CAPSTONE ATI EXAM WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS 2025
ICP monitoring ( correct answers ) HIGH R/O
infection
Used for GCS 8 or below; coma;
Glasgow Coma Scale ( correct answers )
Score 3-15 8 or less = coma
S/S increased ( correct answers ) Irritability
ICP (EARLY)
Restlessness
Headache
Decreased LOC
Pupil changes
Abnormal breathing (Cheyenne stokes)
Abnormal posturing (decorticate or
deceribrate) Cushing's Triad
ICP range ( correct answers ) 10-15
mmHg Over 15 = head
injury/abnormal
Lumbar Puncture ( correct answers ) Spinal fluid sample to diagnose MS,
syphilis, meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid infection
Lumbar Puncture Pre-procedure( correct answers ) *have pt void first
Position pt in cannonball position on side OR stretch over table w/
rounded back
Lumbar Puncture Post-procedure ( correct answers ) Pt lay flat for
several hours If dura Puncture site does not heal properly, CSF may leak
= SEVERE headache
Sooo admin pain meds & encourage pt to increase FL intake
Epidural blood patch may be used to seal hole if needed
GRADED
A+
MRI precautions ( correct answers ) Shellfish or iodine (w contrast only)
,Assess pt for claustrophobia, might give sedative
MRI pre-procedure ( correct answers ) Remove jewelry
No metal implants (pacemaker; ortho joint; artificial heart valve; IUD;
aneurism clip) May give pt earplugs
Meningitis ( correct answers ) inflammation of the meninges of the brain
and spinal cord
Viral Meningitis ( correct answers ) MOST
COMMON No vaccine
Usually resolves on own
(Risk factors: mumps, measles, arbovirus (West Nile),
herpes) Bacterial Meningitis ( correct answers )
Requires antibiotics Highly contagious
High mortality rate
(Risk factors otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia)
Meningitis Prevention( correct answers ) HIB (hemophil. influ. type B)
vaccine for kids
MCV4 (meningitis) vaccine before college (bc dorms/close quarters -
risk factor) PPS vaccine
Meningitis s/s ( correct answers )
Headache Nuchal (neck) Rigidity
Fever &
chills
Photophobia
N/V
Positive Kernig's sign
Positive Brudzinski's
sign Hyperactive
DTRs Seizures
Tachycardia
GRADED
A+
, Restlessness & irritability
Altered LOC (confusion; lethargy; difficulty arousing; coma)
Kernig's sign ( correct answers ) Positive = indicative of
meningitis Pt lays supine, bring in knees & try to straighten
leg, very painful Kernig's=Knee!!!
Brudzinski's sign ( correct answers ) Positive = indicative of
meningitis Pt lays supine, lift neck, causes pain, bring in/flex
knees
Meningitis Diagnosis( correct answers ) Lumbar Puncture
for CSF Cloudy & decreased glucose = bacterial meningitis
Clear = viral meningitis
*elevated protein & WBC
Meningitis nursing care ( correct answers ) DROPLET PRECAUTIONS (until
ABX for 24 hours)
Provide quiet, room; low
light HOB 30 degrees
Monitor for increased ICP
(*irritability)
Instruct pt to avoid coughing & sneezing
(increases ICP) Implement sz precautions
Meningitis treatment( correct answers ) Antibiotics (for bacterial
meningitis) Anticonvulsants (phenytoin)
Seizures risk ( correct answers )
Seizures ( correct answers
factors Cerebral Fevers ) Uncontrolled electrical impulses in
brain
edema Infection
Toxin
exposure
Brain tumor
Hypoxia
GRADED
A+
ANSWERS 2025
ICP monitoring ( correct answers ) HIGH R/O
infection
Used for GCS 8 or below; coma;
Glasgow Coma Scale ( correct answers )
Score 3-15 8 or less = coma
S/S increased ( correct answers ) Irritability
ICP (EARLY)
Restlessness
Headache
Decreased LOC
Pupil changes
Abnormal breathing (Cheyenne stokes)
Abnormal posturing (decorticate or
deceribrate) Cushing's Triad
ICP range ( correct answers ) 10-15
mmHg Over 15 = head
injury/abnormal
Lumbar Puncture ( correct answers ) Spinal fluid sample to diagnose MS,
syphilis, meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid infection
Lumbar Puncture Pre-procedure( correct answers ) *have pt void first
Position pt in cannonball position on side OR stretch over table w/
rounded back
Lumbar Puncture Post-procedure ( correct answers ) Pt lay flat for
several hours If dura Puncture site does not heal properly, CSF may leak
= SEVERE headache
Sooo admin pain meds & encourage pt to increase FL intake
Epidural blood patch may be used to seal hole if needed
GRADED
A+
MRI precautions ( correct answers ) Shellfish or iodine (w contrast only)
,Assess pt for claustrophobia, might give sedative
MRI pre-procedure ( correct answers ) Remove jewelry
No metal implants (pacemaker; ortho joint; artificial heart valve; IUD;
aneurism clip) May give pt earplugs
Meningitis ( correct answers ) inflammation of the meninges of the brain
and spinal cord
Viral Meningitis ( correct answers ) MOST
COMMON No vaccine
Usually resolves on own
(Risk factors: mumps, measles, arbovirus (West Nile),
herpes) Bacterial Meningitis ( correct answers )
Requires antibiotics Highly contagious
High mortality rate
(Risk factors otitis media, sinusitis, pneumonia)
Meningitis Prevention( correct answers ) HIB (hemophil. influ. type B)
vaccine for kids
MCV4 (meningitis) vaccine before college (bc dorms/close quarters -
risk factor) PPS vaccine
Meningitis s/s ( correct answers )
Headache Nuchal (neck) Rigidity
Fever &
chills
Photophobia
N/V
Positive Kernig's sign
Positive Brudzinski's
sign Hyperactive
DTRs Seizures
Tachycardia
GRADED
A+
, Restlessness & irritability
Altered LOC (confusion; lethargy; difficulty arousing; coma)
Kernig's sign ( correct answers ) Positive = indicative of
meningitis Pt lays supine, bring in knees & try to straighten
leg, very painful Kernig's=Knee!!!
Brudzinski's sign ( correct answers ) Positive = indicative of
meningitis Pt lays supine, lift neck, causes pain, bring in/flex
knees
Meningitis Diagnosis( correct answers ) Lumbar Puncture
for CSF Cloudy & decreased glucose = bacterial meningitis
Clear = viral meningitis
*elevated protein & WBC
Meningitis nursing care ( correct answers ) DROPLET PRECAUTIONS (until
ABX for 24 hours)
Provide quiet, room; low
light HOB 30 degrees
Monitor for increased ICP
(*irritability)
Instruct pt to avoid coughing & sneezing
(increases ICP) Implement sz precautions
Meningitis treatment( correct answers ) Antibiotics (for bacterial
meningitis) Anticonvulsants (phenytoin)
Seizures risk ( correct answers )
Seizures ( correct answers
factors Cerebral Fevers ) Uncontrolled electrical impulses in
brain
edema Infection
Toxin
exposure
Brain tumor
Hypoxia
GRADED
A+
