ATI RN Fundamentals Online Practice Assessment 2019
Version 3– Nursing Foundations Practice Questions and
Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the specimen container in the client’s bathroom at room temperature.
B. Discard the first voiding at the start of the collection period.
C. Begin the collection at the time of the client’s first voided specimen.
D. Place a sign on the door to ensure no one enters during the procedure.
Ans: B
Rationale: To initiate a 24-hour urine collection, the nurse should instruct the client to void and then
discard that first specimen. This action marks the start time of the collection period, ensuring that the
final accumulation reflects exactly 24 hours of production. The container should typically be kept on ice
or refrigerated to preserve the chemical properties of the urine. If any specimen is accidentally discarded
during the 24-hour period, the test must be restarted from the beginning to maintain accuracy.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent a needlestick injury?
A. Recap the needle using the two-handed technique after use.
B. Place the uncapped needle on the bedside table temporarily.
C. Bend the needle before disposal to ensure it cannot be reused.
D. Dispose of the needle in a puncture-resistant container immediately.
Ans: D
,Rationale: Used needles should never be recapped, bent, or broken due to the high risk of accidental
puncture and bloodborne pathogen exposure. Immediate disposal into a designated sharps container at
the point of care is the primary safety intervention for preventing injuries. Safety devices on needles
should be activated as soon as the injection is complete to provide an additional layer of protection.
Nurses must adhere to standard precautions and institutional protocols to ensure a safe environment for
both healthcare workers and patients.
3. A nurse is documenting patient care in a client’s electronic health record. Which of the following entries is
an example of objective data?
A. The client’s skin is warm and dry to the touch.
B. The client states, ‘I feel like I am going to pass out.’
C. The client reports feeling nauseated after eating breakfast.
D. The client appears to be anxious about the upcoming surgery.
Ans: A
Rationale: Objective data consists of observable and measurable information obtained through physical
examination or diagnostic testing. In this case, skin temperature and moisture are physical findings that
any observer can verify through palpation. Subjective data, conversely, includes the client’s personal
feelings, perceptions, or reports which cannot be independently verified. Effective documentation
requires a clear distinction between what the nurse observes and what the client reports to ensure
clinical accuracy.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for oxygen therapy at
home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. The client must keep the oxygen tank at least 10 feet away from open flames.
B. The client should wear synthetic fabrics to reduce static electricity.
, C. The client can use wool blankets for comfort while using oxygen.
D. The client should apply petroleum jelly to the nares to prevent dryness.
Ans: A
Rationale: Oxygen is a highly combustible gas that supports combustion and increases the risk of fire in
the home. Clients should be instructed to keep oxygen delivery systems away from heat sources, open
flames, and sparks. Materials such as wool or synthetic fabrics can generate static electricity and should
be replaced with cotton alternatives. Furthermore, water-based lubricants should be used for nasal
dryness instead of petroleum-based products because oils are flammable in the presence of oxygen.
5. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from a bed to a chair. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take to maintain proper body mechanics?
A. Bend at the waist when lifting the client.
B. Keep the feet close together to provide a narrow base of support.
C. Twist the torso while moving the client to the chair.
D. Hold the client as close to the body as possible during the transfer.
Ans: D
Rationale: Holding the client close to the body centers the weight and reduces the strain on the nurse’s
back muscles during a transfer. Proper body mechanics also involve bending at the knees and hips rather
than the waist to utilize the strength of the leg muscles. A wide base of support with feet shoulder-width
apart provides stability and prevents loss of balance. Nurses should also avoid twisting the spine and
instead pivot their entire body to change direction safely.
Version 3– Nursing Foundations Practice Questions and
Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine collection. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the specimen container in the client’s bathroom at room temperature.
B. Discard the first voiding at the start of the collection period.
C. Begin the collection at the time of the client’s first voided specimen.
D. Place a sign on the door to ensure no one enters during the procedure.
Ans: B
Rationale: To initiate a 24-hour urine collection, the nurse should instruct the client to void and then
discard that first specimen. This action marks the start time of the collection period, ensuring that the
final accumulation reflects exactly 24 hours of production. The container should typically be kept on ice
or refrigerated to preserve the chemical properties of the urine. If any specimen is accidentally discarded
during the 24-hour period, the test must be restarted from the beginning to maintain accuracy.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer an injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take to prevent a needlestick injury?
A. Recap the needle using the two-handed technique after use.
B. Place the uncapped needle on the bedside table temporarily.
C. Bend the needle before disposal to ensure it cannot be reused.
D. Dispose of the needle in a puncture-resistant container immediately.
Ans: D
,Rationale: Used needles should never be recapped, bent, or broken due to the high risk of accidental
puncture and bloodborne pathogen exposure. Immediate disposal into a designated sharps container at
the point of care is the primary safety intervention for preventing injuries. Safety devices on needles
should be activated as soon as the injection is complete to provide an additional layer of protection.
Nurses must adhere to standard precautions and institutional protocols to ensure a safe environment for
both healthcare workers and patients.
3. A nurse is documenting patient care in a client’s electronic health record. Which of the following entries is
an example of objective data?
A. The client’s skin is warm and dry to the touch.
B. The client states, ‘I feel like I am going to pass out.’
C. The client reports feeling nauseated after eating breakfast.
D. The client appears to be anxious about the upcoming surgery.
Ans: A
Rationale: Objective data consists of observable and measurable information obtained through physical
examination or diagnostic testing. In this case, skin temperature and moisture are physical findings that
any observer can verify through palpation. Subjective data, conversely, includes the client’s personal
feelings, perceptions, or reports which cannot be independently verified. Effective documentation
requires a clear distinction between what the nurse observes and what the client reports to ensure
clinical accuracy.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for oxygen therapy at
home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. The client must keep the oxygen tank at least 10 feet away from open flames.
B. The client should wear synthetic fabrics to reduce static electricity.
, C. The client can use wool blankets for comfort while using oxygen.
D. The client should apply petroleum jelly to the nares to prevent dryness.
Ans: A
Rationale: Oxygen is a highly combustible gas that supports combustion and increases the risk of fire in
the home. Clients should be instructed to keep oxygen delivery systems away from heat sources, open
flames, and sparks. Materials such as wool or synthetic fabrics can generate static electricity and should
be replaced with cotton alternatives. Furthermore, water-based lubricants should be used for nasal
dryness instead of petroleum-based products because oils are flammable in the presence of oxygen.
5. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from a bed to a chair. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take to maintain proper body mechanics?
A. Bend at the waist when lifting the client.
B. Keep the feet close together to provide a narrow base of support.
C. Twist the torso while moving the client to the chair.
D. Hold the client as close to the body as possible during the transfer.
Ans: D
Rationale: Holding the client close to the body centers the weight and reduces the strain on the nurse’s
back muscles during a transfer. Proper body mechanics also involve bending at the knees and hips rather
than the waist to utilize the strength of the leg muscles. A wide base of support with feet shoulder-width
apart provides stability and prevents loss of balance. Nurses should also avoid twisting the spine and
instead pivot their entire body to change direction safely.
