ATI RN Capstone Proctored Post
Assessment Exam | Complete 81
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales | Ultimate NCLEX-
RN Review | 2026 Updated
Sample ATI Capstone-Style Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client who received 2 units of packed RBCs 48 hours ago.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the therapy has
been effective?
A) Heart rate 110/min
B) Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL
C) Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
D) Respiratory rate 24/min
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Packed red blood cells are administered to clients
with decreased hemoglobin or hematocrit. A hemoglobin level of 14.9 g/dL falls within
the expected reference range (14-18 g/dL for males, 12-16 g/dL for females), indicating
that the therapy has been effective in restoring oxygen-carrying capacity. The other
options (tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea) are signs of continued compromise or
potential complications .
, 2. A nurse in an emergency department is triaging four clients. Which client should
the nurse recommend for treatment first?
A) An adolescent with a closed fracture of the radius
B) A young adult with a temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F) and a rash
C) A middle adult with unstable vital signs
D) An older adult with a cough and mild confusion
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Using the stable versus unstable approach to client
care, the nurse should recommend priority treatment for the client who has unstable
vital signs. This client requires immediate treatment to reduce the risk of further injury or
possible death. The other clients present with conditions that are serious but more
stable .
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has fluid volume overload. Which task should
the nurse delegate to the nursing assistant (CNA)?
A) Assess the client's lung sounds
B) Measure the client's daily weight
C) Administer IV furosemide
D) Evaluate the client's intake and output
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Measuring a client's daily weight is within the scope
of practice for a CNA and is a key indicator of fluid status. The nurse is responsible for
assessment (lung sounds), medication administration, and evaluation of the plan of
care .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Weight gain
C) Tremors
, D) Cold intolerance
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overactive
thyroid, leading to an increased metabolic rate. This results in manifestations such as
tremors, tachycardia, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Bradycardia, weight gain, and
cold intolerance are associated with hypothyroidism .
5. A nurse is preparing to administer mannitol 0.2 g/kg IV bolus as a test dose to a
client who has severe oliguria. The client weighs 198 lb. What amount in grams
should the nurse administer?
A) 9 g
B) 18 g
C) 36 g
D) 72 g
Rationale: The correct answer is B. First, convert the client's weight from pounds to
kilograms: 198 lb / 2.2 = 90 kg. Then, multiply the weight in kg by the prescribed dose:
90 kg x 0.2 g/kg = 18 g .
6. A nurse is teaching the parents of a school-age child who has sickle cell anemia
about managing the disease at home. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include?
A) Apply cold compresses to painful areas
B) Ensure the child receives pneumococcal immunizations
C) Restrict the child's fluid intake
D) Encourage the child to participate in contact sports
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Children with sickle cell anemia are at high risk for
infections, especially from encapsulated organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Ensuring they receive pneumococcal immunizations is a critical preventative measure.
Cold compresses can cause vasoconstriction and exacerbate a crisis, fluid intake should
, be increased to prevent sickling, and contact sports pose a risk of injury and splenic
rupture .
7. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for metformin extended-
release tablets. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A) "I will take this medication with my morning meal."
B) "I will crush the tablet if it is too large to swallow."
C) "I can expect to have diarrhea for the first few weeks."
D) "I will stop taking this medication if I feel dizzy."
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Metformin, particularly the extended-release form,
should be taken with meals to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Extended-release
tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken; they must be swallowed whole. GI
upset is common initially but can be managed. The client should not stop the
medication without consulting the provider, and dizziness should be reported .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has fluid volume overload. Which of the
following tasks should the nurse delegate to the nursing assistant?
A) Check the client's IV site for patency.
B) Weigh the client using a bed scale.
C) Record the client's intake and output.
D) Auscultate breath sounds for crackles.
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Weighing the client is a task well within the scope of
practice for a nursing assistant. It is a key component of monitoring fluid balance but
does not require the clinical judgment of a nurse. The other options involve assessment,
which is the responsibility of the RN .
Assessment Exam | Complete 81
Questions with Verified Correct Answers
& Detailed Rationales | Ultimate NCLEX-
RN Review | 2026 Updated
Sample ATI Capstone-Style Questions
1. A nurse is assessing a client who received 2 units of packed RBCs 48 hours ago.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the therapy has
been effective?
A) Heart rate 110/min
B) Hemoglobin 14.9 g/dL
C) Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
D) Respiratory rate 24/min
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Packed red blood cells are administered to clients
with decreased hemoglobin or hematocrit. A hemoglobin level of 14.9 g/dL falls within
the expected reference range (14-18 g/dL for males, 12-16 g/dL for females), indicating
that the therapy has been effective in restoring oxygen-carrying capacity. The other
options (tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea) are signs of continued compromise or
potential complications .
, 2. A nurse in an emergency department is triaging four clients. Which client should
the nurse recommend for treatment first?
A) An adolescent with a closed fracture of the radius
B) A young adult with a temperature of 38.1°C (100.6°F) and a rash
C) A middle adult with unstable vital signs
D) An older adult with a cough and mild confusion
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Using the stable versus unstable approach to client
care, the nurse should recommend priority treatment for the client who has unstable
vital signs. This client requires immediate treatment to reduce the risk of further injury or
possible death. The other clients present with conditions that are serious but more
stable .
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has fluid volume overload. Which task should
the nurse delegate to the nursing assistant (CNA)?
A) Assess the client's lung sounds
B) Measure the client's daily weight
C) Administer IV furosemide
D) Evaluate the client's intake and output
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Measuring a client's daily weight is within the scope
of practice for a CNA and is a key indicator of fluid status. The nurse is responsible for
assessment (lung sounds), medication administration, and evaluation of the plan of
care .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has hyperthyroidism. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Weight gain
C) Tremors
, D) Cold intolerance
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Hyperthyroidism is characterized by an overactive
thyroid, leading to an increased metabolic rate. This results in manifestations such as
tremors, tachycardia, weight loss, and heat intolerance. Bradycardia, weight gain, and
cold intolerance are associated with hypothyroidism .
5. A nurse is preparing to administer mannitol 0.2 g/kg IV bolus as a test dose to a
client who has severe oliguria. The client weighs 198 lb. What amount in grams
should the nurse administer?
A) 9 g
B) 18 g
C) 36 g
D) 72 g
Rationale: The correct answer is B. First, convert the client's weight from pounds to
kilograms: 198 lb / 2.2 = 90 kg. Then, multiply the weight in kg by the prescribed dose:
90 kg x 0.2 g/kg = 18 g .
6. A nurse is teaching the parents of a school-age child who has sickle cell anemia
about managing the disease at home. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include?
A) Apply cold compresses to painful areas
B) Ensure the child receives pneumococcal immunizations
C) Restrict the child's fluid intake
D) Encourage the child to participate in contact sports
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Children with sickle cell anemia are at high risk for
infections, especially from encapsulated organisms like Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Ensuring they receive pneumococcal immunizations is a critical preventative measure.
Cold compresses can cause vasoconstriction and exacerbate a crisis, fluid intake should
, be increased to prevent sickling, and contact sports pose a risk of injury and splenic
rupture .
7. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for metformin extended-
release tablets. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A) "I will take this medication with my morning meal."
B) "I will crush the tablet if it is too large to swallow."
C) "I can expect to have diarrhea for the first few weeks."
D) "I will stop taking this medication if I feel dizzy."
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Metformin, particularly the extended-release form,
should be taken with meals to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Extended-release
tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken; they must be swallowed whole. GI
upset is common initially but can be managed. The client should not stop the
medication without consulting the provider, and dizziness should be reported .
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has fluid volume overload. Which of the
following tasks should the nurse delegate to the nursing assistant?
A) Check the client's IV site for patency.
B) Weigh the client using a bed scale.
C) Record the client's intake and output.
D) Auscultate breath sounds for crackles.
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Weighing the client is a task well within the scope of
practice for a nursing assistant. It is a key component of monitoring fluid balance but
does not require the clinical judgment of a nurse. The other options involve assessment,
which is the responsibility of the RN .
