ATI Fundamentals Retake
Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is teaching a client about proper hand hygiene. Which
action should the nurse emphasize?
A. Using hand sanitizer before touching intact skin
B. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
C. Rinsing hands with water only if visibly dirty
D. Wearing gloves at all times instead of washing hands
Hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the
most effective way to remove pathogens and prevent infection
transmission.
2. Which of the following actions by a nurse demonstrates proper
body mechanics when lifting a patient?
A. Bending at the waist and using arm strength
B. Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight
C. Holding the patient away from the body
D. Twisting while lifting the patient
Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight reduces the risk
of musculoskeletal injury while lifting.
,3. A client is prescribed a new oral medication. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document administration in the medical record
B. Check the client’s allergies
C. Administer the medication immediately
D. Ask the client if they have taken this medication before
Checking for allergies is a critical safety step before administering
any new medication to prevent adverse reactions.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection.
Which site is recommended for heparin administration?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Abdomen, 2 inches from the umbilicus
D. Dorsogluteal
The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous heparin
because it provides consistent absorption and reduces risk of
bleeding or hematoma.
5. Which vital sign change should a nurse report immediately in a
postoperative client?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
B. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Heart rate 132/min and irregular
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
An elevated and irregular heart rate may indicate early signs of
hemorrhage, infection, or cardiac complications and requires
prompt evaluation.
,6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
colostomy. Which statement indicates the client understands care?
A. “I will change my appliance once a week, regardless of leakage.”
B. “I should avoid all vegetables in my diet.”
C. “I will empty the pouch when it is one-third to half full.”
D. “I don’t need to wash the skin around the stoma.”
Emptying the pouch before it becomes too full prevents leakage
and protects skin integrity around the stoma.
7. Which action demonstrates the nurse using the principle of
sterile technique?
A. Touching the sterile field with gloved hands
B. Keeping the sterile field above the waist
C. Reaching over the sterile field
D. Turning back to the sterile field
Sterile fields must be kept above the waist to prevent
contamination; reaching or turning away can compromise sterility.
8. A client reports pain at a surgical site. Which pain assessment
scale is appropriate for a 7-year-old child?
A. Numeric rating scale (0–10)
B. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
C. FLACC scale for infants
D. McGill Pain Questionnaire
The Wong-Baker FACES scale uses facial expressions to help
children describe pain levels effectively.
, 9. The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which diet
should the nurse reinforce?
A. High-protein diet
B. Low-carbohydrate diet
C. Low-sodium diet
D. High-potassium diet
A low-sodium diet helps prevent fluid retention and exacerbation of
heart failure.
10. A client has a new prescription for a pneumatic compression
device. What is the primary purpose of this device?
A. Treating hypertension
B. Preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C. Improving cardiac output
D. Enhancing pulmonary function
Pneumatic compression devices help prevent DVT by promoting
venous return in clients at risk for thromboembolism.
11. The nurse is performing a medication reconciliation. Which
action is correct?
A. Administering old medications from home without verification
B. Comparing the client’s current medications with the new
prescriptions
C. Stopping all over-the-counter medications
D. Giving the medications only if the client requests them
Medication reconciliation ensures that any changes in medications
are intentional and safe, reducing risk of adverse drug events.
Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026/2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is teaching a client about proper hand hygiene. Which
action should the nurse emphasize?
A. Using hand sanitizer before touching intact skin
B. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
C. Rinsing hands with water only if visibly dirty
D. Wearing gloves at all times instead of washing hands
Hand washing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water is the
most effective way to remove pathogens and prevent infection
transmission.
2. Which of the following actions by a nurse demonstrates proper
body mechanics when lifting a patient?
A. Bending at the waist and using arm strength
B. Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight
C. Holding the patient away from the body
D. Twisting while lifting the patient
Bending at the knees and keeping the back straight reduces the risk
of musculoskeletal injury while lifting.
,3. A client is prescribed a new oral medication. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document administration in the medical record
B. Check the client’s allergies
C. Administer the medication immediately
D. Ask the client if they have taken this medication before
Checking for allergies is a critical safety step before administering
any new medication to prevent adverse reactions.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection.
Which site is recommended for heparin administration?
A. Deltoid
B. Vastus lateralis
C. Abdomen, 2 inches from the umbilicus
D. Dorsogluteal
The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous heparin
because it provides consistent absorption and reduces risk of
bleeding or hematoma.
5. Which vital sign change should a nurse report immediately in a
postoperative client?
A. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
B. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
C. Heart rate 132/min and irregular
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
An elevated and irregular heart rate may indicate early signs of
hemorrhage, infection, or cardiac complications and requires
prompt evaluation.
,6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
colostomy. Which statement indicates the client understands care?
A. “I will change my appliance once a week, regardless of leakage.”
B. “I should avoid all vegetables in my diet.”
C. “I will empty the pouch when it is one-third to half full.”
D. “I don’t need to wash the skin around the stoma.”
Emptying the pouch before it becomes too full prevents leakage
and protects skin integrity around the stoma.
7. Which action demonstrates the nurse using the principle of
sterile technique?
A. Touching the sterile field with gloved hands
B. Keeping the sterile field above the waist
C. Reaching over the sterile field
D. Turning back to the sterile field
Sterile fields must be kept above the waist to prevent
contamination; reaching or turning away can compromise sterility.
8. A client reports pain at a surgical site. Which pain assessment
scale is appropriate for a 7-year-old child?
A. Numeric rating scale (0–10)
B. Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
C. FLACC scale for infants
D. McGill Pain Questionnaire
The Wong-Baker FACES scale uses facial expressions to help
children describe pain levels effectively.
, 9. The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which diet
should the nurse reinforce?
A. High-protein diet
B. Low-carbohydrate diet
C. Low-sodium diet
D. High-potassium diet
A low-sodium diet helps prevent fluid retention and exacerbation of
heart failure.
10. A client has a new prescription for a pneumatic compression
device. What is the primary purpose of this device?
A. Treating hypertension
B. Preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
C. Improving cardiac output
D. Enhancing pulmonary function
Pneumatic compression devices help prevent DVT by promoting
venous return in clients at risk for thromboembolism.
11. The nurse is performing a medication reconciliation. Which
action is correct?
A. Administering old medications from home without verification
B. Comparing the client’s current medications with the new
prescriptions
C. Stopping all over-the-counter medications
D. Giving the medications only if the client requests them
Medication reconciliation ensures that any changes in medications
are intentional and safe, reducing risk of adverse drug events.
