ATI CAPSTONE PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia. Which
of the following findings should the nurse identify as a priority?
A. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
B. Deep tendon reflexes 1+
C. Blood pressure 150/98 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A respiratory rate of less than 12/min is a primary indicator of
magnesium sulfate toxicity and requires immediate intervention, including stopping the
infusion and potentially administering calcium gluconate.
2. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client with COPD: pH 7.30,
PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which of the following acid-base imbalances is the client
experiencing?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
,C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory),
indicating respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within the normal range, showing no
compensation yet.
3. Which task should a registered nurse (RN) delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Performing a sterile dressing change on a central line
B. Measuring and recording a client’s intake and output
C. Feeding a client who has a high risk of aspiration
D. Monitoring a client’s pain level after medication administration
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Measuring and recording intake and output is within the scope
of practice for an AP. Tasks involving assessment, sterile procedures, or high-risk feeding
require the clinical judgment of a nurse.
4. A nurse is triage officer in the emergency department following a mass casualty incident.
Which client should receive a red tag?
A. A client with an open fracture of the tibia
B. A client who is pulseless and apneic with a massive head injury
, C. A client with minor abrasions and a sprained ankle
D. A client with a sucking chest wound and respiratory distress
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable
(immediate). A sucking chest wound requires immediate intervention. Pulseless clients are
black-tagged (expectant).
5. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
C. Sodium level 130 mEq/L
D. Creatinine level 1.0 mg/dL
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) increase the risk of lithium
toxicity because the kidneys conserve lithium when sodium is low.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. Which of the following findings indicates a potential air leak?
A. Fluctuation of water level in the water-seal chamber with breathing
B. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia. Which
of the following findings should the nurse identify as a priority?
A. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
B. Deep tendon reflexes 1+
C. Blood pressure 150/98 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A respiratory rate of less than 12/min is a primary indicator of
magnesium sulfate toxicity and requires immediate intervention, including stopping the
infusion and potentially administering calcium gluconate.
2. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client with COPD: pH 7.30,
PaCO2 52 mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. Which of the following acid-base imbalances is the client
experiencing?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Respiratory alkalosis
,C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The pH is low (acidosis), and the PaCO2 is high (respiratory),
indicating respiratory acidosis. The HCO3 is within the normal range, showing no
compensation yet.
3. Which task should a registered nurse (RN) delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Performing a sterile dressing change on a central line
B. Measuring and recording a client’s intake and output
C. Feeding a client who has a high risk of aspiration
D. Monitoring a client’s pain level after medication administration
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Measuring and recording intake and output is within the scope
of practice for an AP. Tasks involving assessment, sterile procedures, or high-risk feeding
require the clinical judgment of a nurse.
4. A nurse is triage officer in the emergency department following a mass casualty incident.
Which client should receive a red tag?
A. A client with an open fracture of the tibia
B. A client who is pulseless and apneic with a massive head injury
, C. A client with minor abrasions and a sprained ankle
D. A client with a sucking chest wound and respiratory distress
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable
(immediate). A sucking chest wound requires immediate intervention. Pulseless clients are
black-tagged (expectant).
5. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
C. Sodium level 130 mEq/L
D. Creatinine level 1.0 mg/dL
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Low sodium levels (hyponatremia) increase the risk of lithium
toxicity because the kidneys conserve lithium when sodium is low.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. Which of the following findings indicates a potential air leak?
A. Fluctuation of water level in the water-seal chamber with breathing
B. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
