.
ATI FUNDAMENTALS RETAKE
FINAL PREP 2026: CASE-BASED
COMPREHENSIVE TEST :
QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 1-
15)
Case 1: Mr. Johnson, 78, post-hip replacement
1. A nurse is preparing to transfer Mr. Johnson from bed to chair. Which action
demonstrates proper body mechanics?
• A) Twist at the waist while pulling the patient forward
• B) Keep feet together and lift with back muscles
• C) Position feet shoulder-width apart, bend knees, and keep back
straight
• D) Extend arms fully and lean away from the patient
,Rationale: Proper body mechanics require a broad base of support (feet shoulder-
width apart), using leg muscles (bending knees), and maintaining a straight back to
prevent injury to the nurse and ensure patient safety (ATI Fundamentals Ch. 14).
2. Mr. Johnson develops a urinary tract infection. Which finding requires immediate
notification of the healthcare provider?
• A) Temperature of 99.8°F (37.7°C)
• B) Sudden confusion and change in mental status
• C) Urine output of 50 mL/hour
• D) Mild suprapubic tenderness
Rationale: Sudden confusion or delirium in older adults is a critical sign of sepsis or
worsening infection. Early notification can prevent progression to septic shock (ATI
Ch. 55).
3. The nurse applies restraints to Mr. Johnson after he attempts to get out of bed.
Which action is incorrect?
• A) Obtain a provider's order within 15-30 minutes
• B) Tie restraints to the side rail for quick access
• C) Remove restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
• D) Assess skin integrity under restraints hourly
Rationale: Restraints should never be tied to side rails, as lowering the rail can cause
patient strangulation or injury. Tie to the bed frame only (ATI Ch. 14).
4. Which finding indicates proper use of a cane for a patient with right leg weakness?
• A) Patient holds cane on the right side
• B) Patient holds cane on the left side
• C) Cane moves first, then weak leg, then strong leg
• D) Patient advances cane and strong leg together
Rationale: Cane is held on the strong side (left). Sequence: cane → weak leg (right)
→ strong leg (left) to provide maximum support (ATI Ch. 14).
,Case 2: Post-operative wound care
5. A nurse is changing a surgical dressing. Place the steps in correct order:
1. Apply sterile gloves
2. Don clean gloves to remove old dressing
3. Assess wound appearance
4. Clean wound with sterile solution
5. Remove clean gloves and perform hand hygiene
6. Apply sterile dressing
• A) 2, 5, 1, 4, 3, 6
• B) 2, 5, 1, 3, 4, 6
• C) 1, 2, 5, 3, 4, 6
• D) 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6
Rationale: Correct sequence: Remove old dressing with clean gloves → remove
gloves/hand hygiene → apply sterile gloves → assess wound → clean → apply new
sterile dressing (ATI Ch. 55).
6. Which technique demonstrates sterile field maintenance?
• A) Holding sterile objects below waist level
• B) Turning back on sterile field to reach for supplies
• C) Opening sterile package away from the body first
• D) Moisture on sterile field is acceptable if recent
Rationale: Open the first flap of a sterile package away from the body. Moisture
contaminates sterile fields (capillary action draws organisms). Never turn back on or
reach below waist (ATI Ch. 27).
7. The nurse observes a coworker recapping a needle. Which action is appropriate?
• A) Ignore it as long as no injury occurred
• B) Report only if the coworker is a new graduate
• C) Instruct the coworker to use a safety device instead
, • D) Apply the scoop technique for recapping
Rationale: Needles should never be recapped. Use safety-engineered sharps
devices. The scoop technique is an outdated, unsafe practice. Immediate correction
and education are required (OSHA/ATI Ch. 13).
8. A patient is placed on contact precautions for MRSA. Which PPE is required for
entry?
• A) Surgical mask only
• B) N95 respirator and gown
• C) Gown and gloves only
• D) Gloves, gown, and face shield
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves. Mask is for
droplet/airborne. MRSA spreads via direct contact (ATI Ch. 11).
SECTION 2: BASIC CARE & COMFORT (Questions 9-25)
Case 3: Mrs. Davis, 65, dehydration and confusion
9. Mrs. Davis has an order for 1,000 mL of 0.9% normal saline over 8 hours. The drip
factor is 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the drip rate (gtt/min).
• A) 21 gtt/min
• B) 31 gtt/min
• C) 42 gtt/min
• D) 15 gtt/min
Rationale: Formula: (Volume × Drop factor) / Time in minutes = (1000 × 15) / (8 ×
60) = 15, = 31.25 → 31 gtt/min (ATI Ch. 49).
ATI FUNDAMENTALS RETAKE
FINAL PREP 2026: CASE-BASED
COMPREHENSIVE TEST :
QUESTIONS AND
RATIONALES/GRADED A+
UPDATE 100% CORRECT
SECTION 1: SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL (Questions 1-
15)
Case 1: Mr. Johnson, 78, post-hip replacement
1. A nurse is preparing to transfer Mr. Johnson from bed to chair. Which action
demonstrates proper body mechanics?
• A) Twist at the waist while pulling the patient forward
• B) Keep feet together and lift with back muscles
• C) Position feet shoulder-width apart, bend knees, and keep back
straight
• D) Extend arms fully and lean away from the patient
,Rationale: Proper body mechanics require a broad base of support (feet shoulder-
width apart), using leg muscles (bending knees), and maintaining a straight back to
prevent injury to the nurse and ensure patient safety (ATI Fundamentals Ch. 14).
2. Mr. Johnson develops a urinary tract infection. Which finding requires immediate
notification of the healthcare provider?
• A) Temperature of 99.8°F (37.7°C)
• B) Sudden confusion and change in mental status
• C) Urine output of 50 mL/hour
• D) Mild suprapubic tenderness
Rationale: Sudden confusion or delirium in older adults is a critical sign of sepsis or
worsening infection. Early notification can prevent progression to septic shock (ATI
Ch. 55).
3. The nurse applies restraints to Mr. Johnson after he attempts to get out of bed.
Which action is incorrect?
• A) Obtain a provider's order within 15-30 minutes
• B) Tie restraints to the side rail for quick access
• C) Remove restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
• D) Assess skin integrity under restraints hourly
Rationale: Restraints should never be tied to side rails, as lowering the rail can cause
patient strangulation or injury. Tie to the bed frame only (ATI Ch. 14).
4. Which finding indicates proper use of a cane for a patient with right leg weakness?
• A) Patient holds cane on the right side
• B) Patient holds cane on the left side
• C) Cane moves first, then weak leg, then strong leg
• D) Patient advances cane and strong leg together
Rationale: Cane is held on the strong side (left). Sequence: cane → weak leg (right)
→ strong leg (left) to provide maximum support (ATI Ch. 14).
,Case 2: Post-operative wound care
5. A nurse is changing a surgical dressing. Place the steps in correct order:
1. Apply sterile gloves
2. Don clean gloves to remove old dressing
3. Assess wound appearance
4. Clean wound with sterile solution
5. Remove clean gloves and perform hand hygiene
6. Apply sterile dressing
• A) 2, 5, 1, 4, 3, 6
• B) 2, 5, 1, 3, 4, 6
• C) 1, 2, 5, 3, 4, 6
• D) 5, 2, 1, 4, 3, 6
Rationale: Correct sequence: Remove old dressing with clean gloves → remove
gloves/hand hygiene → apply sterile gloves → assess wound → clean → apply new
sterile dressing (ATI Ch. 55).
6. Which technique demonstrates sterile field maintenance?
• A) Holding sterile objects below waist level
• B) Turning back on sterile field to reach for supplies
• C) Opening sterile package away from the body first
• D) Moisture on sterile field is acceptable if recent
Rationale: Open the first flap of a sterile package away from the body. Moisture
contaminates sterile fields (capillary action draws organisms). Never turn back on or
reach below waist (ATI Ch. 27).
7. The nurse observes a coworker recapping a needle. Which action is appropriate?
• A) Ignore it as long as no injury occurred
• B) Report only if the coworker is a new graduate
• C) Instruct the coworker to use a safety device instead
, • D) Apply the scoop technique for recapping
Rationale: Needles should never be recapped. Use safety-engineered sharps
devices. The scoop technique is an outdated, unsafe practice. Immediate correction
and education are required (OSHA/ATI Ch. 13).
8. A patient is placed on contact precautions for MRSA. Which PPE is required for
entry?
• A) Surgical mask only
• B) N95 respirator and gown
• C) Gown and gloves only
• D) Gloves, gown, and face shield
Rationale: Contact precautions require gown and gloves. Mask is for
droplet/airborne. MRSA spreads via direct contact (ATI Ch. 11).
SECTION 2: BASIC CARE & COMFORT (Questions 9-25)
Case 3: Mrs. Davis, 65, dehydration and confusion
9. Mrs. Davis has an order for 1,000 mL of 0.9% normal saline over 8 hours. The drip
factor is 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the drip rate (gtt/min).
• A) 21 gtt/min
• B) 31 gtt/min
• C) 42 gtt/min
• D) 15 gtt/min
Rationale: Formula: (Volume × Drop factor) / Time in minutes = (1000 × 15) / (8 ×
60) = 15, = 31.25 → 31 gtt/min (ATI Ch. 49).
