ATI CAPSTONE FUNDAMENTALS 300-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM Questions • Correct Answers • Rationales 2025/2026 Edition

ATI CAPSTONE FUNDAMENTALS 300-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM Questions • Correct Answers • Rationales 2025/2026 Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 — Foundational Nursing Concepts (Questions 1–30) SECTION 2 — Assessment & Physical Examination (Questions 31–80) SECTION 3 — Medication Administration & Respiratory Care (Questions 81–120) SECTION 4 — Mobility & Safety (Questions 121–160) SECTION 5 — Infection Control & Immunity (Questions 161–195) SECTION 6 — Gastrointestinal & Nutritional Support (Questions 196–230) SECTION 7 — IV Therapy & Fluid Management (Questions 231–260) SECTION 8 — Integumentary & Older Adult Care (Questions 261–280) SECTION 9 — Priority & Decision-Making (Questions 281–300) PART 1: QUESTIONS 1–100 SECTION 1 — Foundational Nursing Concepts 1. A nurse is teaching a group of assistive personnel about expected integumentary changes in older adults. Which of the following findings should the nurse include in the teaching? A. Increased skin turgor B. Decreased skin elasticity C. Increased sebaceous gland activity D. Thickening of the epidermis CORRECT ANSWER: B. Decreased skin elasticity RATIONALE: As part of the normal aging process, the skin loses collagen and elastin, resulting in decreased skin elasticity. Increased turgor (A) is incorrect because turgor decreases with age. Sebaceous gland activity decreases (C), and the epidermis thins rather than thickens (D). 2. A nurse is teaching a new nurse about immunity. Which of the following statements indicates an understanding of active immunity? A. “The body receives preformed antibodies from an external source.” B. “The body produces antibodies in response to an antigen.” C. “Maternal antibodies provide protection to the newborn.” D. “Immunoglobulins are administered after exposure to a pathogen.” CORRECT ANSWER: B. “The body produces antibodies in response to an antigen.” RATIONALE: Active immunity occurs when the body’s immune system produces its own antibodies in response to an antigen. Choices A, C, and D describe passive immunity, where antibodies are received from another source rather than produced by the body. 3. A nurse is planning care for an older adult client. Which of the following risk factors should the nurse identify as increasing this client’s risk for developing infections? A. Increased gastric acid production B. Enhanced cough reflex C. Lowered immune system function D. Increased skin thickness CORRECT ANSWER: C. Lowered immune system function RATIONALE: Older adults experience immunosenescence, a gradual decline in immune system function that increases susceptibility to infections. Gastric acid production decreases (A), cough reflex diminishes (B), and skin thins (D), all of which also increase infection risk but immune decline is the most direct systemic factor. 4. A nurse is performing an abdominal assessment on a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when performing a routine abdominal assessment? A. Perform palpation before auscultation B. Perform auscultation after palpation C. Perform auscultation before palpation D. Perform percussion before inspection CORRECT ANSWER: C. Perform auscultation before palpation RATIONALE: In abdominal assessment, the correct sequence is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation (IAPP). Palpation should be performed after auscultation because palpation can stimulate bowel sounds and alter findings. 5. A nurse is caring for a client who has difficulty swallowing. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? A. Have the client lie flat for 30 minutes following meals B. Have the client sit upright for 1 hour following meals C. Encourage the client to drink thin liquids D. Place the client in a supine position during meals CORRECT ANSWER: B. Have the client sit upright for 1 hour following meals RATIONALE: For a client with dysphagia, maintaining an upright position for at least 1 hour after meals helps prevent aspiration by allowing gravity to assist with gastric emptying and reducing reflux risk. Thin liquids (C) increase aspiration risk, and supine or flat positions (A, D) are dangerous for clients with swallowing difficulties. 6. A nurse is assessing an IV infusion site. The client reports pain, and the site is red and warm. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? A. Apply a warm compress to the site B. Slow the infusion rate C. Discontinue the infusion D. Elevate the affected extremity CORRECT ANSWER: C. Discontinue the infusion RATIONALE: Pain, redness, and warmth at an IV site indicate phlebitis or infiltration. The appropriate action is to discontinue the infusion immediately to prevent further tissue damage. Applying heat, slowing the rate, or elevating the extremity are not the priority actions. 7. A nurse is teaching a client about the correct use of a cane. Which of the following information should the nurse include? (Select all that apply) A. Ensure the cane has a rubber cap B. Hold the cane on the weaker side C. Hold the cane on the stronger side D. Flex the elbow slightly when using the cane E. Use a quad cane for increased support CORRECT ANSWER: A, C, D, E RATIONALE: The cane should have a rubber cap for safety (A). The cane is held on the stronger side to reduce weight-bearing on the affected extremity (C). A slight elbow flexion (15-30 degrees) is appropriate (D). A quad cane provides increased support for clients with poor balance or weakness (E). The cane should be held on the stronger side, not the weaker side (B). 8. A nurse is teaching a client about using a meter-dosed inhaler (MDI). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? A. Inhale medication rapidly for 1-2 seconds B. Inhale medication deeply for 3-5 seconds C. Exhale forcefully after inhaling the medication D. Hold the breath for 1-2 seconds after inhaling CORRECT ANSWER: B. Inhale medication deeply for 3-5 seconds RATIONALE: When using an MDI, the client should inhale deeply and slowly for 3-5 seconds to allow the medication to reach the lower airways. Rapid inhalation (A) causes the medication to deposit in the upper airway. The client should hold the breath for 10 seconds, not 1-2 seconds (D), and should exhale slowly before inhalation, not forcefully after. 9. A nurse is performing a focused respiratory assessment on a client who has a history of COPD and is experiencing dyspnea. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? A. Pursed-lip breathing B. Flaring of the nostrils C. Productive cough with green sputum D. Increased oxygen saturation CORRECT ANSWER: B. Flaring of the nostrils RATIONALE: Nasal flaring is a sign of increased work of breathing and respiratory distress commonly seen in COPD exacerbations. Pursed-lip breathing (A) is a compensatory technique used by COPD clients, not an expected assessment finding of dyspnea. Green sputum (C) indicates infection, and oxygen saturation would be decreased, not increased (D). 10. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of an older adult client. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a normal age-related change? A. Decreased blood pressure B. Increased cardiac output C. Decreased lung elasticity D. Increased metabolic rate CORRECT ANSWER: C. Decreased lung elasticity RATIONALE: With aging, lung tissue loses elasticity, leading to decreased vital capacity and increased residual volume. Blood pressure typically increases (A), cardiac output decreases (B), and metabolic rate decreases (D).