ATI Capstone Pre-Assessment Exam 2026: Actual
Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales for
Nursing Students
,Q1: 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) Non-blanchable erythema
B) Necrotic subcutaneous tissue
C) Partial-thickness skin loss
D) Exposed bone and tendon
Rationale: Manifestations of a stage 3 pressure ulcer can include full-thickness skin loss with
necrotic subcutaneous tissue. Non-blanchable erythema indicates a stage 1 ulcer, partial-
thickness skin loss indicates a stage 2 ulcer, and exposed bone or tendon indicates a stage 4
ulcer.
Q2: A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following findings
requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?
A) Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg on day 2
B) Oxygen saturation of 88% on day 2
C) Clear breath sounds on day 1
D) Respiratory rate of 16/min on day 1
Rationale: The client's oxygen saturation is below the expected reference range, indicating
hypoxia and requiring immediate intervention. Thick yellow secretions are also a
,manifestation of a respiratory infection, but hypoxia is the priority. The other findings are
within normal limits.
Q3: A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to ensure client safety?
A) Prepare medications for multiple clients at once
B) Leave medications at the bedside for the client to take later
C) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
D) Administer medications without checking the client's allergies
Rationale: Using two client identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) is a standard safety
protocol to prevent medication errors. Preparing meds for multiple clients or leaving them at
the bedside increases the risk of errors.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a client who requires airborne precautions. Which of the following
personal protective equipment is required?
A) Surgical mask
B) N95 respirator mask
C) Gown and gloves only
D) Face shield
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator mask or a powered air-purifying
respirator (PAPR) to protect against small droplet nuclei. A surgical mask is used for droplet
precautions.
, Q5: A nurse is assessing a client for signs of dehydration. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Poor skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Peripheral edema
Rationale: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign of dehydration. Bounding pulse, crackles, and
peripheral edema are signs of fluid volume excess.
Q6: A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which of the following foods should
the nurse recommend?
A) Canned soup
B) Fresh fruits and vegetables
C) Processed deli meats
D) Frozen dinners
Rationale: Fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium. Canned soups, processed
meats, and frozen dinners are typically high in sodium.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A) Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B) Dehiscence of the surgical wound
C) Mild incisional pain
D) Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed Rationales for
Nursing Students
,Q1: 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) Non-blanchable erythema
B) Necrotic subcutaneous tissue
C) Partial-thickness skin loss
D) Exposed bone and tendon
Rationale: Manifestations of a stage 3 pressure ulcer can include full-thickness skin loss with
necrotic subcutaneous tissue. Non-blanchable erythema indicates a stage 1 ulcer, partial-
thickness skin loss indicates a stage 2 ulcer, and exposed bone or tendon indicates a stage 4
ulcer.
Q2: A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following findings
requires immediate follow-up by the nurse?
A) Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg on day 2
B) Oxygen saturation of 88% on day 2
C) Clear breath sounds on day 1
D) Respiratory rate of 16/min on day 1
Rationale: The client's oxygen saturation is below the expected reference range, indicating
hypoxia and requiring immediate intervention. Thick yellow secretions are also a
,manifestation of a respiratory infection, but hypoxia is the priority. The other findings are
within normal limits.
Q3: A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to ensure client safety?
A) Prepare medications for multiple clients at once
B) Leave medications at the bedside for the client to take later
C) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
D) Administer medications without checking the client's allergies
Rationale: Using two client identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth) is a standard safety
protocol to prevent medication errors. Preparing meds for multiple clients or leaving them at
the bedside increases the risk of errors.
Q4: A nurse is caring for a client who requires airborne precautions. Which of the following
personal protective equipment is required?
A) Surgical mask
B) N95 respirator mask
C) Gown and gloves only
D) Face shield
Rationale: Airborne precautions require an N95 respirator mask or a powered air-purifying
respirator (PAPR) to protect against small droplet nuclei. A surgical mask is used for droplet
precautions.
, Q5: A nurse is assessing a client for signs of dehydration. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect?
A) Bounding pulse
B) Poor skin turgor
C) Crackles in the lungs
D) Peripheral edema
Rationale: Poor skin turgor is a classic sign of dehydration. Bounding pulse, crackles, and
peripheral edema are signs of fluid volume excess.
Q6: A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which of the following foods should
the nurse recommend?
A) Canned soup
B) Fresh fruits and vegetables
C) Processed deli meats
D) Frozen dinners
Rationale: Fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low in sodium. Canned soups, processed
meats, and frozen dinners are typically high in sodium.
Q7: A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A) Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B) Dehiscence of the surgical wound
C) Mild incisional pain
D) Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
