ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS MIDTERM EXAM
REVIEW 2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERED RATIONALES STUDY GUIDE FOR
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS, CMS-STYLE
ASSESSMENT PREP, SAFETY, INFECTION
CONTROL & BASIC CARE SKILLS
• This study guide contains 200 CMS-style multiple choice practice questions
covering all key ATI PN Fundamentals topics, each with a bolded correct answer and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding.
• Use this material by reading each question independently before checking the
answer, then study the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to build clinical reasoning —
not just memorization.
ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW 2023
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXPERT RATIONALE STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: SAFETY & FALL PREVENTION
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply a vest restraint to keep the client in bed
B. Place the client in a room far from the nurses' station
C. Keep all four side rails raised at all times
D. Place non-slip footwear on the client and keep the call light within reach
E. Administer a sedative to reduce the client's restlessness
Correct Answer: D. Place non-slip footwear on the client and keep the call
light within reach
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Non-slip footwear reduces the risk of slipping, and keeping
the call light within reach ensures the client can summon help rather than
attempting to get up alone. These are the least restrictive and most appropriate
first interventions for fall prevention.
2. A nurse is reviewing a client's fall risk assessment. Which of the following
findings places the client at the highest risk for falls?
A. Client is 30 years old and ambulatory
B. Client has a history of hypertension only
C. Client is on anticoagulant therapy with no mobility issues
D. Client has a history of previous falls, is on diuretics, and has altered mental
status
E. Client is postoperative day 5 with full ambulation restored
Correct Answer: D. Client has a history of previous falls, is on diuretics, and
has altered mental status
EXPERT RATIONALE: A history of previous falls is the single strongest predictor of
future falls. When combined with diuretic use (causing urgency and nocturia) and
altered mental status (impaired judgment), the risk is significantly elevated.
3. A nurse enters a client's room and finds them attempting to climb out of
bed. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Call for security immediately
B. Apply restraints without obtaining an order
C. Calmly assist the client back to bed, assess their needs, and implement safety
measures
D. Document the behavior and leave the room
E. Administer a PRN sedative immediately
,Correct Answer: C. Calmly assist the client back to bed, assess their needs,
and implement safety measures
EXPERT RATIONALE: The priority is client safety. The nurse should calmly return
the client to bed, assess for unmet needs such as pain, hunger, or the need to void,
and then implement the least restrictive safety measures. Restraints require a
physician's order and are a last resort.
4. The nurse is educating a newly hired assistive personnel (AP) about fall
prevention. Which statement by the AP indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will keep the bed in the lowest position when the client is resting."
B. "I will answer call lights promptly."
C. "I will raise all four side rails to prevent the client from falling."
D. "I will ensure the client's pathway to the bathroom is clear."
E. "I will report any change in the client's mobility to the nurse."
Correct Answer: C. "I will raise all four side rails to prevent the client from
falling."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Raising all four side rails is considered a form of restraint,
which requires a physician's order. It can also cause injury if the client attempts to
climb over them. The AP demonstrates a need for further teaching regarding this
statement.
5. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is confused and trying to
remove their IV line. Which is the most appropriate initial action?
A. Apply wrist restraints immediately
B. Place mittens on the client's hands as the least restrictive measure
C. Ask the client's family to hold the client's hands
D. Increase sedation to keep the client calm
, E. Document the behavior and monitor every 4 hours
Correct Answer: B. Place mittens on the client's hands as the least restrictive
measure
EXPERT RATIONALE: The least restrictive intervention should always be attempted
first. Mittens prevent the client from grasping and removing medical devices while
being less restrictive than wrist restraints. Any restraint still requires a physician's
order and ongoing assessment.
6. A nurse is preparing to use a fire extinguisher. In which order should the
PASS acronym be performed?
A. Pull, Aim, Sweep, Squeeze
B. Push, Aim, Spray, Secure
C. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
D. Point, Activate, Squeeze, Spray
E. Pull, Activate, Squeeze, Sweep
Correct Answer: C. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
EXPERT RATIONALE: PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire,
Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. This is the correct sequence for
using a fire extinguisher safely and effectively.
7. A nurse smells smoke in a patient's room. Using the RACE acronym, what is
the nurse's first action?
A. Activate the fire alarm
B. Confine the fire by closing doors and windows
C. Extinguish the fire using the nearest fire extinguisher
D. Rescue the client by moving them to safety
REVIEW 2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS &
ANSWERED RATIONALES STUDY GUIDE FOR
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS, CMS-STYLE
ASSESSMENT PREP, SAFETY, INFECTION
CONTROL & BASIC CARE SKILLS
• This study guide contains 200 CMS-style multiple choice practice questions
covering all key ATI PN Fundamentals topics, each with a bolded correct answer and
detailed EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce your understanding.
• Use this material by reading each question independently before checking the
answer, then study the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to build clinical reasoning —
not just memorization.
ATI PN FUNDAMENTALS MIDTERM EXAM REVIEW 2023
PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS & EXPERT RATIONALE STUDY GUIDE
SECTION 1: SAFETY & FALL PREVENTION
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse implement first?
A. Apply a vest restraint to keep the client in bed
B. Place the client in a room far from the nurses' station
C. Keep all four side rails raised at all times
D. Place non-slip footwear on the client and keep the call light within reach
E. Administer a sedative to reduce the client's restlessness
Correct Answer: D. Place non-slip footwear on the client and keep the call
light within reach
,EXPERT RATIONALE: Non-slip footwear reduces the risk of slipping, and keeping
the call light within reach ensures the client can summon help rather than
attempting to get up alone. These are the least restrictive and most appropriate
first interventions for fall prevention.
2. A nurse is reviewing a client's fall risk assessment. Which of the following
findings places the client at the highest risk for falls?
A. Client is 30 years old and ambulatory
B. Client has a history of hypertension only
C. Client is on anticoagulant therapy with no mobility issues
D. Client has a history of previous falls, is on diuretics, and has altered mental
status
E. Client is postoperative day 5 with full ambulation restored
Correct Answer: D. Client has a history of previous falls, is on diuretics, and
has altered mental status
EXPERT RATIONALE: A history of previous falls is the single strongest predictor of
future falls. When combined with diuretic use (causing urgency and nocturia) and
altered mental status (impaired judgment), the risk is significantly elevated.
3. A nurse enters a client's room and finds them attempting to climb out of
bed. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Call for security immediately
B. Apply restraints without obtaining an order
C. Calmly assist the client back to bed, assess their needs, and implement safety
measures
D. Document the behavior and leave the room
E. Administer a PRN sedative immediately
,Correct Answer: C. Calmly assist the client back to bed, assess their needs,
and implement safety measures
EXPERT RATIONALE: The priority is client safety. The nurse should calmly return
the client to bed, assess for unmet needs such as pain, hunger, or the need to void,
and then implement the least restrictive safety measures. Restraints require a
physician's order and are a last resort.
4. The nurse is educating a newly hired assistive personnel (AP) about fall
prevention. Which statement by the AP indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will keep the bed in the lowest position when the client is resting."
B. "I will answer call lights promptly."
C. "I will raise all four side rails to prevent the client from falling."
D. "I will ensure the client's pathway to the bathroom is clear."
E. "I will report any change in the client's mobility to the nurse."
Correct Answer: C. "I will raise all four side rails to prevent the client from
falling."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Raising all four side rails is considered a form of restraint,
which requires a physician's order. It can also cause injury if the client attempts to
climb over them. The AP demonstrates a need for further teaching regarding this
statement.
5. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is confused and trying to
remove their IV line. Which is the most appropriate initial action?
A. Apply wrist restraints immediately
B. Place mittens on the client's hands as the least restrictive measure
C. Ask the client's family to hold the client's hands
D. Increase sedation to keep the client calm
, E. Document the behavior and monitor every 4 hours
Correct Answer: B. Place mittens on the client's hands as the least restrictive
measure
EXPERT RATIONALE: The least restrictive intervention should always be attempted
first. Mittens prevent the client from grasping and removing medical devices while
being less restrictive than wrist restraints. Any restraint still requires a physician's
order and ongoing assessment.
6. A nurse is preparing to use a fire extinguisher. In which order should the
PASS acronym be performed?
A. Pull, Aim, Sweep, Squeeze
B. Push, Aim, Spray, Secure
C. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
D. Point, Activate, Squeeze, Spray
E. Pull, Activate, Squeeze, Sweep
Correct Answer: C. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
EXPERT RATIONALE: PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire,
Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. This is the correct sequence for
using a fire extinguisher safely and effectively.
7. A nurse smells smoke in a patient's room. Using the RACE acronym, what is
the nurse's first action?
A. Activate the fire alarm
B. Confine the fire by closing doors and windows
C. Extinguish the fire using the nearest fire extinguisher
D. Rescue the client by moving them to safety
