1
ATI RN CAPSTONE PROCTORED
COMPREHENSIVE 2023 ASSESSMENT B QS, AS
AND RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
VERSION\100% TOP SCORE
This assessment evaluates a nursing student’s ability to integrate
knowledge and clinical judgment across multiple areas of nursing
practice. Students can expect:
• Content areas: Adult Health, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics,
Mental Health, Pharmacology, and Fundamentals of Nursing.
• Question types: Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
requiring critical thinking.
• Difficulty: Moderate to high, focusing on real-world nursing
application and patient care prioritization.
• Purpose: To assess readiness for RN practice and identify
strengths and areas needing review.
Tip: Read each scenario carefully, prioritize patient safety, and apply
evidence-based nursing interventions.
1. A patient with congestive heart failure reports sudden weight gain
of 3 pounds in 24 hours. What is the nurse’s priority action?
,2
A. Notify the provider
B. Restrict fluids
C. Assess for edema and lung sounds
D. Increase diuretic dosage
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the patient for signs of fluid
overload (edema, crackles) to guide further interventions safely.
2. A patient is prescribed vancomycin 1 g IV over 60 minutes. Which
finding indicates the nurse should slow the infusion?
A. Redness at IV site
B. Flushing and hypotension
C. Mild nausea
D. Increased urine output
Answer: B
Rationale: Flushing and hypotension indicate “red man syndrome,”
which requires slowing the infusion to prevent complications.
3. Which patient requires the highest priority intervention?
A. Post-op patient with mild nausea
B. COPD patient with SpO₂ 88% on room air
C. Patient scheduled for discharge in 2 hours
D. Patient with stage 2 pressure injury
,3
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia (SpO₂ < 90%) is life-threatening and requires
immediate intervention.
4. A patient with type 1 diabetes reports dizziness and sweating.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage exercise
D. Provide high-protein snack
Answer: B
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; giving 15 g of fast-acting
carbohydrate quickly raises blood glucose.
5. A patient receiving opioids develops respiratory rate 8/min. What is
the first nursing action?
A. Call the provider
B. Stimulate the patient and assess airway
C. Increase oxygen
D. Record in chart
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate airway assessment and stimulation are priority
actions; opioid-induced respiratory depression is life-threatening.
, 4
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease has potassium 6.2 mEq/L.
Which intervention is most urgent?
A. Encourage high-potassium diet
B. Administer kayexalate or follow provider orders
C. Monitor urine output
D. Reassess potassium in 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (>5.5 mEq/L) is life-threatening and requires
prompt intervention to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
7. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient with mild headache
B. Patient with sudden-onset chest pain and diaphoresis
C. Patient reporting itching at IV site
D. Patient scheduled for physical therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden chest pain with diaphoresis suggests myocardial
infarction, which is life-threatening.
8. A patient has a new tracheostomy. Which action prevents mucous
plug formation?
A. Humidify oxygen and perform suction PRN
B. Keep head flat
C. Restrict fluids
D. Avoid deep breathing exercises
ATI RN CAPSTONE PROCTORED
COMPREHENSIVE 2023 ASSESSMENT B QS, AS
AND RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
VERSION\100% TOP SCORE
This assessment evaluates a nursing student’s ability to integrate
knowledge and clinical judgment across multiple areas of nursing
practice. Students can expect:
• Content areas: Adult Health, Maternal-Newborn, Pediatrics,
Mental Health, Pharmacology, and Fundamentals of Nursing.
• Question types: Multiple-choice and scenario-based questions
requiring critical thinking.
• Difficulty: Moderate to high, focusing on real-world nursing
application and patient care prioritization.
• Purpose: To assess readiness for RN practice and identify
strengths and areas needing review.
Tip: Read each scenario carefully, prioritize patient safety, and apply
evidence-based nursing interventions.
1. A patient with congestive heart failure reports sudden weight gain
of 3 pounds in 24 hours. What is the nurse’s priority action?
,2
A. Notify the provider
B. Restrict fluids
C. Assess for edema and lung sounds
D. Increase diuretic dosage
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first assess the patient for signs of fluid
overload (edema, crackles) to guide further interventions safely.
2. A patient is prescribed vancomycin 1 g IV over 60 minutes. Which
finding indicates the nurse should slow the infusion?
A. Redness at IV site
B. Flushing and hypotension
C. Mild nausea
D. Increased urine output
Answer: B
Rationale: Flushing and hypotension indicate “red man syndrome,”
which requires slowing the infusion to prevent complications.
3. Which patient requires the highest priority intervention?
A. Post-op patient with mild nausea
B. COPD patient with SpO₂ 88% on room air
C. Patient scheduled for discharge in 2 hours
D. Patient with stage 2 pressure injury
,3
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia (SpO₂ < 90%) is life-threatening and requires
immediate intervention.
4. A patient with type 1 diabetes reports dizziness and sweating.
Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Administer insulin
B. Give 15 g fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage exercise
D. Provide high-protein snack
Answer: B
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; giving 15 g of fast-acting
carbohydrate quickly raises blood glucose.
5. A patient receiving opioids develops respiratory rate 8/min. What is
the first nursing action?
A. Call the provider
B. Stimulate the patient and assess airway
C. Increase oxygen
D. Record in chart
Answer: B
Rationale: Immediate airway assessment and stimulation are priority
actions; opioid-induced respiratory depression is life-threatening.
, 4
6. A patient with chronic kidney disease has potassium 6.2 mEq/L.
Which intervention is most urgent?
A. Encourage high-potassium diet
B. Administer kayexalate or follow provider orders
C. Monitor urine output
D. Reassess potassium in 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (>5.5 mEq/L) is life-threatening and requires
prompt intervention to prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
7. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. Patient with mild headache
B. Patient with sudden-onset chest pain and diaphoresis
C. Patient reporting itching at IV site
D. Patient scheduled for physical therapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden chest pain with diaphoresis suggests myocardial
infarction, which is life-threatening.
8. A patient has a new tracheostomy. Which action prevents mucous
plug formation?
A. Humidify oxygen and perform suction PRN
B. Keep head flat
C. Restrict fluids
D. Avoid deep breathing exercises
