ATI PN Fundamentals Proctored Exam
Test Bank (2025–2026) | Complete High-
Yield Question Set with Verified Answers
& Detailed Rationales | PDF Download
Category Topics Included
Patient Safety Fall prevention, restraints, seizure safety, infection control
Hand hygiene, isolation types (airborne, droplet, contact),
Infection Control
sterile technique, CAUTI prevention
BP measurement, temperature, pulse, respirations, SpO2,
Vital Signs
orthostatic hypotension
Assessment tools, pain types, pharmacologic/non-
Pain Management
pharmacologic interventions
Dietary restrictions (low-sodium, low-fat), dysphagia,
Nutrition
feeding methods, nutritional assessment
Positioning (supine, prone, Fowler's, Sims'), assistive
Mobility
devices, ambulation assistance
Medication Five Rights, routes (IV, IM, subcutaneous, intradermal), Z-
Administration track, errors
Pressure ulcer stages, drainage types, sterile dressing
Wound Care
changes, wound irrigation
Catheters & Tubes Urinary catheters, NG tubes, IV care, infiltration vs. phlebitis
Elderly, pediatrics, pregnant, diabetic, immunocompromised
Special Populations
patients
Hearing impairment, nonverbal patients, open-ended
Communication
questions
Nursing Process ADPIE, assessment priorities, documentation
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been admitted to the facility. Which
action should the nurse take first when performing the initial admission
assessment?
A. Obtain vital signs
B. Introduce oneself to the patient
C. Ask about the patient's medical history
D. Perform a physical examination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Introducing oneself to the patient is the first step in the admission
process because it establishes trust, reduces anxiety, and creates a professional
relationship. This follows the principle of establishing rapport before collecting
data. Vital signs, medical history, and physical examination are important but
come after establishing the nurse-patient relationship.
Question 2
Which hand hygiene technique is most appropriate for a nurse before caring for a
patient who does not have a known infection?
A. Surgical hand scrub
B. Alcohol-based hand rub
C. Antimicrobial soap and water
D. Plain soap and water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is the most appropriate and recommended
method for routine hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled and there's no
known infection with organisms resistant to alcohol (like C. diff). It's faster, more
effective against most pathogens, and less damaging to skin than soap and water.
Surgical scrub is for operative procedures. Antimicrobial soap is used when hands
are visibly soiled or for specific infections.
Question 3
,A nurse is Positioning a patient in the supine position. Which instruction should
the nurse give to prevent complications?
A. "Keep your knees flexed with a pillow under them"
B. "Place a pillow under your head and neck only"
C. "Align your body straight with pillows under your head, knees, and feet"
D. "Lie flat without any pillows"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the supine position, proper alignment includes keeping the body
straight with pillows under the head, knees, and feet to maintain natural body
alignment, prevent strain on the back, and reduce pressure on the sacrum. Knees
should be slightly flexed (not fully extended) to prevent hyperextension. A pillow
under only the head can cause neck strain. Lying flat without pillows increases risk
of pressure ulcers.
Question 4
Which vital sign finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg in a 25-year-old
B. Pulse 120 beats/min in an adult
C. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
D. Respirations 16 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pulse of 120 beats/min indicates tachycardia (normal adult range:
60-100 beats/min) and requires immediate assessment for causes such as
dehydration, infection, cardiac issues, or anxiety. This could indicate a serious
underlying condition. The other values are within normal limits: BP 110/70 is
normal, temperature 98.6°F is normal, and respirations 16/min are normal (12-20
range).
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer medication via the intramuscular route. Which
site is most appropriate for a 2-mL injection in an adult?
, A. Deltoid muscle
B. Ventrogluteal muscle
C. Subscapular area
D. Finger pad
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal muscle is the most appropriate site for a 2-mL
intramuscular injection in an adult because it has a large muscle mass, is far from
major nerves and blood vessels, and can absorb larger volumes (up to 3-4 mL).
The deltoid can only accept 0.5-1 mL. The subscapular area is not an IM site
(used for subcutaneous). The finger pad is not an injection site.
Question 6
Which assessment finding indicates that a patient is experiencing orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Blood pressure decreases by 20 mmHg systolic when standing
B. Pulse increases by 5 beats/min when standing
C. Blood pressure increases when standing
D. Respirations decrease when standing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in systolic blood
pressure of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic decrease of ≥10 mmHg when moving from
sitting/lying to standing position. This occurs due to inadequate compensatory
vasoconstriction. A pulse increase of 5 beats/min is minimal and normal. BP
increasing or respirations decreasing when standing are not signs of orthostatic
hypotension.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a patient with a urinary catheter. Which action is most
important to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A. Empty the drainage bag once daily
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
Test Bank (2025–2026) | Complete High-
Yield Question Set with Verified Answers
& Detailed Rationales | PDF Download
Category Topics Included
Patient Safety Fall prevention, restraints, seizure safety, infection control
Hand hygiene, isolation types (airborne, droplet, contact),
Infection Control
sterile technique, CAUTI prevention
BP measurement, temperature, pulse, respirations, SpO2,
Vital Signs
orthostatic hypotension
Assessment tools, pain types, pharmacologic/non-
Pain Management
pharmacologic interventions
Dietary restrictions (low-sodium, low-fat), dysphagia,
Nutrition
feeding methods, nutritional assessment
Positioning (supine, prone, Fowler's, Sims'), assistive
Mobility
devices, ambulation assistance
Medication Five Rights, routes (IV, IM, subcutaneous, intradermal), Z-
Administration track, errors
Pressure ulcer stages, drainage types, sterile dressing
Wound Care
changes, wound irrigation
Catheters & Tubes Urinary catheters, NG tubes, IV care, infiltration vs. phlebitis
Elderly, pediatrics, pregnant, diabetic, immunocompromised
Special Populations
patients
Hearing impairment, nonverbal patients, open-ended
Communication
questions
Nursing Process ADPIE, assessment priorities, documentation
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been admitted to the facility. Which
action should the nurse take first when performing the initial admission
assessment?
A. Obtain vital signs
B. Introduce oneself to the patient
C. Ask about the patient's medical history
D. Perform a physical examination
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Introducing oneself to the patient is the first step in the admission
process because it establishes trust, reduces anxiety, and creates a professional
relationship. This follows the principle of establishing rapport before collecting
data. Vital signs, medical history, and physical examination are important but
come after establishing the nurse-patient relationship.
Question 2
Which hand hygiene technique is most appropriate for a nurse before caring for a
patient who does not have a known infection?
A. Surgical hand scrub
B. Alcohol-based hand rub
C. Antimicrobial soap and water
D. Plain soap and water
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand rub is the most appropriate and recommended
method for routine hand hygiene when hands are not visibly soiled and there's no
known infection with organisms resistant to alcohol (like C. diff). It's faster, more
effective against most pathogens, and less damaging to skin than soap and water.
Surgical scrub is for operative procedures. Antimicrobial soap is used when hands
are visibly soiled or for specific infections.
Question 3
,A nurse is Positioning a patient in the supine position. Which instruction should
the nurse give to prevent complications?
A. "Keep your knees flexed with a pillow under them"
B. "Place a pillow under your head and neck only"
C. "Align your body straight with pillows under your head, knees, and feet"
D. "Lie flat without any pillows"
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the supine position, proper alignment includes keeping the body
straight with pillows under the head, knees, and feet to maintain natural body
alignment, prevent strain on the back, and reduce pressure on the sacrum. Knees
should be slightly flexed (not fully extended) to prevent hyperextension. A pillow
under only the head can cause neck strain. Lying flat without pillows increases risk
of pressure ulcers.
Question 4
Which vital sign finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 mmHg in a 25-year-old
B. Pulse 120 beats/min in an adult
C. Temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
D. Respirations 16 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A pulse of 120 beats/min indicates tachycardia (normal adult range:
60-100 beats/min) and requires immediate assessment for causes such as
dehydration, infection, cardiac issues, or anxiety. This could indicate a serious
underlying condition. The other values are within normal limits: BP 110/70 is
normal, temperature 98.6°F is normal, and respirations 16/min are normal (12-20
range).
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer medication via the intramuscular route. Which
site is most appropriate for a 2-mL injection in an adult?
, A. Deltoid muscle
B. Ventrogluteal muscle
C. Subscapular area
D. Finger pad
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal muscle is the most appropriate site for a 2-mL
intramuscular injection in an adult because it has a large muscle mass, is far from
major nerves and blood vessels, and can absorb larger volumes (up to 3-4 mL).
The deltoid can only accept 0.5-1 mL. The subscapular area is not an IM site
(used for subcutaneous). The finger pad is not an injection site.
Question 6
Which assessment finding indicates that a patient is experiencing orthostatic
hypotension?
A. Blood pressure decreases by 20 mmHg systolic when standing
B. Pulse increases by 5 beats/min when standing
C. Blood pressure increases when standing
D. Respirations decrease when standing
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Orthostatic hypotension is defined as a decrease in systolic blood
pressure of ≥20 mmHg or diastolic decrease of ≥10 mmHg when moving from
sitting/lying to standing position. This occurs due to inadequate compensatory
vasoconstriction. A pulse increase of 5 beats/min is minimal and normal. BP
increasing or respirations decreasing when standing are not signs of orthostatic
hypotension.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a patient with a urinary catheter. Which action is most
important to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A. Empty the drainage bag once daily
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
