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ATI Capstone Fundamentals-Style Exam 50 Original Questions
with Answers & Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an adult client. Which site is appropriate for
volumes up to 3 mL?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Dorsogluteal
Answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is recommended for IM
injections up to 3 mL in adults because it is free of major
nerves and blood vessels. Deltoid is for small volumes (≤1
mL). Vastus lateralis can also be used but is more
common in infants; dorsogluteal is not recommended
due to sciatic nerve risk.
2. A nurse is caring for a client on droplet precautions. Which
infection requires droplet precautions?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Clostridium difficile
C. Influenza
D. Measles
Answer: C
Rationale: Influenza is spread by large respiratory
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droplets; droplet precautions require a surgical mask
within 3 feet. TB and measles require airborne
precautions (N95, negative pressure). C. difficile requires
contact precautions.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Oral temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
B. Radial pulse 88 bpm, regular
C. Blood pressure 88/50 mmHg with dizziness
D. Respiratory rate 16/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension with symptoms (dizziness)
indicates inadequate perfusion; the nurse should
intervene. Other findings are within normal limits.
4. A client is on a clear liquid diet. Which item should the
nurse offer?
A. Milk
B. Orange juice with pulp
C. Chicken broth
D. Cream of wheat
Answer: C
Rationale: Clear liquids include transparent fluids like
broth, tea, gelatin, apple juice without pulp, and clear
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
sodas. Milk and pulp are full liquids; cream of wheat is a
soft diet.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Before
administering a bolus feeding, the nurse should:
A. Place the client in supine position
B. Check gastric residual volume
C. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
D. Remove the tube and reinsert
Answer: B
Rationale: Checking gastric residual helps assess for
delayed emptying and risk of aspiration. The head of bed
should be elevated at least 30 degrees. Flushing with
smaller amount of water is done before and after, but
checking residual is priority.
6. Which nursing action is most important to prevent the
spread of infection?
A. Wearing sterile gloves for all client contact
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client care
C. Placing all clients in private rooms
D. Using alcohol-based hand rub only when hands are
visibly soiled
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way
to prevent infection transmission. Sterile gloves are not
ATI Capstone Fundamentals-Style Exam 50 Original Questions
with Answers & Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular
injection to an adult client. Which site is appropriate for
volumes up to 3 mL?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Dorsogluteal
Answer: B
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is recommended for IM
injections up to 3 mL in adults because it is free of major
nerves and blood vessels. Deltoid is for small volumes (≤1
mL). Vastus lateralis can also be used but is more
common in infants; dorsogluteal is not recommended
due to sciatic nerve risk.
2. A nurse is caring for a client on droplet precautions. Which
infection requires droplet precautions?
A. Tuberculosis
B. Clostridium difficile
C. Influenza
D. Measles
Answer: C
Rationale: Influenza is spread by large respiratory
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
droplets; droplet precautions require a surgical mask
within 3 feet. TB and measles require airborne
precautions (N95, negative pressure). C. difficile requires
contact precautions.
3. A nurse is assessing a client's vital signs. Which finding
requires immediate intervention?
A. Oral temperature 98.6°F (37°C)
B. Radial pulse 88 bpm, regular
C. Blood pressure 88/50 mmHg with dizziness
D. Respiratory rate 16/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypotension with symptoms (dizziness)
indicates inadequate perfusion; the nurse should
intervene. Other findings are within normal limits.
4. A client is on a clear liquid diet. Which item should the
nurse offer?
A. Milk
B. Orange juice with pulp
C. Chicken broth
D. Cream of wheat
Answer: C
Rationale: Clear liquids include transparent fluids like
broth, tea, gelatin, apple juice without pulp, and clear
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/performance
sodas. Milk and pulp are full liquids; cream of wheat is a
soft diet.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Before
administering a bolus feeding, the nurse should:
A. Place the client in supine position
B. Check gastric residual volume
C. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
D. Remove the tube and reinsert
Answer: B
Rationale: Checking gastric residual helps assess for
delayed emptying and risk of aspiration. The head of bed
should be elevated at least 30 degrees. Flushing with
smaller amount of water is done before and after, but
checking residual is priority.
6. Which nursing action is most important to prevent the
spread of infection?
A. Wearing sterile gloves for all client contact
B. Performing hand hygiene before and after client care
C. Placing all clients in private rooms
D. Using alcohol-based hand rub only when hands are
visibly soiled
Answer: B
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective way
to prevent infection transmission. Sterile gloves are not
