ATI RN FUNDAMENTALS FINAL
EXAM 2026: LATEST PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS :
QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 1-
15)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin.
Which needle size is most appropriate?
• A) 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
• B) 21 gauge, 1 inch
• C) 25 gauge, 5/8 inch ✅
• D) 27 gauge, 2 inch
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections require a small gauge (25-27) and short needle
(3/8 to 5/8 inch) to deposit medication into fatty tissue. 25G 5/8 inch is standard for
average-sized adults.
2. A client on contact precautions requires a blood pressure reading. Which
action should the nurse take?
• A) Dedicate a disposable blood pressure cuff to the client's room ✅
, • B) Use the shared unit cuff and clean with alcohol after
• C) Borrow cuff from another isolation room
• D) Omit blood pressure measurement until precautions end
Rationale: Contact precautions require dedicated equipment. A disposable or client-
assigned cuff prevents pathogen transmission to other clients.
3. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client's trash can. What is the priority
action?
• A) Pull the fire alarm
• B) Rescue the client from the room ✅
• C) Attempt to extinguish the fire
• D) Close the client's door
Rationale: RACE protocol: Rescue (first priority), Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. Client
safety is paramount before any other fire response.
4. Which client would require droplet precautions upon admission?
• A) Client with Clostridium difficile
• B) Client with pulmonary tuberculosis
• C) Client with pertussis (whooping cough) ✅
• D) Client with MRSA wound infection
Rationale: Pertussis spreads via respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing). Requires
droplet precautions plus standard precautions. TB requires airborne; C.diff and MRSA
require contact.
5. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client pulling at their IV line.
Which action is correct?
• A) Tie restraints to the side rail for easy access
• B) Secure restraints to bed frame (not side rail) ✅
• C) Apply padded restraints tightly to prevent movement
• D) Obtain verbal PRN order valid for 48 hours
, Rationale: Restraints must attach to movable bed frame, NOT side rails (which could
injure client if rails lower). Need written order every 24 hours with face-to-face
assessment.
6. When performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub, the nurse
should continue rubbing until hands are dry. How long is typically required?
• A) 5-10 seconds
• B) 15-20 seconds ✅
• C) 30-40 seconds
• D) 45-60 seconds
Rationale: CDC guidelines: Rub hands for 15-20 seconds until completely dry.
Soap/water requires 40-60 seconds.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type
of mask is required?
• A) Surgical mask
• B) Level 3 procedure mask
• C) N95 respirator mask ✅
• D) Cloth mask with filter
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions and an N95 (or higher) respirator mask
that filters 95% of airborne particles. Surgical masks protect against droplets only.
8. A client has a latex allergy. Which item should the nurse avoid in this client's
room?
• A) Vinyl gloves
• B) Blood pressure cuff tubing ✅
• C) Silicone foley catheter
• D) Nitrile tourniquet
Rationale: Many blood pressure cuffs and tubing contain natural rubber latex. Use
latex-free cuffs. Vinyl, silicone, and nitrile are latex-safe alternatives.
EXAM 2026: LATEST PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS :
QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 1-
15)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin.
Which needle size is most appropriate?
• A) 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
• B) 21 gauge, 1 inch
• C) 25 gauge, 5/8 inch ✅
• D) 27 gauge, 2 inch
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections require a small gauge (25-27) and short needle
(3/8 to 5/8 inch) to deposit medication into fatty tissue. 25G 5/8 inch is standard for
average-sized adults.
2. A client on contact precautions requires a blood pressure reading. Which
action should the nurse take?
• A) Dedicate a disposable blood pressure cuff to the client's room ✅
, • B) Use the shared unit cuff and clean with alcohol after
• C) Borrow cuff from another isolation room
• D) Omit blood pressure measurement until precautions end
Rationale: Contact precautions require dedicated equipment. A disposable or client-
assigned cuff prevents pathogen transmission to other clients.
3. A nurse discovers a small fire in a client's trash can. What is the priority
action?
• A) Pull the fire alarm
• B) Rescue the client from the room ✅
• C) Attempt to extinguish the fire
• D) Close the client's door
Rationale: RACE protocol: Rescue (first priority), Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. Client
safety is paramount before any other fire response.
4. Which client would require droplet precautions upon admission?
• A) Client with Clostridium difficile
• B) Client with pulmonary tuberculosis
• C) Client with pertussis (whooping cough) ✅
• D) Client with MRSA wound infection
Rationale: Pertussis spreads via respiratory droplets (coughing/sneezing). Requires
droplet precautions plus standard precautions. TB requires airborne; C.diff and MRSA
require contact.
5. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client pulling at their IV line.
Which action is correct?
• A) Tie restraints to the side rail for easy access
• B) Secure restraints to bed frame (not side rail) ✅
• C) Apply padded restraints tightly to prevent movement
• D) Obtain verbal PRN order valid for 48 hours
, Rationale: Restraints must attach to movable bed frame, NOT side rails (which could
injure client if rails lower). Need written order every 24 hours with face-to-face
assessment.
6. When performing hand hygiene with alcohol-based hand rub, the nurse
should continue rubbing until hands are dry. How long is typically required?
• A) 5-10 seconds
• B) 15-20 seconds ✅
• C) 30-40 seconds
• D) 45-60 seconds
Rationale: CDC guidelines: Rub hands for 15-20 seconds until completely dry.
Soap/water requires 40-60 seconds.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which type
of mask is required?
• A) Surgical mask
• B) Level 3 procedure mask
• C) N95 respirator mask ✅
• D) Cloth mask with filter
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions and an N95 (or higher) respirator mask
that filters 95% of airborne particles. Surgical masks protect against droplets only.
8. A client has a latex allergy. Which item should the nurse avoid in this client's
room?
• A) Vinyl gloves
• B) Blood pressure cuff tubing ✅
• C) Silicone foley catheter
• D) Nitrile tourniquet
Rationale: Many blood pressure cuffs and tubing contain natural rubber latex. Use
latex-free cuffs. Vinyl, silicone, and nitrile are latex-safe alternatives.
