CAPSTONE EXAM 1 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | EXAM SUCCESS GUIDE EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Capstone Exam 1 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 |
Exam Success Guide
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
71 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 71 nursing exam questions, each paired with its correct answer and a brief
explanatory note. It covers a broad spectrum of medical-surgical nursing knowledge, making it an ideal
resource for comprehensive study, in-depth review, and certification exam preparation.
CONTENTS
Infection Control & Prioritization Q1–Q15
Delegation & Scope of Practice Q16–Q26
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance & Acid-Base Q27–Q43
Gastrointestinal Disorders Q44–Q54
Nursing History & Ethics Q55–Q71
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 71
A Nurse is caring for a clients on the med-surg unit. Which client is most at risk to develop a nosocomial
infection?
A- clinet with alcohol abuse admitted for detox
B- Client with Type I diabetes and peripheral neuropathy
C- Client recovering from a choleystectomy
D- Client with full thickness burns, an NG tube and a Foley
CORRECT ANSWER
D- Full thickness burn, NG tube and Foley
*Think immunosupression and avenues for infection
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 71
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
CORRECT 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.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 71
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
Page 2
, C- Graves disease scheduled for a thyroidectomy
D- Post-appendectomy waiting for discharge
CORRECT ANSWER
B- multiple injuries following a motor vehicle crash
*think who is most unstable
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 71
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
CORRECT 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
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 71
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
CORRECT 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
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 71
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
Page 3
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
Capstone Exam 1 Questions
& Answers 2026-2027 |
Exam Success Guide
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
71 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document contains 71 nursing exam questions, each paired with its correct answer and a brief
explanatory note. It covers a broad spectrum of medical-surgical nursing knowledge, making it an ideal
resource for comprehensive study, in-depth review, and certification exam preparation.
CONTENTS
Infection Control & Prioritization Q1–Q15
Delegation & Scope of Practice Q16–Q26
Fluid & Electrolyte Balance & Acid-Base Q27–Q43
Gastrointestinal Disorders Q44–Q54
Nursing History & Ethics Q55–Q71
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 71
A Nurse is caring for a clients on the med-surg unit. Which client is most at risk to develop a nosocomial
infection?
A- clinet with alcohol abuse admitted for detox
B- Client with Type I diabetes and peripheral neuropathy
C- Client recovering from a choleystectomy
D- Client with full thickness burns, an NG tube and a Foley
CORRECT ANSWER
D- Full thickness burn, NG tube and Foley
*Think immunosupression and avenues for infection
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 71
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
CORRECT 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.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 71
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
Page 2
, C- Graves disease scheduled for a thyroidectomy
D- Post-appendectomy waiting for discharge
CORRECT ANSWER
B- multiple injuries following a motor vehicle crash
*think who is most unstable
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 71
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
CORRECT 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
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 71
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
CORRECT 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
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 71
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
Page 3
