ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam | 200
Original Practice Questions with Answers +
Rationales | Comprehensive Review for Nursing
Students | (Latest Edition – Updated for 2025–2026)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome, nursing student.
You are about to access one of the most thorough, carefully constructed study resources available
for the ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam. Whether you are taking the exam for the first
time or retaking it to improve your score, this document is designed to do one thing: prepare you to
pass with confidence.
The ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam is a milestone in every nursing student's journey. It tests
not just memorization, but clinical judgment, prioritization, delegation, safety, and the application of
the nursing process across dozens of content areas. Many students find this exam challenging
because it requires you to think like a nurse — not just recall facts. That is exactly why this
resource was created.
Batch 1 (Questions 1–12)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of tuberculosis. Which type of isolation
precaution should the nurse initiate?
, A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: C. Airborne precautions
*Rationale: Tuberculosis spreads via small airborne particles, requiring an N95 respirator and
negative pressure room. Contact is for MRSA/VRE, droplet for influenza, protective for
immunocompromised.*
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which action is correct?
A. Aspirate before injecting
B. Massage the site after injection
C. Use the abdomen as the preferred site
D. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle for all clients
Answer: C. Use the abdomen as the preferred site
Rationale: Abdomen provides consistent subcutaneous tissue absorption. Aspiration is not
recommended for heparin; massage can cause bruising; angle depends on needle length and body
habitus.
3. A nurse is assessing a client’s peripheral pulses. Which pulse should the nurse document as +1?
A. Bounding
B. Normal
C. Diminished
D. Absent
Answer: C. Diminished
*Rationale: Pulse scale: 0 absent, +1 diminished/weak, +2 normal, +3 increased, +4 bounding.*
,4. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice indicates
understanding?
A. Canned tomato soup
B. Pickles
C. Fresh grilled chicken
D. Processed cheese
Answer: C. Fresh grilled chicken
Rationale: Fresh, unprocessed foods are naturally low in sodium. Canned soups, pickles, and
processed cheese are high in sodium.
5. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile kit, the nurse
accidentally touches the inside of the sterile field with her glove. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue because the glove is sterile
B. Discard the kit and start over
C. Remove the glove and continue with one hand
D. Pour sterile solution over the touched area
Answer: B. Discard the kit and start over
Rationale: Any contamination of the sterile field requires restarting to prevent infection. The glove
is no longer sterile after touching a nonsterile surface.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1. Which finding should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
B. Pain rated 4/10
C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
D. Heart rate 88/min
, Answer: C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
Rationale: SaO2 <90% indicates hypoxemia, a potential emergency. The other findings are within
expected ranges for postoperative day 1.
7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about fall prevention with an older adult client. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I’ll install grab bars in the shower.”
B. “I’ll use throw rugs to prevent slipping.”
C. “I’ll turn on lights at night.”
D. “I’ll wear nonskid slippers.”
Answer: B. “I’ll use throw rugs to prevent slipping.”
Rationale: Throw rugs increase fall risk, especially for older adults. Grab bars, night lights, and
nonskid footwear reduce fall risk.
8. A nurse is calculating intake for a client. Which item should the nurse include?
A. Ice chips (record as half the volume)
B. All of the above
C. Intravenous fluids
D. Soup
Answer: B. All of the above
Rationale: Total intake includes oral (soup), IV fluids, and ice chips (documented as ½ the volume
because melting yields half the water).
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is NPO. Which action is appropriate when providing oral care?
A. Use a lemon glycerin swab
B. Apply lubricant to the lips
C. Have the client gargle with water
D. Use a firm-bristled toothbrush
Original Practice Questions with Answers +
Rationales | Comprehensive Review for Nursing
Students | (Latest Edition – Updated for 2025–2026)
INTRODUCTION
Welcome, nursing student.
You are about to access one of the most thorough, carefully constructed study resources available
for the ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam. Whether you are taking the exam for the first
time or retaking it to improve your score, this document is designed to do one thing: prepare you to
pass with confidence.
The ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam is a milestone in every nursing student's journey. It tests
not just memorization, but clinical judgment, prioritization, delegation, safety, and the application of
the nursing process across dozens of content areas. Many students find this exam challenging
because it requires you to think like a nurse — not just recall facts. That is exactly why this
resource was created.
Batch 1 (Questions 1–12)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of tuberculosis. Which type of isolation
precaution should the nurse initiate?
, A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
Answer: C. Airborne precautions
*Rationale: Tuberculosis spreads via small airborne particles, requiring an N95 respirator and
negative pressure room. Contact is for MRSA/VRE, droplet for influenza, protective for
immunocompromised.*
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which action is correct?
A. Aspirate before injecting
B. Massage the site after injection
C. Use the abdomen as the preferred site
D. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle for all clients
Answer: C. Use the abdomen as the preferred site
Rationale: Abdomen provides consistent subcutaneous tissue absorption. Aspiration is not
recommended for heparin; massage can cause bruising; angle depends on needle length and body
habitus.
3. A nurse is assessing a client’s peripheral pulses. Which pulse should the nurse document as +1?
A. Bounding
B. Normal
C. Diminished
D. Absent
Answer: C. Diminished
*Rationale: Pulse scale: 0 absent, +1 diminished/weak, +2 normal, +3 increased, +4 bounding.*
,4. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food choice indicates
understanding?
A. Canned tomato soup
B. Pickles
C. Fresh grilled chicken
D. Processed cheese
Answer: C. Fresh grilled chicken
Rationale: Fresh, unprocessed foods are naturally low in sodium. Canned soups, pickles, and
processed cheese are high in sodium.
5. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. After opening the sterile kit, the nurse
accidentally touches the inside of the sterile field with her glove. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue because the glove is sterile
B. Discard the kit and start over
C. Remove the glove and continue with one hand
D. Pour sterile solution over the touched area
Answer: B. Discard the kit and start over
Rationale: Any contamination of the sterile field requires restarting to prevent infection. The glove
is no longer sterile after touching a nonsterile surface.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative day 1. Which finding should the nurse report to
the provider immediately?
A. Temperature 99.2°F (37.3°C)
B. Pain rated 4/10
C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
D. Heart rate 88/min
, Answer: C. Oxygen saturation 88% on room air
Rationale: SaO2 <90% indicates hypoxemia, a potential emergency. The other findings are within
expected ranges for postoperative day 1.
7. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about fall prevention with an older adult client. Which statement
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I’ll install grab bars in the shower.”
B. “I’ll use throw rugs to prevent slipping.”
C. “I’ll turn on lights at night.”
D. “I’ll wear nonskid slippers.”
Answer: B. “I’ll use throw rugs to prevent slipping.”
Rationale: Throw rugs increase fall risk, especially for older adults. Grab bars, night lights, and
nonskid footwear reduce fall risk.
8. A nurse is calculating intake for a client. Which item should the nurse include?
A. Ice chips (record as half the volume)
B. All of the above
C. Intravenous fluids
D. Soup
Answer: B. All of the above
Rationale: Total intake includes oral (soup), IV fluids, and ice chips (documented as ½ the volume
because melting yields half the water).
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is NPO. Which action is appropriate when providing oral care?
A. Use a lemon glycerin swab
B. Apply lubricant to the lips
C. Have the client gargle with water
D. Use a firm-bristled toothbrush
