GUIDE 2026 INTEGRATED CLINICAL PRACTICE
AND PROFESSIONAL NURSING CAPSTONE
PRINCIPLES
◉ A nurse is caring for clients in the ICU. Which client may be
transferred to the step-down neuro unit?
A- Client with head injury and seizure
B- Client with an ischemic stroke 4 days ago with confusion
C- Client who is 1-day post op after a transshpenoidal craniotomy
with a cerebrospinal fluid leak
D-Client with bacterial meningitis and a Glasgow coma sale of 7.
Answer: B- client with an ischemic stroke 4 days ago with confusion.
*Think what is normal and what is abnormal- who is most stable
◉ After a change of shift, you are assinged to care for the following
clients, Which client should you assess first?
A- 60 year old client on a ventilator for whom a sterile sputum
specimen must be sent to the lab
B- 55 year old with COPD and a pulse oximetry reading from the
previous shift of 90%
,C- 70 year old with pneumonia who needs to be started on IV
antibiotics
D- 50 year old with asthma who complains of shortness of breath
after using a bronchodilator. Answer: D- 50 year old with asthma
who complains of shortness of breath after using a brochodilator
*Think ABCs, also not the desired effect of the brochodilator
treatment; should be improved.
◉ The nurse just received report on the surgical ward. Which client
should be assessed first?
A- Peptic ulcer disease scheduled for a laparosopic choleycystectomy
in 4 hours
B- Multiple injuries after a motor vehicle crash
C- Graves disease scheduled for a thyroidectomy
D- Post-appendectomy waiting for discharge. Answer: B- multiple
injuries following a motor vehicle crash
*think who is most unstable
◉ A hospital will receive a large number of clients because of a
magor disaster in the city. Which client can be discharged first?
A- 49 year old female 24 hours postop after hysterectomy
B- 66 year old male 5 days post op after total hip replacement
, C- 79 year old female admitted 12 hours ago with pyrlonephritis
D- 82 year old female admitted 5 days ago with a stage 3 pressure
ulcer. Answer: B- 66 year old male 5 days post op after total hip
replacement
*think who is most stable and would be safest to go home
◉ A nurse just received report on her client's at the first of the shift.
Which client should be assessed first?
A- 45 year old woman with a BP of 90/60 and hot, dry skin
B- 37 year old man with BP 130/70, sleeping quietly in his bed
C- 25 year old woman with fruity breath, excessive thrist and
polyphagia
D- 16 year old boy with irritability and tremor. Answer: C- 25 year
old woman with fruity breath, excessive thirst and polyphagia
*who is showing definite signs of a problem not just questionable
ones
◉ The staff nurse receives on her assignment for the shift. Which
client should she assess first?
A- A client reporting a headache with a pain score 3/10
B- A client with frequent watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea
C- A client with respirations of 20 and O2 sat of 94% on room ait