ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam
Pack: 200 Practice Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales for Nursing
Students (2026-2027)
Introduction
Preparing for the ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam requires a strong understanding of patient
safety, infection control, basic nursing skills, documentation, communication, pharmacology, and evidence-
based care. This comprehensive exam pack includes 200 carefully designed multiple-choice questions with
bolded correct answers and clear rationales to reinforce key nursing concepts and improve critical thinking
skills. These practice questions are ideal for nursing students preparing for ATI exams, NCLEX-style
testing, classroom assessments, and clinical rotations.
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client who is nauseated. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Crush the medication
B. Assess bowel sounds
C. Determine if the medication can be given with food
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Some oral medications can be administered with food to decrease nausea and improve
tolerance.
2. Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
,A. Washing hands for 5 seconds
B. Using hot water during handwashing
C. Rubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
D. Drying hands on clothing
Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction on all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds.
3. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which PPE should the nurse wear?
A. Surgical mask only
B. Gloves only
C. Gown and gloves
D. N95 respirator only
Rationale: Contact precautions require gloves and gowns to prevent transmission through direct
contact.
4. Which vital sign should the nurse report immediately?
A. Temperature 37°C (98.6°F)
B. Pulse 78/min
C. Respirations 18/min
D. Blood pressure 82/50 mm Hg
Rationale: Hypotension may indicate shock or poor perfusion and requires prompt intervention.
5. A client reports pain rated 8/10. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassess pain in 1 hour
B. Document the pain score
C. Administer prescribed analgesic
D. Encourage deep breathing
,Rationale: Severe pain should be treated promptly according to provider prescriptions.
6. Which client is at highest risk for falls?
A. 25-year-old postoperative client
B. 40-year-old with hypertension
C. Older adult receiving sedatives
D. Teenager with asthma
Rationale: Older adults taking sedatives have increased fall risk due to impaired balance and
cognition.
7. A nurse should identify which electrolyte imbalance in a client with muscle weakness and
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia commonly causes muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias.
8. Which position promotes lung expansion in a client with dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Sims’
C. Trendelenburg
D. High-Fowler’s
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position maximizes chest expansion and eases breathing.
9. A nurse is obtaining informed consent. Which statement is correct?
, A. The nurse explains surgical risks in detail
B. The nurse signs as the provider
C. The nurse witnesses the client’s signature
D. The family signs for all adult clients
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the client appears informed and
voluntary.
10. Which finding indicates adequate oxygenation?
A. Cyanotic lips
B. Restlessness
C. Oxygen saturation 98%
D. Nasal flaring
Rationale: Oxygen saturation of 98% reflects adequate oxygenation.
11. A nurse should use sterile technique during which procedure?
A. Feeding a client
B. Measuring blood pressure
C. Inserting a urinary catheter
D. Assisting with ambulation
Rationale: Sterile technique prevents introduction of microorganisms into the bladder.
12. Which statement by a client indicates understanding of a low-sodium diet?
A. “I will eat canned soup daily.”
B. “I can add table salt to my meals.”
C. “I will read food labels carefully.”
D. “Processed meats are healthy choices.”
Pack: 200 Practice Questions with Correct
Answers and Detailed Rationales for Nursing
Students (2026-2027)
Introduction
Preparing for the ATI Fundamentals of Nursing Proctored Exam requires a strong understanding of patient
safety, infection control, basic nursing skills, documentation, communication, pharmacology, and evidence-
based care. This comprehensive exam pack includes 200 carefully designed multiple-choice questions with
bolded correct answers and clear rationales to reinforce key nursing concepts and improve critical thinking
skills. These practice questions are ideal for nursing students preparing for ATI exams, NCLEX-style
testing, classroom assessments, and clinical rotations.
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client who is nauseated. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Crush the medication
B. Assess bowel sounds
C. Determine if the medication can be given with food
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
Rationale: Some oral medications can be administered with food to decrease nausea and improve
tolerance.
2. Which action by the nurse demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
,A. Washing hands for 5 seconds
B. Using hot water during handwashing
C. Rubbing all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
D. Drying hands on clothing
Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction on all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds.
3. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which PPE should the nurse wear?
A. Surgical mask only
B. Gloves only
C. Gown and gloves
D. N95 respirator only
Rationale: Contact precautions require gloves and gowns to prevent transmission through direct
contact.
4. Which vital sign should the nurse report immediately?
A. Temperature 37°C (98.6°F)
B. Pulse 78/min
C. Respirations 18/min
D. Blood pressure 82/50 mm Hg
Rationale: Hypotension may indicate shock or poor perfusion and requires prompt intervention.
5. A client reports pain rated 8/10. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Reassess pain in 1 hour
B. Document the pain score
C. Administer prescribed analgesic
D. Encourage deep breathing
,Rationale: Severe pain should be treated promptly according to provider prescriptions.
6. Which client is at highest risk for falls?
A. 25-year-old postoperative client
B. 40-year-old with hypertension
C. Older adult receiving sedatives
D. Teenager with asthma
Rationale: Older adults taking sedatives have increased fall risk due to impaired balance and
cognition.
7. A nurse should identify which electrolyte imbalance in a client with muscle weakness and
dysrhythmias?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia commonly causes muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias.
8. Which position promotes lung expansion in a client with dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. Sims’
C. Trendelenburg
D. High-Fowler’s
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position maximizes chest expansion and eases breathing.
9. A nurse is obtaining informed consent. Which statement is correct?
, A. The nurse explains surgical risks in detail
B. The nurse signs as the provider
C. The nurse witnesses the client’s signature
D. The family signs for all adult clients
Rationale: The nurse’s role is to witness the signature and ensure the client appears informed and
voluntary.
10. Which finding indicates adequate oxygenation?
A. Cyanotic lips
B. Restlessness
C. Oxygen saturation 98%
D. Nasal flaring
Rationale: Oxygen saturation of 98% reflects adequate oxygenation.
11. A nurse should use sterile technique during which procedure?
A. Feeding a client
B. Measuring blood pressure
C. Inserting a urinary catheter
D. Assisting with ambulation
Rationale: Sterile technique prevents introduction of microorganisms into the bladder.
12. Which statement by a client indicates understanding of a low-sodium diet?
A. “I will eat canned soup daily.”
B. “I can add table salt to my meals.”
C. “I will read food labels carefully.”
D. “Processed meats are healthy choices.”
