ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical, Exam Questions & Answers
1. a nurse is reviewing the ABG results of a client who the provider suspects has metabolic
acidosis. what would the nurse expect to see
pH below 7.35
2. a pt is experiencing SOB, fatigue, JVD, the nurse auscultates a third heart sound (S3), what
should the nurse anticipate as the cause of these s/s
HF
3. a nurse is administering potassium chloride elixer 40mEq divided into 2 equal doses every 12
hours, available is 6.7 mEq/5mL. how many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
30mL
4. a nurse is caring for a pt in the ED who was just admitted with chest pain, possible acute
coronary syndrome. what should the nurse do first?
administer sublingual nitroglycerin
(treat chest pain to reduce cardiac tissue damage)
5. a nurse is caring for pt who is experiencing ventricular tachycardia with a pulse, the RRT is at the
bedside. what electrical intervention should be used to correct this dysrhythmia?
synchronized cardioversion
(tx for afib, SVT, and v tach with a pulse)
6. a nurse is caring for an adult pt who is experiencing delayed wound healing, which of the
following interventions should the nurse take?
monitor serum albumin levels and notify provider if below 3.5g/dL
(lack of protein increases the risk for a delay in wound healing and infection)
,7. a nurse is teaching a client who has pre-dialysis ESKD about diet, what should be included?
reduce intake of foods high in potassium
(potassium clearance is impaired in ESKD)
8. a nurse is caring for a client who has T1DM, the nurse misread the client's morning BG level as
210mg/dL, instead of 120mg/dL and administered the insulin dose appropriate for a reading
over 200mg/dL before the client's breakfast, what action is the nurse's priority?
monitor the client for hypoglycemia
9. a nurse is planning care for a pt who has a new diagnosis of DI, which of the following
interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
check urine specific gravity
10. a nurse is caring for a pt admitted with wheezing and coughing due to an allergic reaction to a
newly prescribed medication, what medication should be administered first?
albuterol 3mL via nebulizer
11. a nurse is caring for a female client in the ED who reports SOB and pain in the lung area, she
states that she started taking BC pills 3 weeks ago and that she smokes, her heart rate is
110/min, RR 40/min, and BP 140/80, her ABGs are pH 7.50, PaCO2 29, PaO2 60, HCO3 20, SaO2
86%, what is the priority of nursing interventions
administer oxygen via face mask
12. a nurse is caring for a pt following repair of a fracture, what finding should alert the nurse that
the pt is experiencing compartment syndrome?
unrelieved pain, pallor, pulselessness, numbness, pins and needles sensation, swelling,
tightness of the effected extremity
13. a nurse is administering a tap water enema to a pt who is constipated, during the administration
of the enema, the client states he is having abdominal cramps, what action should the nurse
take to relieve the client's comfort
, lower the height of the solution container
14. a pt is diagnosed with left homonymous hemianopsia following a stroke, what action should the
nurse take?
place the clients bedside table on the right side of the bed
15. a nurse is caring for a pt who is at risk for shock, what finding is the earliest indicator that this
complication is developing?
narrowing pulse pressure
16. a nurse is assessing a client who has hypokalemia as a result of n/v, and diarrhea, what finding
should the nurse expect
weak, irregular pulse
17. a nurse is providing teaching for a client who has experienced an acute episode of gastritis, what
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
avoid drinking alcohol
18. a nurse at an outpt surgery center is providing discharge teaching to a pt an his spouse following
surgical removal of a cataract, what should the nurse include?
the client should wear dark glasses while outdoors
19. a nurse is assessing a pt who has a puncture wound on his foot, what is a manifestation of acute
osteomylitis?
localized erythema
20. a nurse is monitoring a pt who had a cerebral aneurysm rupture, what finding should the nurse
identify as a manifestation of increased intracranial pressure
irritability
21. when caring for a pt with a chest tube the nurse notes continuous bubbling in the chest tube
water seal chamber, what does this indicate
