ATI Fundamentals Practice Questions (2026) — Free Sample Questions with Answers

Answer: A

A client 1 day after surgery who is newly restless with SpO2 of 89%: Correct. New restlessness with low oxygen saturation suggests hypoxia, an airway and breathing problem that is acute and unexpected, so this client is the priority.

A client after knee surgery who rates pain 6/10 and is due for medication: Pain needs prompt treatment, but it is expected after surgery and is not life-threatening compared with hypoxia.

A client with type 2 diabetes whose fasting blood glucose is 180 mg/dL: Mild hyperglycemia is a concern but not immediately life-threatening; it can be handled after the hypoxic client.

A client being discharged today who asks for medication teaching: Teaching matters, but a stable client preparing for discharge can wait while an unstable client is assessed.

Prioritize by ABCs and acute versus expected: unexpected changes in airway, breathing or circulation come before pain, routine labs and teaching.

Answer: B

The gloves: Gloves are the most contaminated item and are removed first (or together with the gown).

The N95 respirator: Correct. The respirator protects the airway, so it is removed last, after leaving the room and closing the door, followed by hand hygiene.

The goggles: Goggles or face shields come off after gloves, handled by the headband or earpieces, and before the gown.

The gown: The gown comes off after gloves and goggles (or with the gloves) and before the respirator.

CDC doffing order: gloves → goggles/face shield → gown → mask or respirator (removed outside the room) → hand hygiene. Putting on: gown → mask → goggles → gloves.

Answer: C

Inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation: This is the order for most body systems, but palpating or percussing the abdomen before listening can change bowel sounds.

Palpation, inspection, auscultation, percussion: Inspection always comes first, and palpation should come last for the abdomen.

Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation: Correct. For the abdomen, auscultate after inspection so that percussion and palpation do not change bowel sounds.

Auscultation, percussion, inspection, palpation: Inspection should always be the first step.

Abdomen exception: Inspect → Auscultate → Percuss → Palpate. Other systems: Inspect → Palpate → Percuss → Auscultate.

Answer: B

"Don't worry. Your surgeon has done this many times.": This offers false reassurance and dismisses the client's feelings.

"You're worried about the anesthesia. Tell me more.": Correct. Reflecting the feeling and using an open-ended prompt invites the client to explore the fear.

"Why do you think you won't wake up after surgery?": "Why" questions can sound challenging and make clients defensive.

"Lots of people feel this way, and they're all fine.": Generalizing and reassuring shuts down the client's personal concern.

Therapeutic techniques: reflect feelings, use open-ended questions and stay present. Avoid false reassurance, "why" questions, giving advice and changing the subject.

Answer: A

Stage 2: Correct. Stage 2 is partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis; the bed is pink or red and moist, or it may be an intact or ruptured serum-filled blister.

Stage 1: Stage 1 is intact skin with nonblanchable redness; there is no open wound.

Stage 3: Stage 3 is full-thickness skin loss in which fat is visible and slough or eschar may be present.

Unstageable: Unstageable injuries have a base hidden by slough or eschar, so the depth cannot be seen.

NPIAP staging: 1, intact nonblanchable redness; 2, partial thickness with exposed dermis; 3, full thickness with visible fat; 4, exposed bone, tendon or muscle; unstageable, base hidden by slough or eschar.

Answer: A

31 gtt/min: Correct. 1,000 mL ÷ 480 min = 2.08 mL/min; 2.08 × 15 gtt/mL ≈ 31 gtt/min.

125 gtt/min: 125 is the hourly rate in mL/h (1,000 ÷ 8), not drops per minute.

21 gtt/min: This uses a 10 gtt/mL drop factor instead of the 15 gtt/mL given.

42 gtt/min: This uses a 20 gtt/mL drop factor instead of 15 gtt/mL.

gtt/min = (total volume in mL × drop factor) ÷ time in minutes = (1,000 × 15) ÷ 480 ≈ 31.