ATI RN Capstone Proctored Comprehensive
Exam – Complete 100-Question Practice
Exam
Content Areas: Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Medical-Surgical, Mental
Health, Maternal Newborn, Pediatrics, Community Health, Leadership
SECTION 1: Prioritization & Clinical Judgment (Questions 1-10)
Q1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
• A) COPD client with oxygen saturation of 92%
• B) Post-op client reporting pain 8/10
• C) Heart failure client with new crackles and dyspnea
• D) Diabetic client with blood glucose 210 mg/dL
Answer: C – Using ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), the heart failure
client with crackles and dyspnea has a potential airway/breathing
compromise requiring immediate assessment. Acute changes take priority
over chronic conditions or pain management.
Q2. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the
nurse see first?
• A) Client with pneumonia who has new onset confusion
• B) Client with chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin
• C) Client requesting pain medication for headache
• D) Client ready for discharge teaching
,Answer: B – Chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin indicates possible
myocardial infarction and requires immediate assessment. New onset
confusion is also urgent but chest pain is the priority in this scenario.
Q3. What is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing chest
pain?
• A) Obtain a full health history
• B) Administer prescribed oxygen
• C) Encourage deep breathing
• D) Document pain level
Answer: B – Oxygen increases myocardial oxygenation and is an immediate
priority. Assessment of airway and oxygenation always precedes history-
taking or documentation.
Q4. A patient has an order for a PRN sedative medication. The patient is
not requesting it. Which action should the nurse take?
• A) Administer the medication to prevent agitation
• B) Assess the patient's current level of anxiety
• C) Ask the family if the patient needs the medication
• D) Hold the medication and document
Answer: B – PRN medications should be administered based on patient
assessment. The nurse must first assess the patient's condition before
administering any PRN medication.
Q5. A nurse is caring for a client who is confused and attempting to get
out of bed. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
• A) Apply wrist restraints
• B) Activate the bed alarm
, • C) Document the behavior
• D) Notify the provider
Answer: B – Bed alarms help prevent falls while maintaining patient dignity
and safety. Restraints should be used as a last resort only after trying
alternative interventions.
Q6. A nurse is prioritizing care for clients at the start of the shift. Which
client should the nurse assess first?
• A) Post-op day 2 client requesting pain medication
• B) Client with a tracheostomy who has copious, thick secretions
• C) Client with new diabetes needing insulin education
• D) Client scheduled for discharge in two hours
Answer: B – Using ABCs, the client with a tracheostomy and thick
secretions is at immediate risk for airway obstruction. This physiological
need always takes priority over comfort, teaching, or discharge planning.
Q7. Which action is the highest priority when a nurse enters a patient's
room?
• A) Introduce self to the patient
• B) Check the oxygen flow rate
• C) Perform hand hygiene
• D) Review the patient chart
Answer: C – Hand hygiene is the first step in infection prevention before any
patient contact. This is a fundamental safety priority.
Q8. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
• A) Patient with stable angina
, • B) Patient with BP 90/60 and dizziness
• C) Patient requesting pain medication
• D) Patient scheduled for discharge
Answer: B – Hypotension with dizziness indicates potential shock or
hypoperfusion, requiring immediate assessment. Unstable findings take
priority over stable conditions.
Q9. A nurse is reviewing priority frameworks. Which of the following
should be applied first?
• A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABCs)
• B) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• C) Acute vs. Chronic
• D) Unstable vs. Stable
Answer: A – ABCs always take priority in any clinical situation.
Physiological needs (Maslow) and prioritization of acute/unstable
conditions follow after ABCs are addressed.
Q10. A client with a history of falls is at risk for injury. Which
intervention should the nurse include?
• A) Keep the bed in the high position
• B) Place the call light within reach
• C) Restrain the client at all times
• D) Turn off the lights at night
Answer: B – Placing the call light within reach allows the client to call for
assistance, reducing fall risk. The bed should be in the lowest position with
side rails up as appropriate.
Exam – Complete 100-Question Practice
Exam
Content Areas: Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Medical-Surgical, Mental
Health, Maternal Newborn, Pediatrics, Community Health, Leadership
SECTION 1: Prioritization & Clinical Judgment (Questions 1-10)
Q1. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
• A) COPD client with oxygen saturation of 92%
• B) Post-op client reporting pain 8/10
• C) Heart failure client with new crackles and dyspnea
• D) Diabetic client with blood glucose 210 mg/dL
Answer: C – Using ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), the heart failure
client with crackles and dyspnea has a potential airway/breathing
compromise requiring immediate assessment. Acute changes take priority
over chronic conditions or pain management.
Q2. A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should the
nurse see first?
• A) Client with pneumonia who has new onset confusion
• B) Client with chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin
• C) Client requesting pain medication for headache
• D) Client ready for discharge teaching
,Answer: B – Chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin indicates possible
myocardial infarction and requires immediate assessment. New onset
confusion is also urgent but chest pain is the priority in this scenario.
Q3. What is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing chest
pain?
• A) Obtain a full health history
• B) Administer prescribed oxygen
• C) Encourage deep breathing
• D) Document pain level
Answer: B – Oxygen increases myocardial oxygenation and is an immediate
priority. Assessment of airway and oxygenation always precedes history-
taking or documentation.
Q4. A patient has an order for a PRN sedative medication. The patient is
not requesting it. Which action should the nurse take?
• A) Administer the medication to prevent agitation
• B) Assess the patient's current level of anxiety
• C) Ask the family if the patient needs the medication
• D) Hold the medication and document
Answer: B – PRN medications should be administered based on patient
assessment. The nurse must first assess the patient's condition before
administering any PRN medication.
Q5. A nurse is caring for a client who is confused and attempting to get
out of bed. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
• A) Apply wrist restraints
• B) Activate the bed alarm
, • C) Document the behavior
• D) Notify the provider
Answer: B – Bed alarms help prevent falls while maintaining patient dignity
and safety. Restraints should be used as a last resort only after trying
alternative interventions.
Q6. A nurse is prioritizing care for clients at the start of the shift. Which
client should the nurse assess first?
• A) Post-op day 2 client requesting pain medication
• B) Client with a tracheostomy who has copious, thick secretions
• C) Client with new diabetes needing insulin education
• D) Client scheduled for discharge in two hours
Answer: B – Using ABCs, the client with a tracheostomy and thick
secretions is at immediate risk for airway obstruction. This physiological
need always takes priority over comfort, teaching, or discharge planning.
Q7. Which action is the highest priority when a nurse enters a patient's
room?
• A) Introduce self to the patient
• B) Check the oxygen flow rate
• C) Perform hand hygiene
• D) Review the patient chart
Answer: C – Hand hygiene is the first step in infection prevention before any
patient contact. This is a fundamental safety priority.
Q8. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
• A) Patient with stable angina
, • B) Patient with BP 90/60 and dizziness
• C) Patient requesting pain medication
• D) Patient scheduled for discharge
Answer: B – Hypotension with dizziness indicates potential shock or
hypoperfusion, requiring immediate assessment. Unstable findings take
priority over stable conditions.
Q9. A nurse is reviewing priority frameworks. Which of the following
should be applied first?
• A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABCs)
• B) Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• C) Acute vs. Chronic
• D) Unstable vs. Stable
Answer: A – ABCs always take priority in any clinical situation.
Physiological needs (Maslow) and prioritization of acute/unstable
conditions follow after ABCs are addressed.
Q10. A client with a history of falls is at risk for injury. Which
intervention should the nurse include?
• A) Keep the bed in the high position
• B) Place the call light within reach
• C) Restrain the client at all times
• D) Turn off the lights at night
Answer: B – Placing the call light within reach allows the client to call for
assistance, reducing fall risk. The bed should be in the lowest position with
side rails up as appropriate.
