ATI CAPSTONE PRE-ASSESSMENT EXAM– QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Fundamentals of Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal and Newborn Health
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Leadership and Management
Safety and Infection Control
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Introduction
This comprehensive pre-assessment examination is designed to evaluate the nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and
critical thinking skills essential for safe and effective professional practice. It assesses proficiency across core domains,
including medical-surgical, maternal, pediatric, and mental health nursing. The exam utilizes multiple-choice and
,scenario-based questions to simulate real-world clinical situations, emphasizing application of knowledge, decision-
making, and adherence to professional standards. Successful completion provides valuable insight into areas of
strength and opportunities for focused review.
Section One: Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new prescription for furosemide. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypertension
C. Hypokalemia
D. Bradycardia
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
🔴 Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, placing the client at risk
for hypokalemia.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the
following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. A temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
B. Pain at the surgical site
, C. A saturated dressing with bright red blood
D. Reports of nausea
🟢 Correct Answer: C. A saturated dressing with bright red blood
🔴 Explanation: A saturated dressing with bright red blood indicates active bleeding, which is a priority finding
that requires immediate intervention.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will check my blood sugar once a week."
B. "I can adjust my insulin dose based on my carbohydrate intake."
C. "I should eat a snack before exercising if my blood sugar is low."
D. "I will take my long-acting insulin when my blood sugar is high."
🟢 Correct Answer: B. "I can adjust my insulin dose based on my carbohydrate intake."
🔴 Explanation: Clients with type 1 diabetes are taught to adjust their rapid-acting insulin dose based on their
carbohydrate intake and current blood glucose level.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and has a history of opioid use disorder. The client requests
pain medication. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Butorphanol
B. Meperidine
, C. Nalbuphine
D. Morphine
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Butorphanol
🔴 Explanation: Butorphanol is an opioid agonist-antagonist that is used for pain management in labor. It is
preferred over pure opioid agonists for clients with a history of opioid use disorder as it has a lower risk of
respiratory depression.
5. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A. Birth weight has tripled
B. Posterior fontanel is closed
C. First tooth has erupted
D. Has a pincer grasp
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Posterior fontanel is closed
🔴 Explanation: The posterior fontanel typically closes between 2 and 3 months of age. By 6 months, it should be
closed.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | DOWNLOAD AND PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
Core Domains
Fundamentals of Nursing
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Maternal and Newborn Health
Pediatric Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
Pharmacology and Medication Administration
Leadership and Management
Safety and Infection Control
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Introduction
This comprehensive pre-assessment examination is designed to evaluate the nursing knowledge, clinical judgment, and
critical thinking skills essential for safe and effective professional practice. It assesses proficiency across core domains,
including medical-surgical, maternal, pediatric, and mental health nursing. The exam utilizes multiple-choice and
,scenario-based questions to simulate real-world clinical situations, emphasizing application of knowledge, decision-
making, and adherence to professional standards. Successful completion provides valuable insight into areas of
strength and opportunities for focused review.
Section One: Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is caring for a client with a new prescription for furosemide. Which of the following findings should the
nurse identify as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypertension
C. Hypokalemia
D. Bradycardia
🟢 Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
🔴 Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, placing the client at risk
for hypokalemia.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the
following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. A temperature of 37.8°C (100°F)
B. Pain at the surgical site
, C. A saturated dressing with bright red blood
D. Reports of nausea
🟢 Correct Answer: C. A saturated dressing with bright red blood
🔴 Explanation: A saturated dressing with bright red blood indicates active bleeding, which is a priority finding
that requires immediate intervention.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will check my blood sugar once a week."
B. "I can adjust my insulin dose based on my carbohydrate intake."
C. "I should eat a snack before exercising if my blood sugar is low."
D. "I will take my long-acting insulin when my blood sugar is high."
🟢 Correct Answer: B. "I can adjust my insulin dose based on my carbohydrate intake."
🔴 Explanation: Clients with type 1 diabetes are taught to adjust their rapid-acting insulin dose based on their
carbohydrate intake and current blood glucose level.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor and has a history of opioid use disorder. The client requests
pain medication. Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Butorphanol
B. Meperidine
, C. Nalbuphine
D. Morphine
🟢 Correct Answer: A. Butorphanol
🔴 Explanation: Butorphanol is an opioid agonist-antagonist that is used for pain management in labor. It is
preferred over pure opioid agonists for clients with a history of opioid use disorder as it has a lower risk of
respiratory depression.
5. A nurse is assessing a 6-month-old infant during a well-child visit. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A. Birth weight has tripled
B. Posterior fontanel is closed
C. First tooth has erupted
D. Has a pincer grasp
🟢 Correct Answer: B. Posterior fontanel is closed
🔴 Explanation: The posterior fontanel typically closes between 2 and 3 months of age. By 6 months, it should be
closed.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a panic attack. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
