ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam Test
Bank (2025/2026) – Complete Question Set
with Verified Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a client diagnosed
with Clostridioides difficile. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is
essential?
A. N95 respirator and face shield
B. Surgical mask and goggles
C. Gloves and a gown
D. Sterile gloves only
Rationale: C. diff requires contact precautions. Gloves and gown prevent
transmission via contaminated surfaces or feces. Alcohol hand sanitizer is
ineffective against C. diff spores; soap and water must be used for hand hygiene.
2. A client with active pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which type of
precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
Rationale: TB spreads via small airborne droplets (≤5 microns) that remain
suspended. Airborne precautions include a negative-pressure room and an N95
respirator.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with rubella (German measles). Which
transmission-based precaution is indicated?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard only
Rationale: Rubella, influenza, meningococcus, and pertussis require droplet
precautions (mask within 3–6 feet of the client).
,4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene before caring for a client. Which action
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Rubbing hands together for 10 seconds
B. Using hot water to open pores
C. Applying enough alcohol-based hand rub to cover all surfaces and rubbing
until dry
D. Wearing gloves instead of washing hands
Rationale: Alcohol-based rub should be applied generously and rubbed until dry
(at least 20 seconds). Water should be warm, not hot, to prevent skin damage.
Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
5. A client with neutropenia (low white blood cell count) requires protective
environment precautions. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Place client in a room with a client who has MRSA
B. Ensure the room has positive airflow and HEPA filtration
C. Use standard precautions only
D. Wear an N95 mask when entering
Rationale: Protective (reverse) isolation uses positive-pressure rooms to keep
airborne pathogens out. For neutropenic clients, prevent exposure to mold and
bacteria. Staff with infections should not enter.
6. A nurse is removing personal protective equipment (PPE) after leaving a
contact precaution room. Which item should be removed first?
A. Gloves
B. Gown
C. Goggles
D. Mask
Rationale: Gloves are most contaminated. Remove gloves first, then gown, then
eye protection, then mask (last, after leaving the room).
7. A client is on droplet precautions for pertussis (whooping cough). The nurse
should instruct visitors to:
A. Wear an N95 respirator
B. Wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the client
C. Wear gloves and gown only
D. Avoid entering the room
Rationale: For droplet precautions, a surgical mask is sufficient when within 3
feet. N95 is for airborne. Visitors should also follow hand hygiene.
, 8. A nurse is disposing of a used needle after administering an intramuscular
injection. What is the correct action?
A. Recap the needle before disposal
B. Break the needle off to prevent reuse
C. Place the uncapped needle directly into a sharps container
D. Discard in a red biohazard bag
Rationale: Needles are never recapped. They are placed uncapped into a puncture-
resistant sharps container immediately after use.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with active herpes zoster (shingles) that is
disseminated. Which precautions are required?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Contact plus airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions only
D. Protective environment
Rationale: Disseminated zoster spreads by contact and airborne routes (lesions and
respiratory). Localized zoster requires contact precautions only.
10. A client’s blood pressure cuff becomes visibly soiled with blood. What
should the nurse do?
A. Wipe with alcohol between uses
B. Remove from the room and send for terminal cleaning
C. Continue using it because bloodborne pathogens are not a risk
D. Place a clean glove over the cuff
Rationale: Non-critical items contaminated with blood must be cleaned and
disinfected. Wiping with alcohol may not be sufficient; facility policy typically
requires removal for terminal cleaning. Single-patient use items are preferred.
11. A nurse is educating a client on respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Cough directly into hands
B. Use a cloth handkerchief and reuse after washing
C. Cover mouth and nose with the elbow or a tissue, then discard tissue and
perform hand hygiene
D. Cough into the open air but turn away from others
Rationale: Respiratory hygiene includes covering cough/sneeze with elbow or
tissue, immediate hand hygiene, and mask if symptomatic.
Bank (2025/2026) – Complete Question Set
with Verified Q&A
1. A nurse is preparing to enter the room of a client diagnosed
with Clostridioides difficile. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is
essential?
A. N95 respirator and face shield
B. Surgical mask and goggles
C. Gloves and a gown
D. Sterile gloves only
Rationale: C. diff requires contact precautions. Gloves and gown prevent
transmission via contaminated surfaces or feces. Alcohol hand sanitizer is
ineffective against C. diff spores; soap and water must be used for hand hygiene.
2. A client with active pulmonary tuberculosis is admitted. Which type of
precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Protective environment
Rationale: TB spreads via small airborne droplets (≤5 microns) that remain
suspended. Airborne precautions include a negative-pressure room and an N95
respirator.
3. A nurse is caring for a client with rubella (German measles). Which
transmission-based precaution is indicated?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Standard only
Rationale: Rubella, influenza, meningococcus, and pertussis require droplet
precautions (mask within 3–6 feet of the client).
,4. A nurse is performing hand hygiene before caring for a client. Which action
demonstrates proper technique?
A. Rubbing hands together for 10 seconds
B. Using hot water to open pores
C. Applying enough alcohol-based hand rub to cover all surfaces and rubbing
until dry
D. Wearing gloves instead of washing hands
Rationale: Alcohol-based rub should be applied generously and rubbed until dry
(at least 20 seconds). Water should be warm, not hot, to prevent skin damage.
Gloves do not replace hand hygiene.
5. A client with neutropenia (low white blood cell count) requires protective
environment precautions. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Place client in a room with a client who has MRSA
B. Ensure the room has positive airflow and HEPA filtration
C. Use standard precautions only
D. Wear an N95 mask when entering
Rationale: Protective (reverse) isolation uses positive-pressure rooms to keep
airborne pathogens out. For neutropenic clients, prevent exposure to mold and
bacteria. Staff with infections should not enter.
6. A nurse is removing personal protective equipment (PPE) after leaving a
contact precaution room. Which item should be removed first?
A. Gloves
B. Gown
C. Goggles
D. Mask
Rationale: Gloves are most contaminated. Remove gloves first, then gown, then
eye protection, then mask (last, after leaving the room).
7. A client is on droplet precautions for pertussis (whooping cough). The nurse
should instruct visitors to:
A. Wear an N95 respirator
B. Wear a surgical mask when within 3 feet of the client
C. Wear gloves and gown only
D. Avoid entering the room
Rationale: For droplet precautions, a surgical mask is sufficient when within 3
feet. N95 is for airborne. Visitors should also follow hand hygiene.
, 8. A nurse is disposing of a used needle after administering an intramuscular
injection. What is the correct action?
A. Recap the needle before disposal
B. Break the needle off to prevent reuse
C. Place the uncapped needle directly into a sharps container
D. Discard in a red biohazard bag
Rationale: Needles are never recapped. They are placed uncapped into a puncture-
resistant sharps container immediately after use.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with active herpes zoster (shingles) that is
disseminated. Which precautions are required?
A. Standard precautions only
B. Contact plus airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions only
D. Protective environment
Rationale: Disseminated zoster spreads by contact and airborne routes (lesions and
respiratory). Localized zoster requires contact precautions only.
10. A client’s blood pressure cuff becomes visibly soiled with blood. What
should the nurse do?
A. Wipe with alcohol between uses
B. Remove from the room and send for terminal cleaning
C. Continue using it because bloodborne pathogens are not a risk
D. Place a clean glove over the cuff
Rationale: Non-critical items contaminated with blood must be cleaned and
disinfected. Wiping with alcohol may not be sufficient; facility policy typically
requires removal for terminal cleaning. Single-patient use items are preferred.
11. A nurse is educating a client on respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette.
Which instruction is correct?
A. Cough directly into hands
B. Use a cloth handkerchief and reuse after washing
C. Cover mouth and nose with the elbow or a tissue, then discard tissue and
perform hand hygiene
D. Cough into the open air but turn away from others
Rationale: Respiratory hygiene includes covering cough/sneeze with elbow or
tissue, immediate hand hygiene, and mask if symptomatic.
