Custom RN ATI Capstone Exam 1
2026/2027 – Comprehensive Review,
Questions & Detailed Rationales
1. Fundamentals & Nursing Process
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports shortness of breath. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's oxygen saturation
B. Administer prescribed oxygen
C. Ask the client when the dyspnea began
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the client's respiratory status, including
oxygen saturation, to determine severity and guide interventions. Assessment
precedes treatment unless the client has an immediately obvious life-threatening
emergency.
2. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 8/min
C. Temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F)
D. Pulse 82/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min indicates bradypnea and possible
respiratory depression. Airway and breathing take priority.
,3. Which action demonstrates the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A. Identifying a client's risk for falls
B. Developing a fall-prevention plan
C. Implementing a bed alarm
D. Determining whether the client remained free from falls
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether nursing interventions achieved the
desired outcomes.
4. A nurse identifies that a client is at risk for impaired skin integrity. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the client's skin continuously moist
D. Place a donut-shaped cushion beneath the sacrum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure and helps prevent
pressure injuries. Massaging reddened areas and donut cushions can damage
tissue.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting assistance with bathing
B. Client reporting pain of 6/10 after surgery
C. Client with new confusion and oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Client requesting discharge instructions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New confusion with significant hypoxemia indicates an immediate
physiologic problem. Airway and breathing take priority.
,6. Which statement by a nurse reflects appropriate use of evidence-based
practice?
A. "I always use the same intervention because it worked once."
B. "I use current evidence along with clinical expertise and client preferences."
C. "Research findings are more important than client preferences."
D. "Provider preference determines the best nursing intervention."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates current research evidence, clinical
expertise, and patient preferences/values.
7. Which nursing action is an example of primary prevention?
A. Screening for hypertension
B. Administering a childhood vaccine
C. Providing rehabilitation after a stroke
D. Monitoring a client with established diabetes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Primary prevention prevents disease before it occurs. Immunization is
a classic example.
8. A client refuses a prescribed treatment. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the treatment because it was prescribed
B. Ask the client why they are refusing
C. Tell the client refusal will delay discharge
D. Ask a family member to convince the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse should
explore the client's concerns, provide information, and respect autonomy.
, 9. Which outcome is written correctly?
A. Client will feel better.
B. Nurse will monitor blood pressure.
C. Client will maintain oxygen saturation above 94% during ambulation.
D. Nurse will encourage fluids.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An appropriate outcome is client-centered, measurable, specific, and
time/action oriented.
10. Which assessment finding should the nurse document as objective data?
A. "Client states pain is severe."
B. "Client reports feeling dizzy."
C. "Client appears worried."
D. "Blood pressure is 90/54 mm Hg."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings. Blood pressure
is objective data.
2. Safety & Infection Prevention
11. A nurse enters a room of a client who is on airborne precautions. Which PPE
is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Sterile gloves only
D. Face shield only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require a fit-tested N95 respirator or equivalent
respiratory protection.
2026/2027 – Comprehensive Review,
Questions & Detailed Rationales
1. Fundamentals & Nursing Process
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports shortness of breath. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's oxygen saturation
B. Administer prescribed oxygen
C. Ask the client when the dyspnea began
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the client's respiratory status, including
oxygen saturation, to determine severity and guide interventions. Assessment
precedes treatment unless the client has an immediately obvious life-threatening
emergency.
2. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?
A. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 8/min
C. Temperature 37.1°C (98.8°F)
D. Pulse 82/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min indicates bradypnea and possible
respiratory depression. Airway and breathing take priority.
,3. Which action demonstrates the evaluation phase of the nursing process?
A. Identifying a client's risk for falls
B. Developing a fall-prevention plan
C. Implementing a bed alarm
D. Determining whether the client remained free from falls
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Evaluation determines whether nursing interventions achieved the
desired outcomes.
4. A nurse identifies that a client is at risk for impaired skin integrity. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A. Massage reddened areas
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the client's skin continuously moist
D. Place a donut-shaped cushion beneath the sacrum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Regular repositioning reduces prolonged pressure and helps prevent
pressure injuries. Massaging reddened areas and donut cushions can damage
tissue.
5. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting assistance with bathing
B. Client reporting pain of 6/10 after surgery
C. Client with new confusion and oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Client requesting discharge instructions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New confusion with significant hypoxemia indicates an immediate
physiologic problem. Airway and breathing take priority.
,6. Which statement by a nurse reflects appropriate use of evidence-based
practice?
A. "I always use the same intervention because it worked once."
B. "I use current evidence along with clinical expertise and client preferences."
C. "Research findings are more important than client preferences."
D. "Provider preference determines the best nursing intervention."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates current research evidence, clinical
expertise, and patient preferences/values.
7. Which nursing action is an example of primary prevention?
A. Screening for hypertension
B. Administering a childhood vaccine
C. Providing rehabilitation after a stroke
D. Monitoring a client with established diabetes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Primary prevention prevents disease before it occurs. Immunization is
a classic example.
8. A client refuses a prescribed treatment. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the treatment because it was prescribed
B. Ask the client why they are refusing
C. Tell the client refusal will delay discharge
D. Ask a family member to convince the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A competent adult has the right to refuse treatment. The nurse should
explore the client's concerns, provide information, and respect autonomy.
, 9. Which outcome is written correctly?
A. Client will feel better.
B. Nurse will monitor blood pressure.
C. Client will maintain oxygen saturation above 94% during ambulation.
D. Nurse will encourage fluids.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An appropriate outcome is client-centered, measurable, specific, and
time/action oriented.
10. Which assessment finding should the nurse document as objective data?
A. "Client states pain is severe."
B. "Client reports feeling dizzy."
C. "Client appears worried."
D. "Blood pressure is 90/54 mm Hg."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Objective data are measurable or observable findings. Blood pressure
is objective data.
2. Safety & Infection Prevention
11. A nurse enters a room of a client who is on airborne precautions. Which PPE
is required?
A. Surgical mask
B. N95 respirator
C. Sterile gloves only
D. Face shield only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airborne precautions require a fit-tested N95 respirator or equivalent
respiratory protection.
