Capstone ATI NCLEX Medical Surgical Exam Newest
2026 Actual Exam| Complete Questions and Correct
Detailed Answers (Verified Answers with Rationales)
Already Graded A+||New!!
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client in the ED who was just admitted
with chest pain, possible acute coronary syndrome. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
C) Draw cardiac enzyme levels
D) Apply supplemental oxygen
Correct Answer: B) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
Rationale: Treating chest pain is the priority to reduce cardiac
tissue damage. Nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries, improving
1
,blood flow to the myocardium and relieving ischemic pain. While
ECG and enzymes are important, pain relief takes priority .
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a client who
has heart failure and is taking furosemide. Which finding
should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of the
medication?
A) Sodium 142 mEq/L
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C) Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Loop diuretics (furosemide) remove excessive
extracellular fluid through the kidneys, causing increased
2
,excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia (potassium below 3.5
mEq/L) can lead to dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor for
this adverse effect and implement interventions to prevent
complications .
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a heart rate of 40/min,
is diaphoretic, and has chest pain. Which medication should
the nurse plan to administer?
A) Lidocaine
B) Adenosine
C) Atropine
D) Verapamil
Correct Answer: C) Atropine
3
, Rationale: Atropine is the medication of choice for symptomatic
bradycardia (heart rate <60/min). It works by blocking the
parasympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate. Lidocaine
is used for ventricular tachycardia, adenosine for
supraventricular tachycardia, and verapamil for atrial
fibrillation/flutter .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing ventricular
tachycardia with a pulse. The rapid response team is at the
bedside. Which electrical intervention should be used to
correct this dysrhythmia?
A) Defibrillation
B) Synchronized cardioversion
C) Transcutaneous pacing
D) AED
4
2026 Actual Exam| Complete Questions and Correct
Detailed Answers (Verified Answers with Rationales)
Already Graded A+||New!!
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client in the ED who was just admitted
with chest pain, possible acute coronary syndrome. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A) Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
C) Draw cardiac enzyme levels
D) Apply supplemental oxygen
Correct Answer: B) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
Rationale: Treating chest pain is the priority to reduce cardiac
tissue damage. Nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries, improving
1
,blood flow to the myocardium and relieving ischemic pain. While
ECG and enzymes are important, pain relief takes priority .
Question 2
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings for a client who
has heart failure and is taking furosemide. Which finding
should the nurse identify as an adverse effect of the
medication?
A) Sodium 142 mEq/L
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
D) Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C) Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Loop diuretics (furosemide) remove excessive
extracellular fluid through the kidneys, causing increased
2
,excretion of potassium. Hypokalemia (potassium below 3.5
mEq/L) can lead to dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor for
this adverse effect and implement interventions to prevent
complications .
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a heart rate of 40/min,
is diaphoretic, and has chest pain. Which medication should
the nurse plan to administer?
A) Lidocaine
B) Adenosine
C) Atropine
D) Verapamil
Correct Answer: C) Atropine
3
, Rationale: Atropine is the medication of choice for symptomatic
bradycardia (heart rate <60/min). It works by blocking the
parasympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate. Lidocaine
is used for ventricular tachycardia, adenosine for
supraventricular tachycardia, and verapamil for atrial
fibrillation/flutter .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing ventricular
tachycardia with a pulse. The rapid response team is at the
bedside. Which electrical intervention should be used to
correct this dysrhythmia?
A) Defibrillation
B) Synchronized cardioversion
C) Transcutaneous pacing
D) AED
4
