ATI Capstone Exam | Latest Update 2026/2027 | Questions and
Verified Answers with Rationales | 100% Correct | Complete NCLEX
Nursing Study Guide
1. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who suddenly develops chest pain and
dyspnea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Place the client on bedrest
B. Elevate the head of the client's bed
C. Prepare the client for a ventilation perfusion scan
D. Obtain the client’s ABG levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and the nursing process, ensuring
adequate oxygenation is the priority. Elevating the head of the bed improves lung expansion and
oxygenation. All other actions can be done after securing the airway and breathing.
2. A community health nurse is assisting in the development of a brochure about hypertension. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Explain medical terminology using basic, one‑syllable words
B. Present information from complex to simple
C. Write the information at an 8th‑grade reading level
D. Use a 12‑point font size
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Health literacy principles recommend writing client education materials at a 6th‑ to 8th‑grade
reading level to ensure comprehension by the general public.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the support person of a client who is in the first stage of labor.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include regarding effleurage?
,Correct Answer: (The answer options in the source are not provided; however, the correct teaching
point is: Light, rhythmic abdominal massage during contractions to promote relaxation and reduce pain
perception.)
Rationale: Effleurage is a light, gentle, stroking massage of the abdomen performed during contractions.
It helps the patient relax and reduces the perception of pain by providing non‑painful sensory input.
4. A home health nurse is conducting a home inspection for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse provide for the client?
A. Place area rugs on slick floor surfaces
B. Move the client’s bed to the main floor of the house
C. Keep lighting in the home dim
D. Place the bedside table 2 feet away from the bed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing the need to climb stairs decreases fall risk. Keeping the bed on the main floor
prevents stair use at night. All other options either increase fall risk or are not safety recommendations.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and reports increasing
pain 6 hours after receiving IV morphine. The nurse notes that the client’s respirations are 10/min and
oxygen saturation is 90%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
C. Decrease the morphine infusion rate
D. Assist the client to a side‑lying position
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The priority is to manage respiratory depression related to opioid administration. Decreasing
the morphine infusion rate is the immediate action before considering naloxone. Naloxone is reserved
for severe respiratory depression or unresponsiveness.
6. A client with congestive heart failure reports weight gain of 3 lb in 2 days, increased shortness of
breath, and swelling of ankles. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Administer a PRN dose of furosemide
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Encourage the client to drink more water
D. Increase the client’s activity level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These findings indicate fluid overload and worsening CHF; the healthcare provider must be
notified promptly for possible medication adjustment or hospitalization.
7. Which task can the RN safely delegate to a UAP?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation
C. Assessing a patient’s pain level
D. Teaching a patient about insulin injection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UAPs can perform basic tasks like ambulating stable patients. Medication administration,
assessment, and teaching cannot be delegated to UAPs as they are outside their scope of practice.
8. A nurse manager who makes decisions independently and expects compliance is demonstrating which
leadership style?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
, C. Laissez‑faire
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autocratic leaders make unilateral decisions and expect strict compliance. This style may be
appropriate in emergencies but can reduce staff morale if used consistently.
9. What is the most effective first step in resolving conflict between staff members?
A. Encourage open communication to identify the issue
B. Disciplinary action
C. Switching staff shifts
D. Ignoring the conflict
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Open communication helps identify underlying issues and allows all parties to express their
perspectives. This is the foundational step for any conflict resolution strategy.
10. Which patient should the nurse see first after receiving shift report?
A. A patient requesting a pain medication refill
B. A patient with a scheduled dressing change
C. A post‑op patient with new onset shortness of breath
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New‑onset shortness of breath in a post‑op patient could indicate a pulmonary embolism,
pneumothorax, or other life‑threatening condition. This patient takes priority over routine or
non‑urgent needs.
Verified Answers with Rationales | 100% Correct | Complete NCLEX
Nursing Study Guide
1. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who suddenly develops chest pain and
dyspnea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Place the client on bedrest
B. Elevate the head of the client's bed
C. Prepare the client for a ventilation perfusion scan
D. Obtain the client’s ABG levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: According to the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and the nursing process, ensuring
adequate oxygenation is the priority. Elevating the head of the bed improves lung expansion and
oxygenation. All other actions can be done after securing the airway and breathing.
2. A community health nurse is assisting in the development of a brochure about hypertension. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Explain medical terminology using basic, one‑syllable words
B. Present information from complex to simple
C. Write the information at an 8th‑grade reading level
D. Use a 12‑point font size
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Health literacy principles recommend writing client education materials at a 6th‑ to 8th‑grade
reading level to ensure comprehension by the general public.
3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with the support person of a client who is in the first stage of labor.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include regarding effleurage?
,Correct Answer: (The answer options in the source are not provided; however, the correct teaching
point is: Light, rhythmic abdominal massage during contractions to promote relaxation and reduce pain
perception.)
Rationale: Effleurage is a light, gentle, stroking massage of the abdomen performed during contractions.
It helps the patient relax and reduces the perception of pain by providing non‑painful sensory input.
4. A home health nurse is conducting a home inspection for a client who is at risk for falls. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse provide for the client?
A. Place area rugs on slick floor surfaces
B. Move the client’s bed to the main floor of the house
C. Keep lighting in the home dim
D. Place the bedside table 2 feet away from the bed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reducing the need to climb stairs decreases fall risk. Keeping the bed on the main floor
prevents stair use at night. All other options either increase fall risk or are not safety recommendations.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and reports increasing
pain 6 hours after receiving IV morphine. The nurse notes that the client’s respirations are 10/min and
oxygen saturation is 90%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer naloxone
B. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
C. Decrease the morphine infusion rate
D. Assist the client to a side‑lying position
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The priority is to manage respiratory depression related to opioid administration. Decreasing
the morphine infusion rate is the immediate action before considering naloxone. Naloxone is reserved
for severe respiratory depression or unresponsiveness.
6. A client with congestive heart failure reports weight gain of 3 lb in 2 days, increased shortness of
breath, and swelling of ankles. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Administer a PRN dose of furosemide
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Encourage the client to drink more water
D. Increase the client’s activity level
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These findings indicate fluid overload and worsening CHF; the healthcare provider must be
notified promptly for possible medication adjustment or hospitalization.
7. Which task can the RN safely delegate to a UAP?
A. Administering oral medications
B. Assisting a stable patient with ambulation
C. Assessing a patient’s pain level
D. Teaching a patient about insulin injection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UAPs can perform basic tasks like ambulating stable patients. Medication administration,
assessment, and teaching cannot be delegated to UAPs as they are outside their scope of practice.
8. A nurse manager who makes decisions independently and expects compliance is demonstrating which
leadership style?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
, C. Laissez‑faire
D. Transformational
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autocratic leaders make unilateral decisions and expect strict compliance. This style may be
appropriate in emergencies but can reduce staff morale if used consistently.
9. What is the most effective first step in resolving conflict between staff members?
A. Encourage open communication to identify the issue
B. Disciplinary action
C. Switching staff shifts
D. Ignoring the conflict
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Open communication helps identify underlying issues and allows all parties to express their
perspectives. This is the foundational step for any conflict resolution strategy.
10. Which patient should the nurse see first after receiving shift report?
A. A patient requesting a pain medication refill
B. A patient with a scheduled dressing change
C. A post‑op patient with new onset shortness of breath
D. A patient who needs assistance with ambulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: New‑onset shortness of breath in a post‑op patient could indicate a pulmonary embolism,
pneumothorax, or other life‑threatening condition. This patient takes priority over routine or
non‑urgent needs.
