of severe dyspnea
D. Client requesting water
Answer: C
Rationale: New severe dyspnea can indicate worsening respiratory status and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
9. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion and can decrease the work of breathing.
10. Which finding is commonly associated with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Decreased urine output
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced fluid volume can result in decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes, thirst, and
concentrated urine.
11. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique is required?
A. Medical asepsis
B. Sterile technique
C. Clean technique only
D. No special technique
, Answer: B
Rationale: Indwelling urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique to reduce the risk of introducing
microorganisms into the urinary tract.
12. Which finding can indicate a urinary tract infection?
A. Clear urine without symptoms
B. Dysuria and urinary frequency
C. Increased appetite
D. Decreased temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Burning with urination and increased frequency are common manifestations of a urinary tract
infection.
13. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation using a gait belt. Where should the belt be positioned?
A. Around the neck
B. Around the client's waist
C. Around the client's knees
D. Across the chest
Answer: B
Rationale: A gait belt is secured around the client's waist to provide support during transfers and ambulation.
14. Which action should a nurse take when transferring a client from bed to a wheelchair?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes.
B. Keep the wheelchair several feet away.
C. Leave the bed elevated.
D. Pull the client by the arms.
Answer: A
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair prevents it from moving during the transfer.
15. Which statement about body mechanics is correct?
A. Bend at the waist when lifting.
B. Keep the load away from the body.
C. Use the legs when lifting.
D. Twist while lifting.
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the legs and keeping the load close to the body reduces strain on the back.
Preparation | Comprehensive Nursing
Questions, Rationales, Key Concepts, Clinical
Judgment & Fundamentals
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Keep all four side rails raised.
B. Place the call light within the client's reach.
C. Keep the client's bed in the highest position.
D. Encourage the client to ambulate independently.
Answer: B
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach allows the client to request assistance before attempting to get
out of bed, reducing fall risk.
2. Which action is appropriate when measuring a client's blood pressure?
A. Place the cuff over clothing.
B. Position the arm below heart level.
C. Use a cuff with an appropriate bladder size.
D. Have the client talk during the measurement.
Answer: C
Rationale: An appropriately sized cuff provides the most accurate blood-pressure measurement.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the medication.
B. Identify the client using two identifiers.
C. Open all medication packages.
D. Offer the client water.
,Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should verify the client's identity using two identifiers before administering medication
to promote medication safety.
4. Which finding indicates that a client may be experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Increased thirst
Answer: C
Rationale: Sweating, tremors, hunger, tachycardia, and altered mental status are common manifestations of
hypoglycemia.
5. A nurse is performing hand hygiene with soap and water. Which action is correct?
A. Wash hands for approximately 5 seconds.
B. Keep hands below the elbows while rinsing.
C. Use friction to clean all hand surfaces.
D. Touch the sink after washing.
Answer: C
Rationale: Friction helps remove microorganisms from the hands. The nurse should avoid contaminating
clean hands afterward.
6. Which intervention helps prevent pressure injuries in an immobile client?
A. Massage reddened areas.
B. Reposition the client regularly.
C. Keep the skin moist.
D. Use donut-shaped devices routinely.
Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps maintain tissue perfusion.
7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula. Which action is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly inside the nares.
B. Ensure the tubing is positioned comfortably.
C. Increase the oxygen flow rate independently.
D. Remove oxygen during meals.
,Answer: B
Rationale: Proper positioning improves comfort and helps ensure effective oxygen delivery.
8. Which finding should a nurse report immediately for a client receiving oxygen therapy?
A. Dry nasal passages
B. Mild skin irritation behind the ears
C. New onset of severe dyspnea
D. Client requesting water
Answer: C
Rationale: New severe dyspnea can indicate worsening respiratory status and requires prompt assessment and
intervention.
9. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing difficulty breathing?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Answer: B
Rationale: High-Fowler's positioning promotes lung expansion and can decrease the work of breathing.
10. Which finding is commonly associated with dehydration?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Bounding pulse
C. Decreased urine output
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Reduced fluid volume can result in decreased urine output, dry mucous membranes, thirst, and
concentrated urine.
11. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique is required?
A. Medical asepsis
B. Sterile technique
C. Clean technique only
D. No special technique
, Answer: B
Rationale: Indwelling urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique to reduce the risk of introducing
microorganisms into the urinary tract.
12. Which finding can indicate a urinary tract infection?
A. Clear urine without symptoms
B. Dysuria and urinary frequency
C. Increased appetite
D. Decreased temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Burning with urination and increased frequency are common manifestations of a urinary tract
infection.
13. A nurse is assisting a client with ambulation using a gait belt. Where should the belt be positioned?
A. Around the neck
B. Around the client's waist
C. Around the client's knees
D. Across the chest
Answer: B
Rationale: A gait belt is secured around the client's waist to provide support during transfers and ambulation.
14. Which action should a nurse take when transferring a client from bed to a wheelchair?
A. Lock the wheelchair brakes.
B. Keep the wheelchair several feet away.
C. Leave the bed elevated.
D. Pull the client by the arms.
Answer: A
Rationale: Locking the wheelchair prevents it from moving during the transfer.
15. Which statement about body mechanics is correct?
A. Bend at the waist when lifting.
B. Keep the load away from the body.
C. Use the legs when lifting.
D. Twist while lifting.
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the legs and keeping the load close to the body reduces strain on the back.
