RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 1 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is assessing a client who has Addison's disease. Which of the following manifestations
should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an Addisonian crisis?
A. Hypothermia
B. Increased deep tendon reflexes
✓ C. Hypotension
D. Erythema of the neck and chest
✓ Correct Answer: C
An Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening acute adrenal insufficiency causing a severe drop in cortisol. The hallmark sign is
severe HYPOTENSION (vascular collapse), along with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, and fever (not
hypothermia). Deep tendon reflexes are diminished, not increased. Erythema of the neck and chest is not a classic feature.
Page 1 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 2 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a heart transplant. Which of the
following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Immunosuppressant medications need to be taken for up to 1 year.
✓ B. Shortness of breath might be an indication of organ rejection.
C. Return to household activities following discharge.
D. Begin 45 min of moderate aerobic exercise per day following discharge.
✓ Correct Answer: B
After a heart transplant, clients must take immunosuppressant medications for LIFE — not just 1 year — to prevent organ
rejection. Shortness of breath, fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, and flu-like symptoms are warning signs of rejection
and must be reported immediately. Returning to full household activities immediately is premature — activity is gradually
increased per cardiac rehab protocol. 45 min of aerobic exercise immediately post-discharge is excessive and requires a
structured, progressive rehabilitation program.
Page 2 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 3 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is instructing a client's caregiver on how to position the client before administering tube
feedings in the home. Which of the following statements by the caregiver demonstrates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will allow them to assume a position of comfort."
B. "I will elevate the head of the bed 10 degrees."
C. "I will place them in a left side-lying position."
✓ D. "I will sit them up in bed."
✓ Correct Answer: D
Before administering tube feedings, the client should be positioned with the HEAD OF BED ELEVATED at least 30-45
degrees (semi-Fowler's to high Fowler's) to reduce the risk of aspiration. Sitting upright in bed (high Fowler's,
approximately 90 degrees) is the safest position. A 'position of comfort' does not ensure aspiration prevention. Elevating
the HOB only 10 degrees is inadequate — the minimum is 30 degrees. Left side-lying does not adequately protect the
airway during tube feedings.
Page 3 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 4 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is teaching strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome to a group of office workers.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. "Raise your chair height so that you lean over to type."
✓ B. "Use a wrist rest when working at a computer station."
✓ C. "Stretch your fingers and wrists periodically while working."
D. "Position your keyboard at shoulder height."
✓ E. "Take breaks from the repetitive activity."
✓ Correct Answer: B, C, E
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) prevention focuses on reducing repetitive strain and maintaining neutral wrist positioning.
Correct instructions: use a WRIST REST to keep wrists neutral while typing; STRETCH fingers and wrists regularly to
relieve tension in the carpal tunnel; take FREQUENT BREAKS from repetitive tasks to allow tissue recovery. Raising the
chair to lean forward INCREASES wrist strain — elbows should be at 90 degrees with neutral wrists. Positioning the
keyboard at SHOULDER HEIGHT causes extreme wrist extension, significantly worsening CTS risk.
Page 4 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 1 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is assessing a client who has Addison's disease. Which of the following manifestations
should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing an Addisonian crisis?
A. Hypothermia
B. Increased deep tendon reflexes
✓ C. Hypotension
D. Erythema of the neck and chest
✓ Correct Answer: C
An Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening acute adrenal insufficiency causing a severe drop in cortisol. The hallmark sign is
severe HYPOTENSION (vascular collapse), along with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, and fever (not
hypothermia). Deep tendon reflexes are diminished, not increased. Erythema of the neck and chest is not a classic feature.
Page 1 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 2 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a heart transplant. Which of the
following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Immunosuppressant medications need to be taken for up to 1 year.
✓ B. Shortness of breath might be an indication of organ rejection.
C. Return to household activities following discharge.
D. Begin 45 min of moderate aerobic exercise per day following discharge.
✓ Correct Answer: B
After a heart transplant, clients must take immunosuppressant medications for LIFE — not just 1 year — to prevent organ
rejection. Shortness of breath, fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, and flu-like symptoms are warning signs of rejection
and must be reported immediately. Returning to full household activities immediately is premature — activity is gradually
increased per cardiac rehab protocol. 45 min of aerobic exercise immediately post-discharge is excessive and requires a
structured, progressive rehabilitation program.
Page 2 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 3 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is instructing a client's caregiver on how to position the client before administering tube
feedings in the home. Which of the following statements by the caregiver demonstrates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will allow them to assume a position of comfort."
B. "I will elevate the head of the bed 10 degrees."
C. "I will place them in a left side-lying position."
✓ D. "I will sit them up in bed."
✓ Correct Answer: D
Before administering tube feedings, the client should be positioned with the HEAD OF BED ELEVATED at least 30-45
degrees (semi-Fowler's to high Fowler's) to reduce the risk of aspiration. Sitting upright in bed (high Fowler's,
approximately 90 degrees) is the safest position. A 'position of comfort' does not ensure aspiration prevention. Elevating
the HOB only 10 degrees is inadequate — the minimum is 30 degrees. Left side-lying does not adequately protect the
airway during tube feedings.
Page 3 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
, RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
2026 Exam · 50 Questions · With Rationales
Question: 4 of 50 RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical
A nurse is teaching strategies to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome to a group of office workers.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
A. "Raise your chair height so that you lean over to type."
✓ B. "Use a wrist rest when working at a computer station."
✓ C. "Stretch your fingers and wrists periodically while working."
D. "Position your keyboard at shoulder height."
✓ E. "Take breaks from the repetitive activity."
✓ Correct Answer: B, C, E
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) prevention focuses on reducing repetitive strain and maintaining neutral wrist positioning.
Correct instructions: use a WRIST REST to keep wrists neutral while typing; STRETCH fingers and wrists regularly to
relieve tension in the carpal tunnel; take FREQUENT BREAKS from repetitive tasks to allow tissue recovery. Raising the
chair to lean forward INCREASES wrist strain — elbows should be at 90 degrees with neutral wrists. Positioning the
keyboard at SHOULDER HEIGHT causes extreme wrist extension, significantly worsening CTS risk.
Page 4 | RN ATI Capstone Adult Medical Surgical 2026
