ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam
2026 Questions and Answers [Verified
Answers] Plus Rationales | Latest 2026
Practice Exam
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed pain medication
B. Assist the client to ambulate
C. Assess the client’s airway
D. Offer oral fluids
Answer: C. Assess the client’s airway
Rationale: Airway assessment is the priority according to ABC principles because airway
compromise can become life-threatening quickly.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure injury. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the client every 2 hr
C. Use donut-shaped cushions
D. Keep linens wrinkled
Answer: B. Reposition the client every 2 hr
Rationale: Frequent repositioning decreases prolonged pressure and promotes circulation
to tissues.
Question 3
,A nurse is reinforcing teaching about hand hygiene. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I only need to wash my hands after meals.”
B. “Alcohol-based rubs replace handwashing when hands are visibly soiled.”
C. “Hand hygiene helps prevent infection transmission.”
D. “Wearing gloves eliminates the need for hand hygiene.”
Answer: C. “Hand hygiene helps prevent infection transmission.”
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is the most effective method to reduce infection spread.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a fever. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased metabolic rate
C. Decreased respirations
D. Hypotension only
Answer: B. Increased metabolic rate
Rationale: Fever raises metabolic demands and oxygen consumption.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Assess skin around the tubing
C. Set oxygen at 15 L/min
D. Remove oxygen during meals
Answer: B. Assess skin around the tubing
,Rationale: Oxygen tubing can cause skin breakdown around the ears and nose.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Tachycardia
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia occurs as compensation for decreased circulating fluid volume.
Question 7
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about advance directives. Which statement should the nurse
include?
A. “Advance directives are only for terminal illnesses.”
B. “A living will outlines treatment preferences.”
C. “Advance directives are not legally recognized.”
D. “Only older adults need advance directives.”
Answer: B. “A living will outlines treatment preferences.”
Rationale: Living wills communicate client wishes regarding future medical care.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus. Which finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Fruity breath odor
B. Warm dry skin
, C. Shakiness and diaphoresis
D. Polyuria
Answer: C. Shakiness and diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system causing sweating
and tremors.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary catheter. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Disconnect tubing routinely
B. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level
C. Place the bag on the bed
D. Irrigate daily without prescription
Answer: B. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level
Rationale: Positioning the drainage bag below the bladder prevents urine backflow and
infection.
Question 10
A nurse is caring for a client who reports pain rated 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Reassess pain in 30 minutes
B. Document the finding
C. Administer prescribed pain medication
D. Encourage distraction techniques only
Answer: C. Administer prescribed pain medication
2026 Questions and Answers [Verified
Answers] Plus Rationales | Latest 2026
Practice Exam
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer prescribed pain medication
B. Assist the client to ambulate
C. Assess the client’s airway
D. Offer oral fluids
Answer: C. Assess the client’s airway
Rationale: Airway assessment is the priority according to ABC principles because airway
compromise can become life-threatening quickly.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure injury. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the client every 2 hr
C. Use donut-shaped cushions
D. Keep linens wrinkled
Answer: B. Reposition the client every 2 hr
Rationale: Frequent repositioning decreases prolonged pressure and promotes circulation
to tissues.
Question 3
,A nurse is reinforcing teaching about hand hygiene. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I only need to wash my hands after meals.”
B. “Alcohol-based rubs replace handwashing when hands are visibly soiled.”
C. “Hand hygiene helps prevent infection transmission.”
D. “Wearing gloves eliminates the need for hand hygiene.”
Answer: C. “Hand hygiene helps prevent infection transmission.”
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene is the most effective method to reduce infection spread.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has a fever. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Increased metabolic rate
C. Decreased respirations
D. Hypotension only
Answer: B. Increased metabolic rate
Rationale: Fever raises metabolic demands and oxygen consumption.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen therapy via nasal cannula. Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Assess skin around the tubing
C. Set oxygen at 15 L/min
D. Remove oxygen during meals
Answer: B. Assess skin around the tubing
,Rationale: Oxygen tubing can cause skin breakdown around the ears and nose.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has dehydration. Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bounding pulse
B. Moist mucous membranes
C. Tachycardia
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: C. Tachycardia
Rationale: Tachycardia occurs as compensation for decreased circulating fluid volume.
Question 7
A nurse is reinforcing teaching about advance directives. Which statement should the nurse
include?
A. “Advance directives are only for terminal illnesses.”
B. “A living will outlines treatment preferences.”
C. “Advance directives are not legally recognized.”
D. “Only older adults need advance directives.”
Answer: B. “A living will outlines treatment preferences.”
Rationale: Living wills communicate client wishes regarding future medical care.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus. Which finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Fruity breath odor
B. Warm dry skin
, C. Shakiness and diaphoresis
D. Polyuria
Answer: C. Shakiness and diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia stimulates the sympathetic nervous system causing sweating
and tremors.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary catheter. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Disconnect tubing routinely
B. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level
C. Place the bag on the bed
D. Irrigate daily without prescription
Answer: B. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level
Rationale: Positioning the drainage bag below the bladder prevents urine backflow and
infection.
Question 10
A nurse is caring for a client who reports pain rated 8 on a scale of 0 to 10. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Reassess pain in 30 minutes
B. Document the finding
C. Administer prescribed pain medication
D. Encourage distraction techniques only
Answer: C. Administer prescribed pain medication
