ATI RN Capstone Adult Medical-Surgical 2 Comprehensive Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales

ATI RN Capstone Adult Medical-Surgical 2 Comprehensive
Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales




ATI RN Capstone Adult Medical-Surgical 2 Content Areas:
• Cardiovascular Disorders (Advanced)
• Respiratory Disorders (Advanced)
• Neurological Disorders (Advanced)
• Renal & Urinary Disorders (Advanced)
• Endocrine Disorders (Advanced)
• Gastrointestinal Disorders (Advanced)
• Hematologic & Immunologic Disorders
• Musculoskeletal Disorders (Advanced)
• Integumentary Disorders
• Oncology & Cancer Care
• Emergency & Critical Care
• Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
• Acid-Base Balance
• Perioperative Care (Advanced)


Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Advanced) (Q1–Q15)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client with cardiogenic shock. Which
finding is expected?
A. Hypertension and tachycardia
B. Hypotension, tachycardia, and cool extremities

,C. Hypertension and bradycardia
D. Warm, flushed extremities
Answer: B
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock results from the heart's inability to pump
effectively, causing decreased cardiac output, hypotension, tachycardia,
and poor peripheral perfusion (cool, pale extremities).


Q2. A nurse is caring for a client with an abdominal aortic aneurysm
(AAA). Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild abdominal discomfort
B. Sudden severe back pain with hypotension
C. Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
D. Heart rate 80/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden severe back pain with hypotension indicates AAA
rupture, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate surgical
intervention.


Q3. A client is prescribed amiodarone. Which adverse effect requires
monitoring?
A. Pulmonary toxicity
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Bradycardia only
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary toxicity, thyroid dysfunction,
corneal deposits, and hepatotoxicity. Monitor pulmonary function, TSH,
LFTs, and vision.


Q4. A nurse is assessing a client with a heart transplant. Which
finding indicates rejection?

,A. Fatigue and decreased exercise tolerance
B. Increased urine output
C. Bradycardia
D. Weight loss
Answer: A
Rationale: Heart transplant rejection causes fatigue, decreased exercise
tolerance, dyspnea, and fluid retention. Endomyocardial biopsy confirms
rejection.


Q5. A nurse is caring for a client with pericarditis. Which finding is
expected?
A. Pain relieved by leaning forward
B. Pain relieved by lying flat
C. Pain worsened by leaning forward
D. Painless
Answer: A
Rationale: Pericarditis causes sharp chest pain that is relieved by leaning
forward and worsened by lying flat or deep inspiration. A pericardial friction
rub may be heard.


Q6. A client is prescribed hydralazine. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
A. Reflex tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: Hydralazine causes vasodilation, which can trigger reflex
tachycardia.

, Q7. A nurse is administering nitroprusside. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Cyanide toxicity (metabolic acidosis, confusion)
B. Mild headache
C. Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
D. Heart rate 88/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitroprusside can cause cyanide toxicity, manifested by
metabolic acidosis, confusion, and seizures. Monitor thiocyanate levels.


Q8. A nurse is assessing a client with infective endocarditis. Which
finding is expected?
A. New murmur and fever
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Clear heart sounds
Answer: A
Rationale: Infective endocarditis causes a new or changed murmur, fever,
petechiae, and Osler nodes. Blood cultures are diagnostic.


Q9. A client with infective endocarditis is prescribed IV antibiotics.
Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. "Complete the full course of antibiotics."
B. "Stop antibiotics when you feel better."
C. "Take oral antibiotics only."
D. "Skip doses if you feel nauseated."
Answer: A
Rationale: Infective endocarditis requires prolonged IV antibiotic therapy
(4–6 weeks). Complete the full course to prevent relapse.