,ATI Capstone Assessment - PN Exam Questions And Answers
2026/2027
1.** A practical nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative
following abdominal surgery. The client reports constipation. Which action
should the nurse take **first**?
A) Administer a suppository
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Obtain an order for a stool softener
D) Assess the client's bowel sounds and dietary intake
**Correct Answer:** D) Assess the client's bowel sounds and dietary intake
**Rationale:** Assessment is the first step in the nursing process. The nurse
must evaluate bowel sounds, dietary intake, and fluid status before
implementing any interventions.
**2.** A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which
action is most important to prevent medication errors?
A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
B) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
C) Verify the medication with another nurse
D) Review the client's allergy list
**Correct Answer:** A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
,**Rationale:** Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the
most critical safety step to prevent medication errors. The other actions are
important but should follow identification verification.
**3.** A nurse is providing perineal care to a female client with an indwelling
urinary catheter. Which technique should the nurse use?
A) Clean from the rectum toward the urethra
B) Clean from the urethra toward the rectum
C) Use a circular motion starting at the rectum
D) Use the same portion of the washcloth for each swipe
**Correct Answer:** B) Clean from the urethra toward the rectum
**Rationale:** Cleaning from the urethra toward the rectum prevents the
introduction of fecal bacteria into the urethra, which could lead to a urinary
tract infection.
**4.** A client is postoperative and has a prescription for incentive
spirometry. What is the purpose of this intervention?
A) To prevent deep vein thrombosis
B) To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia
C) To assess respiratory rate
D) To measure oxygen saturation
**Correct Answer:** B) To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia
, **Rationale:** Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung
expansion, preventing atelectasis and postoperative pneumonia. It does not
prevent DVT, assess rate, or measure saturation.
**5.** A nurse is assisting a client with a transfer from the bed to a chair.
Which action should the nurse take to prevent injury?
A) Position the chair at a 90-degree angle to the bed
B) Have the client place their hands on the nurse's shoulders
C) Use a gait belt and keep the client's feet flat on the floor
D) Stand behind the client to provide support
**Correct Answer:** C) Use a gait belt and keep the client's feet flat on the
floor
**Rationale:** A gait belt provides a secure grip and allows the nurse to
control the transfer. Keeping the client's feet flat on the floor provides a
stable base of support.
**6.** A client reports pain 8/10 on a 0-10 scale. The nurse administers
morphine 2 mg IV. Which action should the nurse take next?
A) Document the medication administration
B) Assess the client's pain level in 15-30 minutes
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Administer additional pain medication
**Correct Answer:** B) Assess the client's pain level in 15-30 minutes
2026/2027
1.** A practical nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days postoperative
following abdominal surgery. The client reports constipation. Which action
should the nurse take **first**?
A) Administer a suppository
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Obtain an order for a stool softener
D) Assess the client's bowel sounds and dietary intake
**Correct Answer:** D) Assess the client's bowel sounds and dietary intake
**Rationale:** Assessment is the first step in the nursing process. The nurse
must evaluate bowel sounds, dietary intake, and fluid status before
implementing any interventions.
**2.** A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. Which
action is most important to prevent medication errors?
A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
B) Ask the client to state their name and date of birth
C) Verify the medication with another nurse
D) Review the client's allergy list
**Correct Answer:** A) Check the client's identification using two identifiers
,**Rationale:** Checking the client's identification using two identifiers is the
most critical safety step to prevent medication errors. The other actions are
important but should follow identification verification.
**3.** A nurse is providing perineal care to a female client with an indwelling
urinary catheter. Which technique should the nurse use?
A) Clean from the rectum toward the urethra
B) Clean from the urethra toward the rectum
C) Use a circular motion starting at the rectum
D) Use the same portion of the washcloth for each swipe
**Correct Answer:** B) Clean from the urethra toward the rectum
**Rationale:** Cleaning from the urethra toward the rectum prevents the
introduction of fecal bacteria into the urethra, which could lead to a urinary
tract infection.
**4.** A client is postoperative and has a prescription for incentive
spirometry. What is the purpose of this intervention?
A) To prevent deep vein thrombosis
B) To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia
C) To assess respiratory rate
D) To measure oxygen saturation
**Correct Answer:** B) To prevent atelectasis and pneumonia
, **Rationale:** Incentive spirometry encourages deep breathing and lung
expansion, preventing atelectasis and postoperative pneumonia. It does not
prevent DVT, assess rate, or measure saturation.
**5.** A nurse is assisting a client with a transfer from the bed to a chair.
Which action should the nurse take to prevent injury?
A) Position the chair at a 90-degree angle to the bed
B) Have the client place their hands on the nurse's shoulders
C) Use a gait belt and keep the client's feet flat on the floor
D) Stand behind the client to provide support
**Correct Answer:** C) Use a gait belt and keep the client's feet flat on the
floor
**Rationale:** A gait belt provides a secure grip and allows the nurse to
control the transfer. Keeping the client's feet flat on the floor provides a
stable base of support.
**6.** A client reports pain 8/10 on a 0-10 scale. The nurse administers
morphine 2 mg IV. Which action should the nurse take next?
A) Document the medication administration
B) Assess the client's pain level in 15-30 minutes
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Administer additional pain medication
**Correct Answer:** B) Assess the client's pain level in 15-30 minutes
