ATI CAPSTONE FUNDAMENTALS PROCTORED EXAM STUDY
GUIDE
Syllabus: 2026/2027 Updated Version
Format: 100+ Questions with Answers
UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
1. A nurse is explaining the "quality and safety education for nurses" (QSEN)
competency of "patient-centered care" to a colleague. Which statement best
describes this competency?
a) "It involves using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes."
b) "It focuses on minimizing the risk of harm to patients and providers."
c) "It recognizes the patient as the source of control and a full partner in providing
compassionate and coordinated care."
d) "It emphasizes using effective communication to function effectively within nursing
and interprofessional teams."
ANSWER ✓ c) "It recognizes the patient as the source of control and a full partner
in providing compassionate and coordinated care."
2. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse
assess first?
a) A patient who is 2 days post-operative and reports incisional pain of 4 on a 0-10
scale.
b) A patient with a new diagnosis of diabetes who needs teaching on insulin
administration.
c) A patient with a history of heart failure who reports new-onset shortness of breath
and has an O2 saturation of 88%.
d) A patient who is scheduled for a discharge in one hour and needs help packing.
ANSWER ✓ c) A patient with a history of heart failure who reports new-onset
shortness of breath and has an O2 saturation of 88%.
3. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which patient need should the nurse
address first?
, a) A patient who feels anxious about their upcoming surgery.
b) A patient who requests a visit from a chaplain.
c) A patient who is struggling to use a urinal and is incontinent of urine.
d) A patient who wants to review their lab results with the nurse.
ANSWER ✓ c) A patient who is struggling to use a urinal and is incontinent of
urine.
4. A nurse is admitting a patient to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following
actions is a priority for ensuring patient safety?
a) Placing the call light within the patient's reach.
b) Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth.
c) Hanging the IV antibiotic that is due in one hour.
d) Documenting the patient's admission vital signs.
ANSWER ✓ a) Placing the call light within the patient's reach.
5. A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool to report a patient's change in
status to a provider. Which of the following statements represents the "B" in
SBAR?
a) "The patient is post-op day 1 from a colectomy."
b) "The patient's blood pressure has dropped to 90/60 and their heart rate is 110."
c) "I think the patient might be dehydrated and may need a fluid bolus."
d) "The patient's abdomen is distended and they are reporting increased pain."
ANSWER ✓ b) "The patient's blood pressure has dropped to 90/60 and their heart
rate is 110."
6. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which of the
following is an appropriate action to verify the patient's identity?
a) Check the name on the patient's door.
b) Ask the patient, "Are you Mr. Smith?"
c) Compare the patient's stated name and date of birth against the MAR.
d) Verify the patient's identity by reading their wristband, as the patient is asleep.
ANSWER ✓ c) Compare the patient's stated name and date of birth against the
MAR.
7. A newly licensed nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
a) Assisting a patient to ambulate to the bathroom for the first time post-operatively.
b) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication given to a patient.
, c) Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet with a patient.
d) Measuring the vital signs of a patient who is stable.
ANSWER ✓ d) Measuring the vital signs of a patient who is stable.
8. A nurse enters a patient's room and finds the patient lying on the floor. After
calling for help and assessing the patient, which of the following actions should
the nurse take next?
a) Complete an incident report.
b) Move the patient back to bed.
c) Notify the provider.
d) Assist the patient back to bed if no injuries are found.
ANSWER ✓ d) Assist the patient back to bed if no injuries are found.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about advance directives. Which statement by the
patient indicates a correct understanding?
a) "My advance directives tell the doctor what kind of treatment I want, and they cannot
be changed."
b) "Once I sign these, my family cannot make any decisions for me."
c) "If I am unable to make my own decisions, this document will let my wishes be
known."
d) "Advance directives are the same as a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order."
ANSWER ✓ c) "If I am unable to make my own decisions, this document will let my
wishes be known."
10. A nurse is applying for a new job and is asked to sign a document promising
not to reveal private information about former or current patients. This document
refers to:
a) A verbal contract.
b) A professional code of ethics.
c) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
d) An advanced directive.
ANSWER ✓ c) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
compliance.
GUIDE
Syllabus: 2026/2027 Updated Version
Format: 100+ Questions with Answers
UNIT 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
1. A nurse is explaining the "quality and safety education for nurses" (QSEN)
competency of "patient-centered care" to a colleague. Which statement best
describes this competency?
a) "It involves using data to monitor the outcomes of care processes."
b) "It focuses on minimizing the risk of harm to patients and providers."
c) "It recognizes the patient as the source of control and a full partner in providing
compassionate and coordinated care."
d) "It emphasizes using effective communication to function effectively within nursing
and interprofessional teams."
ANSWER ✓ c) "It recognizes the patient as the source of control and a full partner
in providing compassionate and coordinated care."
2. A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse
assess first?
a) A patient who is 2 days post-operative and reports incisional pain of 4 on a 0-10
scale.
b) A patient with a new diagnosis of diabetes who needs teaching on insulin
administration.
c) A patient with a history of heart failure who reports new-onset shortness of breath
and has an O2 saturation of 88%.
d) A patient who is scheduled for a discharge in one hour and needs help packing.
ANSWER ✓ c) A patient with a history of heart failure who reports new-onset
shortness of breath and has an O2 saturation of 88%.
3. According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which patient need should the nurse
address first?
, a) A patient who feels anxious about their upcoming surgery.
b) A patient who requests a visit from a chaplain.
c) A patient who is struggling to use a urinal and is incontinent of urine.
d) A patient who wants to review their lab results with the nurse.
ANSWER ✓ c) A patient who is struggling to use a urinal and is incontinent of
urine.
4. A nurse is admitting a patient to a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following
actions is a priority for ensuring patient safety?
a) Placing the call light within the patient's reach.
b) Asking the patient to state their name and date of birth.
c) Hanging the IV antibiotic that is due in one hour.
d) Documenting the patient's admission vital signs.
ANSWER ✓ a) Placing the call light within the patient's reach.
5. A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool to report a patient's change in
status to a provider. Which of the following statements represents the "B" in
SBAR?
a) "The patient is post-op day 1 from a colectomy."
b) "The patient's blood pressure has dropped to 90/60 and their heart rate is 110."
c) "I think the patient might be dehydrated and may need a fluid bolus."
d) "The patient's abdomen is distended and they are reporting increased pain."
ANSWER ✓ b) "The patient's blood pressure has dropped to 90/60 and their heart
rate is 110."
6. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a patient. Which of the
following is an appropriate action to verify the patient's identity?
a) Check the name on the patient's door.
b) Ask the patient, "Are you Mr. Smith?"
c) Compare the patient's stated name and date of birth against the MAR.
d) Verify the patient's identity by reading their wristband, as the patient is asleep.
ANSWER ✓ c) Compare the patient's stated name and date of birth against the
MAR.
7. A newly licensed nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel
(UAP). Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
a) Assisting a patient to ambulate to the bathroom for the first time post-operatively.
b) Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication given to a patient.
, c) Reinforcing teaching about a low-sodium diet with a patient.
d) Measuring the vital signs of a patient who is stable.
ANSWER ✓ d) Measuring the vital signs of a patient who is stable.
8. A nurse enters a patient's room and finds the patient lying on the floor. After
calling for help and assessing the patient, which of the following actions should
the nurse take next?
a) Complete an incident report.
b) Move the patient back to bed.
c) Notify the provider.
d) Assist the patient back to bed if no injuries are found.
ANSWER ✓ d) Assist the patient back to bed if no injuries are found.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about advance directives. Which statement by the
patient indicates a correct understanding?
a) "My advance directives tell the doctor what kind of treatment I want, and they cannot
be changed."
b) "Once I sign these, my family cannot make any decisions for me."
c) "If I am unable to make my own decisions, this document will let my wishes be
known."
d) "Advance directives are the same as a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order."
ANSWER ✓ c) "If I am unable to make my own decisions, this document will let my
wishes be known."
10. A nurse is applying for a new job and is asked to sign a document promising
not to reveal private information about former or current patients. This document
refers to:
a) A verbal contract.
b) A professional code of ethics.
c) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance.
d) An advanced directive.
ANSWER ✓ c) Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
compliance.
