ATI FUNDAMENTALS – 70 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions
1–12)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a client. The nurse
should identify which of the following as the correct technique to reduce
infection risk?
A) Cleanse the injection site with povidone-iodine using a back-and-forth
motion.
B) Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab using a circular motion
from the center outward.
C) Apply alcohol hand sanitizer to the injection site prior to the injection.
D) Cleanse the injection site with sterile water using a straight line motion.
Answer: B) Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab using a
circular motion from the center outward.
Rationale: The nurse should cleanse the site with an alcohol swab using a
circular motion from the center outward to move microorganisms away from
the injection site. Povidone-iodine is not typically used for routine IM
injections. Back-and-forth motion reintroduces microorganisms. Sterile water
is not a disinfectant.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is trying to pull out their nasogastric (NG)
,tube. The nurse obtains a prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the
following actions is correct when applying the restraints?
A) Secure the restraints tightly to prevent the client from removing the NG
tube.
B) Attach the restraints to the bed's side rails.
C) Allow room for two fingers to fit between the client's skin and the
restraints.
D) Apply the restraints and document the client's response every 4 hours.
Answer: C) Allow room for two fingers to fit between the client's
skin and the restraints.
Rationale: Restraints must be applied loosely enough so that two fingers can
fit between the restraint and the client's skin to prevent circulatory
impairment. They should be secured to a part of the bed frame that moves
with the client, not to the side rails. The client must be assessed and the
restraint documented at least every 2 hours, or per facility policy.
Question 3
A nurse discovers sparks coming from an IV pump. Which action should the
nurse take FIRST?
A) Activate the fire alarm.
B) Unplug the IV pump from the electrical outlet.
C) Extinguish the sparks with a fire extinguisher.
D) Label the pump as broken.
Answer: B) Unplug the IV pump from the electrical outlet.
Rationale: The RACE sequence for fire safety begins with Rescue (removing
clients from danger), then Alarm (activate fire alarm). However, immediately
unplugging the source of sparks eliminates the hazard. The priority when an
electrical device malfunctions is to disconnect it from the power source.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to catheterize a client. Which of the following is the
most important action to prevent infection?
,A) Use clean technique.
B) Maintain sterile technique throughout the procedure.
C) Cleanse the perineum only before insertion.
D) Wear non-sterile gloves.
Answer: B) Maintain sterile technique throughout the procedure.
Rationale: Catheterization is a sterile procedure because the urinary tract is
normally sterile. Maintaining sterile technique prevents introduction of
microorganisms into the bladder, reducing the risk of catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which of
the following infection control precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Airborne precautions with an N95 respirator.
B) Droplet precautions with a surgical mask.
C) Contact precautions with soap and water hand hygiene.
D) Standard precautions only.
Answer: C) Contact precautions with soap and water hand hygiene.
Rationale: C. diff is spread by contact with spores. Contact precautions
(gown and gloves) are required. Importantly, alcohol-based hand sanitizers
are not effective against C. diff spores, so hand hygiene must be performed
with soap and water.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula.
Which safety precaution is most important?
A) Ensure the oxygen tubing is kept dry.
B) Place a "No Smoking" sign on the client's door.
C) Keep the oxygen flow rate as high as possible.
D) Use petroleum jelly to lubricate the client's nares.
Answer: B) Place a "No Smoking" sign on the client's door.
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. The most critical safety measure is
, to eliminate fire hazards, including smoking. Petroleum jelly is flammable
and should not be used with oxygen; water-soluble lubricant is preferred.
Question 7
A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action
ensures the safest transfer?
A) Position the wheelchair parallel to the bed on the client's strong side.
B) Encourage the client to stand on their weakest leg.
C) Place the wheelchair at the foot of the bed.
D) Lock the bed brakes but keep the wheelchair unlocked.
Answer: A) Position the wheelchair parallel to the bed on the client's
strong side.
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the client's strong side allows them
to pivot and bear weight on their stronger leg. Both the bed and wheelchair
brakes must be locked during transfer.
Question 8
A nurse identifies a small fire in a trash can in a client's room. After removing
the client, what is the nurse's next action?
A) Attempt to extinguish the fire.
B) Close all doors and windows in the area.
C) Activate the fire alarm.
D) Call the nursing supervisor.
Answer: C) Activate the fire alarm.
Rationale: According to the RACE fire response (Rescue, Alarm, Contain,
Extinguish/Evacuate), after rescuing the client, the next step is to activate
the fire alarm before attempting to contain or extinguish the fire.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. The nurse
WITH ANSWERS & RATIONALES
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions
1–12)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a client. The nurse
should identify which of the following as the correct technique to reduce
infection risk?
A) Cleanse the injection site with povidone-iodine using a back-and-forth
motion.
B) Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab using a circular motion
from the center outward.
C) Apply alcohol hand sanitizer to the injection site prior to the injection.
D) Cleanse the injection site with sterile water using a straight line motion.
Answer: B) Cleanse the injection site with an alcohol swab using a
circular motion from the center outward.
Rationale: The nurse should cleanse the site with an alcohol swab using a
circular motion from the center outward to move microorganisms away from
the injection site. Povidone-iodine is not typically used for routine IM
injections. Back-and-forth motion reintroduces microorganisms. Sterile water
is not a disinfectant.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who is trying to pull out their nasogastric (NG)
,tube. The nurse obtains a prescription for wrist restraints. Which of the
following actions is correct when applying the restraints?
A) Secure the restraints tightly to prevent the client from removing the NG
tube.
B) Attach the restraints to the bed's side rails.
C) Allow room for two fingers to fit between the client's skin and the
restraints.
D) Apply the restraints and document the client's response every 4 hours.
Answer: C) Allow room for two fingers to fit between the client's
skin and the restraints.
Rationale: Restraints must be applied loosely enough so that two fingers can
fit between the restraint and the client's skin to prevent circulatory
impairment. They should be secured to a part of the bed frame that moves
with the client, not to the side rails. The client must be assessed and the
restraint documented at least every 2 hours, or per facility policy.
Question 3
A nurse discovers sparks coming from an IV pump. Which action should the
nurse take FIRST?
A) Activate the fire alarm.
B) Unplug the IV pump from the electrical outlet.
C) Extinguish the sparks with a fire extinguisher.
D) Label the pump as broken.
Answer: B) Unplug the IV pump from the electrical outlet.
Rationale: The RACE sequence for fire safety begins with Rescue (removing
clients from danger), then Alarm (activate fire alarm). However, immediately
unplugging the source of sparks eliminates the hazard. The priority when an
electrical device malfunctions is to disconnect it from the power source.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to catheterize a client. Which of the following is the
most important action to prevent infection?
,A) Use clean technique.
B) Maintain sterile technique throughout the procedure.
C) Cleanse the perineum only before insertion.
D) Wear non-sterile gloves.
Answer: B) Maintain sterile technique throughout the procedure.
Rationale: Catheterization is a sterile procedure because the urinary tract is
normally sterile. Maintaining sterile technique prevents introduction of
microorganisms into the bladder, reducing the risk of catheter-associated
urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who has Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). Which of
the following infection control precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Airborne precautions with an N95 respirator.
B) Droplet precautions with a surgical mask.
C) Contact precautions with soap and water hand hygiene.
D) Standard precautions only.
Answer: C) Contact precautions with soap and water hand hygiene.
Rationale: C. diff is spread by contact with spores. Contact precautions
(gown and gloves) are required. Importantly, alcohol-based hand sanitizers
are not effective against C. diff spores, so hand hygiene must be performed
with soap and water.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula.
Which safety precaution is most important?
A) Ensure the oxygen tubing is kept dry.
B) Place a "No Smoking" sign on the client's door.
C) Keep the oxygen flow rate as high as possible.
D) Use petroleum jelly to lubricate the client's nares.
Answer: B) Place a "No Smoking" sign on the client's door.
Rationale: Oxygen supports combustion. The most critical safety measure is
, to eliminate fire hazards, including smoking. Petroleum jelly is flammable
and should not be used with oxygen; water-soluble lubricant is preferred.
Question 7
A nurse is transferring a client from the bed to a wheelchair. Which action
ensures the safest transfer?
A) Position the wheelchair parallel to the bed on the client's strong side.
B) Encourage the client to stand on their weakest leg.
C) Place the wheelchair at the foot of the bed.
D) Lock the bed brakes but keep the wheelchair unlocked.
Answer: A) Position the wheelchair parallel to the bed on the client's
strong side.
Rationale: Positioning the wheelchair on the client's strong side allows them
to pivot and bear weight on their stronger leg. Both the bed and wheelchair
brakes must be locked during transfer.
Question 8
A nurse identifies a small fire in a trash can in a client's room. After removing
the client, what is the nurse's next action?
A) Attempt to extinguish the fire.
B) Close all doors and windows in the area.
C) Activate the fire alarm.
D) Call the nursing supervisor.
Answer: C) Activate the fire alarm.
Rationale: According to the RACE fire response (Rescue, Alarm, Contain,
Extinguish/Evacuate), after rescuing the client, the next step is to activate
the fire alarm before attempting to contain or extinguish the fire.
Question 9
A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a dressing change. The nurse
