ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2025–2026 | Verified Test Bank
with 150 Multiple-Choice Questions, Correct Answers, and Detailed
Nursing Rationales for Safe, Effective, and Evidence-Based Clinical
Judgment
Questions 1–20: Safety & Infection Control
(V2)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with shingles (herpes zoster).
Which precautions are required?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Airborne precautions
C) Contact precautions + standard
D) Droplet precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: Herpes zoster (disseminated or immunocompromised)
requires contact precautions + standard. Localized zoster in
immunocompetent may only need standard if lesions are covered.
Airborne (B) is for TB, measles.
2. A nurse is preparing to don PPE for a client on droplet
precautions. Which item should be put on first?
A) Mask
B) Gown
C) Gloves
D) Goggles
,Answer: B
Rationale: Sequence: gown first, then mask, then goggles/face
shield, then gloves (last). Gown protects uniform before
approaching client.
3. A client on contact precautions needs to be transported to
radiology. Which action is correct?
A) Cancel the transport
B) Place a clean sheet over the client
C) No special precautions needed
D) Have the client wear an N95 mask
Answer: B
Rationale: Cover client with clean sheet to minimize environmental
contamination. Notify radiology. Transport only if essential (A
incorrect). N95 (D) is airborne.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a central line. Which action
violates sterile technique?
A) Changing the transparent dressing every 7 days
B) Using sterile gloves to change the cap
C) Allowing the line to hang below the heart
D) Cleaning the hub with alcohol for 15 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: Central line should not hang below heart level (increases
risk of air embolism and backflow). Dressing change q7 days (A) is
correct. Hub cleaning (D) requires 5-15 seconds.
5. A client falls while walking to the bathroom. The nurse finds
the client on the floor. What is the first action?
A) Call for help
,B) Assess the client for injury
C) Help the client back to bed
D) Complete an incident report
Answer: B
Rationale: Primary action: assess the client (level of consciousness,
injury, vital signs). Then call for help (A) if needed. Moving the client
(C) comes after assessment.
6. Which situation requires the nurse to wash hands with soap
and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Before inserting a urinary catheter
B) After removing gloves caring for a client with MRSA
C) After caring for a client with C. difficile
D) Before administering oral medications
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is ineffective against C. diff
spores. Soap and water required. Other options (A, B, D) allow
alcohol rub.
7. A nurse is applying a restraint to a confused client. Which
action is correct?
A) Tie restraint to the bed side rail
B) Secure with a quick-release knot
C) Apply restraint over clothing or padding
D) Keep restraint tight to prevent slipping
Answer: B
Rationale: Quick-release knot allows immediate removal in
emergency. Tie to bed frame (not rail—A). Pad under restraint (C).
Not tight—two fingers should fit (D).
, 8. A client with active pulmonary tuberculosis is being admitted.
Which room assignment is appropriate?
A) Semi-private room with a client with pneumonia
B) Private room with positive air pressure
C) Private room with negative air pressure
D) Ward bed near a window
Answer: C
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions: negative pressure
room (air exhausted outside), N95 mask. Positive pressure (B) is for
protective environment (immunocompromised).
9. A nurse is removing a client's indwelling urinary catheter.
Which action prevents infection?
A) Deflate the balloon completely before removal
B) Cut the catheter to deflate the balloon
C) Remove the catheter while the client voids
D) Clamp the catheter for 1 hour before removal
Answer: A
Rationale: Deflate balloon fully using syringe; if resistance, do not
force. Cutting (B) risks retained fragment. Clamping (D) is outdated
and increases UTI risk.
10. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates
the field?
A) Opening sterile package away from body
B) Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge
C) Reaching across the sterile field
D) Keeping hands above waist level
with 150 Multiple-Choice Questions, Correct Answers, and Detailed
Nursing Rationales for Safe, Effective, and Evidence-Based Clinical
Judgment
Questions 1–20: Safety & Infection Control
(V2)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with shingles (herpes zoster).
Which precautions are required?
A) Standard precautions only
B) Airborne precautions
C) Contact precautions + standard
D) Droplet precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: Herpes zoster (disseminated or immunocompromised)
requires contact precautions + standard. Localized zoster in
immunocompetent may only need standard if lesions are covered.
Airborne (B) is for TB, measles.
2. A nurse is preparing to don PPE for a client on droplet
precautions. Which item should be put on first?
A) Mask
B) Gown
C) Gloves
D) Goggles
,Answer: B
Rationale: Sequence: gown first, then mask, then goggles/face
shield, then gloves (last). Gown protects uniform before
approaching client.
3. A client on contact precautions needs to be transported to
radiology. Which action is correct?
A) Cancel the transport
B) Place a clean sheet over the client
C) No special precautions needed
D) Have the client wear an N95 mask
Answer: B
Rationale: Cover client with clean sheet to minimize environmental
contamination. Notify radiology. Transport only if essential (A
incorrect). N95 (D) is airborne.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a central line. Which action
violates sterile technique?
A) Changing the transparent dressing every 7 days
B) Using sterile gloves to change the cap
C) Allowing the line to hang below the heart
D) Cleaning the hub with alcohol for 15 seconds
Answer: C
Rationale: Central line should not hang below heart level (increases
risk of air embolism and backflow). Dressing change q7 days (A) is
correct. Hub cleaning (D) requires 5-15 seconds.
5. A client falls while walking to the bathroom. The nurse finds
the client on the floor. What is the first action?
A) Call for help
,B) Assess the client for injury
C) Help the client back to bed
D) Complete an incident report
Answer: B
Rationale: Primary action: assess the client (level of consciousness,
injury, vital signs). Then call for help (A) if needed. Moving the client
(C) comes after assessment.
6. Which situation requires the nurse to wash hands with soap
and water instead of alcohol-based hand rub?
A) Before inserting a urinary catheter
B) After removing gloves caring for a client with MRSA
C) After caring for a client with C. difficile
D) Before administering oral medications
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is ineffective against C. diff
spores. Soap and water required. Other options (A, B, D) allow
alcohol rub.
7. A nurse is applying a restraint to a confused client. Which
action is correct?
A) Tie restraint to the bed side rail
B) Secure with a quick-release knot
C) Apply restraint over clothing or padding
D) Keep restraint tight to prevent slipping
Answer: B
Rationale: Quick-release knot allows immediate removal in
emergency. Tie to bed frame (not rail—A). Pad under restraint (C).
Not tight—two fingers should fit (D).
, 8. A client with active pulmonary tuberculosis is being admitted.
Which room assignment is appropriate?
A) Semi-private room with a client with pneumonia
B) Private room with positive air pressure
C) Private room with negative air pressure
D) Ward bed near a window
Answer: C
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions: negative pressure
room (air exhausted outside), N95 mask. Positive pressure (B) is for
protective environment (immunocompromised).
9. A nurse is removing a client's indwelling urinary catheter.
Which action prevents infection?
A) Deflate the balloon completely before removal
B) Cut the catheter to deflate the balloon
C) Remove the catheter while the client voids
D) Clamp the catheter for 1 hour before removal
Answer: A
Rationale: Deflate balloon fully using syringe; if resistance, do not
force. Cutting (B) risks retained fragment. Clamping (D) is outdated
and increases UTI risk.
10. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which action contaminates
the field?
A) Opening sterile package away from body
B) Placing sterile items 2 inches from the edge
C) Reaching across the sterile field
D) Keeping hands above waist level
