ATI Fundamentals Practice A – Full NCLEX-Style Question Bank with Answers and Rationales(2025/2026)

ATI fundamentals practice A

1. A nurse is evaluating a client's use of a cane.Which of the following actions should

the nurse identify as an indication of correct use?

1. The top of the cane is parallel to the client's waist.

2. When walking, the client moves the cane 46 cm (18 in) forward.

3. The client holds the cane on the stronger side of her body.

4. The client moves her stronger limb forward with the cane Ans: 3

The client should hold the cane on the stronger side of her body to increase support and

maintain alignment.

2. A nurse receives a report about a client who has 0.9% sodium chloride infusing

IV at 125mL/hr. When the nurse performs the initial assessment, he notes that the

client has received only 80mL over the last 2 hr. Which of the following actions

should the nurse take first?

1. Reposition the client.

2. Document the client's IV intake in the medical record.

3. Request a new IV fluid prescription.

4. Check the IV tubing for obstruction Ans: 4

The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client. If

checking the IV tubing and verifying an obstruction, the nurse might be able to facilitate the


,flow of fluid through the tubing. This could re-establish the infusion rate the provider

prescribed.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who requires an NG tube for stomach decom-

pression. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when inserting the NG

tube?

1. Position the client with the head of the bed elevated to 30° prior to insertion of the

NG tube.

2. Remove the NG tube if the client begins to gag or choke.

3. Apply suction to the NG tube prior to insertion.

4. Have the client take sips of water to promote insertion of the NG tube into the

esophagus Ans: 4

Taking sips of water as the NG tube passes through the oropharynx will close the epiglottis

over the trachea and prevent the tube from passing into the trachea.

4. A nurse is reviewing a client's fluid and electrolyte status. Which of the

following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

1. BUN 15 mg/dL

2. Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL

3. Sodium 143 mEq/L

4. Potassium 5.4 mEq/L: 4



,This value is above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, so the nurse should

report this finding to the provider. This client is at risk for dysrhythmias.






, 5. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who will be using a walker.

Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

1. "I can place an extension cord across my living room to plug in my televi- sion."

2. "I will hire someone to trim the tree that hangs low over the stairs of my front porch."

3. "I will place my alarm clock on my bedroom dresser across the room."

4. "I will replace the old throw rug in my kitchen with a new one.": 2

Clearing stairs of any object that could cause the client to trip or require them to bend over

while walking will decrease the risk for falls.

6. A nurse is planning care for a client who has had a stroke, resulting in aphasia and

dysphagia. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to an assistive

personnel? SATA

1. Assist the client with a partial bed bath.

2. Measure the client's BP after the nurse administers an antihypertensive

medication.

3. Test the client's swallowing ability by providing thickened liquids.

4. Use a communication board to ask what the client wants for lunch.

5. Irrigate the client's indwelling urinary catheter Ans: 1, 2, 4

Assisting a client with a bed bath poses minimal risk to the client and is within the AP's

range of function.