ATI RN Capstone Comprehensive Practice Test
2026/2027 | ATI Capstone Nursing Study Guide,
Proctored Assessment Questions & Answers, NCLEX-
Style Clinical Judgment, Comprehensive Nursing
Review & Final Exam Prep
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia and
frequently becomes agitated. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take to promote communication and reduce agitation?
A. Speak in a loud voice to command attention
B. Face the client at eye level when communicating and use simple, clear
statements
C. Approach the client from behind to avoid startling others
D. Use complex medical terminology and detailed explanations
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Face the client at eye level when
communicating and use simple, clear statements
Rationale: Facing the client at eye level reduces intimidation and helps the
client focus on nonverbal cues. A loud voice and complex sentences can
increase confusion and agitation, while approaching from behind can startle
the client.
Question 2: A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova
and parasites from a client who has diarrhea. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Collect the specimen from the toilet bowl
B. Refrigerate the specimen immediately after collection
C. Instruct the client to defecate into a clean, dry container
D. Collect three separate specimens over 5 days
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Instruct the client to defecate into a clean,
dry container
Rationale: Specimens for ova and parasite testing should be collected in a
clean, dry container and delivered to the laboratory while still warm.
Refrigeration is not indicated, and toilet water can contaminate the
specimen.
Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
,A. Obtain the client's vital signs
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C. Prime the blood tubing with normal saline
D. Check the blood product expiration date
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers
Rationale: Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers (e.g., name and
date of birth) is the priority action before any procedure to ensure the
correct client receives the correct blood product.
Question 4: A nurse is preparing to administer a continuous IV
infusion. Which of the following is the priority action before
hanging the new IV bag?
A. Check the expiration date on the IV solution
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C. Prime the IV tubing with the new solution
D. Assess the IV site for signs of infiltration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers
Rationale: Client identification using two identifiers is the priority action
before any medication or fluid administration. The other actions are
important but should follow identity verification.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative
following abdominal surgery. Which assessment finding should the
nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0-10
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
C. Temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C)
D. Heart rate of 88 bpm
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C)
Rationale: A temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C) in the postoperative period
may indicate infection and should be reported immediately.
Serosanguineous drainage is expected, and mild pain and elevated heart
rate are common postoperative findings.
,Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position for easy access
B. Place all personal items out of reach
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position and ensure the call light is within
reach
D. Encourage the client to ambulate without assistance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position and
ensure the call light is within reach
Rationale: The priority intervention is maintaining a safe environment.
Keeping the bed in the lowest position and ensuring the call light is
accessible reduces the risk of falls while promoting independence. Raising
all four side rails is considered a restraint in many situations and may
increase injury risk.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client who has dehydration.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Bounding pulse
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Peripheral edema
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes decreased skin turgor, dry
mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, and concentrated urine.
Poor skin turgor is a classic assessment finding, especially in adults.
Question 8: A nurse is reinforcing teaching about infection
prevention. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Wash hands for 5 seconds
B. Dry hands from wrists to fingertips
C. Rub all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
D. Turn off the faucet with bare hands
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rub all hand surfaces for at least 20
seconds
, Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction for at least 20 seconds
while cleaning all hand surfaces. Turning off faucets should be done with a
paper towel to prevent recontamination.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rating of 5/10
B. Temperature of 37.6°C (99.7°F)
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates impaired oxygenation
and requires immediate assessment and intervention. Airway and breathing
take priority over pain or mild postoperative findings.
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen via
nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose regularly
C. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min without a prescription
D. Remove oxygen during meals
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose
regularly
Rationale: Oxygen tubing can cause skin breakdown around the ears and
nose. Petroleum-based products are avoided because they are flammable in
oxygen-rich environments.
Question 11: A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication.
Which action should occur first?
A. Document administration
B. Give the medication
C. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
D. Assess the client's response
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers
2026/2027 | ATI Capstone Nursing Study Guide,
Proctored Assessment Questions & Answers, NCLEX-
Style Clinical Judgment, Comprehensive Nursing
Review & Final Exam Prep
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia and
frequently becomes agitated. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take to promote communication and reduce agitation?
A. Speak in a loud voice to command attention
B. Face the client at eye level when communicating and use simple, clear
statements
C. Approach the client from behind to avoid startling others
D. Use complex medical terminology and detailed explanations
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Face the client at eye level when
communicating and use simple, clear statements
Rationale: Facing the client at eye level reduces intimidation and helps the
client focus on nonverbal cues. A loud voice and complex sentences can
increase confusion and agitation, while approaching from behind can startle
the client.
Question 2: A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova
and parasites from a client who has diarrhea. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Collect the specimen from the toilet bowl
B. Refrigerate the specimen immediately after collection
C. Instruct the client to defecate into a clean, dry container
D. Collect three separate specimens over 5 days
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Instruct the client to defecate into a clean,
dry container
Rationale: Specimens for ova and parasite testing should be collected in a
clean, dry container and delivered to the laboratory while still warm.
Refrigeration is not indicated, and toilet water can contaminate the
specimen.
Question 3: A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
,A. Obtain the client's vital signs
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C. Prime the blood tubing with normal saline
D. Check the blood product expiration date
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers
Rationale: Verifying the client's identity using two identifiers (e.g., name and
date of birth) is the priority action before any procedure to ensure the
correct client receives the correct blood product.
Question 4: A nurse is preparing to administer a continuous IV
infusion. Which of the following is the priority action before
hanging the new IV bag?
A. Check the expiration date on the IV solution
B. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
C. Prime the IV tubing with the new solution
D. Assess the IV site for signs of infiltration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers
Rationale: Client identification using two identifiers is the priority action
before any medication or fluid administration. The other actions are
important but should follow identity verification.
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative
following abdominal surgery. Which assessment finding should the
nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0-10
B. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
C. Temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C)
D. Heart rate of 88 bpm
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C)
Rationale: A temperature of 101.5°F (38.6°C) in the postoperative period
may indicate infection and should be reported immediately.
Serosanguineous drainage is expected, and mild pain and elevated heart
rate are common postoperative findings.
,Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client who is on fall precautions.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the bed in the highest position for easy access
B. Place all personal items out of reach
C. Keep the bed in the lowest position and ensure the call light is within
reach
D. Encourage the client to ambulate without assistance
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Keep the bed in the lowest position and
ensure the call light is within reach
Rationale: The priority intervention is maintaining a safe environment.
Keeping the bed in the lowest position and ensuring the call light is
accessible reduces the risk of falls while promoting independence. Raising
all four side rails is considered a restraint in many situations and may
increase injury risk.
Question 7: A nurse is assessing a client who has dehydration.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Bounding pulse
C. Poor skin turgor
D. Peripheral edema
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Poor skin turgor
Rationale: Dehydration commonly causes decreased skin turgor, dry
mucous membranes, tachycardia, hypotension, and concentrated urine.
Poor skin turgor is a classic assessment finding, especially in adults.
Question 8: A nurse is reinforcing teaching about infection
prevention. Which action demonstrates proper hand hygiene?
A. Wash hands for 5 seconds
B. Dry hands from wrists to fingertips
C. Rub all hand surfaces for at least 20 seconds
D. Turn off the faucet with bare hands
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rub all hand surfaces for at least 20
seconds
, Rationale: Effective hand hygiene requires friction for at least 20 seconds
while cleaning all hand surfaces. Turning off faucets should be done with a
paper towel to prevent recontamination.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a postoperative client. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rating of 5/10
B. Temperature of 37.6°C (99.7°F)
C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates impaired oxygenation
and requires immediate assessment and intervention. Airway and breathing
take priority over pain or mild postoperative findings.
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxygen via
nasal cannula at 2 L/min. Which nursing action is appropriate?
A. Apply petroleum jelly to the nares
B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose regularly
C. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min without a prescription
D. Remove oxygen during meals
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Assess the skin around the ears and nose
regularly
Rationale: Oxygen tubing can cause skin breakdown around the ears and
nose. Petroleum-based products are avoided because they are flammable in
oxygen-rich environments.
Question 11: A nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication.
Which action should occur first?
A. Document administration
B. Give the medication
C. Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
D. Assess the client's response
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Verify the client's identity using two
identifiers
