RN VATI COMPREHENSIVE EXIT EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is
the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Sore throat when swallowing
B. Tingling in the fingers and around the mouth
C. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
D. Moderate serosanguinous drainage on the dressing
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tingling in the fingers and around the mouth is a sign of
hypocalcemia, which can occur after a thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are
accidentally damaged or removed. This is a medical emergency that can lead to tetany and
laryngospasm.
2. A nurse is administering magnesium sulfate IV to a client who has preeclampsia. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing magnesium
toxicity?
A. Respirations 10/min
,B. Hyperreflexia
C. Increased urine output
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bradypnea (respirations less than 12/min) is a classic sign of
magnesium sulfate toxicity. Other signs include absent deep tendon reflexes, decreased
urine output, and decreased level of consciousness.
3. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an Assistive Personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication
B. Performing the initial admission assessment
C. Assisting a stable client with ambulation
D. Providing discharge instructions to a client
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Ambulating a stable client is within the scope of practice for an
AP. Evaluation, assessment, and teaching are tasks that must be performed by a licensed
nurse.
, 4. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium 140 mEq/L
C. BUN 15 mg/dL
D. Lithium level 1.8 mEq/L
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates lithium toxicity
(therapeutic range is usually 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L). The nurse should report this immediately
and assess for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or tremors.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Fluctuation of the water level in the water-seal chamber with inspiration
B. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
C. Intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber during coughing
D. 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage in the collection chamber over 1 hr
Answer: B
PREP QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is
the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?
A. Sore throat when swallowing
B. Tingling in the fingers and around the mouth
C. Pain level of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10
D. Moderate serosanguinous drainage on the dressing
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tingling in the fingers and around the mouth is a sign of
hypocalcemia, which can occur after a thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are
accidentally damaged or removed. This is a medical emergency that can lead to tetany and
laryngospasm.
2. A nurse is administering magnesium sulfate IV to a client who has preeclampsia. Which of
the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing magnesium
toxicity?
A. Respirations 10/min
,B. Hyperreflexia
C. Increased urine output
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bradypnea (respirations less than 12/min) is a classic sign of
magnesium sulfate toxicity. Other signs include absent deep tendon reflexes, decreased
urine output, and decreased level of consciousness.
3. A nurse is preparing to delegate tasks to an Assistive Personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Evaluating a client’s response to pain medication
B. Performing the initial admission assessment
C. Assisting a stable client with ambulation
D. Providing discharge instructions to a client
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Ambulating a stable client is within the scope of practice for an
AP. Evaluation, assessment, and teaching are tasks that must be performed by a licensed
nurse.
, 4. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
B. Sodium 140 mEq/L
C. BUN 15 mg/dL
D. Lithium level 1.8 mEq/L
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L indicates lithium toxicity
(therapeutic range is usually 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L). The nurse should report this immediately
and assess for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or tremors.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage
system. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Fluctuation of the water level in the water-seal chamber with inspiration
B. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
C. Intermittent bubbling in the water-seal chamber during coughing
D. 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage in the collection chamber over 1 hr
Answer: B
