ATI Capstone Fundamentals Pre-Assessment
2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Correct | Grade A+ |
Instant Download
Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The surgeon initially prescribes a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
should the nurse include on the client's lunch tray?
A) Cranberry juice
B) Skim milk
C) Cream of wheat
D) Orange juice with pulp
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cranberry juice is an acceptable component of a clear liquid diet, along with
apple juice and grape juice. Clear liquids are transparent and liquid at room temperature.
Skim milk, cream of wheat, and orange juice with pulp are not considered clear liquids and
would be appropriate for a full liquid or soft diet.
, 2. A nurse in a clinic is talking with a client who has a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
The nurse should anticipate that the client will require teaching about which of the
following medications?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen
C) Morphine sulfate
D) Prednisone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to the American Pain Society, acetaminophen is the primary drug of
choice for treating osteoarthritis. The provider would likely begin with this medication before
advancing to other options. Ibuprofen may be used but is not the first-line choice. Morphine
is for severe pain, and prednisone is used for inflammatory conditions.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a pressure ulcer. The nurse should
recognize which of the following findings is a manifestation of a stage 3 pressure
ulcer?
A) Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B) Partial-thickness skin loss
C) Necrotic subcutaneous tissue
D) Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Manifestations of a stage 3 pressure ulcer include full-thickness skin loss with
necrotic subcutaneous tissue. Stage 1 presents with intact skin and non-blanchable
redness. Stage 2 involves partial-thickness skin loss. Stage 4 involves full-thickness tissue
loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for pitting edema and notes an indentation of 6 mm
(0.25 in) at the point of pressure. Which of the following notations should the nurse
use to document the severity of the client's edema?
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 3+
D) 4+
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should document pitting edema of 5 to 7 mm as 3+. The grading scale
for pitting edema is: 1+ (2 mm), 2+ (4 mm), 3+ (6 mm), and 4+ (8 mm).
5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record for a client who has a health care-
associated infection (HAI). The nurse should identify which of the following findings
as a risk factor for acquiring an HAI?
A) The client is 45 years old
B) The client is 71 years old
, C) The client has a BMI of 22
D) The client exercises regularly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients older than 70 years of age are at an increased risk of acquiring an HAI
due to decreased immune system function, which increases susceptibility to infection. Age-
related changes in the immune system make older adults more vulnerable to infections.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous enteral feedings. The
client is at risk for developing which of the following complications?
A) Aspiration
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Constipation
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients receiving continuous enteral feedings are at risk for aspiration. The nurse
should keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees during and after feedings to
prevent aspiration. Other complications include diarrhea and electrolyte imbalances.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I have to get out of this hospital! They
have found my address and are coming for my family!" The nurse responds, "Don't
2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers with
Detailed Rationales | 100% Correct | Grade A+ |
Instant Download
Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing Practice (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
The surgeon initially prescribes a clear liquid diet. Which of the following items
should the nurse include on the client's lunch tray?
A) Cranberry juice
B) Skim milk
C) Cream of wheat
D) Orange juice with pulp
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cranberry juice is an acceptable component of a clear liquid diet, along with
apple juice and grape juice. Clear liquids are transparent and liquid at room temperature.
Skim milk, cream of wheat, and orange juice with pulp are not considered clear liquids and
would be appropriate for a full liquid or soft diet.
, 2. A nurse in a clinic is talking with a client who has a new diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
The nurse should anticipate that the client will require teaching about which of the
following medications?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen
C) Morphine sulfate
D) Prednisone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to the American Pain Society, acetaminophen is the primary drug of
choice for treating osteoarthritis. The provider would likely begin with this medication before
advancing to other options. Ibuprofen may be used but is not the first-line choice. Morphine
is for severe pain, and prednisone is used for inflammatory conditions.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a pressure ulcer. The nurse should
recognize which of the following findings is a manifestation of a stage 3 pressure
ulcer?
A) Intact skin with non-blanchable redness
B) Partial-thickness skin loss
C) Necrotic subcutaneous tissue
D) Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Manifestations of a stage 3 pressure ulcer include full-thickness skin loss with
necrotic subcutaneous tissue. Stage 1 presents with intact skin and non-blanchable
redness. Stage 2 involves partial-thickness skin loss. Stage 4 involves full-thickness tissue
loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.
4. A nurse is assessing a client for pitting edema and notes an indentation of 6 mm
(0.25 in) at the point of pressure. Which of the following notations should the nurse
use to document the severity of the client's edema?
A) 1+
B) 2+
C) 3+
D) 4+
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should document pitting edema of 5 to 7 mm as 3+. The grading scale
for pitting edema is: 1+ (2 mm), 2+ (4 mm), 3+ (6 mm), and 4+ (8 mm).
5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record for a client who has a health care-
associated infection (HAI). The nurse should identify which of the following findings
as a risk factor for acquiring an HAI?
A) The client is 45 years old
B) The client is 71 years old
, C) The client has a BMI of 22
D) The client exercises regularly
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients older than 70 years of age are at an increased risk of acquiring an HAI
due to decreased immune system function, which increases susceptibility to infection. Age-
related changes in the immune system make older adults more vulnerable to infections.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous enteral feedings. The
client is at risk for developing which of the following complications?
A) Aspiration
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Constipation
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients receiving continuous enteral feedings are at risk for aspiration. The nurse
should keep the head of the bed elevated at least 30 degrees during and after feedings to
prevent aspiration. Other complications include diarrhea and electrolyte imbalances.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who states, "I have to get out of this hospital! They
have found my address and are coming for my family!" The nurse responds, "Don't
