ATI CAPSTONE PRE-ASSESSMENT EXAM 2026 | ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS |
COMPREHENSIVE LEVEL 3 PREP
Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory status. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Auscultate lung sounds
B. Check oxygen saturation
C. Obtain a respiratory rate
D. Inspect chest movement
Correct Answer: C. Obtain a respiratory rate
Rationale: According to ATI Fundamentals of Nursing, the initial step in assessing a client's
respiratory status is to obtain the respiratory rate. This provides baseline data on the
client's breathing pattern and rate, which are critical indicators of respiratory function.
Question 2
,A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an infant. Which site is
most appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Dorsogluteal
Correct Answer: C. Vastus lateralis
Rationale: ATI Fundamentals of Nursing recommends the vastus lateralis as the preferred
site for intramuscular injections in infants due to its large muscle mass and distance from
major nerves and blood vessels, minimizing risk.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which equipment must be kept
at the bedside?
A. Suction catheter
B. Stethoscope
C. Blood pressure cuff
D. Reflex hammer
Correct Answer: A. Suction catheter
Rationale: ATI Fundamentals of Nursing emphasizes that a suction catheter must be at the
bedside for a client with a new tracheostomy to clear secretions and maintain airway
patency.
Question 4
,A nurse is caring for several clients prescribed heat/cold therapies. Which of the
following clients are at risk of injury from these therapies? Select all that apply.
A. An older adult client prescribed heat therapy for hip pain
B. A middle-aged adult client prescribed cold therapy for muscle spasms
C. A client with diabetes prescribed cold therapy for a fractured toe
D. A fair-skinned, school-age client prescribed heat therapy after a soccer injury
E. A cognitively impaired older adult prescribed alternating heat and cold therapy
Correct Answer: A, C, D, and E
Rationale: The nurse should use extreme caution with clients who are very young, older
adults, fair-skinned, have impaired cognition, and have comorbidities because they are at
higher risk for fragile skin.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to a client. Which of
the following findings indicates a need to obtain a new bag of TPN before
administering?
A. The TPN solution has an oily appearance and a layer of fat on top of the solution
B. The TPN solution contains added electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements
C. The bag of TPN was prepared by the pharmacy 12 hours prior
D. The bag of TPN is labeled with the client's name, medical record number, and
prescription
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Before administration of TPN, the nurse should look for "cracking" of TPN
solution. A "cracked" TPN solution has an oily appearance or a layer of fat on top of the
solution and should not be used.
Question 6
What is the name of a legal document that instructs healthcare providers and family
members about what, if any, life-sustaining treatment an individual wants if at some
time the individual is unable to make decisions?
A. Do Not Resuscitate
B. Informed consent
C. Living will
D. Durable power of attorney for health care
Correct Answer: C. Living will
Rationale: A living will is a legal document that specifically outlines a client's wishes
regarding life-sustaining treatment. A DNR order is written by the provider when the client
requests not to be resuscitated. Informed consent is obtained after complete disclosure of
pertinent information. A durable power of attorney for health care designates another
person to make health care decisions.
Question 7
A nurse manager is providing staff education on the correct use of restraints. Which of
the following should be included in this education? Select all that apply.
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS |
COMPREHENSIVE LEVEL 3 PREP
Section 1: Fundamentals of Nursing
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client's respiratory status. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
A. Auscultate lung sounds
B. Check oxygen saturation
C. Obtain a respiratory rate
D. Inspect chest movement
Correct Answer: C. Obtain a respiratory rate
Rationale: According to ATI Fundamentals of Nursing, the initial step in assessing a client's
respiratory status is to obtain the respiratory rate. This provides baseline data on the
client's breathing pattern and rate, which are critical indicators of respiratory function.
Question 2
,A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to an infant. Which site is
most appropriate?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Vastus lateralis
D. Dorsogluteal
Correct Answer: C. Vastus lateralis
Rationale: ATI Fundamentals of Nursing recommends the vastus lateralis as the preferred
site for intramuscular injections in infants due to its large muscle mass and distance from
major nerves and blood vessels, minimizing risk.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client with a new tracheostomy. Which equipment must be kept
at the bedside?
A. Suction catheter
B. Stethoscope
C. Blood pressure cuff
D. Reflex hammer
Correct Answer: A. Suction catheter
Rationale: ATI Fundamentals of Nursing emphasizes that a suction catheter must be at the
bedside for a client with a new tracheostomy to clear secretions and maintain airway
patency.
Question 4
,A nurse is caring for several clients prescribed heat/cold therapies. Which of the
following clients are at risk of injury from these therapies? Select all that apply.
A. An older adult client prescribed heat therapy for hip pain
B. A middle-aged adult client prescribed cold therapy for muscle spasms
C. A client with diabetes prescribed cold therapy for a fractured toe
D. A fair-skinned, school-age client prescribed heat therapy after a soccer injury
E. A cognitively impaired older adult prescribed alternating heat and cold therapy
Correct Answer: A, C, D, and E
Rationale: The nurse should use extreme caution with clients who are very young, older
adults, fair-skinned, have impaired cognition, and have comorbidities because they are at
higher risk for fragile skin.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer total parenteral nutrition (TPN) to a client. Which of
the following findings indicates a need to obtain a new bag of TPN before
administering?
A. The TPN solution has an oily appearance and a layer of fat on top of the solution
B. The TPN solution contains added electrolytes, vitamins, and trace elements
C. The bag of TPN was prepared by the pharmacy 12 hours prior
D. The bag of TPN is labeled with the client's name, medical record number, and
prescription
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: Before administration of TPN, the nurse should look for "cracking" of TPN
solution. A "cracked" TPN solution has an oily appearance or a layer of fat on top of the
solution and should not be used.
Question 6
What is the name of a legal document that instructs healthcare providers and family
members about what, if any, life-sustaining treatment an individual wants if at some
time the individual is unable to make decisions?
A. Do Not Resuscitate
B. Informed consent
C. Living will
D. Durable power of attorney for health care
Correct Answer: C. Living will
Rationale: A living will is a legal document that specifically outlines a client's wishes
regarding life-sustaining treatment. A DNR order is written by the provider when the client
requests not to be resuscitated. Informed consent is obtained after complete disclosure of
pertinent information. A durable power of attorney for health care designates another
person to make health care decisions.
Question 7
A nurse manager is providing staff education on the correct use of restraints. Which of
the following should be included in this education? Select all that apply.
