ATI CAPSTONE COMPREHENSIVE
NURSING EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client with COPD. The results
are: 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 acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated above
45 mmHg, indicating a respiratory cause, while the HCO3 is within the normal range,
confirming respiratory acidosis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the active phase of labor and notes late decelerations
on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Position the client on her left side
,B. Increase the rate of the maintenance IV fluid
C. Administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask at 10 L/min
D. Notify the provider
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The
priority action is to improve placental perfusion, which is best achieved by repositioning
the client to the side-lying position to remove pressure from the vena cava.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication should be withheld?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
C. Apical pulse 52/min
D. Digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. It should
be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60/min in an adult to avoid severe bradycardia.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate for bipolar
disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day
, B. Maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium
C. Decrease fluid intake to 1 liter per day
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt. Changes in sodium intake can affect lithium
excretion; low sodium levels can lead to lithium toxicity, so a consistent intake is required.
5. A nurse is caring for a child who has suspected epiglottitis. Which of the following actions
should the nurse avoid?
A. Administering humidified oxygen
B. Monitoring oxygen saturation
C. Examining the throat with a tongue depressor
D. Keeping the child in an upright position
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: If epiglottitis is suspected, the nurse should never use a tongue
depressor or perform a throat culture, as this can trigger a laryngospasm and completely
obstruct the airway.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of Grave’s disease. Which of the following
findings is expected?
A. Bradycardia
NURSING EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results of a client with COPD. The results
are: 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 acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A pH below 7.35 indicates acidosis. The PaCO2 is elevated above
45 mmHg, indicating a respiratory cause, while the HCO3 is within the normal range,
confirming respiratory acidosis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the active phase of labor and notes late decelerations
on the fetal heart rate monitor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Position the client on her left side
,B. Increase the rate of the maintenance IV fluid
C. Administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask at 10 L/min
D. Notify the provider
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency. The
priority action is to improve placental perfusion, which is best achieved by repositioning
the client to the side-lying position to remove pressure from the vena cava.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication should be withheld?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
C. Apical pulse 52/min
D. Digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate. It should
be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60/min in an adult to avoid severe bradycardia.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate for bipolar
disorder. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Limit sodium intake to less than 2 grams per day
, B. Maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium
C. Decrease fluid intake to 1 liter per day
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt. Changes in sodium intake can affect lithium
excretion; low sodium levels can lead to lithium toxicity, so a consistent intake is required.
5. A nurse is caring for a child who has suspected epiglottitis. Which of the following actions
should the nurse avoid?
A. Administering humidified oxygen
B. Monitoring oxygen saturation
C. Examining the throat with a tongue depressor
D. Keeping the child in an upright position
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: If epiglottitis is suspected, the nurse should never use a tongue
depressor or perform a throat culture, as this can trigger a laryngospasm and completely
obstruct the airway.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of Grave’s disease. Which of the following
findings is expected?
A. Bradycardia
