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ATI FUNDAMENTALS CMS PROCTORED ACTUAL
EXAM 2026/2027 | 70 Complete Questions | Verified
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
Section 1: Safe & Effective Care Environment (Q1-20)
Subsection 1A: Management of Care - Delegation, Prioritization, Assignment,
Legal/Ethics (Q1-13)
Q1. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit has four patients. Which task is most
appropriate to delegate to a UAP? A. Assessing a post-op patient's incision for signs
of infection B. Administering oral antibiotics to a patient with pneumonia C. Assisting
a stable patient with bathing and hygiene D. Performing sterile dressing changes on
a patient with a wound vac
C. Assisting a stable patient with bathing and hygiene [CORRECT]
Rationale: UAPs can assist with basic ADLs such as bathing and hygiene for stable
patients, as these tasks do not require clinical judgment or assessment skills. A is
incorrect because wound assessment requires RN-level assessment and clinical
decision-making. B is incorrect because medication administration, even oral
medications, is outside the UAP scope of practice and requires an LPN or RN. D is
incorrect because sterile dressing changes and wound vac management require
sterile technique and RN-level intervention.
"Correct Answer: C"
Q2. A charge nurse is delegating tasks on a busy unit. Which task is appropriate to
assign to an LPN? A. Developing a plan of care for a newly admitted patient with
heart failure B. Administering routine oral medications to stable patients C. Assessing
a patient's response to a new blood transfusion D. Teaching a patient about insulin
self-administration
B. Administering routine oral medications to stable patients [CORRECT]
Rationale: LPNs can administer routine oral medications to stable patients under the
supervision of an RN, as this falls within their scope of practice. A is incorrect because
,2
care planning and comprehensive assessment require RN-level critical thinking and
are not delegable to LPNs. C is incorrect because monitoring a patient during a
blood transfusion requires RN assessment and intervention for potential adverse
reactions. D is incorrect because patient education requiring complex teaching and
evaluation of learning is an RN responsibility.
"Correct Answer: B"
Q3. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for four patients. Which patient
should the nurse assess first? A. A patient with a sprained ankle requesting pain
medication B. A patient with a blood pressure of 188/92 and a headache C. A patient
with a respiratory rate of 28 and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air D. A patient
with a stable blood glucose of 140 mg/dL awaiting discharge
C. A patient with a respiratory rate of 28 and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Using the ABC prioritization framework, the patient with tachypnea and
hypoxemia (SpO2 88%) has an immediate life-threatening airway/breathing problem
that requires urgent intervention. A is incorrect because pain management, while
important, is not life-threatening and can wait. B is incorrect because although the
blood pressure is elevated, the patient is stable and does not have signs of an acute
hypertensive emergency. D is incorrect because a stable blood glucose in a patient
awaiting discharge is the lowest priority and does not require immediate nursing
action.
"Correct Answer: C"
Q4. A nurse is caring for multiple patients on a medical unit. Using Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, which patient need should be addressed first? A. A patient who is
anxious about an upcoming diagnostic test B. A patient who is requesting assistance
to call family members C. A patient who has not had a bowel movement in 3 days D.
A patient who is experiencing acute chest pain and shortness of breath
D. A patient who is experiencing acute chest pain and shortness of breath
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiologic needs (ABCs) above all other
needs, so the patient with acute chest pain and shortness of breath requires
immediate assessment and intervention. A is incorrect because anxiety and
,3
psychosocial needs belong to higher levels of the hierarchy and are addressed after
physiologic stability. B is incorrect because love and belonging needs are higher-level
needs and do not take priority over life-threatening physiologic concerns. C is
incorrect because although constipation is a physiologic issue, it is not immediately
life-threatening compared to potential cardiac or respiratory compromise.
"Correct Answer: D"
Q5. A patient is scheduled for an appendectomy. Which statement by the nurse
demonstrates the correct understanding of the nurse's role in informed consent? A. "I
will explain the surgical procedure and potential risks to the patient." B. "I will witness
the patient's signature and confirm the patient understands the information." C. "I
will obtain the patient's signature on the consent form after explaining the
procedure." D. "I will delegate obtaining consent to the LPN since the surgeon is
unavailable."
B. "I will witness the patient's signature and confirm the patient understands the
information." [CORRECT]
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the patient's signature,
confirm that the patient voluntarily consents, and verify that the patient understands
the information provided by the physician; the nurse does not explain the procedure
or risks. A is incorrect because explaining the surgical procedure and risks is the
physician's responsibility, not the nurse's. C is incorrect because the physician or
provider performing the procedure must obtain the signature after explaining the
procedure. D is incorrect because informed consent cannot be delegated to an LPN
and must be obtained by the provider performing the procedure.
"Correct Answer: B"
Q6. A nurse receives a phone call from a patient's employer requesting information
about the patient's hospitalization. The nurse should: A. Provide basic information
since employers have a right to know about employee health status B. Ask the
employer to submit a written request before releasing any information C. Refuse to
release any information without the patient's written authorization D. Release only
the minimum necessary information for treatment purposes
C. Refuse to release any information without the patient's written authorization
[CORRECT]
, 4
Rationale: HIPAA requires the nurse to refuse releasing any protected health
information without the patient's written authorization, except for permitted
disclosures for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. A is incorrect because
employers do not have an automatic right to access employee health information
without patient consent. B is incorrect because a written request from the employer
does not override the requirement for patient authorization. D is incorrect because
the minimum necessary standard applies within the healthcare team for treatment
purposes, not to external parties such as employers.
"Correct Answer: C"
Q7. A nurse accidentally administers a medication to the wrong patient. After
ensuring the patient is safe, which action should the nurse take next? A. Document
the error in detail in the patient's medical record B. Complete an incident report and
notify the nurse manager C. Ask the physician to alter the medical record to reflect
the correct medication D. Wait to report the error until the end of the shift to avoid
immediate consequences
B. Complete an incident report and notify the nurse manager [CORRECT]
Rationale: The nurse should complete an incident report for risk management and
quality improvement purposes and notify the nurse manager; incident reports are
not placed in the medical record. A is incorrect because incident reports should never
be documented in the medical record, as they are not part of the legal medical
record and are protected for quality improvement. C is incorrect because altering the
medical record is fraud and can result in loss of licensure. D is incorrect because
errors must be reported immediately to ensure patient safety and timely
intervention.
"Correct Answer: B"
Q8. A charge nurse needs to delegate tasks for the upcoming shift. Which task is
appropriate to assign to an LPN? A. Initiating a blood transfusion and monitoring for
the first 15 minutes B. Inserting a urinary catheter using sterile technique C.
Performing tracheostomy suctioning on a stable patient with a mature stoma D.
Evaluating a patient's response to a new chemotherapy regimen
C. Performing tracheostomy suctioning on a stable patient with a mature stoma
[CORRECT]
ATI FUNDAMENTALS CMS PROCTORED ACTUAL
EXAM 2026/2027 | 70 Complete Questions | Verified
Answers with Detailed Rationales | Pass Guaranteed -
A+ Graded
Section 1: Safe & Effective Care Environment (Q1-20)
Subsection 1A: Management of Care - Delegation, Prioritization, Assignment,
Legal/Ethics (Q1-13)
Q1. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit has four patients. Which task is most
appropriate to delegate to a UAP? A. Assessing a post-op patient's incision for signs
of infection B. Administering oral antibiotics to a patient with pneumonia C. Assisting
a stable patient with bathing and hygiene D. Performing sterile dressing changes on
a patient with a wound vac
C. Assisting a stable patient with bathing and hygiene [CORRECT]
Rationale: UAPs can assist with basic ADLs such as bathing and hygiene for stable
patients, as these tasks do not require clinical judgment or assessment skills. A is
incorrect because wound assessment requires RN-level assessment and clinical
decision-making. B is incorrect because medication administration, even oral
medications, is outside the UAP scope of practice and requires an LPN or RN. D is
incorrect because sterile dressing changes and wound vac management require
sterile technique and RN-level intervention.
"Correct Answer: C"
Q2. A charge nurse is delegating tasks on a busy unit. Which task is appropriate to
assign to an LPN? A. Developing a plan of care for a newly admitted patient with
heart failure B. Administering routine oral medications to stable patients C. Assessing
a patient's response to a new blood transfusion D. Teaching a patient about insulin
self-administration
B. Administering routine oral medications to stable patients [CORRECT]
Rationale: LPNs can administer routine oral medications to stable patients under the
supervision of an RN, as this falls within their scope of practice. A is incorrect because
,2
care planning and comprehensive assessment require RN-level critical thinking and
are not delegable to LPNs. C is incorrect because monitoring a patient during a
blood transfusion requires RN assessment and intervention for potential adverse
reactions. D is incorrect because patient education requiring complex teaching and
evaluation of learning is an RN responsibility.
"Correct Answer: B"
Q3. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for four patients. Which patient
should the nurse assess first? A. A patient with a sprained ankle requesting pain
medication B. A patient with a blood pressure of 188/92 and a headache C. A patient
with a respiratory rate of 28 and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air D. A patient
with a stable blood glucose of 140 mg/dL awaiting discharge
C. A patient with a respiratory rate of 28 and oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Using the ABC prioritization framework, the patient with tachypnea and
hypoxemia (SpO2 88%) has an immediate life-threatening airway/breathing problem
that requires urgent intervention. A is incorrect because pain management, while
important, is not life-threatening and can wait. B is incorrect because although the
blood pressure is elevated, the patient is stable and does not have signs of an acute
hypertensive emergency. D is incorrect because a stable blood glucose in a patient
awaiting discharge is the lowest priority and does not require immediate nursing
action.
"Correct Answer: C"
Q4. A nurse is caring for multiple patients on a medical unit. Using Maslow's
hierarchy of needs, which patient need should be addressed first? A. A patient who is
anxious about an upcoming diagnostic test B. A patient who is requesting assistance
to call family members C. A patient who has not had a bowel movement in 3 days D.
A patient who is experiencing acute chest pain and shortness of breath
D. A patient who is experiencing acute chest pain and shortness of breath
[CORRECT]
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy prioritizes physiologic needs (ABCs) above all other
needs, so the patient with acute chest pain and shortness of breath requires
immediate assessment and intervention. A is incorrect because anxiety and
,3
psychosocial needs belong to higher levels of the hierarchy and are addressed after
physiologic stability. B is incorrect because love and belonging needs are higher-level
needs and do not take priority over life-threatening physiologic concerns. C is
incorrect because although constipation is a physiologic issue, it is not immediately
life-threatening compared to potential cardiac or respiratory compromise.
"Correct Answer: D"
Q5. A patient is scheduled for an appendectomy. Which statement by the nurse
demonstrates the correct understanding of the nurse's role in informed consent? A. "I
will explain the surgical procedure and potential risks to the patient." B. "I will witness
the patient's signature and confirm the patient understands the information." C. "I
will obtain the patient's signature on the consent form after explaining the
procedure." D. "I will delegate obtaining consent to the LPN since the surgeon is
unavailable."
B. "I will witness the patient's signature and confirm the patient understands the
information." [CORRECT]
Rationale: The nurse's role in informed consent is to witness the patient's signature,
confirm that the patient voluntarily consents, and verify that the patient understands
the information provided by the physician; the nurse does not explain the procedure
or risks. A is incorrect because explaining the surgical procedure and risks is the
physician's responsibility, not the nurse's. C is incorrect because the physician or
provider performing the procedure must obtain the signature after explaining the
procedure. D is incorrect because informed consent cannot be delegated to an LPN
and must be obtained by the provider performing the procedure.
"Correct Answer: B"
Q6. A nurse receives a phone call from a patient's employer requesting information
about the patient's hospitalization. The nurse should: A. Provide basic information
since employers have a right to know about employee health status B. Ask the
employer to submit a written request before releasing any information C. Refuse to
release any information without the patient's written authorization D. Release only
the minimum necessary information for treatment purposes
C. Refuse to release any information without the patient's written authorization
[CORRECT]
, 4
Rationale: HIPAA requires the nurse to refuse releasing any protected health
information without the patient's written authorization, except for permitted
disclosures for treatment, payment, or healthcare operations. A is incorrect because
employers do not have an automatic right to access employee health information
without patient consent. B is incorrect because a written request from the employer
does not override the requirement for patient authorization. D is incorrect because
the minimum necessary standard applies within the healthcare team for treatment
purposes, not to external parties such as employers.
"Correct Answer: C"
Q7. A nurse accidentally administers a medication to the wrong patient. After
ensuring the patient is safe, which action should the nurse take next? A. Document
the error in detail in the patient's medical record B. Complete an incident report and
notify the nurse manager C. Ask the physician to alter the medical record to reflect
the correct medication D. Wait to report the error until the end of the shift to avoid
immediate consequences
B. Complete an incident report and notify the nurse manager [CORRECT]
Rationale: The nurse should complete an incident report for risk management and
quality improvement purposes and notify the nurse manager; incident reports are
not placed in the medical record. A is incorrect because incident reports should never
be documented in the medical record, as they are not part of the legal medical
record and are protected for quality improvement. C is incorrect because altering the
medical record is fraud and can result in loss of licensure. D is incorrect because
errors must be reported immediately to ensure patient safety and timely
intervention.
"Correct Answer: B"
Q8. A charge nurse needs to delegate tasks for the upcoming shift. Which task is
appropriate to assign to an LPN? A. Initiating a blood transfusion and monitoring for
the first 15 minutes B. Inserting a urinary catheter using sterile technique C.
Performing tracheostomy suctioning on a stable patient with a mature stoma D.
Evaluating a patient's response to a new chemotherapy regimen
C. Performing tracheostomy suctioning on a stable patient with a mature stoma
[CORRECT]
