RN VATI COMPREHENSIVE FINAL
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Heparin therapy is monitored using the aPTT. PT and INR are
used to monitor warfarin therapy, while platelet counts are monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Increase the suction pressure.
,B. Clamp the chest tube immediately.
C. Document this as a normal finding.
D. Check the system for an air leak.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air
leak in the system. Intermittent bubbling is normal during expiration or coughing, but
continuous bubbling requires investigation.
3. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is prescribed NPH insulin and regular insulin to be
administered at 0700. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when mixing
these insulins?
A. Draw up the NPH insulin into the syringe first.
B. Inject air into the NPH vial first, then the regular vial.
C. Shake the NPH vial vigorously to ensure mixing.
D. Administer the two insulins in separate syringes.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The correct sequence for mixing insulin is to inject air into the
NPH (cloudy) vial, then inject air into the regular (clear) vial, withdraw the regular insulin,
and finally withdraw the NPH insulin.
, 4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the
following findings should lead the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 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 bradycardia.
5. A client is 24 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Pain level of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Purulent drainage from the incision
C. Redness and warmth in the calf
D. Temperature of 37.8 C (100 F)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Redness and warmth in the calf are indicative of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), which is a high-risk complication post-orthopedic surgery that can lead
to a pulmonary embolism.
EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT |
GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Heparin therapy is monitored using the aPTT. PT and INR are
used to monitor warfarin therapy, while platelet counts are monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Increase the suction pressure.
,B. Clamp the chest tube immediately.
C. Document this as a normal finding.
D. Check the system for an air leak.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an air
leak in the system. Intermittent bubbling is normal during expiration or coughing, but
continuous bubbling requires investigation.
3. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is prescribed NPH insulin and regular insulin to be
administered at 0700. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when mixing
these insulins?
A. Draw up the NPH insulin into the syringe first.
B. Inject air into the NPH vial first, then the regular vial.
C. Shake the NPH vial vigorously to ensure mixing.
D. Administer the two insulins in separate syringes.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The correct sequence for mixing insulin is to inject air into the
NPH (cloudy) vial, then inject air into the regular (clear) vial, withdraw the regular insulin,
and finally withdraw the NPH insulin.
, 4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the
following findings should lead the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 110/70 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 bradycardia.
5. A client is 24 hours postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Pain level of 6 on a scale of 0 to 10
B. Purulent drainage from the incision
C. Redness and warmth in the calf
D. Temperature of 37.8 C (100 F)
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Redness and warmth in the calf are indicative of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), which is a high-risk complication post-orthopedic surgery that can lead
to a pulmonary embolism.
