ATI RN
FUNDAMENTALS
PROCTORED EXAM
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIOS”)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI test contains:
Passing Score Guarantee
Exam has 70 FUNDAMENTALS nursing questions
multiple-choice format (A, B, C, D) with correct answers
structured rationales.
incorporate Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style.
Some questions feature brief “scenario” elements and rationales.
,### 1. A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who reports
right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomi ng for the past 48 hours. Which of
the following ac ons should the nurse take first?
A. Palpate the abdomen
B. Administer an an eme c
C. Offer pain medica on
D. Auscultate bowel sounds
Correct Answer: D. Auscultate bowel sounds
Ra onale:
According to the ATI priori za on principles, assessment always precedes
interven on. Ausculta ng bowel sounds helps iden fy bowel ac vity before
palpa ng, which could cause pain or rupture if appendici s is suspected. Palpa on
is important but comes a$er ausculta on. Administering medica ons without
proper assessment could mask symptoms or cause harm.
---
### 2. A nurse is teaching a client how to self-administer daily low-dose heparin
injec ons. Which of the following factors is most likely to increase the client's
mo va on to learn?
A. The nurse's empathy about the client having to self-inject
B. The client's belief that his needs will be met through educa on
C. The client seeking family approval by agreeing to a teaching plan
,D. The nurse explaining the need for educa on to the client
Correct Answer: B. The client's belief that his needs will be met through educa on
Ra onale:
Mo va on to learn increases when the client perceives that the educa on will
help meet their personal needs, leading to a sense of relevance and benefit. While
empathy and family support are important, internal mo va on triggered by a
clear understanding of the benefits is more effec ve.
### 3. A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled for an intravenous
pyelogram. Which of the following ac ons is appropriate for the nurse to
include?
A. Administer 240 mL (8 oz) of oral contrast before the procedure.
B. Monitor the client for pain in the suprapubic region.
C. Assist the client with a bowel cleansing.
D. Ensure the client is free of metal objects.
Correct Answer: C. Assist the client with a bowel cleansing.
Ra onale:
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a radiographic study of the urinary tract using
contrast dye. To improve visualiza on, bowel cleansing (through laxa ves or
enemas) is o$en required to clear the intes nes of fecal ma7er that could obscure
the images. Oral contrast is usually not administered for IVP; metal objects are
,more relevant for MRI rather than IVP; and pain in the suprapubic region is not a
typical focus before the procedure.
---
### 4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescrip on for
parenteral nutri on (PN) in 20% dextrose and fat emulsions. Which of the
following is an appropriate ac on to include in the plan of care?
A. Change the PN infusion bag every 48 hours.
B. Prepare the client for a central venous line.
C. Administer the PN and fat emulsion separately.
D. Obtain a random blood glucose daily.
Correct Answer: B. Prepare the client for a central venous line.
Ra onale:
Parenteral nutri on, especially 20% dextrose, is hyperosmolar and requires
administra on through a central venous line to avoid phlebi s and vessel damage.
Fat emulsions are usually administered simultaneously but through a separate
lumen or line. PN bags should be changed every 24 hours to reduce infec on risk.
Blood glucose should be monitored more frequently than daily due to risk of
hyperglycemia.
### 5. A nurse is providing care for a client who is to undergo a total
laryngectomy. Which of the following interven ons is the nurse's priority?
,A. Determine the client's reading ability
B. Review the use of an ar ficial larynx
C. With the client schedule a support session
D. Explain the techniques of esophageal speech
Correct Answer: B. Review the use of an ar ficial larynx
Ra onale:
Communica on a$er total laryngectomy is a priority because the client will lose
their natural voice. Reviewing the use of an ar ficial larynx ensures the client
knows how to communicate immediately postopera vely. Other interven ons like
support sessions and speech methods are important but secondary to ensuring
effec ve communica on early on.
---
### 6. A nurse is tes ng a client for conduc on deafness by performing Weber's
test. Which of the following ac ons should the nurse take when performing this
test?
A. Move a vibra ng tuning fork in front of the client's ear canals one a$er the
other
B. Place the base of a vibra ng tuning fork on the client's mastoid process
C. Place the base of a vibra ng tuning fork on the top of the client's head
D. Count how many seconds a client can hear a tuning fork a$er it has been struck
,Correct Answer: C. Place the base of a vibra ng tuning fork on the top of the
client's head
Ra onale:
Weber’s test involves placing a vibra ng tuning fork midline on the head
(forehead or skull vertex). This helps determine if sound is equally heard in both
ears or lateralizes to one side, which aids in diagnosing conduc ve versus
sensorineural hearing loss. Placing on the mastoid is part of Rinne’s test, not
Weber’s.
---
### 7. A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day every 6
hours IV to a client who weighs 20 kg. How many mg should the nurse
administer per dose? (Round to nearest whole number. Use leading zero if
applicable. No trailing zero.)
Correct Answer: 400 mg
Ra onale:
Total daily dose = 80 mg/kg × 20 kg = 1600 mg/day
Divide by 4 doses (every 6 hours): 1600 mg ÷ 4 = 400 mg per dose
---
,### 8. A nurse is caring for a client who reports insomnia. Which of the following
interven ons is appropriate for the nurse to recommend?
A. Eat a light carbohydrate snack before bed me
B. Exercise 1 hour before bed me
C. Drink a cup of hot cocoa before bed me
D. Take a 30 min nap daily
Correct Answer: A. Eat a light carbohydrate snack before bed me
Ra onale:
A light carbohydrate snack promotes serotonin produc on and helps induce sleep.
Exercising close to bed me can s mulate the body and delay sleep. Hot cocoa
o$en contains caffeine, which may worsen insomnia. Naps should be limited or
avoided to promote nighHme sleep.
---
### 9. A nurse is conduc ng a health assessment for a client who takes herbal
supplements. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the use of the supplements?
A. I take ginkgo biloba for a headache
B. I take echinacea to control my cholesterol
C. I use ginger when I get car sick
, D. I use garlic for my menopausal symptoms
Correct Answer: C. I use ginger when I get car sick
Ra onale:
Ginger is commonly used to prevent and treat nausea and mo on sickness.
Ginkgo biloba is typically used to improve memory and cogni ve func on, not
headaches; echinacea is used for immune support, not cholesterol control; garlic
is mainly used for cardiovascular health, not menopausal symptoms.
---
### 10. The nurse is aware that The Joint Commission has recommended which
abbrevia ons be on the "Do Not Use" list for ordering or documen ng
medica ons? (Select all that apply.)
A. q.d
B. b.i.d
C. PRN
D. IU
E. U
Correct Answers: A. q.d, D. IU, E. U
Ra onale:
FUNDAMENTALS
PROCTORED EXAM
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIOS”)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI test contains:
Passing Score Guarantee
Exam has 70 FUNDAMENTALS nursing questions
multiple-choice format (A, B, C, D) with correct answers
structured rationales.
incorporate Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style.
Some questions feature brief “scenario” elements and rationales.
,### 1. A nurse in an emergency department is assessing a client who reports
right lower quadrant pain, nausea, and vomi ng for the past 48 hours. Which of
the following ac ons should the nurse take first?
A. Palpate the abdomen
B. Administer an an eme c
C. Offer pain medica on
D. Auscultate bowel sounds
Correct Answer: D. Auscultate bowel sounds
Ra onale:
According to the ATI priori za on principles, assessment always precedes
interven on. Ausculta ng bowel sounds helps iden fy bowel ac vity before
palpa ng, which could cause pain or rupture if appendici s is suspected. Palpa on
is important but comes a$er ausculta on. Administering medica ons without
proper assessment could mask symptoms or cause harm.
---
### 2. A nurse is teaching a client how to self-administer daily low-dose heparin
injec ons. Which of the following factors is most likely to increase the client's
mo va on to learn?
A. The nurse's empathy about the client having to self-inject
B. The client's belief that his needs will be met through educa on
C. The client seeking family approval by agreeing to a teaching plan
,D. The nurse explaining the need for educa on to the client
Correct Answer: B. The client's belief that his needs will be met through educa on
Ra onale:
Mo va on to learn increases when the client perceives that the educa on will
help meet their personal needs, leading to a sense of relevance and benefit. While
empathy and family support are important, internal mo va on triggered by a
clear understanding of the benefits is more effec ve.
### 3. A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled for an intravenous
pyelogram. Which of the following ac ons is appropriate for the nurse to
include?
A. Administer 240 mL (8 oz) of oral contrast before the procedure.
B. Monitor the client for pain in the suprapubic region.
C. Assist the client with a bowel cleansing.
D. Ensure the client is free of metal objects.
Correct Answer: C. Assist the client with a bowel cleansing.
Ra onale:
An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a radiographic study of the urinary tract using
contrast dye. To improve visualiza on, bowel cleansing (through laxa ves or
enemas) is o$en required to clear the intes nes of fecal ma7er that could obscure
the images. Oral contrast is usually not administered for IVP; metal objects are
,more relevant for MRI rather than IVP; and pain in the suprapubic region is not a
typical focus before the procedure.
---
### 4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescrip on for
parenteral nutri on (PN) in 20% dextrose and fat emulsions. Which of the
following is an appropriate ac on to include in the plan of care?
A. Change the PN infusion bag every 48 hours.
B. Prepare the client for a central venous line.
C. Administer the PN and fat emulsion separately.
D. Obtain a random blood glucose daily.
Correct Answer: B. Prepare the client for a central venous line.
Ra onale:
Parenteral nutri on, especially 20% dextrose, is hyperosmolar and requires
administra on through a central venous line to avoid phlebi s and vessel damage.
Fat emulsions are usually administered simultaneously but through a separate
lumen or line. PN bags should be changed every 24 hours to reduce infec on risk.
Blood glucose should be monitored more frequently than daily due to risk of
hyperglycemia.
### 5. A nurse is providing care for a client who is to undergo a total
laryngectomy. Which of the following interven ons is the nurse's priority?
,A. Determine the client's reading ability
B. Review the use of an ar ficial larynx
C. With the client schedule a support session
D. Explain the techniques of esophageal speech
Correct Answer: B. Review the use of an ar ficial larynx
Ra onale:
Communica on a$er total laryngectomy is a priority because the client will lose
their natural voice. Reviewing the use of an ar ficial larynx ensures the client
knows how to communicate immediately postopera vely. Other interven ons like
support sessions and speech methods are important but secondary to ensuring
effec ve communica on early on.
---
### 6. A nurse is tes ng a client for conduc on deafness by performing Weber's
test. Which of the following ac ons should the nurse take when performing this
test?
A. Move a vibra ng tuning fork in front of the client's ear canals one a$er the
other
B. Place the base of a vibra ng tuning fork on the client's mastoid process
C. Place the base of a vibra ng tuning fork on the top of the client's head
D. Count how many seconds a client can hear a tuning fork a$er it has been struck
,Correct Answer: C. Place the base of a vibra ng tuning fork on the top of the
client's head
Ra onale:
Weber’s test involves placing a vibra ng tuning fork midline on the head
(forehead or skull vertex). This helps determine if sound is equally heard in both
ears or lateralizes to one side, which aids in diagnosing conduc ve versus
sensorineural hearing loss. Placing on the mastoid is part of Rinne’s test, not
Weber’s.
---
### 7. A nurse is preparing to administer gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day every 6
hours IV to a client who weighs 20 kg. How many mg should the nurse
administer per dose? (Round to nearest whole number. Use leading zero if
applicable. No trailing zero.)
Correct Answer: 400 mg
Ra onale:
Total daily dose = 80 mg/kg × 20 kg = 1600 mg/day
Divide by 4 doses (every 6 hours): 1600 mg ÷ 4 = 400 mg per dose
---
,### 8. A nurse is caring for a client who reports insomnia. Which of the following
interven ons is appropriate for the nurse to recommend?
A. Eat a light carbohydrate snack before bed me
B. Exercise 1 hour before bed me
C. Drink a cup of hot cocoa before bed me
D. Take a 30 min nap daily
Correct Answer: A. Eat a light carbohydrate snack before bed me
Ra onale:
A light carbohydrate snack promotes serotonin produc on and helps induce sleep.
Exercising close to bed me can s mulate the body and delay sleep. Hot cocoa
o$en contains caffeine, which may worsen insomnia. Naps should be limited or
avoided to promote nighHme sleep.
---
### 9. A nurse is conduc ng a health assessment for a client who takes herbal
supplements. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the use of the supplements?
A. I take ginkgo biloba for a headache
B. I take echinacea to control my cholesterol
C. I use ginger when I get car sick
, D. I use garlic for my menopausal symptoms
Correct Answer: C. I use ginger when I get car sick
Ra onale:
Ginger is commonly used to prevent and treat nausea and mo on sickness.
Ginkgo biloba is typically used to improve memory and cogni ve func on, not
headaches; echinacea is used for immune support, not cholesterol control; garlic
is mainly used for cardiovascular health, not menopausal symptoms.
---
### 10. The nurse is aware that The Joint Commission has recommended which
abbrevia ons be on the "Do Not Use" list for ordering or documen ng
medica ons? (Select all that apply.)
A. q.d
B. b.i.d
C. PRN
D. IU
E. U
Correct Answers: A. q.d, D. IU, E. U
Ra onale:
