1
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam (Real exam) with all questions and verified
answers 100% correct (2025/2026 Real expected Exam) Graded A+ LATEST
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client who has dysphagia following a
recent stroke. The nurse ensures the client is in an upright 90-degree position, verifies the
presence of a gag reflex, and confirms that the client is alert and able to follow instructions. What
should the nurse do next to safely administer the medication?
A. Ask the client to take a sip of water to test swallowing ability.
B. Place the medication at the back of the tongue to help trigger swallowing.
C. Offer a small spoonful of the medication mixed with applesauce and observe for difficulty
swallowing.
D. Insert a nasogastric tube to administer the medication instead of orally.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The safest next step is to give a small amount of the medication-applesauce mixture
and closely observe the client's ability to swallow. This minimizes the risk of aspiration while
still allowing the client to take oral medication independently. Offering a test spoonful is a
standard precaution when dysphagia is present, especially post-stroke. Asking the client to sip
, 2
water without testing solid swallowing can lead to aspiration. Placing medication at the back of
the throat is unsafe, and inserting a feeding tube is unnecessary unless the client fails to
demonstrate safe swallowing.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who recently had a colostomy placed. During the session, the client
states, “I don’t want to look at it. It makes me feel disgusting.” What is the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
A. “You’ll get used to it over time like most people do.”
B. “Maybe your family can help you care for it if you’re uncomfortable.”
C. “It’s okay to feel that way. Would you like to talk more about it?”
D. “If you avoid it now, it may become harder for you to manage later.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct therapeutic response is to acknowledge and validate the client’s feelings
while encouraging open communication. By saying “It’s okay to feel that way” and offering to
discuss it further, the nurse supports the client emotionally and begins building trust, which is
essential for long-term adaptation to the ostomy. Responses that minimize feelings, push
responsibility onto others, or pressure the client can cause emotional withdrawal and do not align
with patient-centered care.
3. While providing oral hygiene for an unconscious client, which action should the nurse take to
prevent aspiration?
, 3
A. Place the client in a supine position with the head turned to one side.
B. Use a firm toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide to remove oral debris.
C. Position the client laterally (on the side) and use a soft brush with suction as needed.
D. Avoid using any fluids and clean only with dry gauze.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positioning the unconscious client laterally ensures that secretions and rinse fluids
can safely drain from the mouth instead of being aspirated. A soft toothbrush is gentle on the
mucosa, and suction can help remove any pooled fluids. Using hydrogen peroxide can irritate
oral tissues, and dry brushing alone is ineffective at maintaining oral hygiene. The supine
position increases the risk of aspiration and should be avoided during oral care for unconscious
clients.
4. A nurse is educating a client who will be using oxygen at home. The client asks about safety
precautions when using the oxygen concentrator. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding of the teaching?
A. “I will use petroleum jelly in my nose to relieve dryness.”
B. “It’s safe to smoke in another room if the oxygen is on.”
C. “I will keep the oxygen equipment at least 10 feet from heat sources.”
D. “I can adjust the flow rate if I feel short of breath.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client demonstrates proper understanding by stating they will keep the oxygen
equipment away from heat sources, which is a critical safety measure to prevent fires. Oxygen
, 4
supports combustion, and exposure to open flames, heat vents, or cigarettes can cause
explosions. Petroleum-based products are flammable and unsafe with oxygen therapy. Clients
should never smoke while oxygen is in use, regardless of distance. Additionally, the oxygen flow
rate must not be adjusted without a provider’s order.
5. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change on a surgical wound. While setting up the
sterile field, the nurse accidentally drops a sterile piece of gauze onto the client’s bedsheet. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Pick up the gauze with sterile forceps and continue using it.
B. Place the gauze back onto the sterile field since the bed looks clean.
C. Discard the gauze and replace it with a new sterile piece.
D. Proceed with the dressing change as long as there is no visible contamination.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Once a sterile item touches a non-sterile surface such as bed linens, it is considered
contaminated and must be discarded. The sterility of the gauze cannot be guaranteed, even if the
surface appears clean. Continuing with potentially contaminated materials increases the risk of
infection, especially in surgical wounds. Sterile technique requires strict adherence to maintain a
sterile environment throughout the procedure.
6. A nurse is assisting a client who has weakness on the left side to ambulate using a walker.
Which action should the nurse take to promote safe and effective ambulation?
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam (Real exam) with all questions and verified
answers 100% correct (2025/2026 Real expected Exam) Graded A+ LATEST
1. A nurse is preparing to administer oral medication to a client who has dysphagia following a
recent stroke. The nurse ensures the client is in an upright 90-degree position, verifies the
presence of a gag reflex, and confirms that the client is alert and able to follow instructions. What
should the nurse do next to safely administer the medication?
A. Ask the client to take a sip of water to test swallowing ability.
B. Place the medication at the back of the tongue to help trigger swallowing.
C. Offer a small spoonful of the medication mixed with applesauce and observe for difficulty
swallowing.
D. Insert a nasogastric tube to administer the medication instead of orally.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The safest next step is to give a small amount of the medication-applesauce mixture
and closely observe the client's ability to swallow. This minimizes the risk of aspiration while
still allowing the client to take oral medication independently. Offering a test spoonful is a
standard precaution when dysphagia is present, especially post-stroke. Asking the client to sip
, 2
water without testing solid swallowing can lead to aspiration. Placing medication at the back of
the throat is unsafe, and inserting a feeding tube is unnecessary unless the client fails to
demonstrate safe swallowing.
2. A nurse is teaching a client who recently had a colostomy placed. During the session, the client
states, “I don’t want to look at it. It makes me feel disgusting.” What is the most appropriate
response by the nurse?
A. “You’ll get used to it over time like most people do.”
B. “Maybe your family can help you care for it if you’re uncomfortable.”
C. “It’s okay to feel that way. Would you like to talk more about it?”
D. “If you avoid it now, it may become harder for you to manage later.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct therapeutic response is to acknowledge and validate the client’s feelings
while encouraging open communication. By saying “It’s okay to feel that way” and offering to
discuss it further, the nurse supports the client emotionally and begins building trust, which is
essential for long-term adaptation to the ostomy. Responses that minimize feelings, push
responsibility onto others, or pressure the client can cause emotional withdrawal and do not align
with patient-centered care.
3. While providing oral hygiene for an unconscious client, which action should the nurse take to
prevent aspiration?
, 3
A. Place the client in a supine position with the head turned to one side.
B. Use a firm toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide to remove oral debris.
C. Position the client laterally (on the side) and use a soft brush with suction as needed.
D. Avoid using any fluids and clean only with dry gauze.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Positioning the unconscious client laterally ensures that secretions and rinse fluids
can safely drain from the mouth instead of being aspirated. A soft toothbrush is gentle on the
mucosa, and suction can help remove any pooled fluids. Using hydrogen peroxide can irritate
oral tissues, and dry brushing alone is ineffective at maintaining oral hygiene. The supine
position increases the risk of aspiration and should be avoided during oral care for unconscious
clients.
4. A nurse is educating a client who will be using oxygen at home. The client asks about safety
precautions when using the oxygen concentrator. Which statement by the client indicates correct
understanding of the teaching?
A. “I will use petroleum jelly in my nose to relieve dryness.”
B. “It’s safe to smoke in another room if the oxygen is on.”
C. “I will keep the oxygen equipment at least 10 feet from heat sources.”
D. “I can adjust the flow rate if I feel short of breath.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client demonstrates proper understanding by stating they will keep the oxygen
equipment away from heat sources, which is a critical safety measure to prevent fires. Oxygen
, 4
supports combustion, and exposure to open flames, heat vents, or cigarettes can cause
explosions. Petroleum-based products are flammable and unsafe with oxygen therapy. Clients
should never smoke while oxygen is in use, regardless of distance. Additionally, the oxygen flow
rate must not be adjusted without a provider’s order.
5. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change on a surgical wound. While setting up the
sterile field, the nurse accidentally drops a sterile piece of gauze onto the client’s bedsheet. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Pick up the gauze with sterile forceps and continue using it.
B. Place the gauze back onto the sterile field since the bed looks clean.
C. Discard the gauze and replace it with a new sterile piece.
D. Proceed with the dressing change as long as there is no visible contamination.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Once a sterile item touches a non-sterile surface such as bed linens, it is considered
contaminated and must be discarded. The sterility of the gauze cannot be guaranteed, even if the
surface appears clean. Continuing with potentially contaminated materials increases the risk of
infection, especially in surgical wounds. Sterile technique requires strict adherence to maintain a
sterile environment throughout the procedure.
6. A nurse is assisting a client who has weakness on the left side to ambulate using a walker.
Which action should the nurse take to promote safe and effective ambulation?
