ATI FUNDAMENTALS STUDY
GUIDE 2026: PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED
ANSWERS : QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
Comprehensive Topic Test – 80+ Questions for Nursing
Student Examination
SECTION 1: Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1-12)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action demonstrates
proper technique?
• A) Wearing artificial nails when providing direct patient care
• B) Rubbing hands together for 5 seconds during handwashing
• C) Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are visibly soiled
• D) Keeping fingernails trimmed to less than 1/4 inch (0.6 cm)
Rationale: Short natural nails reduce bacterial colonization. Artificial nails harbor
pathogens. Handwashing requires 20 seconds; alcohol rubs are ineffective on visible
soil.
2. A patient on contact precautions requires linen changes. Which action by the
nurse is correct?
• A) Place soiled linen on the floor to contain it
• B) Place soiled linen directly into a leak-proof linen bag
, • C) Shake linen to remove visible debris before bagging
• D) Carry linen against the uniform to prevent dropping
Rationale: Soiled linen must be placed directly in leak-proof bags to prevent
pathogen transmission. Shaking linen aerosolizes contaminants.
3. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused patient. Which action requires
intervention?
• A) Using a quick-release knot
• B) Tying restraints to the side rail
• C) Assessing circulation every 2 hours
• D) Removing restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
Rationale: Restraints must be tied to the bed frame, never side rails which can move.
Quick-release knots allow emergency removal.
4. Which patient requires airborne precautions?
• A) Clostridioides difficile infection
• B) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• C) Active pulmonary tuberculosis
• D) Norovirus gastroenteritis
Rationale: TB requires N95 respirator and negative pressure room. C. diff and
norovirus require contact precautions. MRSA requires contact precautions.
5. A nurse is educating about fire safety. Which class of fire extinguisher is used
for electrical fires?
• A) Class A
• B) Class C
• C) Class D
• D) Class K
Rationale: Class C extinguishers are for electrical fires. Class A for ordinary
combustibles, Class D for metals, Class K for kitchen/grease fires.
6. When performing sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze
onto the side table, 2 inches from the sterile field border. What action should
the nurse take?
• A) Use the gauze since it is within the sterile field
• B) Discard the gauze and obtain a new one
• C) Move the gauze to the center of the sterile field
• D) Flip the gauze over to use the other side
, Rationale: The 1-inch border around sterile field is considered contaminated. Any
item touching this area must be discarded.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with varicella (chickenpox). Which personal
protective equipment (PPE) is essential?
• A) Surgical mask only
• B) N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
• C) N95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection
• D) Gown and gloves only
Rationale: Varicella requires airborne AND contact precautions. N95 for airborne
transmission; gown/gloves for vesicle drainage contact.
8. A patient on fall risk precautions begins to fall. What is the nurse's priority
action?
• A) Catch the patient by the arms
• B) Lower the patient gently to the floor
• C) Grab the patient's gait belt firmly
• D) Call for help before the patient falls
Rationale: Lowering the patient prevents injury to both patient and nurse. Trying to
catch may cause back injury or patient harm.
9. Which patient care item requires sterilization, not just high-level
disinfection?
• A) Respiratory therapy equipment
• B) Surgical instruments
• C) Endoscopy scope
• D) Bedpan
Rationale: Surgical instruments enter sterile body tissues requiring sterilization.
Endoscopes and respiratory equipment require high-level disinfection.
10. A nurse is disposing of a contaminated needle. Which action is correct?
• A) Recap the needle before disposal
• B) Activate the safety device and place in sharps container
• C) Break the needle off before discarding
• D) Place in regular trash if no sharps container available
Rationale: Needles should never be recapped, bent, or broken. Safety device must
be activated and placed in puncture-resistant sharps container.
GUIDE 2026: PRACTICE
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED
ANSWERS : QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
Comprehensive Topic Test – 80+ Questions for Nursing
Student Examination
SECTION 1: Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1-12)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which action demonstrates
proper technique?
• A) Wearing artificial nails when providing direct patient care
• B) Rubbing hands together for 5 seconds during handwashing
• C) Using alcohol-based hand rub when hands are visibly soiled
• D) Keeping fingernails trimmed to less than 1/4 inch (0.6 cm)
Rationale: Short natural nails reduce bacterial colonization. Artificial nails harbor
pathogens. Handwashing requires 20 seconds; alcohol rubs are ineffective on visible
soil.
2. A patient on contact precautions requires linen changes. Which action by the
nurse is correct?
• A) Place soiled linen on the floor to contain it
• B) Place soiled linen directly into a leak-proof linen bag
, • C) Shake linen to remove visible debris before bagging
• D) Carry linen against the uniform to prevent dropping
Rationale: Soiled linen must be placed directly in leak-proof bags to prevent
pathogen transmission. Shaking linen aerosolizes contaminants.
3. A nurse is applying restraints to a confused patient. Which action requires
intervention?
• A) Using a quick-release knot
• B) Tying restraints to the side rail
• C) Assessing circulation every 2 hours
• D) Removing restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
Rationale: Restraints must be tied to the bed frame, never side rails which can move.
Quick-release knots allow emergency removal.
4. Which patient requires airborne precautions?
• A) Clostridioides difficile infection
• B) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• C) Active pulmonary tuberculosis
• D) Norovirus gastroenteritis
Rationale: TB requires N95 respirator and negative pressure room. C. diff and
norovirus require contact precautions. MRSA requires contact precautions.
5. A nurse is educating about fire safety. Which class of fire extinguisher is used
for electrical fires?
• A) Class A
• B) Class C
• C) Class D
• D) Class K
Rationale: Class C extinguishers are for electrical fires. Class A for ordinary
combustibles, Class D for metals, Class K for kitchen/grease fires.
6. When performing sterile dressing change, the nurse drops a sterile gauze
onto the side table, 2 inches from the sterile field border. What action should
the nurse take?
• A) Use the gauze since it is within the sterile field
• B) Discard the gauze and obtain a new one
• C) Move the gauze to the center of the sterile field
• D) Flip the gauze over to use the other side
, Rationale: The 1-inch border around sterile field is considered contaminated. Any
item touching this area must be discarded.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with varicella (chickenpox). Which personal
protective equipment (PPE) is essential?
• A) Surgical mask only
• B) N95 respirator, gown, and gloves
• C) N95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection
• D) Gown and gloves only
Rationale: Varicella requires airborne AND contact precautions. N95 for airborne
transmission; gown/gloves for vesicle drainage contact.
8. A patient on fall risk precautions begins to fall. What is the nurse's priority
action?
• A) Catch the patient by the arms
• B) Lower the patient gently to the floor
• C) Grab the patient's gait belt firmly
• D) Call for help before the patient falls
Rationale: Lowering the patient prevents injury to both patient and nurse. Trying to
catch may cause back injury or patient harm.
9. Which patient care item requires sterilization, not just high-level
disinfection?
• A) Respiratory therapy equipment
• B) Surgical instruments
• C) Endoscopy scope
• D) Bedpan
Rationale: Surgical instruments enter sterile body tissues requiring sterilization.
Endoscopes and respiratory equipment require high-level disinfection.
10. A nurse is disposing of a contaminated needle. Which action is correct?
• A) Recap the needle before disposal
• B) Activate the safety device and place in sharps container
• C) Break the needle off before discarding
• D) Place in regular trash if no sharps container available
Rationale: Needles should never be recapped, bent, or broken. Safety device must
be activated and placed in puncture-resistant sharps container.
