1
Latest ATI Fundamentals 2026 Proctored Exam: 180 NGN
Questions with Detailed Rationales for Nursing Students
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2026
Complete Practice Q&A with Rationales
SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL
1. A nurse is changing the dressings for a client who is 3 days postoperative
following a cholecystectomy. The nurse observes yellow, thick drainage on the
dressing. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Sanguineous exudate
B. Serous exudate
C. Serosanguineous exudate
D. Purulent exudate
<<<ANSWER>>>: D. Purulent exudate
Rationale: Purulent exudate is thick, yellow, green, or brown drainage and usually
indicates wound sloughing or infection. Sanguineous is bright red, serous is clear
to light yellow and watery, and serosanguineous is pale yellow to blood-tinged.
6. A nurse is preparing to remove an NG tube for a client who had a partial
colectomy. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Maintain suction while removing the NG tube
B. Instill 100 mL of air into the NG tube before removal
C. Pinch the NG tube while removing the tube
D. Instruct the client to breathe in and out during removal
<<<ANSWER>>>: C. Pinch the NG tube while removing the tube
,2
Rationale: Pinching the NG tube during removal decreases the risk of aspiration of
gastric contents. The nurse should disconnect from suction first, instill 50 mL of air
(not 100 mL), and instruct the client to take a deep breath and hold it to close off
the glottis.
7. A client has ingested paint thinner at home. What is the best immediate action?
A. Induce vomiting immediately
B. Call the poison control center for expert guidance
C. Give water to dilute the substance
D. Wait to see if symptoms develop
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. Call the poison control center for expert guidance
Rationale: Vomiting may worsen chemical injury with caustic substances. Poison
control provides specific instructions for safe management based on the
substance ingested.
DELEGATION & LEGAL ISSUES
8. You are caring for a postoperative client who requires a routine dressing
change. Which staff member is appropriate to assign this task to?
A. Registered Nurse (RN) only
B. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
C. Assistive personnel trained in dressing changes
D. Physician
<<<ANSWER>>>: C. Assistive personnel trained in dressing changes
Rationale: Routine, non-invasive tasks like dressing changes can be delegated to
trained assistive personnel under supervision, freeing RNs for tasks requiring
clinical judgment.
9. A client has been prescribed a diuretic to manage fluid retention. Which
method best determines whether the medication is effective?
,3
A. Assessing for relief of pain
B. Monitoring urine output and electrolyte levels
C. Checking blood pressure only
D. Observing skin color
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. Monitoring urine output and electrolyte levels
Rationale: Evaluating diuretic response involves assessing urine output and lab
values to ensure effectiveness and detect potential electrolyte imbalance.
10. A nurse is comparing radial pulses on a postoperative client's arms. What is
the primary reason for this assessment?
A. To complete routine documentation
B. To check for signs of poor circulation or complications
C. To monitor blood sugar levels
D. To evaluate pain threshold
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. To check for signs of poor circulation or complications
Rationale: Comparing radial pulses with baseline helps detect circulation changes
or complications such as thrombosis or impaired perfusion.
11. Which of the following is an example of negligence in nursing practice?
A. Administering medication without identifying the client
B. Following hospital protocol
C. Documenting care accurately
D. Obtaining informed consent
<<<ANSWER>>>: A. Administering medication without identifying the
client
Rationale: Failure to identify a client before medication administration constitutes
negligence and is a medication error that can cause serious harm.
, 4
12. Under what circumstance is the use of restraints justified?
A. For staff convenience
B. When a client poses a threat to self or others
C. As a routine safety measure
D. Always applied to confused clients
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. When a client poses a threat to self or others
Rationale: Restraints should only be used when the safety of the client, staff, or
others is at risk and less restrictive interventions have failed.
NURSING PROCESS & PRIORITIZATION
13. A nurse is caring for a client who has major fecal incontinence and reports
irritation in the perianal area. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a fecal collection system
B. Apply a barrier cream
C. Cleanse and dry the area
D. Check the client's perineum
<<<ANSWER>>>: D. Check the client's perineum
Rationale: The nursing process priority-setting framework begins with assessment.
Before planning interventions, the nurse must first collect adequate data by
assessing the area of irritation.
14. During change-of-shift report, which client should be prioritized?
A. Stable post-op client
B. Client with new onset dyspnea after total hip arthroplasty
C. Client ready for discharge
D. Client requesting TV
Latest ATI Fundamentals 2026 Proctored Exam: 180 NGN
Questions with Detailed Rationales for Nursing Students
ATI Fundamentals Proctored Exam 2026
Complete Practice Q&A with Rationales
SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL
1. A nurse is changing the dressings for a client who is 3 days postoperative
following a cholecystectomy. The nurse observes yellow, thick drainage on the
dressing. How should the nurse document this finding?
A. Sanguineous exudate
B. Serous exudate
C. Serosanguineous exudate
D. Purulent exudate
<<<ANSWER>>>: D. Purulent exudate
Rationale: Purulent exudate is thick, yellow, green, or brown drainage and usually
indicates wound sloughing or infection. Sanguineous is bright red, serous is clear
to light yellow and watery, and serosanguineous is pale yellow to blood-tinged.
6. A nurse is preparing to remove an NG tube for a client who had a partial
colectomy. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Maintain suction while removing the NG tube
B. Instill 100 mL of air into the NG tube before removal
C. Pinch the NG tube while removing the tube
D. Instruct the client to breathe in and out during removal
<<<ANSWER>>>: C. Pinch the NG tube while removing the tube
,2
Rationale: Pinching the NG tube during removal decreases the risk of aspiration of
gastric contents. The nurse should disconnect from suction first, instill 50 mL of air
(not 100 mL), and instruct the client to take a deep breath and hold it to close off
the glottis.
7. A client has ingested paint thinner at home. What is the best immediate action?
A. Induce vomiting immediately
B. Call the poison control center for expert guidance
C. Give water to dilute the substance
D. Wait to see if symptoms develop
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. Call the poison control center for expert guidance
Rationale: Vomiting may worsen chemical injury with caustic substances. Poison
control provides specific instructions for safe management based on the
substance ingested.
DELEGATION & LEGAL ISSUES
8. You are caring for a postoperative client who requires a routine dressing
change. Which staff member is appropriate to assign this task to?
A. Registered Nurse (RN) only
B. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
C. Assistive personnel trained in dressing changes
D. Physician
<<<ANSWER>>>: C. Assistive personnel trained in dressing changes
Rationale: Routine, non-invasive tasks like dressing changes can be delegated to
trained assistive personnel under supervision, freeing RNs for tasks requiring
clinical judgment.
9. A client has been prescribed a diuretic to manage fluid retention. Which
method best determines whether the medication is effective?
,3
A. Assessing for relief of pain
B. Monitoring urine output and electrolyte levels
C. Checking blood pressure only
D. Observing skin color
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. Monitoring urine output and electrolyte levels
Rationale: Evaluating diuretic response involves assessing urine output and lab
values to ensure effectiveness and detect potential electrolyte imbalance.
10. A nurse is comparing radial pulses on a postoperative client's arms. What is
the primary reason for this assessment?
A. To complete routine documentation
B. To check for signs of poor circulation or complications
C. To monitor blood sugar levels
D. To evaluate pain threshold
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. To check for signs of poor circulation or complications
Rationale: Comparing radial pulses with baseline helps detect circulation changes
or complications such as thrombosis or impaired perfusion.
11. Which of the following is an example of negligence in nursing practice?
A. Administering medication without identifying the client
B. Following hospital protocol
C. Documenting care accurately
D. Obtaining informed consent
<<<ANSWER>>>: A. Administering medication without identifying the
client
Rationale: Failure to identify a client before medication administration constitutes
negligence and is a medication error that can cause serious harm.
, 4
12. Under what circumstance is the use of restraints justified?
A. For staff convenience
B. When a client poses a threat to self or others
C. As a routine safety measure
D. Always applied to confused clients
<<<ANSWER>>>: B. When a client poses a threat to self or others
Rationale: Restraints should only be used when the safety of the client, staff, or
others is at risk and less restrictive interventions have failed.
NURSING PROCESS & PRIORITIZATION
13. A nurse is caring for a client who has major fecal incontinence and reports
irritation in the perianal area. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a fecal collection system
B. Apply a barrier cream
C. Cleanse and dry the area
D. Check the client's perineum
<<<ANSWER>>>: D. Check the client's perineum
Rationale: The nursing process priority-setting framework begins with assessment.
Before planning interventions, the nurse must first collect adequate data by
assessing the area of irritation.
14. During change-of-shift report, which client should be prioritized?
A. Stable post-op client
B. Client with new onset dyspnea after total hip arthroplasty
C. Client ready for discharge
D. Client requesting TV
