ATI CAPSTONE COMPREHENSIVE
NURSING EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is assessing a client with hyperkalemia. Which ECG finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Tall, peaked T-waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Prominent U-waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tall, peaked T-waves are a hallmark sign of hyperkalemia. ST
depression and U-waves are typically seen in hypokalemia.
2. Which task should a registered nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Obtaining a client’s weight for a new admission
B. Assessing a client’s pain level post-medication
C. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
D. Monitoring a client’s response to a blood transfusion
,Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Obtaining daily weights or admission weights is within the
scope of practice for an AP. Assessment, teaching, and monitoring clinical stability are RN
responsibilities.
3. A client is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding is the priority for
the nurse to report?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
B. Absent patellar deep tendon reflexes
C. Urine output of 40 mL per hour
D. Sleepiness following the bolus dose
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While a low respiratory rate is also concerning, the absence of
deep tendon reflexes is often the earliest sign of magnesium toxicity and warrants
immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium carbonate. Which laboratory value indicates
toxicity?
A. Serum lithium level 2.1 mEq/L
B. Serum lithium level 1.2 mEq/L
C. Serum lithium level 1.5 mEq/L
, D. Serum lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium toxicity occurs at levels above 1.5 mEq/L. A level of 2.1
mEq/L is significantly toxic and requires immediate action.
5. In a mass casualty event, which client should the triage nurse assign a red tag?
A. A client with a closed fracture of the tibia
B. A client with a minor laceration to the forearm
C. A client with full-thickness burns over 90% of the body
D. A client with an obstructed airway and cyanosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable
(immediate). Airway obstruction is the highest priority. 90% burns usually receive a black
tag (expectant).
6. A nurse assesses a client for Beck’s Triad. Which condition is the nurse evaluating?
A. Pulmonary Embolism
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Cardiac Tamponade
D. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
NURSING EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is assessing a client with hyperkalemia. Which ECG finding should the nurse
expect?
A. Tall, peaked T-waves
B. ST-segment depression
C. Prominent U-waves
D. Shortened PR interval
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tall, peaked T-waves are a hallmark sign of hyperkalemia. ST
depression and U-waves are typically seen in hypokalemia.
2. Which task should a registered nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?
A. Obtaining a client’s weight for a new admission
B. Assessing a client’s pain level post-medication
C. Teaching a client how to use an incentive spirometer
D. Monitoring a client’s response to a blood transfusion
,Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Obtaining daily weights or admission weights is within the
scope of practice for an AP. Assessment, teaching, and monitoring clinical stability are RN
responsibilities.
3. A client is receiving magnesium sulfate for preeclampsia. Which finding is the priority for
the nurse to report?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
B. Absent patellar deep tendon reflexes
C. Urine output of 40 mL per hour
D. Sleepiness following the bolus dose
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: While a low respiratory rate is also concerning, the absence of
deep tendon reflexes is often the earliest sign of magnesium toxicity and warrants
immediate intervention.
4. A nurse is monitoring a client taking lithium carbonate. Which laboratory value indicates
toxicity?
A. Serum lithium level 2.1 mEq/L
B. Serum lithium level 1.2 mEq/L
C. Serum lithium level 1.5 mEq/L
, D. Serum lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium toxicity occurs at levels above 1.5 mEq/L. A level of 2.1
mEq/L is significantly toxic and requires immediate action.
5. In a mass casualty event, which client should the triage nurse assign a red tag?
A. A client with a closed fracture of the tibia
B. A client with a minor laceration to the forearm
C. A client with full-thickness burns over 90% of the body
D. A client with an obstructed airway and cyanosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Red tags are for life-threatening injuries that are treatable
(immediate). Airway obstruction is the highest priority. 90% burns usually receive a black
tag (expectant).
6. A nurse assesses a client for Beck’s Triad. Which condition is the nurse evaluating?
A. Pulmonary Embolism
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Cardiac Tamponade
D. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
