RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive
Assessment Form A & B 2026/2027 –
Practice Questions & Rationales
FORM A
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery. Which
assessment is the priority?
A. Pain level
B. Airway patency
C. Surgical dressing
D. Urine output
Answer: B. Airway patency
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority immediately after anesthesia
because airway obstruction can rapidly become life-threatening.
2. Which finding indicates effective hand hygiene?
A. Hands are washed for 5 seconds
B. Alcohol sanitizer is used on visibly soiled hands
C. All hand surfaces are rubbed thoroughly
D. Gloves are worn instead of performing hand hygiene
Answer: C. All hand surfaces are rubbed thoroughly
Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction over all hand surfaces. Alcohol-
based sanitizer should not replace soap and water when hands are visibly soiled.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action should occur
first?
,A. Document administration
B. Verify the medication order
C. Explain adverse effects
D. Open the medication package
Answer: B. Verify the medication order
Rationale: The prescription must be checked against the medication and client
information before preparation or administration.
4. A client reports shortness of breath. Which assessment should the nurse
perform first?
A. Check oxygen saturation
B. Ask about smoking history
C. Review laboratory results
D. Assess dietary intake
Answer: A. Check oxygen saturation
Rationale: Oxygenation is an immediate physiologic concern. Objective
assessment of oxygen saturation helps determine the urgency of intervention.
5. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Sims'
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic compression.
6. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a manifestation of
hypoglycemia?
,A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Tremors and diaphoresis
D. Fruity breath
Answer: C. Tremors and diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia commonly produces sympathetic manifestations such as
sweating, tremors, palpitations, and anxiety.
7. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device once each morning
D. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece
Answer: B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Slow, sustained inhalation promotes alveolar expansion and helps
prevent postoperative atelectasis.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a sleep medication
B. Client with oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Client reporting incisional pain of 6/10
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B. Client with oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: Impaired oxygenation is an immediate physiologic priority.
9. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving an opioid?
, A. Mild nausea
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Constipation
D. Drowsiness
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A markedly decreased
respiratory rate requires immediate assessment and intervention.
10. Which intervention reduces the risk of pressure injury?
A. Massage reddened skin
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the skin moist
D. Place a donut-shaped device under the sacrum
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps preserve
tissue perfusion.
11. Which action is appropriate when removing personal protective equipment?
A. Remove gloves first
B. Touch the contaminated outside of the gown
C. Remove the mask before leaving an isolation room regardless of isolation type
D. Perform hand hygiene only at the end of the shift
Answer: A. Remove gloves first
Rationale: Gloves are commonly the most contaminated PPE and are removed
first to reduce contamination of other equipment and surfaces.
12. Which client statement demonstrates correct understanding of fall
prevention?
Assessment Form A & B 2026/2027 –
Practice Questions & Rationales
FORM A
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from surgery. Which
assessment is the priority?
A. Pain level
B. Airway patency
C. Surgical dressing
D. Urine output
Answer: B. Airway patency
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority immediately after anesthesia
because airway obstruction can rapidly become life-threatening.
2. Which finding indicates effective hand hygiene?
A. Hands are washed for 5 seconds
B. Alcohol sanitizer is used on visibly soiled hands
C. All hand surfaces are rubbed thoroughly
D. Gloves are worn instead of performing hand hygiene
Answer: C. All hand surfaces are rubbed thoroughly
Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction over all hand surfaces. Alcohol-
based sanitizer should not replace soap and water when hands are visibly soiled.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication. Which action should occur
first?
,A. Document administration
B. Verify the medication order
C. Explain adverse effects
D. Open the medication package
Answer: B. Verify the medication order
Rationale: The prescription must be checked against the medication and client
information before preparation or administration.
4. A client reports shortness of breath. Which assessment should the nurse
perform first?
A. Check oxygen saturation
B. Ask about smoking history
C. Review laboratory results
D. Assess dietary intake
Answer: A. Check oxygen saturation
Rationale: Oxygenation is an immediate physiologic concern. Objective
assessment of oxygen saturation helps determine the urgency of intervention.
5. Which position is generally appropriate for a client experiencing dyspnea?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Trendelenburg
D. Sims'
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning promotes lung expansion and decreases
diaphragmatic compression.
6. Which finding should the nurse recognize as a manifestation of
hypoglycemia?
,A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Tremors and diaphoresis
D. Fruity breath
Answer: C. Tremors and diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia commonly produces sympathetic manifestations such as
sweating, tremors, palpitations, and anxiety.
7. A nurse is teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer. Which
instruction is appropriate?
A. Exhale forcefully into the device
B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
C. Use the device once each morning
D. Breathe rapidly through the mouthpiece
Answer: B. Inhale slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece
Rationale: Slow, sustained inhalation promotes alveolar expansion and helps
prevent postoperative atelectasis.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting a sleep medication
B. Client with oxygen saturation of 88%
C. Client reporting incisional pain of 6/10
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B. Client with oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: Impaired oxygenation is an immediate physiologic priority.
9. Which finding is most concerning in a client receiving an opioid?
, A. Mild nausea
B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
C. Constipation
D. Drowsiness
Answer: B. Respiratory rate of 8/min
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. A markedly decreased
respiratory rate requires immediate assessment and intervention.
10. Which intervention reduces the risk of pressure injury?
A. Massage reddened skin
B. Reposition the client regularly
C. Keep the skin moist
D. Place a donut-shaped device under the sacrum
Answer: B. Reposition the client regularly
Rationale: Regular repositioning relieves prolonged pressure and helps preserve
tissue perfusion.
11. Which action is appropriate when removing personal protective equipment?
A. Remove gloves first
B. Touch the contaminated outside of the gown
C. Remove the mask before leaving an isolation room regardless of isolation type
D. Perform hand hygiene only at the end of the shift
Answer: A. Remove gloves first
Rationale: Gloves are commonly the most contaminated PPE and are removed
first to reduce contamination of other equipment and surfaces.
12. Which client statement demonstrates correct understanding of fall
prevention?
