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ATI Capstone Fundamentals Practice Exam: 100 Questions with Answers
Below are 100 practice questions covering the core content areas tested on the ATI Capstone
Fundamentals assessment: safety and infection control, basic care and comfort, medication
administration, nursing process, and clinical judgment.
Section 1: Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1–25)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test. Which action is correct?
A. Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle with the bevel up
B. Insert the needle at a 5- to 15-degree angle with the bevel up
C. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle with the bevel down
D. Insert the needle at a 60-degree angle using a 25-gauge needle
Answer: B
Rationale: A tuberculin skin test is administered intradermally. The needle is inserted at a 5-
to 15-degree angle with the bevel up until a wheal forms. A 45-degree angle is used for
subcutaneous injections; 90 degrees is used for intramuscular injections .
Q2. A client is placed in restraints. Which action by the nurse is INCORRECT?
A. Tie the restraints to the movable bed frame
B. Remove the restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
C. Document the client's behavior leading to restraint use
D. Obtain a provider's order within 15–30 minutes of application
Answer: A
Rationale: Restraints should be tied to the bed frame (non-movable part), not the side rails,
to prevent injury if the side rail is lowered. Orders must be obtained quickly, restraints must
be removed every 2 hours, and documentation of behavior is essential .
Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which type of precautions should the
nurse implement?
A. Standard Precautions alone
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Airborne Precautions
D. Contact Precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative pressure room
and an N95 respirator. Measles, chickenpox, and herpes zoster also require airborne
precautions .
Q4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about infection prevention. Which action demonstrates
proper hand hygiene?
,2
A. Wash hands for 5 seconds
B. Dry hands from wrists to fingertips
C. Rub all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
D. Turn off the faucet with bare hands
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction for at least 20 seconds while cleaning all
hand surfaces. Faucets should be turned off with a paper towel to prevent recontamination .
Q5. Which statement by a client about hand hygiene indicates a need for further education?
A. "I will wash my hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds"
B. "I should wash my hands after touching body fluids"
C. "Hand sanitizer is just as effective as washing with soap and water in all situations"
D. "I will wash my hands before eating and after using the restroom"
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are NOT equally effective as handwashing in all
situations. They are less effective when hands are visibly soiled or when dealing with C.
difficile and norovirus. Soap and water is required in these cases .
Q6. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action should the nurse
take to prevent contamination?
A. Reach over the sterile field to obtain supplies
B. Restart the procedure if the sterile solution splashes onto the sterile field
C. Keep the sterile field below waist level
D. Use a non-sterile glove on the dominant hand only
Answer: B
Rationale: If any doubt exists about the sterility of a field, the procedure must be restarted.
Reaching over the field and keeping it below waist level compromise sterility .
Q7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy who is experiencing neutropenia.
What should the nurse include in patient education?
A. Increase intake of fresh, unpasteurized foods
B. Avoid crowded events
C. Use a razor for shaving
D. Skip daily bathing to preserve skin flora
Answer: B
Rationale: Neutropenic clients have a compromised immune system and cannot effectively
fight infection. They should avoid crowded events to reduce exposure to pathogens .
Q8. A nurse is preparing to care for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is the
priority?
, 3
A. Place the client's belongings across the room
B. Raise all four side rails
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position and ensure the call light is within reach
D. Encourage the client to ambulate without assistance
Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the bed low and the call light accessible reduces fall risk while promoting
independence. Raising all four side rails is considered a restraint in many situations .
Q9. A nurse receives a report from assistive personnel that a client's blood pressure is
160/95. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer an antihypertensive as prescribed
B. Recheck the client's blood pressure
C. Document the finding and continue with other tasks
D. Notify the provider immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should reassess the client's blood pressure before any intervention.
Verification of abnormal findings is essential prior to notifying the provider or administering
medication .
Q10. A nurse is admitting a client who has TB and a productive cough. What type of isolation
precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Airborne Precautions
D. Standard Precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions including a negative pressure room and N95
respirator for staff .
Q11. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis pain rated 6/10
B. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom
C. Client with sudden onset shortness of breath
D. Client waiting for discharge instructions
Answer: C
Rationale: According to ABC priorities, sudden shortness of breath threatens airway and
breathing and requires immediate assessment .
Q12. A nurse is teaching a client about the correct use of a cane. What should the nurse
include? (Select all that apply.)
ATI Capstone Fundamentals Practice Exam: 100 Questions with Answers
Below are 100 practice questions covering the core content areas tested on the ATI Capstone
Fundamentals assessment: safety and infection control, basic care and comfort, medication
administration, nursing process, and clinical judgment.
Section 1: Safety & Infection Control (Questions 1–25)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a tuberculin skin test. Which action is correct?
A. Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle with the bevel up
B. Insert the needle at a 5- to 15-degree angle with the bevel up
C. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle with the bevel down
D. Insert the needle at a 60-degree angle using a 25-gauge needle
Answer: B
Rationale: A tuberculin skin test is administered intradermally. The needle is inserted at a 5-
to 15-degree angle with the bevel up until a wheal forms. A 45-degree angle is used for
subcutaneous injections; 90 degrees is used for intramuscular injections .
Q2. A client is placed in restraints. Which action by the nurse is INCORRECT?
A. Tie the restraints to the movable bed frame
B. Remove the restraints every 2 hours for range of motion
C. Document the client's behavior leading to restraint use
D. Obtain a provider's order within 15–30 minutes of application
Answer: A
Rationale: Restraints should be tied to the bed frame (non-movable part), not the side rails,
to prevent injury if the side rail is lowered. Orders must be obtained quickly, restraints must
be removed every 2 hours, and documentation of behavior is essential .
Q3. A nurse is caring for a client with tuberculosis. Which type of precautions should the
nurse implement?
A. Standard Precautions alone
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Airborne Precautions
D. Contact Precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions, including a negative pressure room
and an N95 respirator. Measles, chickenpox, and herpes zoster also require airborne
precautions .
Q4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about infection prevention. Which action demonstrates
proper hand hygiene?
,2
A. Wash hands for 5 seconds
B. Dry hands from wrists to fingertips
C. Rub all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
D. Turn off the faucet with bare hands
Answer: C
Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction for at least 20 seconds while cleaning all
hand surfaces. Faucets should be turned off with a paper towel to prevent recontamination .
Q5. Which statement by a client about hand hygiene indicates a need for further education?
A. "I will wash my hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds"
B. "I should wash my hands after touching body fluids"
C. "Hand sanitizer is just as effective as washing with soap and water in all situations"
D. "I will wash my hands before eating and after using the restroom"
Answer: C
Rationale: Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are NOT equally effective as handwashing in all
situations. They are less effective when hands are visibly soiled or when dealing with C.
difficile and norovirus. Soap and water is required in these cases .
Q6. A nurse is preparing to perform a sterile dressing change. Which action should the nurse
take to prevent contamination?
A. Reach over the sterile field to obtain supplies
B. Restart the procedure if the sterile solution splashes onto the sterile field
C. Keep the sterile field below waist level
D. Use a non-sterile glove on the dominant hand only
Answer: B
Rationale: If any doubt exists about the sterility of a field, the procedure must be restarted.
Reaching over the field and keeping it below waist level compromise sterility .
Q7. A nurse is caring for a client receiving chemotherapy who is experiencing neutropenia.
What should the nurse include in patient education?
A. Increase intake of fresh, unpasteurized foods
B. Avoid crowded events
C. Use a razor for shaving
D. Skip daily bathing to preserve skin flora
Answer: B
Rationale: Neutropenic clients have a compromised immune system and cannot effectively
fight infection. They should avoid crowded events to reduce exposure to pathogens .
Q8. A nurse is preparing to care for a client who is at risk for falls. Which intervention is the
priority?
, 3
A. Place the client's belongings across the room
B. Raise all four side rails
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position and ensure the call light is within reach
D. Encourage the client to ambulate without assistance
Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the bed low and the call light accessible reduces fall risk while promoting
independence. Raising all four side rails is considered a restraint in many situations .
Q9. A nurse receives a report from assistive personnel that a client's blood pressure is
160/95. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer an antihypertensive as prescribed
B. Recheck the client's blood pressure
C. Document the finding and continue with other tasks
D. Notify the provider immediately
Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should reassess the client's blood pressure before any intervention.
Verification of abnormal findings is essential prior to notifying the provider or administering
medication .
Q10. A nurse is admitting a client who has TB and a productive cough. What type of isolation
precautions should the nurse initiate?
A. Contact Precautions
B. Droplet Precautions
C. Airborne Precautions
D. Standard Precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: TB requires airborne precautions including a negative pressure room and N95
respirator for staff .
Q11. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis pain rated 6/10
B. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom
C. Client with sudden onset shortness of breath
D. Client waiting for discharge instructions
Answer: C
Rationale: According to ABC priorities, sudden shortness of breath threatens airway and
breathing and requires immediate assessment .
Q12. A nurse is teaching a client about the correct use of a cane. What should the nurse
include? (Select all that apply.)
