ATI CAPSTONE MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSESSMENT 1 & 2 ALL 150
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES/ ATI MED SURG CAPSTONE ASSESSMENT 1
& 2 REAL LATEST EXAMS 2024/2025 (BRAND NEW!!)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2
diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings is an indication of
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
B. Blood pH 7.42
C. HCO3 20 mEq/L
D. Serum sodium 135 mEq/L
Answer: A. Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL indicates
hyperglycemia, which is a hallmark of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Other laboratory findings in DKA include low bicarbonate (HCO3) and
an acidic pH, but hyperglycemia is the primary concern.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's vital signs.
B. Verify the blood compatibility with another nurse.
C. Ensure the client has a patent IV line.
,D. Provide the client with education about the procedure.
Answer: B. Verify the blood compatibility with another nurse.
Rationale: Verifying the blood compatibility with another nurse is the
first and most critical step to prevent a transfusion reaction. Ensuring the
correct blood type is being administered is essential for client safety.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A. Hypocapnia
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Inspiratory wheezing
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: B. Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale: Dyspnea on exertion is a common finding in clients with
COPD due to the chronic airflow limitation. Clubbing of the fingers is a
late sign, and inspiratory wheezing and hypocapnia are not typical
findings in COPD.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which of the
following laboratory results should the nurse identify as an
indication that the client is experiencing fluid volume excess?
A. Hematocrit 45%
B. Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
,C. BUN 20 mg/dL
D. Urine specific gravity 1.020
Answer: B. Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
Rationale: A serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia,
which can result from fluid volume excess. The other laboratory values
are within normal ranges.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. Take the medication with food.
B. Expect improvement in symptoms within 24 hours.
C. Take the medication at bedtime.
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Answer: D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to
enhance absorption. It should be taken in the morning, not at bedtime,
and it may take several weeks to notice improvement in symptoms.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a
thoracotomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the provider?
A. Drainage of 75 mL in the first hour postoperatively
, B. Fluctuation of the fluid level in the water seal chamber
C. Continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber
D. Sudden increase in drainage to 200 mL in 1 hour
Answer: D. Sudden increase in drainage to 200 mL in 1 hour
Rationale: A sudden increase in drainage to 200 mL in 1 hour is
significant and should be reported to the provider, as it may indicate
hemorrhage. The other findings are expected in a client with a chest
tube.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis and is experiencing
pruritus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
reduce the client's discomfort?
A. Apply a heating pad to the affected areas.
B. Encourage hot showers daily.
C. Provide a high-protein diet.
D. Apply lotion to the skin.
Answer: D. Apply lotion to the skin.
Rationale: Applying lotion to the skin can help alleviate the pruritus
associated with cirrhosis by keeping the skin moist. Heating pads and
hot showers can further irritate the skin, and a high-protein diet does not
address pruritus directly.
Question 8
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES/ ATI MED SURG CAPSTONE ASSESSMENT 1
& 2 REAL LATEST EXAMS 2024/2025 (BRAND NEW!!)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2
diabetes mellitus. Which of the following findings is an indication of
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
B. Blood pH 7.42
C. HCO3 20 mEq/L
D. Serum sodium 135 mEq/L
Answer: A. Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
Rationale: A blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL indicates
hyperglycemia, which is a hallmark of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Other laboratory findings in DKA include low bicarbonate (HCO3) and
an acidic pH, but hyperglycemia is the primary concern.
Question 2
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's vital signs.
B. Verify the blood compatibility with another nurse.
C. Ensure the client has a patent IV line.
,D. Provide the client with education about the procedure.
Answer: B. Verify the blood compatibility with another nurse.
Rationale: Verifying the blood compatibility with another nurse is the
first and most critical step to prevent a transfusion reaction. Ensuring the
correct blood type is being administered is essential for client safety.
Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD). Which of the following findings should the nurse
expect?
A. Hypocapnia
B. Dyspnea on exertion
C. Inspiratory wheezing
D. Clubbing of the fingers
Answer: B. Dyspnea on exertion
Rationale: Dyspnea on exertion is a common finding in clients with
COPD due to the chronic airflow limitation. Clubbing of the fingers is a
late sign, and inspiratory wheezing and hypocapnia are not typical
findings in COPD.
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure. Which of the
following laboratory results should the nurse identify as an
indication that the client is experiencing fluid volume excess?
A. Hematocrit 45%
B. Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
,C. BUN 20 mg/dL
D. Urine specific gravity 1.020
Answer: B. Serum sodium 130 mEq/L
Rationale: A serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia,
which can result from fluid volume excess. The other laboratory values
are within normal ranges.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for
levothyroxine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. Take the medication with food.
B. Expect improvement in symptoms within 24 hours.
C. Take the medication at bedtime.
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Answer: D. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to
enhance absorption. It should be taken in the morning, not at bedtime,
and it may take several weeks to notice improvement in symptoms.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a
thoracotomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the provider?
A. Drainage of 75 mL in the first hour postoperatively
, B. Fluctuation of the fluid level in the water seal chamber
C. Continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber
D. Sudden increase in drainage to 200 mL in 1 hour
Answer: D. Sudden increase in drainage to 200 mL in 1 hour
Rationale: A sudden increase in drainage to 200 mL in 1 hour is
significant and should be reported to the provider, as it may indicate
hemorrhage. The other findings are expected in a client with a chest
tube.
Question 7
A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis and is experiencing
pruritus. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
reduce the client's discomfort?
A. Apply a heating pad to the affected areas.
B. Encourage hot showers daily.
C. Provide a high-protein diet.
D. Apply lotion to the skin.
Answer: D. Apply lotion to the skin.
Rationale: Applying lotion to the skin can help alleviate the pruritus
associated with cirrhosis by keeping the skin moist. Heating pads and
hot showers can further irritate the skin, and a high-protein diet does not
address pruritus directly.
Question 8
