ATI RETAKE EXAM PREP 2026:
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
MASTERY TEST : QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
Comprehensive Assessment for Nursing Students
SECTION 1: SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL
(Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for Clostridium difficile.
Which hand hygiene method is most appropriate?
• A) Alcohol-based hand rub before entering room
• B) Soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds
• C) Alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves
• D) Hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol
Rationale: C. diff spores are not killed by alcohol-based hand rubs. Mechanical
action of soap and water is required to physically remove spores.
2. A client falls while attempting to get out of bed independently. What is the
nurse's priority action?
• A) Assess the client for injuries
• B) Complete an incident report
• C) Notify the healthcare provider
• D) Place the client in restraints
Rationale: Safety assessment is always first. The nurse must determine injury status
before any documentation or notification.
,3. Which client is at highest risk for falls?
• A) 45-year-old with hypertension
• B) 82-year-old taking multiple antihypertensives
• C) 30-year-old post-appendectomy
• D) 55-year-old with diabetes
Rationale: Advanced age + polypharmacy (especially antihypertensives causing
orthostatic hypotension) significantly increases fall risk.
4. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client. Which action is correct?
• A) Tie restraints to the side rail
• B) Ensure two fingers can fit between restraint and skin
• C) Release restraints every 4 hours
• D) Apply restraints PRN without provider order
Rationale: Proper fit prevents injury. Two-finger rule ensures circulation while
preventing escape. Restraints require Q2hr release.
5. Which client requires a private room with negative airflow pressure?
• A) Influenza
• B) Active pulmonary tuberculosis
• C) MRSA wound infection
• D) C. difficile diarrhea
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions: negative pressure, N95 respirator,
private room with at least 6-12 air exchanges/hour.
6. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
technique maintains sterile field?
• A) Open sterile package away from body
• B) Set up sterile field before donning sterile gloves
• C) Keep sterile gloves above waist level
• D) Pour sterile solution onto the drape
Rationale: Sterile gloves contaminated below waist level. Maintain 1-inch border
around drape; pour solution into sterile container.
7. What is the correct sequence for donning PPE?
• A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
• B) Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
• C) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
, • D) Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
Rationale: Gown first protects clothing, then mask/goggles protect mucous
membranes, gloves last to prevent hand contamination.
8. A client on contact precautions needs transport to radiology. Which action is
correct?
• A) Cancel the transport
• B) Remove PPE before transport
• C) Apply clean gown over client and transport
• D) No precautions needed during transport
Rationale: Cover existing gown with clean gown; communicate precautions to
receiving department.
9. Which finding indicates a fire safety hazard requiring immediate correction?
• A) Oxygen concentrator in client room
• B) Electrical cord running under the mattress
• C) Fire extinguisher mounted on wall
• D) Smoke detector in hallway
Rationale: Cords under mattresses can overheat, causing fire. Oxygen is safe with
proper precautions.
10. A nurse is educating about home fire safety. What is the priority teaching
point?
• A) Working smoke detectors on every level
• B) Monthly fire drill schedule
• C) Type ABC fire extinguisher
• D) Emergency escape ladder
Rationale: Smoke detection provides earliest warning, most critical for survival.
RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
11. Which client requires droplet precautions?
• A) Chickenpox
• B) Pertussis (whooping cough)
• C) Tuberculosis
• D) Scabies
Rationale: Pertussis transmitted via large droplets (coughing/sneezing). Requires
surgical mask within 3 feet.
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
MASTERY TEST : QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
Comprehensive Assessment for Nursing Students
SECTION 1: SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL
(Questions 1-15)
1. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions for Clostridium difficile.
Which hand hygiene method is most appropriate?
• A) Alcohol-based hand rub before entering room
• B) Soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds
• C) Alcohol-based hand rub after removing gloves
• D) Hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol
Rationale: C. diff spores are not killed by alcohol-based hand rubs. Mechanical
action of soap and water is required to physically remove spores.
2. A client falls while attempting to get out of bed independently. What is the
nurse's priority action?
• A) Assess the client for injuries
• B) Complete an incident report
• C) Notify the healthcare provider
• D) Place the client in restraints
Rationale: Safety assessment is always first. The nurse must determine injury status
before any documentation or notification.
,3. Which client is at highest risk for falls?
• A) 45-year-old with hypertension
• B) 82-year-old taking multiple antihypertensives
• C) 30-year-old post-appendectomy
• D) 55-year-old with diabetes
Rationale: Advanced age + polypharmacy (especially antihypertensives causing
orthostatic hypotension) significantly increases fall risk.
4. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused client. Which action is correct?
• A) Tie restraints to the side rail
• B) Ensure two fingers can fit between restraint and skin
• C) Release restraints every 4 hours
• D) Apply restraints PRN without provider order
Rationale: Proper fit prevents injury. Two-finger rule ensures circulation while
preventing escape. Restraints require Q2hr release.
5. Which client requires a private room with negative airflow pressure?
• A) Influenza
• B) Active pulmonary tuberculosis
• C) MRSA wound infection
• D) C. difficile diarrhea
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions: negative pressure, N95 respirator,
private room with at least 6-12 air exchanges/hour.
6. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which
technique maintains sterile field?
• A) Open sterile package away from body
• B) Set up sterile field before donning sterile gloves
• C) Keep sterile gloves above waist level
• D) Pour sterile solution onto the drape
Rationale: Sterile gloves contaminated below waist level. Maintain 1-inch border
around drape; pour solution into sterile container.
7. What is the correct sequence for donning PPE?
• A) Gown, mask, goggles, gloves
• B) Mask, gown, gloves, goggles
• C) Gloves, gown, mask, goggles
, • D) Goggles, mask, gown, gloves
Rationale: Gown first protects clothing, then mask/goggles protect mucous
membranes, gloves last to prevent hand contamination.
8. A client on contact precautions needs transport to radiology. Which action is
correct?
• A) Cancel the transport
• B) Remove PPE before transport
• C) Apply clean gown over client and transport
• D) No precautions needed during transport
Rationale: Cover existing gown with clean gown; communicate precautions to
receiving department.
9. Which finding indicates a fire safety hazard requiring immediate correction?
• A) Oxygen concentrator in client room
• B) Electrical cord running under the mattress
• C) Fire extinguisher mounted on wall
• D) Smoke detector in hallway
Rationale: Cords under mattresses can overheat, causing fire. Oxygen is safe with
proper precautions.
10. A nurse is educating about home fire safety. What is the priority teaching
point?
• A) Working smoke detectors on every level
• B) Monthly fire drill schedule
• C) Type ABC fire extinguisher
• D) Emergency escape ladder
Rationale: Smoke detection provides earliest warning, most critical for survival.
RACE: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish.
11. Which client requires droplet precautions?
• A) Chickenpox
• B) Pertussis (whooping cough)
• C) Tuberculosis
• D) Scabies
Rationale: Pertussis transmitted via large droplets (coughing/sneezing). Requires
surgical mask within 3 feet.
