ATI Capstone Fundamentals Assessment Exam Study Guide:
200+ Verified Questions & Answers with Rationales
SECTION 1 — FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
1. Which action by a nurse best demonstrates the principle of patient-centered
care?
A. Making decisions for the client without discussion
B. Incorporating the client's preferences into the plan of care
C. Following the same plan for every client
D. Allowing family members to make all decisions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the client's values, preferences, needs,
and goals. The nurse collaborates with the client rather than imposing a
standardized plan without considering individual circumstances.
2. Which nursing action is an example of evidence-based practice?
A. Using a procedure because it has always been done that way
B. Following a colleague's personal preference
C. Combining research evidence with clinical expertise and client preferences
D. Choosing interventions based only on cost
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research
evidence with clinical expertise and the client's preferences and circumstances.
3. Which activity is within the independent scope of nursing practice?
A. Prescribing a new medication
B. Performing a nursing assessment
,C. Diagnosing a medical disease
D. Performing surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nurses independently perform nursing assessments and implement
nursing interventions within their scope. Medical diagnosis, prescribing, and
surgery require appropriate provider authority.
4. A nurse discovers that a client's medication dose appears unusually high.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication
B. Ask another client about the medication
C. Hold the medication and verify the prescription
D. Change the dose independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A potentially unsafe medication order must be clarified before
administration. The nurse should not independently alter the prescribed dose.
5. Which action demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Blaming another nurse for an error
B. Reporting and documenting a medication error according to policy
C. Hiding an error when the client has no symptoms
D. Altering documentation to avoid consequences
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability requires acknowledging errors, taking appropriate
corrective action, notifying the appropriate individuals, and documenting
according to policy.
6. Which principle is most important when prioritizing nursing care?
,A. Complete the easiest task first
B. Address life-threatening problems first
C. Complete tasks alphabetically
D. Always see the most stable client first
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing priorities are generally based on threats to airway, breathing,
circulation, safety, and other immediate physiologic needs.
7. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting assistance with a bath
B. Client with new-onset shortness of breath
C. Client requesting discharge instructions
D. Client reporting mild chronic back pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New-onset shortness of breath may indicate impaired oxygenation and
is potentially life-threatening. It takes priority over routine care.
8. Which action best demonstrates continuity of care?
A. Giving verbal instructions only
B. Communicating relevant client information during handoff
C. Avoiding communication with other departments
D. Documenting only abnormal findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective handoff communication helps ensure that essential
information is transferred between caregivers and supports safe, continuous care.
9. Which statement about nursing standards is correct?
, A. Standards apply only to newly graduated nurses
B. Standards help define expected professional nursing practice
C. Standards replace clinical judgment
D. Standards are optional recommendations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional standards establish expectations for safe, competent
nursing practice and help guide accountability.
10. Which action best demonstrates respect for client autonomy?
A. Making decisions for a competent client
B. Providing information so the client can make an informed decision
C. Withholding information to reduce anxiety
D. Allowing family members to override the client automatically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy is the client's right to make informed decisions about their
own care when they have decision-making capacity.
SECTION 2 — NURSING PROCESS & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
11. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting client information?
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting subjective and objective data from the
client, family, records, physical examination, and other appropriate sources.
12. Which finding is objective data?
200+ Verified Questions & Answers with Rationales
SECTION 1 — FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PRACTICE
1. Which action by a nurse best demonstrates the principle of patient-centered
care?
A. Making decisions for the client without discussion
B. Incorporating the client's preferences into the plan of care
C. Following the same plan for every client
D. Allowing family members to make all decisions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient-centered care respects the client's values, preferences, needs,
and goals. The nurse collaborates with the client rather than imposing a
standardized plan without considering individual circumstances.
2. Which nursing action is an example of evidence-based practice?
A. Using a procedure because it has always been done that way
B. Following a colleague's personal preference
C. Combining research evidence with clinical expertise and client preferences
D. Choosing interventions based only on cost
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Evidence-based practice integrates the best available research
evidence with clinical expertise and the client's preferences and circumstances.
3. Which activity is within the independent scope of nursing practice?
A. Prescribing a new medication
B. Performing a nursing assessment
,C. Diagnosing a medical disease
D. Performing surgery
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nurses independently perform nursing assessments and implement
nursing interventions within their scope. Medical diagnosis, prescribing, and
surgery require appropriate provider authority.
4. A nurse discovers that a client's medication dose appears unusually high.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer the medication
B. Ask another client about the medication
C. Hold the medication and verify the prescription
D. Change the dose independently
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A potentially unsafe medication order must be clarified before
administration. The nurse should not independently alter the prescribed dose.
5. Which action demonstrates professional accountability?
A. Blaming another nurse for an error
B. Reporting and documenting a medication error according to policy
C. Hiding an error when the client has no symptoms
D. Altering documentation to avoid consequences
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Accountability requires acknowledging errors, taking appropriate
corrective action, notifying the appropriate individuals, and documenting
according to policy.
6. Which principle is most important when prioritizing nursing care?
,A. Complete the easiest task first
B. Address life-threatening problems first
C. Complete tasks alphabetically
D. Always see the most stable client first
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing priorities are generally based on threats to airway, breathing,
circulation, safety, and other immediate physiologic needs.
7. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client requesting assistance with a bath
B. Client with new-onset shortness of breath
C. Client requesting discharge instructions
D. Client reporting mild chronic back pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New-onset shortness of breath may indicate impaired oxygenation and
is potentially life-threatening. It takes priority over routine care.
8. Which action best demonstrates continuity of care?
A. Giving verbal instructions only
B. Communicating relevant client information during handoff
C. Avoiding communication with other departments
D. Documenting only abnormal findings
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective handoff communication helps ensure that essential
information is transferred between caregivers and supports safe, continuous care.
9. Which statement about nursing standards is correct?
, A. Standards apply only to newly graduated nurses
B. Standards help define expected professional nursing practice
C. Standards replace clinical judgment
D. Standards are optional recommendations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Professional standards establish expectations for safe, competent
nursing practice and help guide accountability.
10. Which action best demonstrates respect for client autonomy?
A. Making decisions for a competent client
B. Providing information so the client can make an informed decision
C. Withholding information to reduce anxiety
D. Allowing family members to override the client automatically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy is the client's right to make informed decisions about their
own care when they have decision-making capacity.
SECTION 2 — NURSING PROCESS & CLINICAL JUDGMENT
11. Which phase of the nursing process involves collecting client information?
A. Planning
B. Assessment
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessment involves collecting subjective and objective data from the
client, family, records, physical examination, and other appropriate sources.
12. Which finding is objective data?
