ATI NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
PRACTICE TEST 2026: HIGH-YIELD
Q&A : QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
Section 1: Safe and Effective Care Environment (Questions
1-15)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to remove a client's nasogastric tube. Which action is most
important for the nurse to take first?
A. Clamp the NG tube
B. Ask the client to take a deep breath and hold it
C. Verify the provider's order for removal
D. Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
Rationale: Before any procedure, the nurse must verify the provider's order to
ensure client safety and prevent unauthorized removal. Option C is the first and most
critical step.
Question 2
,A client falls while attempting to get out of bed without assistance. Which of the
following should the nurse document first?
A. The client's statement about the fall
B. Time and circumstances of the fall
C. Names of witnesses present
D. Interventions implemented after the fall
Rationale: The priority documentation is the objective facts including time, location,
and circumstances. This provides essential information for the incident report and
client care plan.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client prescribed wrist restraints. Which action demonstrates
proper restraint use?
A. Tie restraints to the side rail
B. Remove restraints every 4 hours
C. Remove restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
D. Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
Rationale: Restraints must be removed every 2 hours to assess skin integrity, provide
range of motion, and meet elimination needs. Tight application can cause
neurovascular compromise.
Question 4
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform hand hygiene. Which
action requires intervention?
A. Using soap and water for 20 seconds
B. Keeping rings on during hand washing
C. Rubbing hands until dry after using alcohol-based sanitizer
D. Washing hands before applying gloves
,Rationale: Jewelry (except plain wedding bands) should be removed before hand
hygiene as they harbor microorganisms. All other options demonstrate appropriate
technique.
Question 5
A nurse is completing an incident report after a medication error. Which statement
should be included?
A. "The pharmacy sent the wrong medication"
B. "I was distracted by another nurse calling my name"
C. "Phenytoin 100 mg was administered instead of prescribed phenobarbital
100 mg"
D. "The client was not harmed by the error"
Rationale: Incident reports should contain objective, factual information about what
occurred without subjective statements, blame, or assumptions about outcomes.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from bed to stretcher. How many staff
members should assist with this transfer for an average-sized adult?
A. One staff member
B. Two staff members
C. Three staff members
D. Four staff members
Rationale: Two staff members are required for safe transfer of an average adult
using a draw sheet or transfer board to prevent injury to both client and staff.
Question 7
A nurse observes smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a client's room. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Pull the fire alarm
, B. Remove the client from the room
C. Use a fire extinguisher
D. Close all doors and windows
Rationale: Following RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish), the priority is
rescuing clients from immediate danger. Client safety takes precedence over all other
actions.
Question 8
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Measuring a client's urinary output
B. Assessing a client's pain level
C. Teaching a client about wound care
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a breathing treatment
Rationale: APs can measure and record intake/output as it is a non-invasive, routine
task requiring no nursing judgment. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require
licensed nursing authority.
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing a client's living will. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "My living will takes effect immediately once signed"
B. "My family can override my living will decisions"
C. "A living will specifies treatments I do or do not want at end of life"
D. "Living wills are legally binding in all situations"
Rationale: A living will is an advance directive that specifies desired medical
treatments at end of life. It does not take effect until client is incapacitated and has
limitations.
PRACTICE TEST 2026: HIGH-YIELD
Q&A : QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
Section 1: Safe and Effective Care Environment (Questions
1-15)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to remove a client's nasogastric tube. Which action is most
important for the nurse to take first?
A. Clamp the NG tube
B. Ask the client to take a deep breath and hold it
C. Verify the provider's order for removal
D. Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water
Rationale: Before any procedure, the nurse must verify the provider's order to
ensure client safety and prevent unauthorized removal. Option C is the first and most
critical step.
Question 2
,A client falls while attempting to get out of bed without assistance. Which of the
following should the nurse document first?
A. The client's statement about the fall
B. Time and circumstances of the fall
C. Names of witnesses present
D. Interventions implemented after the fall
Rationale: The priority documentation is the objective facts including time, location,
and circumstances. This provides essential information for the incident report and
client care plan.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client prescribed wrist restraints. Which action demonstrates
proper restraint use?
A. Tie restraints to the side rail
B. Remove restraints every 4 hours
C. Remove restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
D. Apply restraints tightly to prevent movement
Rationale: Restraints must be removed every 2 hours to assess skin integrity, provide
range of motion, and meet elimination needs. Tight application can cause
neurovascular compromise.
Question 4
A charge nurse is observing a newly licensed nurse perform hand hygiene. Which
action requires intervention?
A. Using soap and water for 20 seconds
B. Keeping rings on during hand washing
C. Rubbing hands until dry after using alcohol-based sanitizer
D. Washing hands before applying gloves
,Rationale: Jewelry (except plain wedding bands) should be removed before hand
hygiene as they harbor microorganisms. All other options demonstrate appropriate
technique.
Question 5
A nurse is completing an incident report after a medication error. Which statement
should be included?
A. "The pharmacy sent the wrong medication"
B. "I was distracted by another nurse calling my name"
C. "Phenytoin 100 mg was administered instead of prescribed phenobarbital
100 mg"
D. "The client was not harmed by the error"
Rationale: Incident reports should contain objective, factual information about what
occurred without subjective statements, blame, or assumptions about outcomes.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from bed to stretcher. How many staff
members should assist with this transfer for an average-sized adult?
A. One staff member
B. Two staff members
C. Three staff members
D. Four staff members
Rationale: Two staff members are required for safe transfer of an average adult
using a draw sheet or transfer board to prevent injury to both client and staff.
Question 7
A nurse observes smoke coming from an electrical outlet in a client's room. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Pull the fire alarm
, B. Remove the client from the room
C. Use a fire extinguisher
D. Close all doors and windows
Rationale: Following RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish), the priority is
rescuing clients from immediate danger. Client safety takes precedence over all other
actions.
Question 8
A nurse is delegating tasks to an assistive personnel (AP). Which task is appropriate
to delegate?
A. Measuring a client's urinary output
B. Assessing a client's pain level
C. Teaching a client about wound care
D. Evaluating the effectiveness of a breathing treatment
Rationale: APs can measure and record intake/output as it is a non-invasive, routine
task requiring no nursing judgment. Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require
licensed nursing authority.
Question 9
A nurse is reviewing a client's living will. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. "My living will takes effect immediately once signed"
B. "My family can override my living will decisions"
C. "A living will specifies treatments I do or do not want at end of life"
D. "Living wills are legally binding in all situations"
Rationale: A living will is an advance directive that specifies desired medical
treatments at end of life. It does not take effect until client is incapacitated and has
limitations.
