Updated ATI Capstone Comprehensive Assessment RN
Nursing Exam 2026–2027 | Complete Comprehensive Review
Package with Practice Tests, Prioritization Questions, Nursing
Concepts, Clinical Judgment Skills, and Detailed Rationales for
Exam Success
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
• A. Lubricate the catheter tip
• B. Assess the client's allergies
• C. Verify the provider's prescription
• D. Open the sterile catheter kit
Answer: C — Verify the provider's prescription is the first action before any
procedure. Assessment and verification always precede intervention unless life-
threatening.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
• A. Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
• B. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue
• C. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
• D. Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
Answer: B — Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with damage
to or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue, which may extend down to but not through
underlying fascia.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. The surgeon prescribes a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
should the nurse offer?
• A. Milk
• B. Orange juice with pulp
• C. Chicken broth
• D. Pudding
Answer: C — Clear liquids include broth, clear juices (without pulp), gelatin, and
water. Milk, pulpy juice, and pudding are not clear liquids.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via IM injection. Which of the
following needle lengths is appropriate for a ventrogluteal injection in an adult?
• A. ⅝ inch
• B. 1 inch
• C. 1½ inch
• D. 2 inch
Answer: C — A 1½-inch needle is typically used for ventrogluteal IM injections in
adults to ensure medication reaches the muscle tissue.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the PQRST method. What does the
"R" in PQRST stand for?
• A. Radiation
• B. Rate
• C. Relief
• D. Region
,Answer: A — PQRST stands for Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Radiation,
Severity, and Timing.
6. A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious client. Which of the following
actions is appropriate?
• A. Place the client in a supine position
• B. Use a toothbrush to vigorously scrub the teeth
• C. Position the client on their side with the head turned
• D. Use a cotton-tipped applicator moistened with alcohol
Answer: C — Positioning the client on their side prevents aspiration of fluids.
Supine position increases aspiration risk, and alcohol dries oral mucosa.
7. A nurse is calculating a client's intake and output. The client drank 8 oz of
water, 6 oz of tea, and 4 oz of broth. How many mL should the nurse document
as total intake?
• A. 180 mL
• B. 360 mL
• C. 540 mL
• D. 720 mL
Answer: C — 8 + 6 + 4 = 18 oz total × 30 mL/oz = 540 mL.
8. A nurse is applying a restraint to a client. Which of the following actions is
appropriate?
• A. Tie the restraint to the bed's side rail
• B. Use a knot that can be easily released in an emergency
• C. Apply the restraint tightly to prevent movement
, • D. Check the client's circulation every 4 hours
Answer: B — Restraints must be tied with a quick-release knot for emergency
removal. They should never be tied to side rails, should allow some movement,
and circulation should be checked more frequently (every 1-2 hours).
9. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention at home. Which of the
following statements indicates understanding?
• A. "I will wear socks without slippers to walk around the house."
• B. "I will keep my rugs in place with non-slip backing."
• C. "I will use a step stool to reach high shelves."
• D. "I will turn off the lights to save energy at night."
Answer: B — Non-slip backing prevents rugs from sliding. Socks without shoes
increase fall risk, step stools are hazardous, and adequate lighting is essential for
safety.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A. "Change the ostomy pouch every day."
• B. "Avoid foods that cause gas, such as carbonated beverages."
• C. "Irrigate the colostomy daily to maintain patency."
• D. "Apply petroleum jelly around the stoma to prevent skin breakdown."
Answer: B — Gas-producing foods should be avoided. Pouches are changed every
3-7 days, irrigation is not done for all colostomies, and petroleum jelly should not
be applied directly to the stoma.
PHARMACOLOGY
Nursing Exam 2026–2027 | Complete Comprehensive Review
Package with Practice Tests, Prioritization Questions, Nursing
Concepts, Clinical Judgment Skills, and Detailed Rationales for
Exam Success
1. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
• A. Lubricate the catheter tip
• B. Assess the client's allergies
• C. Verify the provider's prescription
• D. Open the sterile catheter kit
Answer: C — Verify the provider's prescription is the first action before any
procedure. Assessment and verification always precede intervention unless life-
threatening.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
• A. Partial-thickness skin loss with exposed dermis
• B. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue
• C. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
• D. Non-blanchable erythema of intact skin
Answer: B — Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with damage
to or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue, which may extend down to but not through
underlying fascia.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal
surgery. The surgeon prescribes a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
should the nurse offer?
• A. Milk
• B. Orange juice with pulp
• C. Chicken broth
• D. Pudding
Answer: C — Clear liquids include broth, clear juices (without pulp), gelatin, and
water. Milk, pulpy juice, and pudding are not clear liquids.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via IM injection. Which of the
following needle lengths is appropriate for a ventrogluteal injection in an adult?
• A. ⅝ inch
• B. 1 inch
• C. 1½ inch
• D. 2 inch
Answer: C — A 1½-inch needle is typically used for ventrogluteal IM injections in
adults to ensure medication reaches the muscle tissue.
5. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using the PQRST method. What does the
"R" in PQRST stand for?
• A. Radiation
• B. Rate
• C. Relief
• D. Region
,Answer: A — PQRST stands for Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Radiation,
Severity, and Timing.
6. A nurse is providing oral care to an unconscious client. Which of the following
actions is appropriate?
• A. Place the client in a supine position
• B. Use a toothbrush to vigorously scrub the teeth
• C. Position the client on their side with the head turned
• D. Use a cotton-tipped applicator moistened with alcohol
Answer: C — Positioning the client on their side prevents aspiration of fluids.
Supine position increases aspiration risk, and alcohol dries oral mucosa.
7. A nurse is calculating a client's intake and output. The client drank 8 oz of
water, 6 oz of tea, and 4 oz of broth. How many mL should the nurse document
as total intake?
• A. 180 mL
• B. 360 mL
• C. 540 mL
• D. 720 mL
Answer: C — 8 + 6 + 4 = 18 oz total × 30 mL/oz = 540 mL.
8. A nurse is applying a restraint to a client. Which of the following actions is
appropriate?
• A. Tie the restraint to the bed's side rail
• B. Use a knot that can be easily released in an emergency
• C. Apply the restraint tightly to prevent movement
, • D. Check the client's circulation every 4 hours
Answer: B — Restraints must be tied with a quick-release knot for emergency
removal. They should never be tied to side rails, should allow some movement,
and circulation should be checked more frequently (every 1-2 hours).
9. A nurse is teaching a client about fall prevention at home. Which of the
following statements indicates understanding?
• A. "I will wear socks without slippers to walk around the house."
• B. "I will keep my rugs in place with non-slip backing."
• C. "I will use a step stool to reach high shelves."
• D. "I will turn off the lights to save energy at night."
Answer: B — Non-slip backing prevents rugs from sliding. Socks without shoes
increase fall risk, step stools are hazardous, and adequate lighting is essential for
safety.
10. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new colostomy.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
• A. "Change the ostomy pouch every day."
• B. "Avoid foods that cause gas, such as carbonated beverages."
• C. "Irrigate the colostomy daily to maintain patency."
• D. "Apply petroleum jelly around the stoma to prevent skin breakdown."
Answer: B — Gas-producing foods should be avoided. Pouches are changed every
3-7 days, irrigation is not done for all colostomies, and petroleum jelly should not
be applied directly to the stoma.
PHARMACOLOGY
