RN ATI CAPSTONE PROCTORED COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT A 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-30)
1. A charge nurse is assigning client care to a team of nurses. Which of
the following clients should the charge nurse assign to the most
experienced nurse?
A) A client who is 1 day postoperative following an appendectomy
B) A client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of heparin
C) A client who requires a blood transfusion
D) A client who is 2 hours post-cardiac catheterization
Answer: D
Rationale: The client who is 2 hours post-cardiac catheterization
requires close monitoring for bleeding, hematoma, and vascular
complications. The most experienced nurse should care for the most
unstable or high-risk client.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the UAP?
A) Administering a tube feeding
B) Obtaining a sterile urine specimen
C) Performing a fingerstick glucose test
D) Assessing a client's pain level
Answer: C
Rationale: Performing a fingerstick glucose test is within the scope of
practice for UAP and is a task that can be delegated. UAP cannot perform
sterile procedures, administer medications or feedings, or conduct
assessments.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery and has
1
, signed the consent form. The client states, "I don't remember what the
doctor said about the risks." Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A) Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure
B) Notify the provider that the client has questions
C) Ask the client to sign the consent form again
D) Document that the client has questions
Answer: B
Rationale: The provider is responsible for obtaining informed consent
and explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse should
notify the provider so that the client's questions can be addressed.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of
care?
A) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
B) Apply wrist restraints to the client
C) Keep the bed in the lowest position
D) Encourage the client to ambulate without assistance
Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of
injury if the client falls out of bed. This is a basic fall prevention
intervention. Restraints should only be used as a last resort.
5. A charge nurse is evaluating a newly licensed nurse's performance.
Which of the following actions by the new nurse indicates a need for
further teaching regarding client advocacy?
A) Reporting a medication error to the provider
B) Calling the provider to clarify an unclear prescription
C) Administering a medication without verifying the client's identity
D) Ensuring informed consent is obtained before a procedure
2
, Answer: C
Rationale: Administering a medication without verifying the client's
identity violates the rights of medication administration and fails to
protect the client. Client advocacy requires verifying identity using
at least two identifiers.
6. A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to a long-term care
facility. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Provide a verbal report to the receiving facility
B) Send a copy of the client's medical record with the client
C) Ensure a written transfer summary is completed
D) Discontinue all medications before transfer
Answer: C
Rationale: A written transfer summary containing essential client
information must be completed to ensure continuity of care. Verbal
reports are not sufficient for safe handoff.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is refusing a prescribed medication.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Administer the medication via an alternative route
B) Explain the consequences of refusing the medication
C) Document the refusal and notify the provider
D) Crush the medication and hide it in food
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should document the client's refusal and notify
the provider. The client has the right to refuse treatment, and the
nurse must respect this right while ensuring the client understands
the consequences.
8. A nurse is reviewing a client's advance directives. The client has a
3
, living will that states "do not resuscitate." Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Follow the living will during a cardiac arrest
B) Ask the family if they want to override the living will
C) Contact the provider for permission to follow the living will
D) Perform CPR if the client's family requests it
Answer: A
Rationale: A living will is a legal document that must be followed. The
nurse should honor the client's wishes regarding do-not-resuscitate
orders.
9. A nurse is assigning a client to a room. Which of the following clients
should the nurse place in a private room?
A) A client who is 2 days postoperative
B) A client who has a urinary tract infection
C) A client who has Clostridium difficile
D) A client who requires droplet precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: A client with Clostridium difficile requires contact
precautions and should be placed in a private room to prevent the
spread of infection to other clients.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
The nurse notes that the client is experiencing chills and fever.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Stop the transfusion
B) Notify the provider
C) Administer an antipyretic
D) Obtain a blood culture
Answer: A
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PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST UPDATE
SECTION 1: MANAGEMENT OF CARE (Questions 1-30)
1. A charge nurse is assigning client care to a team of nurses. Which of
the following clients should the charge nurse assign to the most
experienced nurse?
A) A client who is 1 day postoperative following an appendectomy
B) A client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of heparin
C) A client who requires a blood transfusion
D) A client who is 2 hours post-cardiac catheterization
Answer: D
Rationale: The client who is 2 hours post-cardiac catheterization
requires close monitoring for bleeding, hematoma, and vascular
complications. The most experienced nurse should care for the most
unstable or high-risk client.
2. A nurse is delegating tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).
Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to the UAP?
A) Administering a tube feeding
B) Obtaining a sterile urine specimen
C) Performing a fingerstick glucose test
D) Assessing a client's pain level
Answer: C
Rationale: Performing a fingerstick glucose test is within the scope of
practice for UAP and is a task that can be delegated. UAP cannot perform
sterile procedures, administer medications or feedings, or conduct
assessments.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery and has
1
, signed the consent form. The client states, "I don't remember what the
doctor said about the risks." Which of the following actions should the
nurse take?
A) Explain the risks and benefits of the procedure
B) Notify the provider that the client has questions
C) Ask the client to sign the consent form again
D) Document that the client has questions
Answer: B
Rationale: The provider is responsible for obtaining informed consent
and explaining risks, benefits, and alternatives. The nurse should
notify the provider so that the client's questions can be addressed.
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who is at risk for falls. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of
care?
A) Place the client in a room near the nurses' station
B) Apply wrist restraints to the client
C) Keep the bed in the lowest position
D) Encourage the client to ambulate without assistance
Answer: C
Rationale: Keeping the bed in the lowest position reduces the risk of
injury if the client falls out of bed. This is a basic fall prevention
intervention. Restraints should only be used as a last resort.
5. A charge nurse is evaluating a newly licensed nurse's performance.
Which of the following actions by the new nurse indicates a need for
further teaching regarding client advocacy?
A) Reporting a medication error to the provider
B) Calling the provider to clarify an unclear prescription
C) Administering a medication without verifying the client's identity
D) Ensuring informed consent is obtained before a procedure
2
, Answer: C
Rationale: Administering a medication without verifying the client's
identity violates the rights of medication administration and fails to
protect the client. Client advocacy requires verifying identity using
at least two identifiers.
6. A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to a long-term care
facility. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Provide a verbal report to the receiving facility
B) Send a copy of the client's medical record with the client
C) Ensure a written transfer summary is completed
D) Discontinue all medications before transfer
Answer: C
Rationale: A written transfer summary containing essential client
information must be completed to ensure continuity of care. Verbal
reports are not sufficient for safe handoff.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is refusing a prescribed medication.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Administer the medication via an alternative route
B) Explain the consequences of refusing the medication
C) Document the refusal and notify the provider
D) Crush the medication and hide it in food
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should document the client's refusal and notify
the provider. The client has the right to refuse treatment, and the
nurse must respect this right while ensuring the client understands
the consequences.
8. A nurse is reviewing a client's advance directives. The client has a
3
, living will that states "do not resuscitate." Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Follow the living will during a cardiac arrest
B) Ask the family if they want to override the living will
C) Contact the provider for permission to follow the living will
D) Perform CPR if the client's family requests it
Answer: A
Rationale: A living will is a legal document that must be followed. The
nurse should honor the client's wishes regarding do-not-resuscitate
orders.
9. A nurse is assigning a client to a room. Which of the following clients
should the nurse place in a private room?
A) A client who is 2 days postoperative
B) A client who has a urinary tract infection
C) A client who has Clostridium difficile
D) A client who requires droplet precautions
Answer: C
Rationale: A client with Clostridium difficile requires contact
precautions and should be placed in a private room to prevent the
spread of infection to other clients.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
The nurse notes that the client is experiencing chills and fever.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Stop the transfusion
B) Notify the provider
C) Administer an antipyretic
D) Obtain a blood culture
Answer: A
4
