ATI Fundamentals Capstone Exam Version 1
(NEW 2025 Update) Questions and Verified
Answers |100% Correct| Grade A
QUESTION
A nurse is assessing a client who has Parkinson's disease. Which of the following manifestations
should the nurse expect?
A. Pruritus
B. Hypertension
C. Bradykinesia
D. Xerostomia
Answer:
C. Bradykinesia
Rationale: The nurse should expect to find bradykinesia or difficulty moving in a client who has
Parkinson's disease. The nurse should expect to find oily skin, which results from autonomic
dysfunction, rather than pruritus, which results from dry skin. The nurse should expect to find
orthostatic hypotension, which results from autonomic dysfunction. Te nurse should expect to
find uncontrolled drooling, especially at night, instead of xerostomia or dry mouth in a client
who has Parkinson's disease.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client with celiac disease. Which food should be removed from the meal
tray?
A. Corn bread
B. Mashed potato
C. Lentils
D. Tortillas
Answer:
D. Tortillas
Rationale: Tortillas contain gluten. Corn bread, mashed potatoes and lentils do not contain
gluten.
1
,QUESTION
A nurse is assessing four clients for fluid balance. The nurse should identify that which of the
following clients is exhibiting manifestations of dehydration?
A. A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010.
B. A client who has a weight gain of 2.2 kg (2 lb) in 24 hr.
C. A client who has a hematocrit of 45%.
D. A client who has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
Answer:
D. A client who has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rationale: An elevated temperature is a manifestation of dehydration. The urine specific gravity
is within the expected reference range of 1.010 to 1.025. Concentrated urine and a specific
gravity of grater than 1.030 are manifestations of dehydration. Weight gain is a manifestation of
fluid volume excess. The hematocrit is within expected reference range of 37% to 64%. An
elevated hematocrit is a manifestation of hemoconcentration and dehydration.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client receiving radiation treatments for cancer. The client states he is
experiencing dryness, redness and scaling at the treatment area. Which of the following should
the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Sit in the sun for 15 minutes per day.
B. Apply moist heat to the area twice daily.
C. Liberally apply prescribed lotion to the area.
D. Wash the affected area daily with antimicrobial soap.
Answer:
C. Liberally apply prescribed lotion to the area.
Rationale: Hydrating lotions are commonly prescribed to treat irradiated areas. Antimicrobial
soaps can be harsh and further traumatize new epidermal cells. The client should avoid applying
other lotions not prescribed by the radiologist to affected areas. Clients receiving radiation
therapy should avoid exposing irradiated areas to sun. Moist heat should be avoided over
irradiated areas.
2
,QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client receiving opiates for pain management. Initially after the pain
management plan was started, the client was sedated and sleeping most of the time. After three
days on the plan the client is no longer sedated and sleeping regularly. What action should the
nurse take?
A. Initiate additional non-pharmacological pain management techniques.
B. Notify the provider that a dosage adjustment is needed.
C. No action is needed at this time.
D. Contact the provider to request an alternate method of pain management.
Answer:
C. No action is needed at this time.
Rationale: Opiates initially cause sedation but this effect subsides with maintenance pain control.
The pain management plan is working. There is no need to change or add additional methods at
this time.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has evidence of dyspnea, bibasilar crackles
and frothy sputum. What dietary recommendations should be provided to this client in
management of their heart failure?
A. Decrease protein intake.
B. Reduce sodium intake.
C. Increase fluid intake.
D. Decrease calcium intake.
Answer:
B. Reduce sodium intake.
Rationale: It is encouraged to stop smoking, reduce sodium intake, monitor fluid intake,
restricting intake to 2 L per day. It is also encouraged to increase protein intake to 1.12 g/kg and
consume small, frequent meals that are soft, easy-to-chew foods. There are no recommendations
on calcium intake associated with heart failure.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for several prescribed heat/cold therapies. Which of the following clients are at
risk of injury from these therapies? Select all that apply.
3
, A. An older adult client prescribed heat therapy for hip pain.
B. A middle age adult client prescribed cold therapy for muscle spasms.
C. A client with diabetes prescribed cold therapy for a fractured toe.
D. A fair-skinned, school age client prescribed heat therapy after a soccer injury.
E. A cognitively impaired older adult prescribed alternating heat and cold therapy.
Answer:
A, C, D, and E.
Rationale: The nurse should use extreme caution with clients who are very young, an older adult,
fair-skinned, impaired cognition, and have comorbidities because they are at higher risk for
fragile skin.
QUESTION
A nurse is preparing to administer total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to a client. Which of the
following findings indicates a need to obtain a new bag of TPN before administering?
A. The TPN solution has an oily appearance and a layer of fat on top of the solution.
B. The TPN solution contains added electrolytes, vitamins and trace elements.
C. The bag of TPN was prepared by the pharmacy 12 hours prior.
D. The bag of TPN is labeled with the client's name, medical record number and prescription.
Answer:
A. The TPN solution has an oily appearance and a layer of fat on top of the solution.
Rationale: Before administration of TPN, the nurse should look for "cracking" of TPN solution.
This occurs if the calcium or phosphorus content is high or if poor-salt albumin is added. A
"cracked" TPN solution has an oily appearance or a layer of fat on top of the solution and should
not be used. To prevent interruption of therapy the next bag of TPN should be available prior to
the previous bags completion.
QUESTION
What is the name of a legal document that instructs the health care providers and family
members about what, if any, life-sustaining treatment and individual wants if at some time the
individual is unable to make decisions?
A. Do Not Resuscitate
B. Informed consent
4
(NEW 2025 Update) Questions and Verified
Answers |100% Correct| Grade A
QUESTION
A nurse is assessing a client who has Parkinson's disease. Which of the following manifestations
should the nurse expect?
A. Pruritus
B. Hypertension
C. Bradykinesia
D. Xerostomia
Answer:
C. Bradykinesia
Rationale: The nurse should expect to find bradykinesia or difficulty moving in a client who has
Parkinson's disease. The nurse should expect to find oily skin, which results from autonomic
dysfunction, rather than pruritus, which results from dry skin. The nurse should expect to find
orthostatic hypotension, which results from autonomic dysfunction. Te nurse should expect to
find uncontrolled drooling, especially at night, instead of xerostomia or dry mouth in a client
who has Parkinson's disease.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client with celiac disease. Which food should be removed from the meal
tray?
A. Corn bread
B. Mashed potato
C. Lentils
D. Tortillas
Answer:
D. Tortillas
Rationale: Tortillas contain gluten. Corn bread, mashed potatoes and lentils do not contain
gluten.
1
,QUESTION
A nurse is assessing four clients for fluid balance. The nurse should identify that which of the
following clients is exhibiting manifestations of dehydration?
A. A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010.
B. A client who has a weight gain of 2.2 kg (2 lb) in 24 hr.
C. A client who has a hematocrit of 45%.
D. A client who has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
Answer:
D. A client who has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
Rationale: An elevated temperature is a manifestation of dehydration. The urine specific gravity
is within the expected reference range of 1.010 to 1.025. Concentrated urine and a specific
gravity of grater than 1.030 are manifestations of dehydration. Weight gain is a manifestation of
fluid volume excess. The hematocrit is within expected reference range of 37% to 64%. An
elevated hematocrit is a manifestation of hemoconcentration and dehydration.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client receiving radiation treatments for cancer. The client states he is
experiencing dryness, redness and scaling at the treatment area. Which of the following should
the nurse instruct the client to do?
A. Sit in the sun for 15 minutes per day.
B. Apply moist heat to the area twice daily.
C. Liberally apply prescribed lotion to the area.
D. Wash the affected area daily with antimicrobial soap.
Answer:
C. Liberally apply prescribed lotion to the area.
Rationale: Hydrating lotions are commonly prescribed to treat irradiated areas. Antimicrobial
soaps can be harsh and further traumatize new epidermal cells. The client should avoid applying
other lotions not prescribed by the radiologist to affected areas. Clients receiving radiation
therapy should avoid exposing irradiated areas to sun. Moist heat should be avoided over
irradiated areas.
2
,QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client receiving opiates for pain management. Initially after the pain
management plan was started, the client was sedated and sleeping most of the time. After three
days on the plan the client is no longer sedated and sleeping regularly. What action should the
nurse take?
A. Initiate additional non-pharmacological pain management techniques.
B. Notify the provider that a dosage adjustment is needed.
C. No action is needed at this time.
D. Contact the provider to request an alternate method of pain management.
Answer:
C. No action is needed at this time.
Rationale: Opiates initially cause sedation but this effect subsides with maintenance pain control.
The pain management plan is working. There is no need to change or add additional methods at
this time.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has evidence of dyspnea, bibasilar crackles
and frothy sputum. What dietary recommendations should be provided to this client in
management of their heart failure?
A. Decrease protein intake.
B. Reduce sodium intake.
C. Increase fluid intake.
D. Decrease calcium intake.
Answer:
B. Reduce sodium intake.
Rationale: It is encouraged to stop smoking, reduce sodium intake, monitor fluid intake,
restricting intake to 2 L per day. It is also encouraged to increase protein intake to 1.12 g/kg and
consume small, frequent meals that are soft, easy-to-chew foods. There are no recommendations
on calcium intake associated with heart failure.
QUESTION
A nurse is caring for several prescribed heat/cold therapies. Which of the following clients are at
risk of injury from these therapies? Select all that apply.
3
, A. An older adult client prescribed heat therapy for hip pain.
B. A middle age adult client prescribed cold therapy for muscle spasms.
C. A client with diabetes prescribed cold therapy for a fractured toe.
D. A fair-skinned, school age client prescribed heat therapy after a soccer injury.
E. A cognitively impaired older adult prescribed alternating heat and cold therapy.
Answer:
A, C, D, and E.
Rationale: The nurse should use extreme caution with clients who are very young, an older adult,
fair-skinned, impaired cognition, and have comorbidities because they are at higher risk for
fragile skin.
QUESTION
A nurse is preparing to administer total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to a client. Which of the
following findings indicates a need to obtain a new bag of TPN before administering?
A. The TPN solution has an oily appearance and a layer of fat on top of the solution.
B. The TPN solution contains added electrolytes, vitamins and trace elements.
C. The bag of TPN was prepared by the pharmacy 12 hours prior.
D. The bag of TPN is labeled with the client's name, medical record number and prescription.
Answer:
A. The TPN solution has an oily appearance and a layer of fat on top of the solution.
Rationale: Before administration of TPN, the nurse should look for "cracking" of TPN solution.
This occurs if the calcium or phosphorus content is high or if poor-salt albumin is added. A
"cracked" TPN solution has an oily appearance or a layer of fat on top of the solution and should
not be used. To prevent interruption of therapy the next bag of TPN should be available prior to
the previous bags completion.
QUESTION
What is the name of a legal document that instructs the health care providers and family
members about what, if any, life-sustaining treatment and individual wants if at some time the
individual is unable to make decisions?
A. Do Not Resuscitate
B. Informed consent
4
