COMPREHENSIVE NURSING CAPSTONE EXAM 2 STUDY
GUIDE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALE | NEWLY UPDATED 2026/27 | GRADED A+
Question 1
The nurse cares for a client who is at 39 weeks gestation. The healthcare provider
orders a biophysical profile (BPP). The nurse should understand that an abnormal
biophysical profile (BPP):
A. Indicates that labor needs to be induced
B. Indicates fetal well-being
C. Requires immediate cesarean section
D. Is a normal finding at 39 weeks
Correct Answer: A. Indicates that labor needs to be induced
Rationale: A biophysical profile (BPP) assesses fetal well-being using five
parameters: fetal breathing movements, fetal movements, fetal tone, amniotic
fluid volume, and non-stress test (NST). An abnormal BPP (score ≤6) indicates fetal
compromise and may warrant induction of labor or further intervention. The BPP
is typically performed in high-risk pregnancies or post-term pregnancies. Option B
is incorrect; an abnormal BPP does NOT indicate fetal well-being. Option C is
incorrect; induction may be indicated, but not necessarily immediate cesarean
section. Option D is incorrect; an abnormal BPP is not a normal finding.
Question 2
,A woman who is 33 weeks pregnant is admitted to the obstetric unit because her
membranes ruptured spontaneously. What complication should the nurse closely
assess for with this patient?
A. Chorioamnionitis
B. Placental abruption
C. Eclampsia
D. Uterine rupture
Correct Answer: A. Chorioamnionitis
Rationale: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at 33 weeks significantly
increases the risk of chorioamnionitis—an infection of the amniotic fluid,
membranes, and placenta. Bacteria from the vagina can ascend through the
ruptured membranes, leading to infection. Signs include maternal fever, uterine
tenderness, foul-smelling amniotic fluid, and fetal tachycardia. Option B (placental
abruption) is associated with bleeding and abdominal pain. Option C (eclampsia)
is associated with seizures and hypertension. Option D (uterine rupture) is
associated with previous uterine surgery or trauma.
Question 3
In providing diet education for a patient on a low-fat diet, which information is
important for the nurse to share?
A. Fats are found mostly in animal sources
B. Fats are found mostly in plant sources
C. All fats are unhealthy and should be avoided
,D. Carbohydrates contain the most fat
Correct Answer: A. Fats are found mostly in animal sources
Rationale: Dietary fats are predominantly found in animal sources (meat,
poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs) and some plant sources (oils, nuts, avocados).
Saturated fats are primarily from animal sources and are associated with
increased cardiovascular risk. Option B is incorrect; while plant sources contain
fats, animal sources are the primary source of saturated fats. Option C is incorrect;
some fats (unsaturated) are essential for health. Option D is incorrect;
carbohydrates contain minimal fat.
Question 4
The nurse cares for a client who had a cholecystectomy 24 hours ago. The nurse
notes that the T-tube has drained 750 mL of brownish-green drainage since the
surgery. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Document the findings in the chart
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Clamp the T-tube to decrease drainage
D. Irrigate the T-tube with normal saline
Correct Answer: A. Document the findings in the chart
Rationale: Normal T-tube drainage after cholecystectomy is 300-500 mL in the
first 24 hours, decreasing to 200 mL/day thereafter. Drainage of 750 mL in 24
hours is slightly elevated but may be within acceptable range depending on the
, patient. The most appropriate action is to document the findings and continue to
monitor. Option B (notify HCP) would be warranted if drainage was >1000 mL or if
there were signs of bile leakage. Option C (clamp) is incorrect; T-tubes should not
be clamped without an order. Option D (irrigate) is incorrect without an order.
Question 5
The nurse is teaching parents of an infant with newly diagnosed heart failure how
to care for the infant at home. The infant is on diuretic therapy. The nurse should
suggest which most appropriate method to assess strict urine output?
A. Weighing diapers
B. Measuring urine in a hat
C. Estimating urine output visually
D. Counting wet diapers
Correct Answer: A. Weighing diapers
Rationale: For infants, the most accurate method to measure urine output is
weighing diapers. One gram of weight equals approximately 1 mL of urine. This
provides a more accurate measurement than estimating or counting wet diapers.
Option B is inappropriate for infants who cannot use a bedpan or hat. Option C is
inaccurate. Option D provides only a rough estimate and does not provide specific
volume measurements needed for monitoring diuretic therapy.
Question 6
A patient who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is experiencing
increasing discomfort. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates that
additional teaching about GERD is needed?
GUIDE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS PLUS
RATIONALE | NEWLY UPDATED 2026/27 | GRADED A+
Question 1
The nurse cares for a client who is at 39 weeks gestation. The healthcare provider
orders a biophysical profile (BPP). The nurse should understand that an abnormal
biophysical profile (BPP):
A. Indicates that labor needs to be induced
B. Indicates fetal well-being
C. Requires immediate cesarean section
D. Is a normal finding at 39 weeks
Correct Answer: A. Indicates that labor needs to be induced
Rationale: A biophysical profile (BPP) assesses fetal well-being using five
parameters: fetal breathing movements, fetal movements, fetal tone, amniotic
fluid volume, and non-stress test (NST). An abnormal BPP (score ≤6) indicates fetal
compromise and may warrant induction of labor or further intervention. The BPP
is typically performed in high-risk pregnancies or post-term pregnancies. Option B
is incorrect; an abnormal BPP does NOT indicate fetal well-being. Option C is
incorrect; induction may be indicated, but not necessarily immediate cesarean
section. Option D is incorrect; an abnormal BPP is not a normal finding.
Question 2
,A woman who is 33 weeks pregnant is admitted to the obstetric unit because her
membranes ruptured spontaneously. What complication should the nurse closely
assess for with this patient?
A. Chorioamnionitis
B. Placental abruption
C. Eclampsia
D. Uterine rupture
Correct Answer: A. Chorioamnionitis
Rationale: Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at 33 weeks significantly
increases the risk of chorioamnionitis—an infection of the amniotic fluid,
membranes, and placenta. Bacteria from the vagina can ascend through the
ruptured membranes, leading to infection. Signs include maternal fever, uterine
tenderness, foul-smelling amniotic fluid, and fetal tachycardia. Option B (placental
abruption) is associated with bleeding and abdominal pain. Option C (eclampsia)
is associated with seizures and hypertension. Option D (uterine rupture) is
associated with previous uterine surgery or trauma.
Question 3
In providing diet education for a patient on a low-fat diet, which information is
important for the nurse to share?
A. Fats are found mostly in animal sources
B. Fats are found mostly in plant sources
C. All fats are unhealthy and should be avoided
,D. Carbohydrates contain the most fat
Correct Answer: A. Fats are found mostly in animal sources
Rationale: Dietary fats are predominantly found in animal sources (meat,
poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs) and some plant sources (oils, nuts, avocados).
Saturated fats are primarily from animal sources and are associated with
increased cardiovascular risk. Option B is incorrect; while plant sources contain
fats, animal sources are the primary source of saturated fats. Option C is incorrect;
some fats (unsaturated) are essential for health. Option D is incorrect;
carbohydrates contain minimal fat.
Question 4
The nurse cares for a client who had a cholecystectomy 24 hours ago. The nurse
notes that the T-tube has drained 750 mL of brownish-green drainage since the
surgery. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A. Document the findings in the chart
B. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C. Clamp the T-tube to decrease drainage
D. Irrigate the T-tube with normal saline
Correct Answer: A. Document the findings in the chart
Rationale: Normal T-tube drainage after cholecystectomy is 300-500 mL in the
first 24 hours, decreasing to 200 mL/day thereafter. Drainage of 750 mL in 24
hours is slightly elevated but may be within acceptable range depending on the
, patient. The most appropriate action is to document the findings and continue to
monitor. Option B (notify HCP) would be warranted if drainage was >1000 mL or if
there were signs of bile leakage. Option C (clamp) is incorrect; T-tubes should not
be clamped without an order. Option D (irrigate) is incorrect without an order.
Question 5
The nurse is teaching parents of an infant with newly diagnosed heart failure how
to care for the infant at home. The infant is on diuretic therapy. The nurse should
suggest which most appropriate method to assess strict urine output?
A. Weighing diapers
B. Measuring urine in a hat
C. Estimating urine output visually
D. Counting wet diapers
Correct Answer: A. Weighing diapers
Rationale: For infants, the most accurate method to measure urine output is
weighing diapers. One gram of weight equals approximately 1 mL of urine. This
provides a more accurate measurement than estimating or counting wet diapers.
Option B is inappropriate for infants who cannot use a bedpan or hat. Option C is
inaccurate. Option D provides only a rough estimate and does not provide specific
volume measurements needed for monitoring diuretic therapy.
Question 6
A patient who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is experiencing
increasing discomfort. Which patient statement to the nurse indicates that
additional teaching about GERD is needed?
