ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING – 150
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
CONTENT AREAS COVERED:
1. Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1–25)
2. Basic Care & Comfort/Hygiene (Questions 26–40)
3. Mobility & Activity (Questions 41–55)
4. Nutrition & Hydration (Questions 56–70)
5. Elimination (Questions 71–85)
6. Medication Administration (Questions 86–105)
7. Vital Signs & Physical Assessment (Questions 106–120)
8. Psychosocial Integrity & Communication (Questions 121–135)
9. Skin Integrity & Wound Care (Questions 136–150)
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL
(Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which situation requires
handwashing with soap and water rather than an alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Before touching a client's intact skin
B) After removing gloves when hands are not visibly soiled
C) After caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection
D) Before administering oral medications
,Answer: C) After caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile
infection
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile
spores. Soap and water with friction must be used because the mechanical
action helps remove spores. For routine hand hygiene when hands are not
visibly soiled, alcohol-based rubs are appropriate.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which
type of isolation precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Answer: D) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that can
remain suspended in the air for long periods. Airborne precautions require a
negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and keeping the door closed.
Droplet precautions are for larger respiratory droplets that travel up to 3
feet.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a urinary catheterization. The nurse
accidentally contaminates the sterile field by touching the edge with a non-
sterile hand. What action should the nurse take?
A) Continue the procedure since only the edge was touched
B) Discard all supplies and start over with a new sterile field
C) Cover the contaminated area with a new sterile drape
D) Cleanse the contaminated area with an alcohol wipe
Answer: B) Discard all supplies and start over with a new sterile
field
*Rationale: Once a sterile field is contaminated, sterility cannot be restored
by covering or cleaning. The entire field must be discarded and a new one
,set up. The edges (approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm) are considered non-
sterile, so any contact beyond that means contamination.*
Question 4
A nurse sees smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a client's room. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A) Activate the fire alarm
B) Close the door to contain the fire
C) Rescue the client from the room
D) Extinguish the fire with water
Answer: C) Rescue the client from the room
Rationale: The RACE acronym for fire response stands for Rescue, Alarm,
Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate. The first step is always to rescue any clients in
immediate danger. Water should never be used on an electrical fire.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is confused and attempting to pull out their
IV line. The nurse obtains a prescription for wrist restraints. How often should
the nurse assess the client while restraints are in place?
A) Every 4 hours
B) Every 2 hours
C) Once per shift
D) Every 15 minutes
Answer: B) Every 2 hours
*Rationale: The Joint Commission and CMS regulations require that clients in
restraints must be assessed at least every 2 hours. This assessment includes
checking circulation, skin integrity, range of motion, and the need for
continued restraints. A new prescription is required every 24 hours for non-
violent restraints.*
, Question 6
Which client has the highest risk for falls?
A) A 45-year-old client with a fractured wrist
B) A 70-year-old client taking multiple antihypertensive medications
C) A 30-year-old client with pneumonia
D) A 55-year-old client with a urinary catheter
Answer: B) A 70-year-old client taking multiple antihypertensive
medications
Rationale: Older adults have decreased muscle strength, gait changes, and
slower reflexes. Antihypertensives can cause orthostatic hypotension.
Combined, these physical changes and the medications create a very high
risk for falls. The fracture and pneumonia do not inherently impair mobility to
the same degree.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) about fall
prevention. Which instruction is most important?
A) "Keep all four side rails up at all times for confused clients."
B) "Ensure the client's call light is within reach at all times."
C) "Place the bed in the highest position for easy access."
D) "Keep the room door closed to minimize noise."
Answer: B) "Ensure the client's call light is within reach at all times."
Rationale: A key fall prevention strategy is making sure clients can summon
help when needed. The call light enables them to request assistance rather
than attempting to get up alone. Raising all four side rails is considered a
restraint and requires a provider order and monitoring.
Question 8
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal
protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
B) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
CONTENT AREAS COVERED:
1. Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1–25)
2. Basic Care & Comfort/Hygiene (Questions 26–40)
3. Mobility & Activity (Questions 41–55)
4. Nutrition & Hydration (Questions 56–70)
5. Elimination (Questions 71–85)
6. Medication Administration (Questions 86–105)
7. Vital Signs & Physical Assessment (Questions 106–120)
8. Psychosocial Integrity & Communication (Questions 121–135)
9. Skin Integrity & Wound Care (Questions 136–150)
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL
(Questions 1–25)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which situation requires
handwashing with soap and water rather than an alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Before touching a client's intact skin
B) After removing gloves when hands are not visibly soiled
C) After caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile infection
D) Before administering oral medications
,Answer: C) After caring for a client with Clostridioides difficile
infection
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rubs are not effective against C. difficile
spores. Soap and water with friction must be used because the mechanical
action helps remove spores. For routine hand hygiene when hands are not
visibly soiled, alcohol-based rubs are appropriate.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client who has active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which
type of isolation precautions should the nurse implement?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Contact precautions
C) Droplet precautions
D) Airborne precautions
Answer: D) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei that can
remain suspended in the air for long periods. Airborne precautions require a
negative pressure room, N95 respirator, and keeping the door closed.
Droplet precautions are for larger respiratory droplets that travel up to 3
feet.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a urinary catheterization. The nurse
accidentally contaminates the sterile field by touching the edge with a non-
sterile hand. What action should the nurse take?
A) Continue the procedure since only the edge was touched
B) Discard all supplies and start over with a new sterile field
C) Cover the contaminated area with a new sterile drape
D) Cleanse the contaminated area with an alcohol wipe
Answer: B) Discard all supplies and start over with a new sterile
field
*Rationale: Once a sterile field is contaminated, sterility cannot be restored
by covering or cleaning. The entire field must be discarded and a new one
,set up. The edges (approximately 1 inch or 2.5 cm) are considered non-
sterile, so any contact beyond that means contamination.*
Question 4
A nurse sees smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a client's room. What
is the nurse's priority action?
A) Activate the fire alarm
B) Close the door to contain the fire
C) Rescue the client from the room
D) Extinguish the fire with water
Answer: C) Rescue the client from the room
Rationale: The RACE acronym for fire response stands for Rescue, Alarm,
Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate. The first step is always to rescue any clients in
immediate danger. Water should never be used on an electrical fire.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is confused and attempting to pull out their
IV line. The nurse obtains a prescription for wrist restraints. How often should
the nurse assess the client while restraints are in place?
A) Every 4 hours
B) Every 2 hours
C) Once per shift
D) Every 15 minutes
Answer: B) Every 2 hours
*Rationale: The Joint Commission and CMS regulations require that clients in
restraints must be assessed at least every 2 hours. This assessment includes
checking circulation, skin integrity, range of motion, and the need for
continued restraints. A new prescription is required every 24 hours for non-
violent restraints.*
, Question 6
Which client has the highest risk for falls?
A) A 45-year-old client with a fractured wrist
B) A 70-year-old client taking multiple antihypertensive medications
C) A 30-year-old client with pneumonia
D) A 55-year-old client with a urinary catheter
Answer: B) A 70-year-old client taking multiple antihypertensive
medications
Rationale: Older adults have decreased muscle strength, gait changes, and
slower reflexes. Antihypertensives can cause orthostatic hypotension.
Combined, these physical changes and the medications create a very high
risk for falls. The fracture and pneumonia do not inherently impair mobility to
the same degree.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) about fall
prevention. Which instruction is most important?
A) "Keep all four side rails up at all times for confused clients."
B) "Ensure the client's call light is within reach at all times."
C) "Place the bed in the highest position for easy access."
D) "Keep the room door closed to minimize noise."
Answer: B) "Ensure the client's call light is within reach at all times."
Rationale: A key fall prevention strategy is making sure clients can summon
help when needed. The call light enables them to request assistance rather
than attempting to get up alone. Raising all four side rails is considered a
restraint and requires a provider order and monitoring.
Question 8
Which of the following is the correct sequence for donning personal
protective equipment (PPE)?
A) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
B) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
