ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam A&B 2026: Questions, Answers
,rationale & Expert Nursing Prep PDF
1. A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for four clients. Which task should the nurse assign
to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Administer a breathing treatment
B. Teach a client how to use incentive spirometry
C. Assist a client to get out of bed after a breathing treatment
D. Assess lung sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with basic mobility is within the scope of AP. Teaching and assessment are
nursing responsibilities.
2. A client is learning to use crutches. Which action indicates correct understanding when
climbing stairs?
A. Advance the affected leg first
B. Advance both crutches simultaneously
C. Advance the unaffected leg first
D. Keep both feet together
Answer: C
Rationale: For stairs, the unaffected (good) leg goes first when ascending; affected leg and
crutches follow.
3. A nurse is removing a peripheral IV catheter. After hand hygiene and gloves, which is the first
action?
A. Apply a dressing
B. Clamp the infusion tubing
C. Withdraw the catheter
D. Assess the site for redness
Answer: B
Rationale: Clamping stops flow and prevents leakage before removal.
,4. A client asks about a living will. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “It tells my family what to do.”
B. “It allows the doctor to make decisions for me.”
C. “It directs my medical care when I am unable to decide.”
D. “It can’t be changed once written.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Living wills provide guidance when clients cannot make decisions themselves.
5. A client has a positive throat culture for streptococci. Which intervention should the nurse
include?
A. Place the client in a private room with negative pressure
B. Ensure the client wears a surgical mask during transport
C. Allow visitors without masks
D. Limit hand hygiene before contact
Answer: B
Rationale: Droplet precautions require a mask during transport to prevent transmission.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action prevents a
urinary tract infection?
A. Empty urine from tubing before ambulation
B. Change tubing every 48 hours
C. Keep the drainage bag at the same level as the bladder
D. Disconnect the catheter frequently
Answer: A
Rationale: Draining urine prevents backflow, which reduces UTI risk.
7. How should the nurse protect a client’s privacy in a long-term care facility?
A. Speak with the client while visitors are present
B. Discuss the client’s condition after visitors leave
C. Leave doors open for ventilation
D. Share information with other clients
Answer: B
Rationale: Confidential discussions must occur away from others.
,8. Preoperative teaching for a client who speaks a different language should include:
A. Speaking loudly in English
B. Using hand gestures only
C. Providing handouts in the client’s primary language
D. Having the client read English materials
Answer: C
Rationale: Language-appropriate materials improve comprehension and informed consent.
9. While receiving report, a nurse takes notes on paper. How should the nurse dispose of them?
A. Throw in trash
B. Shred in a secure container
C. Burn immediately
D. Leave at the desk
Answer: B
Rationale: Protects confidentiality under HIPAA regulations.
10. The first stage of health behavior change is:
A. Contemplation
B. Action
C. Precontemplation
D. Maintenance
Answer: C
Rationale: Precontemplation is when the client is not yet considering change.
11. A client with an NG tube on low intermittent suction shows a positive Chvostek’s sign. This
indicates:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia causes neuromuscular irritability, such as Chvostek’s or
Trousseau’s signs.
, 12. Teaching AP about pulse oximetry should include:
A. Place probe over nail polish
B. Remove polish from fingernails
C. Measure on the earlobe only
D. Ignore finger temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Nail polish can cause inaccurate oxygen readings.
13. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Urine output 200 mL over 8 hours
B. Blood pressure 120/78 mmHg
C. Heart rate 76 bpm
D. Temperature 36.8°C
Answer: A
Rationale: Oliguria may indicate renal compromise; requires reporting.
14. Before family views a deceased client, the nurse should:
A. Remove tubes only
B. Clean soiled areas of the body
C. Leave the room immediately
D. Cover the body with multiple sheets
Answer: B
Rationale: Hygiene provides dignity and comfort for the family.
15. Allowing a client to make their own treatment decision demonstrates:
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy respects the client’s right to self-determination.
16. Wound irrigation for a large abdominal wound should include:
A. Administer analgesic 30 minutes before procedure
,rationale & Expert Nursing Prep PDF
1. A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for four clients. Which task should the nurse assign
to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Administer a breathing treatment
B. Teach a client how to use incentive spirometry
C. Assist a client to get out of bed after a breathing treatment
D. Assess lung sounds
Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with basic mobility is within the scope of AP. Teaching and assessment are
nursing responsibilities.
2. A client is learning to use crutches. Which action indicates correct understanding when
climbing stairs?
A. Advance the affected leg first
B. Advance both crutches simultaneously
C. Advance the unaffected leg first
D. Keep both feet together
Answer: C
Rationale: For stairs, the unaffected (good) leg goes first when ascending; affected leg and
crutches follow.
3. A nurse is removing a peripheral IV catheter. After hand hygiene and gloves, which is the first
action?
A. Apply a dressing
B. Clamp the infusion tubing
C. Withdraw the catheter
D. Assess the site for redness
Answer: B
Rationale: Clamping stops flow and prevents leakage before removal.
,4. A client asks about a living will. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “It tells my family what to do.”
B. “It allows the doctor to make decisions for me.”
C. “It directs my medical care when I am unable to decide.”
D. “It can’t be changed once written.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Living wills provide guidance when clients cannot make decisions themselves.
5. A client has a positive throat culture for streptococci. Which intervention should the nurse
include?
A. Place the client in a private room with negative pressure
B. Ensure the client wears a surgical mask during transport
C. Allow visitors without masks
D. Limit hand hygiene before contact
Answer: B
Rationale: Droplet precautions require a mask during transport to prevent transmission.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action prevents a
urinary tract infection?
A. Empty urine from tubing before ambulation
B. Change tubing every 48 hours
C. Keep the drainage bag at the same level as the bladder
D. Disconnect the catheter frequently
Answer: A
Rationale: Draining urine prevents backflow, which reduces UTI risk.
7. How should the nurse protect a client’s privacy in a long-term care facility?
A. Speak with the client while visitors are present
B. Discuss the client’s condition after visitors leave
C. Leave doors open for ventilation
D. Share information with other clients
Answer: B
Rationale: Confidential discussions must occur away from others.
,8. Preoperative teaching for a client who speaks a different language should include:
A. Speaking loudly in English
B. Using hand gestures only
C. Providing handouts in the client’s primary language
D. Having the client read English materials
Answer: C
Rationale: Language-appropriate materials improve comprehension and informed consent.
9. While receiving report, a nurse takes notes on paper. How should the nurse dispose of them?
A. Throw in trash
B. Shred in a secure container
C. Burn immediately
D. Leave at the desk
Answer: B
Rationale: Protects confidentiality under HIPAA regulations.
10. The first stage of health behavior change is:
A. Contemplation
B. Action
C. Precontemplation
D. Maintenance
Answer: C
Rationale: Precontemplation is when the client is not yet considering change.
11. A client with an NG tube on low intermittent suction shows a positive Chvostek’s sign. This
indicates:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypomagnesemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypomagnesemia causes neuromuscular irritability, such as Chvostek’s or
Trousseau’s signs.
, 12. Teaching AP about pulse oximetry should include:
A. Place probe over nail polish
B. Remove polish from fingernails
C. Measure on the earlobe only
D. Ignore finger temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Nail polish can cause inaccurate oxygen readings.
13. Which finding should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Urine output 200 mL over 8 hours
B. Blood pressure 120/78 mmHg
C. Heart rate 76 bpm
D. Temperature 36.8°C
Answer: A
Rationale: Oliguria may indicate renal compromise; requires reporting.
14. Before family views a deceased client, the nurse should:
A. Remove tubes only
B. Clean soiled areas of the body
C. Leave the room immediately
D. Cover the body with multiple sheets
Answer: B
Rationale: Hygiene provides dignity and comfort for the family.
15. Allowing a client to make their own treatment decision demonstrates:
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Beneficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy respects the client’s right to self-determination.
16. Wound irrigation for a large abdominal wound should include:
A. Administer analgesic 30 minutes before procedure
