ATI Capstone Exam 2
Summer 2026 (130
Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
o A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
o B. Temperature of 37.8°C (100.1°F)
o C. Respiratory rate of 28/min and shallow breathing
o D. Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 28/min and shallow breathing
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28/min with shallow breathing 1 day
postoperative can indicate atelectasis, pneumonia, or respiratory compromise.
This requires immediate evaluation. A serosanguineous dressing is expected. A
low-grade fever is common postoperatively. Pain should be managed but is not
the priority over respiratory compromise.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse
monitor?
o A. Serum sodium
o B. Serum potassium
o C. Serum calcium
o D. Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to
,hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely. While
sodium, calcium, and magnesium can be affected, potassium is the most critical
and commonly monitored electrolyte with loop diuretics.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
o A. "Take this medication at bedtime."
o B. "Take this medication with a full glass of milk."
o C. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
o D. "Take this medication with an antacid."
Correct Answer: C. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 to 60
minutes before breakfast, to enhance absorption. Taking it with milk or antacids
can decrease absorption. Bedtime dosing is not recommended due to potential
insomnia.
4. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who has a history of
COPD. Which of the following findings indicates a potential complication?
o A. Barrel-shaped chest
o B. Pursed-lip breathing
o C. Clubbing of the fingers
o D. Increased anteroposterior diameter
Correct Answer: C. Clubbing of the fingers
Rationale: Clubbing of the fingers indicates chronic hypoxemia, which is a
complication of long-standing COPD. Barrel-shaped chest, pursed-lip breathing,
and increased AP diameter are expected findings in COPD.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
o A. Administer the insulin intravenously.
o B. Administer the insulin at bedtime.
, o C. Mix the insulin with regular insulin.
o D. Administer the insulin only when the client eats.
Correct Answer: B. Administer the insulin at bedtime.
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin typically administered once
daily at bedtime. It should not be mixed with other insulins or given IV. It is given
regardless of meals to provide basal coverage.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
o A. Fetal heart rate of 140/min
o B. Hemoglobin of 11 g/dL
o C. Blood pressure of 150/96 mm Hg
o D. Fundal height of 32 cm
Correct Answer: C. Blood pressure of 150/96 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 150/96 mm Hg at 32 weeks gestation is
elevated and may indicate gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. This
requires immediate reporting. Fetal heart rate of 140, hemoglobin of 11, and
fundal height of 32 cm are expected findings.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
and is prescribed metformin. Which of the following client statements
indicates a need for further teaching?
o A. "I should take this medication with meals."
o B. "I should stop taking this medication before a contrast dye
procedure."
o C. "I should drink alcohol while taking this medication."
o D. "I should monitor my blood glucose levels."
Correct Answer: C. "I should drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Rationale: Alcohol consumption while taking metformin increases the risk of
, lactic acidosis. The client should avoid alcohol. Taking metformin with meals,
stopping before contrast dye, and monitoring blood glucose are correct.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has a head injury. Which of the following
findings indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
o A. Decreased level of consciousness
o B. Increased urinary output
o C. Decreased blood pressure
o D. Increased pupil size
Correct Answer: A. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A decreased level of consciousness is an early and sensitive
indicator of increased ICP. Increased urinary output, decreased blood pressure,
and pinpoint pupils are not typical early signs. Increased ICP can cause Cushing's
triad: hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of the therapy?
o A. PT
o B. INR
o C. aPTT
o D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: C. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT). PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin therapy.
Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but aPTT is
the primary measure of effectiveness.
10.A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which
of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
o A. Bananas
Summer 2026 (130
Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 day postoperative following abdominal
surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
o A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
o B. Temperature of 37.8°C (100.1°F)
o C. Respiratory rate of 28/min and shallow breathing
o D. Pain rating of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate of 28/min and shallow breathing
Rationale: A respiratory rate of 28/min with shallow breathing 1 day
postoperative can indicate atelectasis, pneumonia, or respiratory compromise.
This requires immediate evaluation. A serosanguineous dressing is expected. A
low-grade fever is common postoperatively. Pain should be managed but is not
the priority over respiratory compromise.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse
monitor?
o A. Serum sodium
o B. Serum potassium
o C. Serum calcium
o D. Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to
,hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely. While
sodium, calcium, and magnesium can be affected, potassium is the most critical
and commonly monitored electrolyte with loop diuretics.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
o A. "Take this medication at bedtime."
o B. "Take this medication with a full glass of milk."
o C. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
o D. "Take this medication with an antacid."
Correct Answer: C. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 to 60
minutes before breakfast, to enhance absorption. Taking it with milk or antacids
can decrease absorption. Bedtime dosing is not recommended due to potential
insomnia.
4. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client who has a history of
COPD. Which of the following findings indicates a potential complication?
o A. Barrel-shaped chest
o B. Pursed-lip breathing
o C. Clubbing of the fingers
o D. Increased anteroposterior diameter
Correct Answer: C. Clubbing of the fingers
Rationale: Clubbing of the fingers indicates chronic hypoxemia, which is a
complication of long-standing COPD. Barrel-shaped chest, pursed-lip breathing,
and increased AP diameter are expected findings in COPD.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin glargine to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
o A. Administer the insulin intravenously.
o B. Administer the insulin at bedtime.
, o C. Mix the insulin with regular insulin.
o D. Administer the insulin only when the client eats.
Correct Answer: B. Administer the insulin at bedtime.
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin typically administered once
daily at bedtime. It should not be mixed with other insulins or given IV. It is given
regardless of meals to provide basal coverage.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 32 weeks of gestation. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
o A. Fetal heart rate of 140/min
o B. Hemoglobin of 11 g/dL
o C. Blood pressure of 150/96 mm Hg
o D. Fundal height of 32 cm
Correct Answer: C. Blood pressure of 150/96 mm Hg
Rationale: A blood pressure of 150/96 mm Hg at 32 weeks gestation is
elevated and may indicate gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. This
requires immediate reporting. Fetal heart rate of 140, hemoglobin of 11, and
fundal height of 32 cm are expected findings.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus
and is prescribed metformin. Which of the following client statements
indicates a need for further teaching?
o A. "I should take this medication with meals."
o B. "I should stop taking this medication before a contrast dye
procedure."
o C. "I should drink alcohol while taking this medication."
o D. "I should monitor my blood glucose levels."
Correct Answer: C. "I should drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Rationale: Alcohol consumption while taking metformin increases the risk of
, lactic acidosis. The client should avoid alcohol. Taking metformin with meals,
stopping before contrast dye, and monitoring blood glucose are correct.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has a head injury. Which of the following
findings indicates increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
o A. Decreased level of consciousness
o B. Increased urinary output
o C. Decreased blood pressure
o D. Increased pupil size
Correct Answer: A. Decreased level of consciousness
Rationale: A decreased level of consciousness is an early and sensitive
indicator of increased ICP. Increased urinary output, decreased blood pressure,
and pinpoint pupils are not typical early signs. Increased ICP can cause Cushing's
triad: hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of the therapy?
o A. PT
o B. INR
o C. aPTT
o D. Platelet count
Correct Answer: C. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using the activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT). PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin therapy.
Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but aPTT is
the primary measure of effectiveness.
10.A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which
of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
o A. Bananas
