1
ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1
& 2 – 150 Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Rationales | 2025/2026 Edition
ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1 (75 Questions)
Gastrointestinal (15 Questions)
1. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who had a cholecystectomy. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
a) Increase intake of high-fat foods to aid digestion
b) Consume small, frequent meals to reduce bile demand
c) Avoid fiber-rich foods for one month
d) Limit fluid intake to prevent bloating
Rationale: Small, frequent meals reduce the demand on bile production, aiding recovery
after gallbladder removal. High-fat foods can cause digestive issues, fiber is beneficial,
and fluids are essential for hydration.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following laboratory
findings should the nurse expect?
a) Decreased serum amylase
b) Elevated serum lipase
c) Normal blood glucose
d) Decreased white blood cell count
Rationale: Elevated serum lipase is a hallmark of acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic
inflammation. Amylase may also be elevated, but lipase is more specific. Blood glucose
may rise, and leukocytosis is common.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report immediately?
a) Rebound tenderness at McBurney’s point
b) Mild diarrhea for 24 hours
c) Low-grade fever of 99.5°F (37.5°C)
d) Decreased appetite
Rationale: Rebound tenderness at McBurney’s point indicates peritoneal irritation, a
critical sign of appendicitis requiring urgent surgical evaluation. Other findings are less
specific.
4. A nurse is teaching a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding?
a) “I should eat large meals to prevent hunger.”
b) “I will avoid lying down for 2 hours after eating.”
c) “I can drink coffee to soothe my stomach.”
d) “I should sleep flat to reduce acid reflux.”
, 2
Rationale: Avoiding lying down for 2 hours after eating prevents acid reflux. Large
meals, coffee, and flat sleeping positions exacerbate GERD symptoms.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a peptic ulcer. Which of the following medications
should the nurse anticipate administering?
a) Ibuprofen
b) Omeprazole
c) Acetaminophen
d) Aspirin
Rationale: Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, reduces acid production to promote
ulcer healing. Ibuprofen and aspirin can worsen ulcers, and acetaminophen does not
address acid production.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with Crohn’s disease. Which of the following symptoms
should the nurse expect?
a) Constipation with hard stools
b) Chronic diarrhea with weight loss
c) Epigastric burning pain
d) Hematemesis
Rationale: Crohn’s disease often causes chronic diarrhea and weight loss due to
malabsorption and inflammation. Constipation, epigastric pain, and hematemesis are
less common.
7. A nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which of consuming clear liquids for 24
hours**
b) Continue regular diet until 4 hours before
c) Take a laxative 2 days after the procedure
d) Avoid drinking water on the day of the procedure
Rationale: Clear liquids for 24 hours ensure the colon is clear for visualization during a
colonoscopy. A regular diet, post-procedure laxatives, or avoiding water are
inappropriate.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with hepatitis B. Which of the following precautions should
the nurse implement?
a) Contact precautions
b) Standard precautions
c) Droplet precautions
d) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Hepatitis B is transmitted via blood and body fluids, requiring standard
precautions. Other precautions are not necessary unless additional infections are
present.
9. A nurse is teaching a client with diverticulitis about dietary modifications. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend?
a) High-fiber fruits and vegetables
b) Popcorn and nuts
c) Red meat and dairy
d) White bread and pasta
Rationale: High-fiber foods prevent constipation and promote bowel health in
diverticulitis. Popcorn and nuts can irritate diverticula, and low-fiber foods are less
beneficial.
, 3
10. A nurse is assessing a client with cirrhosis. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
a) Hypoalbuminemia
b) Ascites
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Decreased bilirubin
Rationale: Ascites, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, is common in cirrhosis due to
portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia. Hyperkalemia and decreased bilirubin are
not typical.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube for gastric decompression. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Flush the tube with sterile water every 24 hours
b) Check tube placement before each feeding
c) Disconnect the suction during ambulation
d) Position the client supine during suctioning
Rationale: Checking tube placement ensures safety by confirming the tube is in the
stomach. Flushing frequency, suction management, and positioning depend on specific
protocols.
12. A nurse is teaching a client with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Which of the following
should the nurse recommend?
a) Increase caffeine intake
b) Keep a food diary to identify triggers
c) Avoid soluble fiber foods
d) Eat large meals to stabilize bowels
Rationale: A food diary helps identify IBS triggers. Caffeine and large meals can worsen
symptoms, while soluble fiber may help.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which of the following findings
indicates a complication?
a) Dusky-colored stoma
b) Mild redness around the stoma
c) Soft, formed stool output
d) Slight odor from the ostomy bag
Rationale: A dusky-colored stoma indicates poor blood supply, a serious complication.
Mild redness, formed stool, and slight odor are normal.
14. A nurse is assessing a client with acute gastroenteritis. Which of the following is the
priority action?
a) Monitor for signs of dehydration
b) Administer an antiemetic
c) Provide a high-fiber diet
d) Encourage immediate oral intake
Rationale: Dehydration is a critical risk in gastroenteritis due to fluid loss. Monitoring
dehydration takes priority over symptom management or dietary changes.
15. A nurse is caring for a client with a gastrointestinal bleed. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse monitor closely?
a) Serum potassium
b) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1
& 2 – 150 Verified Questions with Correct
Answers and Rationales | 2025/2026 Edition
ATI Capstone Medical Surgical Assessment 1 (75 Questions)
Gastrointestinal (15 Questions)
1. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who had a cholecystectomy. Which of
the following instructions should the nurse include?
a) Increase intake of high-fat foods to aid digestion
b) Consume small, frequent meals to reduce bile demand
c) Avoid fiber-rich foods for one month
d) Limit fluid intake to prevent bloating
Rationale: Small, frequent meals reduce the demand on bile production, aiding recovery
after gallbladder removal. High-fat foods can cause digestive issues, fiber is beneficial,
and fluids are essential for hydration.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which of the following laboratory
findings should the nurse expect?
a) Decreased serum amylase
b) Elevated serum lipase
c) Normal blood glucose
d) Decreased white blood cell count
Rationale: Elevated serum lipase is a hallmark of acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic
inflammation. Amylase may also be elevated, but lipase is more specific. Blood glucose
may rise, and leukocytosis is common.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected appendicitis. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report immediately?
a) Rebound tenderness at McBurney’s point
b) Mild diarrhea for 24 hours
c) Low-grade fever of 99.5°F (37.5°C)
d) Decreased appetite
Rationale: Rebound tenderness at McBurney’s point indicates peritoneal irritation, a
critical sign of appendicitis requiring urgent surgical evaluation. Other findings are less
specific.
4. A nurse is teaching a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding?
a) “I should eat large meals to prevent hunger.”
b) “I will avoid lying down for 2 hours after eating.”
c) “I can drink coffee to soothe my stomach.”
d) “I should sleep flat to reduce acid reflux.”
, 2
Rationale: Avoiding lying down for 2 hours after eating prevents acid reflux. Large
meals, coffee, and flat sleeping positions exacerbate GERD symptoms.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a peptic ulcer. Which of the following medications
should the nurse anticipate administering?
a) Ibuprofen
b) Omeprazole
c) Acetaminophen
d) Aspirin
Rationale: Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, reduces acid production to promote
ulcer healing. Ibuprofen and aspirin can worsen ulcers, and acetaminophen does not
address acid production.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with Crohn’s disease. Which of the following symptoms
should the nurse expect?
a) Constipation with hard stools
b) Chronic diarrhea with weight loss
c) Epigastric burning pain
d) Hematemesis
Rationale: Crohn’s disease often causes chronic diarrhea and weight loss due to
malabsorption and inflammation. Constipation, epigastric pain, and hematemesis are
less common.
7. A nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which of consuming clear liquids for 24
hours**
b) Continue regular diet until 4 hours before
c) Take a laxative 2 days after the procedure
d) Avoid drinking water on the day of the procedure
Rationale: Clear liquids for 24 hours ensure the colon is clear for visualization during a
colonoscopy. A regular diet, post-procedure laxatives, or avoiding water are
inappropriate.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with hepatitis B. Which of the following precautions should
the nurse implement?
a) Contact precautions
b) Standard precautions
c) Droplet precautions
d) Airborne precautions
Rationale: Hepatitis B is transmitted via blood and body fluids, requiring standard
precautions. Other precautions are not necessary unless additional infections are
present.
9. A nurse is teaching a client with diverticulitis about dietary modifications. Which of the
following foods should the nurse recommend?
a) High-fiber fruits and vegetables
b) Popcorn and nuts
c) Red meat and dairy
d) White bread and pasta
Rationale: High-fiber foods prevent constipation and promote bowel health in
diverticulitis. Popcorn and nuts can irritate diverticula, and low-fiber foods are less
beneficial.
, 3
10. A nurse is assessing a client with cirrhosis. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
a) Hypoalbuminemia
b) Ascites
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Decreased bilirubin
Rationale: Ascites, fluid accumulation in the abdomen, is common in cirrhosis due to
portal hypertension and hypoalbuminemia. Hyperkalemia and decreased bilirubin are
not typical.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube for gastric decompression. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Flush the tube with sterile water every 24 hours
b) Check tube placement before each feeding
c) Disconnect the suction during ambulation
d) Position the client supine during suctioning
Rationale: Checking tube placement ensures safety by confirming the tube is in the
stomach. Flushing frequency, suction management, and positioning depend on specific
protocols.
12. A nurse is teaching a client with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Which of the following
should the nurse recommend?
a) Increase caffeine intake
b) Keep a food diary to identify triggers
c) Avoid soluble fiber foods
d) Eat large meals to stabilize bowels
Rationale: A food diary helps identify IBS triggers. Caffeine and large meals can worsen
symptoms, while soluble fiber may help.
13. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which of the following findings
indicates a complication?
a) Dusky-colored stoma
b) Mild redness around the stoma
c) Soft, formed stool output
d) Slight odor from the ostomy bag
Rationale: A dusky-colored stoma indicates poor blood supply, a serious complication.
Mild redness, formed stool, and slight odor are normal.
14. A nurse is assessing a client with acute gastroenteritis. Which of the following is the
priority action?
a) Monitor for signs of dehydration
b) Administer an antiemetic
c) Provide a high-fiber diet
d) Encourage immediate oral intake
Rationale: Dehydration is a critical risk in gastroenteritis due to fluid loss. Monitoring
dehydration takes priority over symptom management or dietary changes.
15. A nurse is caring for a client with a gastrointestinal bleed. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse monitor closely?
a) Serum potassium
b) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
