ATI Capstone Fundamentals Nursing Exam 2025:
Ultimate Practice Questions & Answers
This definitive nursing test-preparation resource features high-yield practice questions
and verified answers modeled directly after the ATI Capstone Fundamentals exit
evaluation framework. It delivers comprehensive coverage of core foundational nursing
competencies, including client safety protocols, advanced infection control, legal-ethical
guidelines, dosage math, and the nursing process phases. Pre-licensure nursing
students will master critical client care prioritization strategies, fluid and electrolyte
baselines, and clinical judgment models to ensure an optimal passing predictability
score.
1. A nurse is admitting a client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis. Which type of
isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
A) Contact precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Standard precautions
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room
and N95 respirator.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A) Crush the medication into a fine powder
B) Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
C) Mix the medication with 30 mL of water
D) Flush the tube with 10 mL of air
Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority before administering any medication to
prevent aspiration.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Serous drainage on the dressing
B) Wound edges separating with visible fascia
C) Mild incisional pain
D) Temperature 99.2°F
Rationale: Wound dehiscence with visible fascia indicates a surgical emergency and
requires immediate notification.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A) Inhale rapidly and deeply
B) Hold breath for 10 seconds after inhaling
C) Exhale forcefully before using the inhaler
D) Use the inhaler without a spacer
Rationale: Holding the breath for 10 seconds allows the medication to deposit in the
airways.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action is
correct?
A) Use clean technique
B) Perform hand hygiene and use sterile technique
C) Lubricate the catheter with petroleum jelly
D) Inflate the balloon before insertion
Rationale: Urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique to prevent CAUTI.
,6. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is
priority?
A) Apply restraints
B) Keep the call light within reach
C) Keep the bed in the highest position
D) Dim the lights
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach promotes safety and allows the client to call
for assistance.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which finding indicates the client is
experiencing acute pain?
A) Pain lasting 6 months
B) Pain associated with tachycardia and diaphoresis
C) Pain described as dull and achy
D) Pain without physical signs
Rationale: Acute pain activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia,
diaphoresis, and elevated blood pressure.
8. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action indicates a break
in sterile technique?
A) Opening the sterile package away from the body
B) Touching the sterile dressing with ungloved hands
C) Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field
D) Using sterile gloves
Rationale: Touching sterile items with ungloved hands contaminates the field.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer an enema. Which position is appropriate for
the client?
A) Supine
, B) Left lateral Sims' position
C) Prone
D) Trendelenburg
Rationale: Left lateral Sims' position facilitates the flow of solution into the colon by
gravity.
10. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory status. Which finding indicates the
need for suctioning?
A) Respiratory rate 16
B) Coarse crackles and audible secretions
C) Oxygen saturation 98%
D) Clear breath sounds
Rationale: Coarse crackles and audible secretions indicate retained secretions requiring
suctioning.
11. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
client avoid?
A) Fresh fruit
B) Canned soup
C) Plain rice
D) Fresh chicken
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-sodium diet.
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new colostomy. Which finding indicates
a healthy stoma?
A) Black and dry
B) Beefy red and moist
C) Pale and cool
D) Blue and edematous
Ultimate Practice Questions & Answers
This definitive nursing test-preparation resource features high-yield practice questions
and verified answers modeled directly after the ATI Capstone Fundamentals exit
evaluation framework. It delivers comprehensive coverage of core foundational nursing
competencies, including client safety protocols, advanced infection control, legal-ethical
guidelines, dosage math, and the nursing process phases. Pre-licensure nursing
students will master critical client care prioritization strategies, fluid and electrolyte
baselines, and clinical judgment models to ensure an optimal passing predictability
score.
1. A nurse is admitting a client with a new diagnosis of tuberculosis. Which type of
isolation precaution should the nurse implement?
A) Contact precautions
B) Droplet precautions
C) Airborne precautions
D) Standard precautions
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative-pressure room
and N95 respirator.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A) Crush the medication into a fine powder
B) Verify tube placement by aspirating gastric contents and checking pH
C) Mix the medication with 30 mL of water
D) Flush the tube with 10 mL of air
Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority before administering any medication to
prevent aspiration.
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A) Serous drainage on the dressing
B) Wound edges separating with visible fascia
C) Mild incisional pain
D) Temperature 99.2°F
Rationale: Wound dehiscence with visible fascia indicates a surgical emergency and
requires immediate notification.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A) Inhale rapidly and deeply
B) Hold breath for 10 seconds after inhaling
C) Exhale forcefully before using the inhaler
D) Use the inhaler without a spacer
Rationale: Holding the breath for 10 seconds allows the medication to deposit in the
airways.
5. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action is
correct?
A) Use clean technique
B) Perform hand hygiene and use sterile technique
C) Lubricate the catheter with petroleum jelly
D) Inflate the balloon before insertion
Rationale: Urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique to prevent CAUTI.
,6. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is
priority?
A) Apply restraints
B) Keep the call light within reach
C) Keep the bed in the highest position
D) Dim the lights
Rationale: Keeping the call light within reach promotes safety and allows the client to call
for assistance.
7. A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which finding indicates the client is
experiencing acute pain?
A) Pain lasting 6 months
B) Pain associated with tachycardia and diaphoresis
C) Pain described as dull and achy
D) Pain without physical signs
Rationale: Acute pain activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing tachycardia,
diaphoresis, and elevated blood pressure.
8. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action indicates a break
in sterile technique?
A) Opening the sterile package away from the body
B) Touching the sterile dressing with ungloved hands
C) Placing sterile supplies on the sterile field
D) Using sterile gloves
Rationale: Touching sterile items with ungloved hands contaminates the field.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer an enema. Which position is appropriate for
the client?
A) Supine
, B) Left lateral Sims' position
C) Prone
D) Trendelenburg
Rationale: Left lateral Sims' position facilitates the flow of solution into the colon by
gravity.
10. A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory status. Which finding indicates the
need for suctioning?
A) Respiratory rate 16
B) Coarse crackles and audible secretions
C) Oxygen saturation 98%
D) Clear breath sounds
Rationale: Coarse crackles and audible secretions indicate retained secretions requiring
suctioning.
11. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food should the
client avoid?
A) Fresh fruit
B) Canned soup
C) Plain rice
D) Fresh chicken
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-sodium diet.
12. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new colostomy. Which finding indicates
a healthy stoma?
A) Black and dry
B) Beefy red and moist
C) Pale and cool
D) Blue and edematous
