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
(V3)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a Clostridioides difficile
infection. Which disinfectant is effective against C. diff spores?
A) Alcohol-based hand rub
B) Chlorhexidine
C) A bleach solution (1:10 dilution)
D) Quaternary ammonium compounds
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol and many
disinfectants. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is sporicidal. Alcohol
rub (A) does not kill spores.
2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
After opening the sterile kit, the nurse drops the sterile drape on
the floor. What should the nurse do?
A) Pick it up and use it since it's inside the sterile field
B) Ask a colleague to retrieve a new drape
C) Continue without the drape
D) Use a clean drape from the client's room
,Answer: B
Rationale: Any sterile item touching the floor is contaminated.
Obtain a new sterile drape. Continuing without (C) breaks aseptic
technique.
3. A client on airborne precautions needs to go to the MRI suite.
Which action is correct?
A) Transport without a mask if the MRI suite is negative pressure
B) Have the client wear a surgical mask during transport
C) Cancel the MRI
D) Use droplet precautions instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Client with airborne illness should wear a surgical mask
during transport to prevent droplet nuclei spread. N95 is not
required for client (staff wear N95). Cancelling (C) unnecessary.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical incision. Which
finding indicates wound dehiscence?
A) Serosanguineous drainage
B) Sudden gush of serous fluid from the wound
C) Red, raised wound edges
D) Purulent drainage with odor
Answer: B
Rationale: Dehiscence (separation of wound layers) often presents
with a sudden gush of serosanguineous or serous fluid. Purulent (D)
= infection.
5. A client falls in the bathroom. The nurse completes an incident
report. Where should the nurse document the fall?
A) Only in the incident report
,B) In the client's medical record and incident report
C) Only in the nurse's personal notes
D) In the shift report but not the chart
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall must be documented in the medical record
(objective facts, interventions) AND an incident report (facility
quality improvement). Never write "incident report filed" in chart.
6. A nurse is preparing to remove PPE after caring for a client on
contact precautions. Which item should be removed first?
A) Mask
B) Gown
C) Gloves
D) Eye protection
Answer: C
Rationale: Remove gloves first (most contaminated), then gown,
then eye protection, then mask (last). Wash hands after each step if
possible.
7. A client with a new prescription for wrist restraints is becoming
agitated. What is the nurse's priority?
A) Tighten the restraints to prevent escape
B) Remove restraints and reassess the client
C) Document the agitation
D) Notify the provider for a PRN sedative
Answer: B
Rationale: Restraints are last resort. Agitation requires
reassessment (pain, hunger, toileting). Remove restraints, address
cause. Tightening (A) is harmful.
, 8. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of meningococcal
meningitis. Which precautions are required?
A) Airborne
B) Contact
C) Droplet
D) Protective environment
Answer: C
Rationale: Meningococcal meningitis is spread via respiratory
droplets (coughing, sneezing). Droplet precautions: mask within 3
feet, private room or cohort.
9. A nurse is performing hand hygiene before a sterile procedure.
Which action is correct?
A) Wash hands for 5 seconds
B) Keep hands below elbows during washing
C) Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
D) Dry hands with a cloth towel that will be reused
Answer: C
Rationale: Use paper towel to turn off faucet to avoid
recontamination. Wash for at least 15-20 seconds (A). Keep hands
above elbows (B). Reused towel (D) contaminates.
10. A client with a central line has a fever. The nurse suspects a
catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). What is the
priority?
A) Remove the central line immediately
B) Obtain blood cultures from the line and a peripheral site
C) Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
D) Flush the line with heparin
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
(V3)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a Clostridioides difficile
infection. Which disinfectant is effective against C. diff spores?
A) Alcohol-based hand rub
B) Chlorhexidine
C) A bleach solution (1:10 dilution)
D) Quaternary ammonium compounds
Answer: C
Rationale: C. diff spores are resistant to alcohol and many
disinfectants. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is sporicidal. Alcohol
rub (A) does not kill spores.
2. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
After opening the sterile kit, the nurse drops the sterile drape on
the floor. What should the nurse do?
A) Pick it up and use it since it's inside the sterile field
B) Ask a colleague to retrieve a new drape
C) Continue without the drape
D) Use a clean drape from the client's room
,Answer: B
Rationale: Any sterile item touching the floor is contaminated.
Obtain a new sterile drape. Continuing without (C) breaks aseptic
technique.
3. A client on airborne precautions needs to go to the MRI suite.
Which action is correct?
A) Transport without a mask if the MRI suite is negative pressure
B) Have the client wear a surgical mask during transport
C) Cancel the MRI
D) Use droplet precautions instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Client with airborne illness should wear a surgical mask
during transport to prevent droplet nuclei spread. N95 is not
required for client (staff wear N95). Cancelling (C) unnecessary.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with a surgical incision. Which
finding indicates wound dehiscence?
A) Serosanguineous drainage
B) Sudden gush of serous fluid from the wound
C) Red, raised wound edges
D) Purulent drainage with odor
Answer: B
Rationale: Dehiscence (separation of wound layers) often presents
with a sudden gush of serosanguineous or serous fluid. Purulent (D)
= infection.
5. A client falls in the bathroom. The nurse completes an incident
report. Where should the nurse document the fall?
A) Only in the incident report
,B) In the client's medical record and incident report
C) Only in the nurse's personal notes
D) In the shift report but not the chart
Answer: B
Rationale: Fall must be documented in the medical record
(objective facts, interventions) AND an incident report (facility
quality improvement). Never write "incident report filed" in chart.
6. A nurse is preparing to remove PPE after caring for a client on
contact precautions. Which item should be removed first?
A) Mask
B) Gown
C) Gloves
D) Eye protection
Answer: C
Rationale: Remove gloves first (most contaminated), then gown,
then eye protection, then mask (last). Wash hands after each step if
possible.
7. A client with a new prescription for wrist restraints is becoming
agitated. What is the nurse's priority?
A) Tighten the restraints to prevent escape
B) Remove restraints and reassess the client
C) Document the agitation
D) Notify the provider for a PRN sedative
Answer: B
Rationale: Restraints are last resort. Agitation requires
reassessment (pain, hunger, toileting). Remove restraints, address
cause. Tightening (A) is harmful.
, 8. A nurse is caring for a client with a diagnosis of meningococcal
meningitis. Which precautions are required?
A) Airborne
B) Contact
C) Droplet
D) Protective environment
Answer: C
Rationale: Meningococcal meningitis is spread via respiratory
droplets (coughing, sneezing). Droplet precautions: mask within 3
feet, private room or cohort.
9. A nurse is performing hand hygiene before a sterile procedure.
Which action is correct?
A) Wash hands for 5 seconds
B) Keep hands below elbows during washing
C) Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
D) Dry hands with a cloth towel that will be reused
Answer: C
Rationale: Use paper towel to turn off faucet to avoid
recontamination. Wash for at least 15-20 seconds (A). Keep hands
above elbows (B). Reused towel (D) contaminates.
10. A client with a central line has a fever. The nurse suspects a
catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). What is the
priority?
A) Remove the central line immediately
B) Obtain blood cultures from the line and a peripheral site
C) Administer broad-spectrum antibiotics
D) Flush the line with heparin
