RN VATI COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has developed autonomic dysreflexia following a T4 spinal
cord injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer an antihypertensive medication.
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position.
C. Check the client’s urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
D. Perform a digital rectal examination to check for fecal impaction.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The first action the nurse should take when a client experiences
autonomic dysreflexia is to sit the client up (high-Fowler’s position) to help decrease blood
pressure through orthostatic changes before addressing the cause.
2. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse identify as increasing the risk for digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
B. Serum calcium 9.5 mg/dL
C. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
,D. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L) sensitizes the
myocardium to digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity even if the digoxin level
is within the therapeutic range.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with Cushing’s syndrome. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Truncal obesity
B. Hyponatremia
C. Postural hypotension
D. Weight loss
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s syndrome results from hypercortisolism, which
causes a redistribution of fat, leading to truncal obesity, moon face, and a buffalo hump.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a nitroprusside infusion to a client in a hypertensive
crisis. Which of the following actions is a priority?
A. Monitor the client’s output every hour.
B. Review the client’s serum creatinine levels.
C. Protect the IV bag from light using an opaque cover.
, D. Check the client’s temperature every 4 hours.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Nitroprusside is photosensitive and decomposes when exposed
to light, which can lead to the formation of cyanide. The bag must be covered with an
opaque material.
5. A client is 24 hours postoperative following a subtotal thyroidectomy. The nurse notes the
client has a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer?
A. Potassium chloride
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium bicarbonate
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Chvostek’s sign indicates hypocalcemia, a potential
complication of thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged or
removed. Calcium gluconate is the treatment.
6. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a unit of packed RBCs. Which of the
following findings indicates a hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A. Dry cough and hypertension
EXAM QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has developed autonomic dysreflexia following a T4 spinal
cord injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer an antihypertensive medication.
B. Place the client in a high-Fowler’s position.
C. Check the client’s urinary catheter for kinks or obstruction.
D. Perform a digital rectal examination to check for fecal impaction.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The first action the nurse should take when a client experiences
autonomic dysreflexia is to sit the client up (high-Fowler’s position) to help decrease blood
pressure through orthostatic changes before addressing the cause.
2. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse identify as increasing the risk for digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
B. Serum calcium 9.5 mg/dL
C. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
,D. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L) sensitizes the
myocardium to digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity even if the digoxin level
is within the therapeutic range.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with Cushing’s syndrome. Which of the following findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Truncal obesity
B. Hyponatremia
C. Postural hypotension
D. Weight loss
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s syndrome results from hypercortisolism, which
causes a redistribution of fat, leading to truncal obesity, moon face, and a buffalo hump.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a nitroprusside infusion to a client in a hypertensive
crisis. Which of the following actions is a priority?
A. Monitor the client’s output every hour.
B. Review the client’s serum creatinine levels.
C. Protect the IV bag from light using an opaque cover.
, D. Check the client’s temperature every 4 hours.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Nitroprusside is photosensitive and decomposes when exposed
to light, which can lead to the formation of cyanide. The bag must be covered with an
opaque material.
5. A client is 24 hours postoperative following a subtotal thyroidectomy. The nurse notes the
client has a positive Chvostek’s sign. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer?
A. Potassium chloride
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium bicarbonate
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A positive Chvostek’s sign indicates hypocalcemia, a potential
complication of thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are accidentally damaged or
removed. Calcium gluconate is the treatment.
6. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a unit of packed RBCs. Which of the
following findings indicates a hemolytic transfusion reaction?
A. Dry cough and hypertension
