ATI RN Capstone Proctored Comprehensive
Assessment B Comprehensive Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Assessment Overview
The ATI RN Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment B is the
post-test administered during the final week of the Capstone Content
Review. It consists of 85 items (75 scored) with 75 minutes allotted, and
covers nine content areas: Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Medical-
Surgical, Maternal-Newborn, Nursing Care of Children, Mental Health,
Leadership/Community Health, Nutrition, and Safety & Infection Control.
The assessment includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style items such
as unfolding case studies, bow-tie questions, and priority-setting items.
Section 1: Management of Care & Leadership (Q1–Q20)
Q1. A nurse working in an emergency department is triaging four
clients. Which client should the nurse recommend for treatment first?
A. A young adult client with a simple fracture of the radius.
B. A middle adult client who has unstable vital signs.
C. An older adult client requesting a medication refill.
D. An adolescent client with a sore throat and fever.
Answer: B
Rationale: In emergency triage, clients with unstable vital signs or
immediate threats to life (Emergent/Priority 1) must be treated first. The
client with unstable vitals is at highest risk for deterioration compared to the
others who are stable or non-urgent.
Q2. A nurse manager is planning to use a democratic leadership style.
Which action by the nurse manager is consistent with this style?
A. Making decisions without input from the team.
,B. Encouraging group discussions and decision-making.
C. Closely supervising all staff tasks without delegation.
D. Focusing solely on task completion and rules.
Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leadership involves team members in the decision-
making process. While the manager retains final authority, the group
discusses goals and works together, which increases job satisfaction and
ownership of outcomes.
Q3. An RN is observing an LPN and an assistive personnel (AP) move
a client up in bed. For which situation should the nurse intervene?
A. The LPN and the AP raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
B. The LPN and the AP grasp the client under his arms to lift him up.
C. The LPN counts to three before moving the client.
D. The AP uses a friction-reducing slide sheet.
Answer: B
Rationale: Grasping a client under the arms (specifically the axillae) can
damage the brachial plexus nerves and shear the skin. Proper lifting
involves using a draw sheet or slide sheet to distribute weight and reduce
friction.
Q4. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the ICU to the
medical floor. Which information should the nurse include in the
change-of-shift report (SBAR)?
A. The client's complete medical history from childhood.
B. The time of the client's last dose of pain medication.
C. The specific brand of toothpaste the client prefers.
D. The family members' visiting hours.
Answer: B
Rationale: The change-of-shift report should be concise and relevant to
current care. For a post-operative patient, pain management status (last
,dose, effectiveness) is critical for the receiving nurse to plan care and
prevent respiratory compromise due to pain.
Q5. A charge nurse is speaking with the partner of a client who states
the client is not receiving adequate care. Which action should the
charge nurse take first?
A. Apologize and promise to fire the assigned nurse.
B. Explain that the family is overreacting.
C. Ask the partner to list specific concerns.
D. Immediately transfer the client to a different unit.
Answer: C
Rationale: The first step in conflict resolution or complaint management is
to gather data. Asking the partner to list specific concerns allows the nurse
to understand the issue before taking action.
Q6. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A. Client requesting pain medication.
B. Client with new onset confusion and restlessness.
C. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom.
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions.
Answer: B
Rationale: New onset confusion and restlessness may indicate hypoxia,
hypoglycemia, infection, or neurological change. Using the ABC framework,
this client requires immediate assessment.
Q7. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to a nursing
assistant (UAP)?
A. Administering oral medications.
B. Assessing a client's pain level.
, C. Assisting a client with ambulation.
D. Teaching a client about a new medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is within the UAP's scope of practice.
Medication administration, assessment, and teaching require a licensed
nurse.
Q8. A nurse is delegating to an LPN. Which task is appropriate?
A. Administering IV push medications.
B. Performing an initial assessment.
C. Administering oral medications to a stable client.
D. Developing the plan of care.
Answer: C
Rationale: LPNs can administer oral medications to stable clients. IV push
medications, initial assessments, and care plan development require RN
scope.
Q9. Which client should the nurse see first after receiving report?
A. Client with COPD reporting difficulty breathing.
B. Client requesting a laxative.
C. Client with a scheduled dressing change.
D. Client asking about discharge.
Answer: A
Rationale: Using the ABC framework, impaired oxygenation takes priority.
Q10. A nurse is assigning clients to staff. Which assignment is most
appropriate?
A. UAP assigned to a client requiring frequent assessments.
B. LPN assigned to a client requiring complex IV medications.
C. RN assigned to a client with unstable vital signs.
D. UAP assigned to a client requiring teaching.
Assessment B Comprehensive Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Assessment Overview
The ATI RN Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment B is the
post-test administered during the final week of the Capstone Content
Review. It consists of 85 items (75 scored) with 75 minutes allotted, and
covers nine content areas: Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Medical-
Surgical, Maternal-Newborn, Nursing Care of Children, Mental Health,
Leadership/Community Health, Nutrition, and Safety & Infection Control.
The assessment includes Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style items such
as unfolding case studies, bow-tie questions, and priority-setting items.
Section 1: Management of Care & Leadership (Q1–Q20)
Q1. A nurse working in an emergency department is triaging four
clients. Which client should the nurse recommend for treatment first?
A. A young adult client with a simple fracture of the radius.
B. A middle adult client who has unstable vital signs.
C. An older adult client requesting a medication refill.
D. An adolescent client with a sore throat and fever.
Answer: B
Rationale: In emergency triage, clients with unstable vital signs or
immediate threats to life (Emergent/Priority 1) must be treated first. The
client with unstable vitals is at highest risk for deterioration compared to the
others who are stable or non-urgent.
Q2. A nurse manager is planning to use a democratic leadership style.
Which action by the nurse manager is consistent with this style?
A. Making decisions without input from the team.
,B. Encouraging group discussions and decision-making.
C. Closely supervising all staff tasks without delegation.
D. Focusing solely on task completion and rules.
Answer: B
Rationale: Democratic leadership involves team members in the decision-
making process. While the manager retains final authority, the group
discusses goals and works together, which increases job satisfaction and
ownership of outcomes.
Q3. An RN is observing an LPN and an assistive personnel (AP) move
a client up in bed. For which situation should the nurse intervene?
A. The LPN and the AP raise the bed to a comfortable working height.
B. The LPN and the AP grasp the client under his arms to lift him up.
C. The LPN counts to three before moving the client.
D. The AP uses a friction-reducing slide sheet.
Answer: B
Rationale: Grasping a client under the arms (specifically the axillae) can
damage the brachial plexus nerves and shear the skin. Proper lifting
involves using a draw sheet or slide sheet to distribute weight and reduce
friction.
Q4. A nurse is preparing to transfer a client from the ICU to the
medical floor. Which information should the nurse include in the
change-of-shift report (SBAR)?
A. The client's complete medical history from childhood.
B. The time of the client's last dose of pain medication.
C. The specific brand of toothpaste the client prefers.
D. The family members' visiting hours.
Answer: B
Rationale: The change-of-shift report should be concise and relevant to
current care. For a post-operative patient, pain management status (last
,dose, effectiveness) is critical for the receiving nurse to plan care and
prevent respiratory compromise due to pain.
Q5. A charge nurse is speaking with the partner of a client who states
the client is not receiving adequate care. Which action should the
charge nurse take first?
A. Apologize and promise to fire the assigned nurse.
B. Explain that the family is overreacting.
C. Ask the partner to list specific concerns.
D. Immediately transfer the client to a different unit.
Answer: C
Rationale: The first step in conflict resolution or complaint management is
to gather data. Asking the partner to list specific concerns allows the nurse
to understand the issue before taking action.
Q6. A nurse is caring for four clients. Which client should the nurse
assess first?
A. Client requesting pain medication.
B. Client with new onset confusion and restlessness.
C. Client requesting assistance to the bathroom.
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions.
Answer: B
Rationale: New onset confusion and restlessness may indicate hypoxia,
hypoglycemia, infection, or neurological change. Using the ABC framework,
this client requires immediate assessment.
Q7. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to a nursing
assistant (UAP)?
A. Administering oral medications.
B. Assessing a client's pain level.
, C. Assisting a client with ambulation.
D. Teaching a client about a new medication.
Answer: C
Rationale: Assisting with ambulation is within the UAP's scope of practice.
Medication administration, assessment, and teaching require a licensed
nurse.
Q8. A nurse is delegating to an LPN. Which task is appropriate?
A. Administering IV push medications.
B. Performing an initial assessment.
C. Administering oral medications to a stable client.
D. Developing the plan of care.
Answer: C
Rationale: LPNs can administer oral medications to stable clients. IV push
medications, initial assessments, and care plan development require RN
scope.
Q9. Which client should the nurse see first after receiving report?
A. Client with COPD reporting difficulty breathing.
B. Client requesting a laxative.
C. Client with a scheduled dressing change.
D. Client asking about discharge.
Answer: A
Rationale: Using the ABC framework, impaired oxygenation takes priority.
Q10. A nurse is assigning clients to staff. Which assignment is most
appropriate?
A. UAP assigned to a client requiring frequent assessments.
B. LPN assigned to a client requiring complex IV medications.
C. RN assigned to a client with unstable vital signs.
D. UAP assigned to a client requiring teaching.
