ATI Medical-Surgical Capstone Actual Exam –
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) –
2026/2027 Academic Year – Verified Questions
and Answers | with complete solutions.
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
(Questions 1-10)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure (HF) who reports
increasing shortness of breath and weight gain of 3 pounds in 24
hours. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer furosemide (Lasix) as prescribed
B) Auscultate lung sounds
C) Elevate the head of the bed
D) Restrict oral fluids to 1,500 mL/day
Answer: C) Elevate the head of the bed
Rationale: The nurse should elevate the head of the bed to reduce venous
return, decrease pulmonary congestion, and improve breathing. While
assessing lung sounds is important, addressing the acute dyspnea with
immediate positioning takes priority in the ABC framework .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
,2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with heart
failure. Which statement indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A) "I will weigh myself every morning before breakfast and after voiding."
B) "I will restrict my sodium intake to 4 grams per day."
C) "I will take my diuretic medication at bedtime."
D) "I will increase my fluid intake to 3 liters per day."
Answer: A) "I will weigh myself every morning before breakfast and
after voiding."
Rationale: Daily weights are the most reliable indicator of fluid status.
Clients should weigh themselves at the same time each morning, after
voiding, before breakfast. Sodium should be restricted to 2 grams or less,
diuretics should be taken in the morning to avoid nocturia, and fluid is
typically restricted to 2 liters or less .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
3. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin).
Which of the following laboratory values indicates a therapeutic
response?
A) INR 1.2
B) INR 2.5
C) aPTT 60 seconds
D) Platelets 150,000/mm³
Answer: B) INR 2.5
Rationale: For atrial fibrillation, the therapeutic INR goal is 2.0-3.0. INR 2.5 is
within the target range. aPTT is for heparin monitoring, and warfarin is
monitored by PT/INR .
,Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
4. A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) would exhibit which
characteristic finding?
A) Brownish discoloration of the skin
B) Cool extremities, absent hair, and pale skin when elevated
C) Bilateral pitting edema
D) Stasis ulcers on the medial malleolus
Answer: B) Cool extremities, absent hair, and pale skin when
elevated
Rationale: PAD is characterized by decreased arterial blood flow, leading to
cool extremities, hair loss, pallor when the extremity is elevated (elevation
pallor), and dependent rubor. Brownish skin discoloration, edema, and stasis
ulcers are characteristic of venous insufficiency .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
5. A client receiving IV heparin for DVT has a platelet count of
80,000/mm³. What should the nurse do first?
A) Continue monitoring
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Administer vitamin K
D) Decrease the heparin infusion rate
Answer: B) Notify the provider immediately
, Rationale: A platelet count of 80,000/mm³ is significantly low and may
indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication
requiring immediate discontinuation of heparin. The therapeutic aPTT range
is 60-80 seconds, so 75 seconds would be within range .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
6. A client in the ED with chest pain, possible acute coronary
syndrome. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12-lead EKG
C) Administer morphine IV
D) Draw cardiac enzymes
Answer: A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is the priority intervention to relieve chest pain and
reduce cardiac tissue damage from ischemia .
Source: ATI Capstone Med Surg Exam Q&A
7. A client experiencing ventricular tachycardia with a pulse
requires which electrical intervention?
A) Defibrillation
B) Synchronized cardioversion
C) Transcutaneous pacing
D) Unsynchronized cardioversion
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) –
2026/2027 Academic Year – Verified Questions
and Answers | with complete solutions.
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
(Questions 1-10)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure (HF) who reports
increasing shortness of breath and weight gain of 3 pounds in 24
hours. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A) Administer furosemide (Lasix) as prescribed
B) Auscultate lung sounds
C) Elevate the head of the bed
D) Restrict oral fluids to 1,500 mL/day
Answer: C) Elevate the head of the bed
Rationale: The nurse should elevate the head of the bed to reduce venous
return, decrease pulmonary congestion, and improve breathing. While
assessing lung sounds is important, addressing the acute dyspnea with
immediate positioning takes priority in the ABC framework .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
,2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with heart
failure. Which statement indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A) "I will weigh myself every morning before breakfast and after voiding."
B) "I will restrict my sodium intake to 4 grams per day."
C) "I will take my diuretic medication at bedtime."
D) "I will increase my fluid intake to 3 liters per day."
Answer: A) "I will weigh myself every morning before breakfast and
after voiding."
Rationale: Daily weights are the most reliable indicator of fluid status.
Clients should weigh themselves at the same time each morning, after
voiding, before breakfast. Sodium should be restricted to 2 grams or less,
diuretics should be taken in the morning to avoid nocturia, and fluid is
typically restricted to 2 liters or less .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
3. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin).
Which of the following laboratory values indicates a therapeutic
response?
A) INR 1.2
B) INR 2.5
C) aPTT 60 seconds
D) Platelets 150,000/mm³
Answer: B) INR 2.5
Rationale: For atrial fibrillation, the therapeutic INR goal is 2.0-3.0. INR 2.5 is
within the target range. aPTT is for heparin monitoring, and warfarin is
monitored by PT/INR .
,Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
4. A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) would exhibit which
characteristic finding?
A) Brownish discoloration of the skin
B) Cool extremities, absent hair, and pale skin when elevated
C) Bilateral pitting edema
D) Stasis ulcers on the medial malleolus
Answer: B) Cool extremities, absent hair, and pale skin when
elevated
Rationale: PAD is characterized by decreased arterial blood flow, leading to
cool extremities, hair loss, pallor when the extremity is elevated (elevation
pallor), and dependent rubor. Brownish skin discoloration, edema, and stasis
ulcers are characteristic of venous insufficiency .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
5. A client receiving IV heparin for DVT has a platelet count of
80,000/mm³. What should the nurse do first?
A) Continue monitoring
B) Notify the provider immediately
C) Administer vitamin K
D) Decrease the heparin infusion rate
Answer: B) Notify the provider immediately
, Rationale: A platelet count of 80,000/mm³ is significantly low and may
indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication
requiring immediate discontinuation of heparin. The therapeutic aPTT range
is 60-80 seconds, so 75 seconds would be within range .
Source: ATI Med-Surg Capstone Proctored Exam 2026-2027
6. A client in the ED with chest pain, possible acute coronary
syndrome. What action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
B) Obtain a 12-lead EKG
C) Administer morphine IV
D) Draw cardiac enzymes
Answer: A) Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is the priority intervention to relieve chest pain and
reduce cardiac tissue damage from ischemia .
Source: ATI Capstone Med Surg Exam Q&A
7. A client experiencing ventricular tachycardia with a pulse
requires which electrical intervention?
A) Defibrillation
B) Synchronized cardioversion
C) Transcutaneous pacing
D) Unsynchronized cardioversion
