ATI CAPSTONE COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |GRADE A+|
JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the active phase of labor and has a fetal heart rate
(FHR) tracing showing late decelerations. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A. Increase the rate of the maintenance IV fluid.
B. Assist the client into a left-lateral position.
C. Administer oxygen at 8 to 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask.
D. Notify the primary healthcare provider.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: According to the nursing process, the first action should be the
least invasive. Repositioning the client to a side-lying position improves uterine blood flow
and placental perfusion, potentially resolving the late decelerations.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Restrict sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day.
,B. Avoid foods high in potassium while taking this medication.
C. Limit fluid intake to 1,000 mL per day.
D. Maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; therefore, consistent sodium and fluid intake
are essential to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity. Decreased sodium intake
can lead to lithium retention and toxicity.
3. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive personnel
(AP). Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication administered to a client.
B. Providing discharge instructions to a client who had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
C. Obtaining a stool specimen for occult blood from a client who has ulcerative colitis.
D. Assessing the stoma of a client who has a new colostomy.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Collecting specimens is within the scope of practice for an AP.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require the specialized knowledge and judgment of a
licensed nurse.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a suction drainage system.
The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. Which of the following
findings should the nurse suspect?
A. There is an air leak in the system.
B. The system is functioning correctly with the prescribed suction.
C. The client has developed a tension pneumothorax.
D. The chest tube is occluded by a blood clot.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air
leak in the drainage system or the client’s intrapleural space. Intermittent bubbling is
expected during expiration or coughing.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of the TPN?
A. Serum albumin
B. Prealbumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: B
FINAL EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |GRADE A+|
JUST RELEASED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the active phase of labor and has a fetal heart rate
(FHR) tracing showing late decelerations. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A. Increase the rate of the maintenance IV fluid.
B. Assist the client into a left-lateral position.
C. Administer oxygen at 8 to 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask.
D. Notify the primary healthcare provider.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: According to the nursing process, the first action should be the
least invasive. Repositioning the client to a side-lying position improves uterine blood flow
and placental perfusion, potentially resolving the late decelerations.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lithium
carbonate. Which of the following dietary instructions should the nurse include?
A. Restrict sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg per day.
,B. Avoid foods high in potassium while taking this medication.
C. Limit fluid intake to 1,000 mL per day.
D. Maintain a consistent intake of dietary sodium.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium is a salt; therefore, consistent sodium and fluid intake
are essential to maintain therapeutic levels and prevent toxicity. Decreased sodium intake
can lead to lithium retention and toxicity.
3. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is preparing to delegate tasks to an assistive personnel
(AP). Which of the following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Evaluating the effectiveness of pain medication administered to a client.
B. Providing discharge instructions to a client who had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
C. Obtaining a stool specimen for occult blood from a client who has ulcerative colitis.
D. Assessing the stoma of a client who has a new colostomy.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Collecting specimens is within the scope of practice for an AP.
Assessment, teaching, and evaluation require the specialized knowledge and judgment of a
licensed nurse.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a suction drainage system.
The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. Which of the following
findings should the nurse suspect?
A. There is an air leak in the system.
B. The system is functioning correctly with the prescribed suction.
C. The client has developed a tension pneumothorax.
D. The chest tube is occluded by a blood clot.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air
leak in the drainage system or the client’s intrapleural space. Intermittent bubbling is
expected during expiration or coughing.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for total parenteral nutrition (TPN).
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
effectiveness of the TPN?
A. Serum albumin
B. Prealbumin
C. Hemoglobin
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: B
