ATI Capstone Exam 1 Prep – Practice
Questions & Review | Latest Update 2026 |
Graded A+
A Nurse is caring for a clients on the med-surg unit. Which client is most at risk to
develop a nosocomial infection?
A- clinet with alcohol abuse admitted for detox
B- Client with Type I diabetes and peripheral neuropathy
C- Client recovering from a choleystectomy
D- Client with full thickness burns, an NG tube and a Foley - correct answerD- Full
thickness burn, NG tube and Foley
*Think immunosupression and avenues for infection
A nurse is caring for clients in the ICU. Which client may be transferred to the step-
down neuro unit?
A- Client with head injury and seizure
B- Client with an ischemic stroke 4 days ago with confusion
C- Client who is 1-day post op after a transshpenoidal craniotomy with a cerebrospinal
fluid leak
D-Client with bacterial meningitis and a Glasgow coma sale of 7 - correct answerB-
client with an ischemic stroke 4 days ago with confusion.
*Think what is normal and what is abnormal- who is most stable
After a change of shift, you are assinged to care for the following clients, Which client
should you assess first?
A- 60 year old client on a ventilator for whom a sterile sputum specimen must be sent to
the lab
B- 55 year old with COPD and a pulse oximetry reading from the previous shift of 90%
C- 70 year old with pneumonia who needs to be started on IV antibiotics
D- 50 year old with asthma who complains of shortness of breath after using a
bronchodilator - correct answerD- 50 year old with asthma who complains of shortness
of breath after using a brochodilator
*Think ABCs, also not the desired effect of the brochodilator treatment; should be
improved.
The nurse just received report on the surgical ward. Which client should be assessed
first?
A- Peptic ulcer disease scheduled for a laparosopic choleycystectomy in 4 hours
B- Multiple injuries after a motor vehicle crash
,C- Graves disease scheduled for a thyroidectomy
D- Post-appendectomy waiting for discharge - correct answerB- multiple injuries
following a motor vehicle crash
*think who is most unstable
A hospital will receive a large number of clients because of a magor disaster in the city.
Which client can be discharged first?
A- 49 year old female 24 hours postop after hysterectomy
B- 66 year old male 5 days post op after total hip replacement
C- 79 year old female admitted 12 hours ago with pyrlonephritis
D- 82 year old female admitted 5 days ago with a stage 3 pressure ulcer - correct
answerB- 66 year old male 5 days post op after total hip replacement
*think who is most stable and would be safest to go home
A nurse just received report on her client's at the first of the shift. Which client should be
assessed first?
A- 45 year old woman with a BP of 90/60 and hot, dry skin
B- 37 year old man with BP 130/70, sleeping quietly in his bed
C- 25 year old woman with fruity breath, excessive thrist and polyphagia
D- 16 year old boy with irritability and tremor - correct answerC- 25 year old woman with
fruity breath, excessive thirst and polyphagia
*who is showing definite signs of a problem not just questionable ones
The staff nurse receives on her assignment for the shift. Which client should she assess
first?
A- A client reporting a headache with a pain score 3/10
B- A client with frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea
C- A client with respirations of 20 and O2 sat of 94% on room ait
D- A client with nausea after taking oral contrast for abdominal CT scan - correct
answerB- A client with frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea
*think about dehyration and electrolyte inbalance
The client with COPD tells the CNA that he did not get his annual flu shot this year and
has not had a pneumonia vaccination. You would be sure to instruct the CNA to report
which of these?
A- Blood pressure of 152/84 mmHg
B- Respiratory rate of 27 breaths per minute
C- Heart rate of 92 beats/min
D- Oral temperature of 38.4 - correct answerD- Oral temperature of 38.4
*most indicitive of infection
,When assessing a 22-year old client who required emergency surgery and multiple
transfusion 3 days ago, you find that the client looks anxious and has labred
respirations at the rate of 38 breaths/min. The oxygen saturation is 90% with the oxygen
delivery at 6 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action is most apropriate?
A- Increase the flow rate on the oxygen to 10 L/min and reassess the client after about
10 minutes
B- Assis the client in using the incentive spirometer and splint his chest with a pillow
while he coughs
C- Administer the ordered morpine sulfate to the client to decrease his anxiety and
reduce the hyperventilation
D- Switch the client to a nonrebreather mask at 95-100% oxygen and call the physician
to discuss the client's status. - correct answerD- Switch the client to a nonrebreather
mask at 95-100% O2 and call the physician to discuss the client's status.
*think Breathing/oxygen saturation (delievery)- make sure you don't choose anything
that is bad practice like 10 L on a nasal cannula
An office nurse just checked her secure email. Which message should the nurse return
first?
A- Multipara at 34 weeks with headache and blurred vision
B- Primipara at 22 weeks with supine dizziness
C- Primipara at 15 weeks says she has not felt baby move
D- Multipara at 12 weeks with white vaginal discharge - correct answerA- multipara at
34 weeks with headache and blurred vision
*this is preeclampsia and that can be life threatening- think in order of severity
The nurse is caring for clients in a rural hospital. Which client should be seen first?
A- A young child with a sore throat after tonsillectomy
B- A client 2 days postpartum with pain during breastfeeding
C- A client with a long leg cast with pain after taking vicodin
D- A client with pain 2 hours after a liver biopsy - correct answerC- A client with a long
leg cast with pain after taking vicodin
*think compartment syndrome
The staff nurse just received report for her shift. Which client will she need to assess
first?
A- A client with a left femur fracture in a cast
B- A client complainin of a headache of 2/10
C- A client that had a laryngectomy 5 hours ago
D- A client with a lung lobectomy 1 day ago - correct answerC- A client with a
laryngectomy 5 hours ago
*concern for airway/laryngospasm
, As the triage nurse in the emergency department which client would be assessed first?
A- 78 year old with an uncontrolled nosebleed
B- 36 year old with nausea and comiting for 3 hours
C- 6 year old with arm pain after falling off a chair
D- 3 year old with a temp of 38.2 - correct answerA- 78 year old with uncontrolled
nosebleed
*think most severe, ABCs bleeding=circulation and uncontrolled is bad
A nurse is managing clients during an outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease. Which client is
most at risk?
A- 63 year old with end stage renal disease
B- 79 year old with Alzheimer's
C- 86 year old with right-sided cerebrovascular accident
D- 82 year old with a fractured hip - correct answerA- 63 year old with end stage renal
disease
*chronic condition that leads to immunospression- think immunospressed and avenues
for infection
In the care of clients with pain and discomfort, which task is most appropriate to
delegate to the UAP?
A- Assissting a client with preparation of a sitz bath
B- Monitoring the client for signs of discomfort while ambulation
C- Coaching the client to deep breathe during painful procedures
D- Evaluating relief after applying a cold compress - correct answerA- assisting the
client with preparation of a sitz bath
*UAPs can't assess, teach or evaluate
The team is providing emergency care to a client who reveived an excessive dose of
narcotic pain medication. Which task is best to delegate to the LPN/LVN?
A- Calling the physician and reporting the siuation, using SBAR
B- Giving the ordered dose of Narcan and evaluating the response to therapy
C- Monitoring the respiratory status for the first 30 minutes
D- Applying oxygen per nasal cannula as ordered - correct answerD- Applying oxygen
per the nasal cannula as ordered
*LPNs can't evaulate or assess
For care of a patient who has oral cancer, which task would be appropriate to delegate
to an LPN/LVN?
A- Assisting the patient to brush and floss
B- Explaining when brushing and flossing are contraindicated
C- Giving antacids and sucralfate suspension as ordered
Questions & Review | Latest Update 2026 |
Graded A+
A Nurse is caring for a clients on the med-surg unit. Which client is most at risk to
develop a nosocomial infection?
A- clinet with alcohol abuse admitted for detox
B- Client with Type I diabetes and peripheral neuropathy
C- Client recovering from a choleystectomy
D- Client with full thickness burns, an NG tube and a Foley - correct answerD- Full
thickness burn, NG tube and Foley
*Think immunosupression and avenues for infection
A nurse is caring for clients in the ICU. Which client may be transferred to the step-
down neuro unit?
A- Client with head injury and seizure
B- Client with an ischemic stroke 4 days ago with confusion
C- Client who is 1-day post op after a transshpenoidal craniotomy with a cerebrospinal
fluid leak
D-Client with bacterial meningitis and a Glasgow coma sale of 7 - correct answerB-
client with an ischemic stroke 4 days ago with confusion.
*Think what is normal and what is abnormal- who is most stable
After a change of shift, you are assinged to care for the following clients, Which client
should you assess first?
A- 60 year old client on a ventilator for whom a sterile sputum specimen must be sent to
the lab
B- 55 year old with COPD and a pulse oximetry reading from the previous shift of 90%
C- 70 year old with pneumonia who needs to be started on IV antibiotics
D- 50 year old with asthma who complains of shortness of breath after using a
bronchodilator - correct answerD- 50 year old with asthma who complains of shortness
of breath after using a brochodilator
*Think ABCs, also not the desired effect of the brochodilator treatment; should be
improved.
The nurse just received report on the surgical ward. Which client should be assessed
first?
A- Peptic ulcer disease scheduled for a laparosopic choleycystectomy in 4 hours
B- Multiple injuries after a motor vehicle crash
,C- Graves disease scheduled for a thyroidectomy
D- Post-appendectomy waiting for discharge - correct answerB- multiple injuries
following a motor vehicle crash
*think who is most unstable
A hospital will receive a large number of clients because of a magor disaster in the city.
Which client can be discharged first?
A- 49 year old female 24 hours postop after hysterectomy
B- 66 year old male 5 days post op after total hip replacement
C- 79 year old female admitted 12 hours ago with pyrlonephritis
D- 82 year old female admitted 5 days ago with a stage 3 pressure ulcer - correct
answerB- 66 year old male 5 days post op after total hip replacement
*think who is most stable and would be safest to go home
A nurse just received report on her client's at the first of the shift. Which client should be
assessed first?
A- 45 year old woman with a BP of 90/60 and hot, dry skin
B- 37 year old man with BP 130/70, sleeping quietly in his bed
C- 25 year old woman with fruity breath, excessive thrist and polyphagia
D- 16 year old boy with irritability and tremor - correct answerC- 25 year old woman with
fruity breath, excessive thirst and polyphagia
*who is showing definite signs of a problem not just questionable ones
The staff nurse receives on her assignment for the shift. Which client should she assess
first?
A- A client reporting a headache with a pain score 3/10
B- A client with frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea
C- A client with respirations of 20 and O2 sat of 94% on room ait
D- A client with nausea after taking oral contrast for abdominal CT scan - correct
answerB- A client with frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and nausea
*think about dehyration and electrolyte inbalance
The client with COPD tells the CNA that he did not get his annual flu shot this year and
has not had a pneumonia vaccination. You would be sure to instruct the CNA to report
which of these?
A- Blood pressure of 152/84 mmHg
B- Respiratory rate of 27 breaths per minute
C- Heart rate of 92 beats/min
D- Oral temperature of 38.4 - correct answerD- Oral temperature of 38.4
*most indicitive of infection
,When assessing a 22-year old client who required emergency surgery and multiple
transfusion 3 days ago, you find that the client looks anxious and has labred
respirations at the rate of 38 breaths/min. The oxygen saturation is 90% with the oxygen
delivery at 6 L/min via nasal cannula. Which action is most apropriate?
A- Increase the flow rate on the oxygen to 10 L/min and reassess the client after about
10 minutes
B- Assis the client in using the incentive spirometer and splint his chest with a pillow
while he coughs
C- Administer the ordered morpine sulfate to the client to decrease his anxiety and
reduce the hyperventilation
D- Switch the client to a nonrebreather mask at 95-100% oxygen and call the physician
to discuss the client's status. - correct answerD- Switch the client to a nonrebreather
mask at 95-100% O2 and call the physician to discuss the client's status.
*think Breathing/oxygen saturation (delievery)- make sure you don't choose anything
that is bad practice like 10 L on a nasal cannula
An office nurse just checked her secure email. Which message should the nurse return
first?
A- Multipara at 34 weeks with headache and blurred vision
B- Primipara at 22 weeks with supine dizziness
C- Primipara at 15 weeks says she has not felt baby move
D- Multipara at 12 weeks with white vaginal discharge - correct answerA- multipara at
34 weeks with headache and blurred vision
*this is preeclampsia and that can be life threatening- think in order of severity
The nurse is caring for clients in a rural hospital. Which client should be seen first?
A- A young child with a sore throat after tonsillectomy
B- A client 2 days postpartum with pain during breastfeeding
C- A client with a long leg cast with pain after taking vicodin
D- A client with pain 2 hours after a liver biopsy - correct answerC- A client with a long
leg cast with pain after taking vicodin
*think compartment syndrome
The staff nurse just received report for her shift. Which client will she need to assess
first?
A- A client with a left femur fracture in a cast
B- A client complainin of a headache of 2/10
C- A client that had a laryngectomy 5 hours ago
D- A client with a lung lobectomy 1 day ago - correct answerC- A client with a
laryngectomy 5 hours ago
*concern for airway/laryngospasm
, As the triage nurse in the emergency department which client would be assessed first?
A- 78 year old with an uncontrolled nosebleed
B- 36 year old with nausea and comiting for 3 hours
C- 6 year old with arm pain after falling off a chair
D- 3 year old with a temp of 38.2 - correct answerA- 78 year old with uncontrolled
nosebleed
*think most severe, ABCs bleeding=circulation and uncontrolled is bad
A nurse is managing clients during an outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease. Which client is
most at risk?
A- 63 year old with end stage renal disease
B- 79 year old with Alzheimer's
C- 86 year old with right-sided cerebrovascular accident
D- 82 year old with a fractured hip - correct answerA- 63 year old with end stage renal
disease
*chronic condition that leads to immunospression- think immunospressed and avenues
for infection
In the care of clients with pain and discomfort, which task is most appropriate to
delegate to the UAP?
A- Assissting a client with preparation of a sitz bath
B- Monitoring the client for signs of discomfort while ambulation
C- Coaching the client to deep breathe during painful procedures
D- Evaluating relief after applying a cold compress - correct answerA- assisting the
client with preparation of a sitz bath
*UAPs can't assess, teach or evaluate
The team is providing emergency care to a client who reveived an excessive dose of
narcotic pain medication. Which task is best to delegate to the LPN/LVN?
A- Calling the physician and reporting the siuation, using SBAR
B- Giving the ordered dose of Narcan and evaluating the response to therapy
C- Monitoring the respiratory status for the first 30 minutes
D- Applying oxygen per nasal cannula as ordered - correct answerD- Applying oxygen
per the nasal cannula as ordered
*LPNs can't evaulate or assess
For care of a patient who has oral cancer, which task would be appropriate to delegate
to an LPN/LVN?
A- Assisting the patient to brush and floss
B- Explaining when brushing and flossing are contraindicated
C- Giving antacids and sucralfate suspension as ordered
