ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM
PREP | 400+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | BASIC NURSING SKILLS,
PATIENT SAFETY & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
SUCCESS GUIDE
ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM PREP
400+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALE
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action by
the nurse indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Placing the sterile field at waist level B. Opening sterile packages away from the
sterile field C. Reaching across the sterile field to place supplies D. Wearing sterile
gloves before touching the wound E. Keeping the sterile drape dry throughout the
procedure
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reaching across the sterile field to place supplies
RATIONALE: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because the arm and
sleeve pass over the field, introducing microorganisms. All sterile items must be placed
at the sides or handed directly to avoid contamination.
Q2. A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation
precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions B. Droplet precautions C. Protective precautions D. Airborne
precautions E. Standard precautions only
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Airborne precautions RATIONALE: TB is
transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air for long periods.
Airborne precautions require a negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and keeping the
door closed at all times.
Q3. When removing personal protective equipment (PPE), which item should the
nurse remove first?
,A. Mask B. Gown C. Gloves D. Goggles E. Face shield
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Gloves RATIONALE: Gloves are the most
contaminated item of PPE. They should be removed first to prevent transferring
pathogens to other surfaces or the nurse's skin. The correct order is: gloves →
goggles/face shield → gown → mask.
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which condition most
likely necessitates this type of precaution?
A. Influenza B. Tuberculosis C. Meningitis D. MRSA wound infection E. Pertussis
CORRECT ANSWER: D. MRSA wound infection RATIONALE: MRSA
(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is transmitted through direct or indirect
contact with the infected site. Contact precautions require gloves and gown upon
entering the room.
Q5. A nurse is performing hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand rub. How
long should the nurse rub hands together until they are dry?
A. 5 seconds B. 10 seconds C. 20 seconds D. Until the product is completely dry
(approximately 15–20 seconds) E. 60 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Until the product is completely dry (approximately 15–
20 seconds) RATIONALE: Alcohol-based hand rubs must be rubbed in until
completely dry to ensure maximum antimicrobial effectiveness. This process typically
takes 15–20 seconds and covers all surfaces of the hands.
Q6. A nurse prepares to enter the room of a client with C. difficile (C. diff). Which
hand hygiene method is most appropriate after leaving the room?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub B. Soap and water handwashing C. Dry wiping with paper
towel D. Hand sanitizer with chlorhexidine E. Sterile glove use only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Soap and water handwashing RATIONALE: C.
difficile forms spores that are not killed by alcohol-based hand rubs. Soap and water
physically remove the spores from the hands, making it the preferred method after
caring for a C. diff patient.
,Q7. A nurse is changing a client's central line dressing. Which action is the
priority?
A. Applying antibiotic ointment to the site B. Performing hand hygiene before the
procedure C. Obtaining sterile gloves from the supply room D. Documenting the
dressing change in the chart E. Asking the client to hold their breath during the change
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Performing hand hygiene before the procedure
RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is always the first priority before any invasive or sterile
procedure to reduce the transmission of pathogens and prevent healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs).
Q8. A nurse is instructing a client about droplet precautions. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. "I need to be in a negative pressure room." B. "Anyone entering my room must wear
an N95 mask." C. "Visitors should wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of me." D. "I
only need to worry about people touching contaminated surfaces." E. "I can walk freely
in the hallway as long as I cover my mouth."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "Visitors should wear a surgical mask when within 3
feet of me." RATIONALE: Droplet precautions require a surgical mask for anyone
within 3 feet (1 meter) of the client. Negative pressure rooms and N95 masks are
required for airborne precautions, not droplet.
Q9. Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent healthcare-
associated infections (HAIs)?
A. Wearing gloves at all times B. Using antibiotics prophylactically C. Frequent and
proper hand hygiene D. Isolating all clients in private rooms E. Administering vaccines
to all staff
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Frequent and proper hand hygiene RATIONALE:
Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing HAIs. The CDC and
WHO consistently identify hand washing as the cornerstone of infection prevention.
Q10. A nurse is preparing to perform a urinary catheter insertion. Which type of
technique is required?
, A. Clean technique B. Surgical asepsis C. Medical asepsis D. Standard precautions
only E. Contact precaution technique
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Surgical asepsis RATIONALE: Urinary catheter
insertion requires sterile (surgical aseptic) technique because it involves entering a
normally sterile body cavity. Using clean technique would greatly increase the risk of
catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
Q11. A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client coughing without
covering their mouth. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a mask on the client B. Leave the room and get a mask for yourself C. Offer
the client tissues and educate on respiratory hygiene D. Move the client to a private
room immediately E. Document the behavior in the medical record
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Offer the client tissues and educate on respiratory
hygiene RATIONALE: Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette are standard
precaution components. Educating the client to cover their mouth, use tissues, and
perform hand hygiene is the first appropriate action.
Q12. Which client is at highest risk for developing a healthcare-associated
infection?
A. A 25-year-old with a fractured arm in a cast B. A 70-year-old with an indwelling
urinary catheter C. A 45-year-old recovering from an appendectomy with no
complications D. A 30-year-old with seasonal allergies admitted for observation E. A 55-
year-old ambulatory client with hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A 70-year-old with an indwelling urinary catheter
RATIONALE: Indwelling urinary catheters are the leading cause of CAUTIs, which are
among the most common HAIs. Older adults with invasive devices are at the highest
risk due to compromised immunity and direct access to normally sterile areas.
Q13. A nurse notices that a colleague does not perform hand hygiene before
entering a client's room. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict B. Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor
immediately C. Politely remind the colleague to perform hand hygiene D. Document the
PREP | 400+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | BASIC NURSING SKILLS,
PATIENT SAFETY & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
SUCCESS GUIDE
ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM PREP
400+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALE
Q1. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action by
the nurse indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Placing the sterile field at waist level B. Opening sterile packages away from the
sterile field C. Reaching across the sterile field to place supplies D. Wearing sterile
gloves before touching the wound E. Keeping the sterile drape dry throughout the
procedure
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reaching across the sterile field to place supplies
RATIONALE: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates it because the arm and
sleeve pass over the field, introducing microorganisms. All sterile items must be placed
at the sides or handed directly to avoid contamination.
Q2. A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis (TB). Which type of isolation
precautions should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions B. Droplet precautions C. Protective precautions D. Airborne
precautions E. Standard precautions only
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Airborne precautions RATIONALE: TB is
transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that remain suspended in the air for long periods.
Airborne precautions require a negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and keeping the
door closed at all times.
Q3. When removing personal protective equipment (PPE), which item should the
nurse remove first?
,A. Mask B. Gown C. Gloves D. Goggles E. Face shield
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Gloves RATIONALE: Gloves are the most
contaminated item of PPE. They should be removed first to prevent transferring
pathogens to other surfaces or the nurse's skin. The correct order is: gloves →
goggles/face shield → gown → mask.
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which condition most
likely necessitates this type of precaution?
A. Influenza B. Tuberculosis C. Meningitis D. MRSA wound infection E. Pertussis
CORRECT ANSWER: D. MRSA wound infection RATIONALE: MRSA
(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is transmitted through direct or indirect
contact with the infected site. Contact precautions require gloves and gown upon
entering the room.
Q5. A nurse is performing hand hygiene using an alcohol-based hand rub. How
long should the nurse rub hands together until they are dry?
A. 5 seconds B. 10 seconds C. 20 seconds D. Until the product is completely dry
(approximately 15–20 seconds) E. 60 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Until the product is completely dry (approximately 15–
20 seconds) RATIONALE: Alcohol-based hand rubs must be rubbed in until
completely dry to ensure maximum antimicrobial effectiveness. This process typically
takes 15–20 seconds and covers all surfaces of the hands.
Q6. A nurse prepares to enter the room of a client with C. difficile (C. diff). Which
hand hygiene method is most appropriate after leaving the room?
A. Alcohol-based hand rub B. Soap and water handwashing C. Dry wiping with paper
towel D. Hand sanitizer with chlorhexidine E. Sterile glove use only
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Soap and water handwashing RATIONALE: C.
difficile forms spores that are not killed by alcohol-based hand rubs. Soap and water
physically remove the spores from the hands, making it the preferred method after
caring for a C. diff patient.
,Q7. A nurse is changing a client's central line dressing. Which action is the
priority?
A. Applying antibiotic ointment to the site B. Performing hand hygiene before the
procedure C. Obtaining sterile gloves from the supply room D. Documenting the
dressing change in the chart E. Asking the client to hold their breath during the change
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Performing hand hygiene before the procedure
RATIONALE: Hand hygiene is always the first priority before any invasive or sterile
procedure to reduce the transmission of pathogens and prevent healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs).
Q8. A nurse is instructing a client about droplet precautions. Which statement by
the client indicates understanding?
A. "I need to be in a negative pressure room." B. "Anyone entering my room must wear
an N95 mask." C. "Visitors should wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of me." D. "I
only need to worry about people touching contaminated surfaces." E. "I can walk freely
in the hallway as long as I cover my mouth."
CORRECT ANSWER: C. "Visitors should wear a surgical mask when within 3
feet of me." RATIONALE: Droplet precautions require a surgical mask for anyone
within 3 feet (1 meter) of the client. Negative pressure rooms and N95 masks are
required for airborne precautions, not droplet.
Q9. Which of the following is the most effective method to prevent healthcare-
associated infections (HAIs)?
A. Wearing gloves at all times B. Using antibiotics prophylactically C. Frequent and
proper hand hygiene D. Isolating all clients in private rooms E. Administering vaccines
to all staff
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Frequent and proper hand hygiene RATIONALE:
Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing HAIs. The CDC and
WHO consistently identify hand washing as the cornerstone of infection prevention.
Q10. A nurse is preparing to perform a urinary catheter insertion. Which type of
technique is required?
, A. Clean technique B. Surgical asepsis C. Medical asepsis D. Standard precautions
only E. Contact precaution technique
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Surgical asepsis RATIONALE: Urinary catheter
insertion requires sterile (surgical aseptic) technique because it involves entering a
normally sterile body cavity. Using clean technique would greatly increase the risk of
catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
Q11. A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client coughing without
covering their mouth. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a mask on the client B. Leave the room and get a mask for yourself C. Offer
the client tissues and educate on respiratory hygiene D. Move the client to a private
room immediately E. Document the behavior in the medical record
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Offer the client tissues and educate on respiratory
hygiene RATIONALE: Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette are standard
precaution components. Educating the client to cover their mouth, use tissues, and
perform hand hygiene is the first appropriate action.
Q12. Which client is at highest risk for developing a healthcare-associated
infection?
A. A 25-year-old with a fractured arm in a cast B. A 70-year-old with an indwelling
urinary catheter C. A 45-year-old recovering from an appendectomy with no
complications D. A 30-year-old with seasonal allergies admitted for observation E. A 55-
year-old ambulatory client with hypertension
CORRECT ANSWER: B. A 70-year-old with an indwelling urinary catheter
RATIONALE: Indwelling urinary catheters are the leading cause of CAUTIs, which are
among the most common HAIs. Older adults with invasive devices are at the highest
risk due to compromised immunity and direct access to normally sterile areas.
Q13. A nurse notices that a colleague does not perform hand hygiene before
entering a client's room. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Ignore the behavior to avoid conflict B. Report the colleague to the nursing supervisor
immediately C. Politely remind the colleague to perform hand hygiene D. Document the
