ATI PN CAPSTONE PROCTORED COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT EXAM
2026 UPDATE Verified Questions And Answers | With 100% Correct
Answers graded A+ Guaranteed Success!!
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & SAFETY (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin to a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use a 22-gauge needle
B. Administer the injection in the deltoid muscle
C. Aspirate for blood return before injecting
D. Inject the medication slowly at a 45- to 90-degree angle
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are administered at a 45- to 90-degree angle
using a 25- to 27-gauge needle. Heparin should be given in the abdomen, and
aspiration is not recommended as it can cause tissue damage and hematoma
formation.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine
collection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Discard the first voiding and start the collection
B. Save all voidings including the first one
C. Keep the specimen at room temperature
D. Collect the specimen in a sterile container
Rationale: For a 24-hour urine collection, the first voiding is discarded, and the
collection begins with the next void. All subsequent voidings are saved, and the
collection ends with the final voiding at the 24-hour mark. The specimen should
be refrigerated or kept on ice.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the length of the tube from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the
xiphoid process
B. Lubricate the tip of the tube with water-soluble lubricant
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Have the client swallow water during insertion
,Rationale: The first action is to measure the tube to ensure correct placement.
The client should be in a high Fowler's position, and the tube is lubricated before
insertion. Having the client swallow facilitates passage.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Nonblanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Partial-thickness skin loss with a shallow crater
C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Rationale: Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous tissue. Stage 1 is nonblanchable erythema, Stage 2 is partial-
thickness, and Stage 4 involves exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about a clear liquid diet. Which of the
following items should the nurse include?
A. Milk
B. Orange juice with pulp
C. Apple juice
D. Cream soup
Rationale: A clear liquid diet includes clear liquids such as apple juice, broth,
gelatin, and water. Milk, orange juice with pulp, and cream soups are not clear
liquids and are part of full liquid or other diets.
6. A nurse is performing a sterile wound dressing change. Which of the following
actions indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Reaching over the sterile field to retrieve an item
C. Keeping sterile objects above the waist level
D. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile container
Rationale: Reaching over the sterile field contaminates it. The nurse should work
around the field without crossing over it. Opening away from the body, keeping
objects above the waist, and pouring solution into a sterile container are correct
sterile techniques.
,7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a client's gastrostomy
tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication in a dry tablet form
B. Flush the tube with 30 mL of cold water before administration
C. Flush the tube with 30 mL of warm water between each medication
D. Mix all medications together in one syringe
Rationale: The tube should be flushed with 30 mL of warm water between each
medication to prevent interactions and ensure patency. Medications should be
crushed or in liquid form, and cold water can cause cramping. Medications should
not be mixed together.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a prescription for a
clear liquid diet. Which of the following should the nurse offer the client?
A. Vanilla pudding
B. Tomato juice
C. Chicken broth
D. Yogurt
Rationale: Chicken broth is a clear liquid. Vanilla pudding, tomato juice, and
yogurt are not clear liquids.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a newly applied cast on the lower leg.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Swelling of the toes
B. Pallor and coolness of the toes
C. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
D. Tingling sensation that resolves
Rationale: Pallor and coolness of the toes indicate impaired circulation and
potential compartment syndrome, which requires immediate reporting. Some
swelling and tingling can be expected, and capillary refill of 2 seconds is normal.
10. A nurse is providing oral care to a client who is unconscious. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Position the client on the side with the head turned to the side
B. Use a toothbrush with firm bristles
C. Swab the mouth with lemon-glycerin swabs
D. Place the client in a supine position
, Rationale: Unconscious clients should be positioned on their side with the head
turned to prevent aspiration of fluids. Soft toothbrushes or foam swabs should be
used, and lemon-glycerin swabs can dry the oral mucosa and should be avoided.
11. A nurse is preparing to obtain a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a
client who has diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Collect the specimen from the toilet bowl
B. Refrigerate the specimen immediately after collection
C. Instruct the client to defecate into a clean, dry container
D. Collect three separate specimens over 5 days
Rationale: Specimens for ova and parasite testing should be collected in a clean,
dry container and delivered to the lab while still warm. Refrigeration is not
indicated, and toilet water can contaminate the specimen.
12. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of dehydration. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Increased urine output
D. Elevated blood pressure
Rationale: Dehydration causes poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes,
decreased urine output, weak pulses, and hypotension.
13. A nurse is calculating the intake and output for a client. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the output?
A. Gastric drainage from a nasogastric tube
B. Intravenous fluids
C. Oral fluids consumed
D. Tube feeding volume
Rationale: Output includes urine, emesis, gastric drainage, and wound drainage.
Intravenous fluids, oral fluids, and tube feedings are intake.
14. A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?
A. Empty the drainage bag from the bottom port
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
2026 UPDATE Verified Questions And Answers | With 100% Correct
Answers graded A+ Guaranteed Success!!
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING & SAFETY (Questions 1–20)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin to a
client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Use a 22-gauge needle
B. Administer the injection in the deltoid muscle
C. Aspirate for blood return before injecting
D. Inject the medication slowly at a 45- to 90-degree angle
Rationale: Subcutaneous injections are administered at a 45- to 90-degree angle
using a 25- to 27-gauge needle. Heparin should be given in the abdomen, and
aspiration is not recommended as it can cause tissue damage and hematoma
formation.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a 24-hour urine
collection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Discard the first voiding and start the collection
B. Save all voidings including the first one
C. Keep the specimen at room temperature
D. Collect the specimen in a sterile container
Rationale: For a 24-hour urine collection, the first voiding is discarded, and the
collection begins with the next void. All subsequent voidings are saved, and the
collection ends with the final voiding at the 24-hour mark. The specimen should
be refrigerated or kept on ice.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert a nasogastric (NG) tube for a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Measure the length of the tube from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the
xiphoid process
B. Lubricate the tip of the tube with water-soluble lubricant
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Have the client swallow water during insertion
,Rationale: The first action is to measure the tube to ensure correct placement.
The client should be in a high Fowler's position, and the tube is lubricated before
insertion. Having the client swallow facilitates passage.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a stage 3 pressure ulcer. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Nonblanchable erythema of intact skin
B. Partial-thickness skin loss with a shallow crater
C. Full-thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous tissue
D. Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed bone
Rationale: Stage 3 pressure ulcers involve full-thickness skin loss with visible
subcutaneous tissue. Stage 1 is nonblanchable erythema, Stage 2 is partial-
thickness, and Stage 4 involves exposed bone, tendon, or muscle.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about a clear liquid diet. Which of the
following items should the nurse include?
A. Milk
B. Orange juice with pulp
C. Apple juice
D. Cream soup
Rationale: A clear liquid diet includes clear liquids such as apple juice, broth,
gelatin, and water. Milk, orange juice with pulp, and cream soups are not clear
liquids and are part of full liquid or other diets.
6. A nurse is performing a sterile wound dressing change. Which of the following
actions indicates a break in sterile technique?
A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
B. Reaching over the sterile field to retrieve an item
C. Keeping sterile objects above the waist level
D. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile container
Rationale: Reaching over the sterile field contaminates it. The nurse should work
around the field without crossing over it. Opening away from the body, keeping
objects above the waist, and pouring solution into a sterile container are correct
sterile techniques.
,7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via a client's gastrostomy
tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication in a dry tablet form
B. Flush the tube with 30 mL of cold water before administration
C. Flush the tube with 30 mL of warm water between each medication
D. Mix all medications together in one syringe
Rationale: The tube should be flushed with 30 mL of warm water between each
medication to prevent interactions and ensure patency. Medications should be
crushed or in liquid form, and cold water can cause cramping. Medications should
not be mixed together.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has a prescription for a
clear liquid diet. Which of the following should the nurse offer the client?
A. Vanilla pudding
B. Tomato juice
C. Chicken broth
D. Yogurt
Rationale: Chicken broth is a clear liquid. Vanilla pudding, tomato juice, and
yogurt are not clear liquids.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a newly applied cast on the lower leg.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Swelling of the toes
B. Pallor and coolness of the toes
C. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
D. Tingling sensation that resolves
Rationale: Pallor and coolness of the toes indicate impaired circulation and
potential compartment syndrome, which requires immediate reporting. Some
swelling and tingling can be expected, and capillary refill of 2 seconds is normal.
10. A nurse is providing oral care to a client who is unconscious. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Position the client on the side with the head turned to the side
B. Use a toothbrush with firm bristles
C. Swab the mouth with lemon-glycerin swabs
D. Place the client in a supine position
, Rationale: Unconscious clients should be positioned on their side with the head
turned to prevent aspiration of fluids. Soft toothbrushes or foam swabs should be
used, and lemon-glycerin swabs can dry the oral mucosa and should be avoided.
11. A nurse is preparing to obtain a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a
client who has diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Collect the specimen from the toilet bowl
B. Refrigerate the specimen immediately after collection
C. Instruct the client to defecate into a clean, dry container
D. Collect three separate specimens over 5 days
Rationale: Specimens for ova and parasite testing should be collected in a clean,
dry container and delivered to the lab while still warm. Refrigeration is not
indicated, and toilet water can contaminate the specimen.
12. A nurse is assessing a client for signs of dehydration. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes
B. Bounding peripheral pulses
C. Increased urine output
D. Elevated blood pressure
Rationale: Dehydration causes poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes,
decreased urine output, weak pulses, and hypotension.
13. A nurse is calculating the intake and output for a client. Which of the
following should the nurse include in the output?
A. Gastric drainage from a nasogastric tube
B. Intravenous fluids
C. Oral fluids consumed
D. Tube feeding volume
Rationale: Output includes urine, emesis, gastric drainage, and wound drainage.
Intravenous fluids, oral fluids, and tube feedings are intake.
14. A nurse is caring for a client who has a urinary catheter. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?
A. Empty the drainage bag from the bottom port
B. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder
