ATI RN CAPSTONE ASSESSMENT EXAM NEWEST
EVALUATED PRACTICE EXAM 100 QUESTIONS
2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
|DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED COMPLETE
EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF*
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and reports
increasing shortness of breath. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. 2+ bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hr
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Fatigue when ambulating
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant
hypoxemia and requires immediate assessment and intervention. The
other findings are concerning manifestations of worsening heart
failure but are less immediately life-threatening.
2. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and low
back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Obtain a urine specimen
,Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Fever, chills, and back pain can indicate an acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The nurse should stop the transfusion
immediately and maintain IV access with normal saline using new
tubing.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
(2.8 mmol/L). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Muscle weakness
C. Hyperactive reflexes
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Answer: B. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue,
constipation, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Peaked T waves are more
characteristic of hyperkalemia.
4. A client with diabetes mellitus is unconscious and has a blood
glucose of 38 mg/dL (2.1 mmol/L). Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Regular insulin
B. Metformin
C. Glucagon
D. NPH insulin
Answer: C. Glucagon
,Rationale: An unconscious client with severe hypoglycemia requires
rapid glucose replacement. Glucagon can be administered when IV
access is unavailable; IV dextrose is another emergency treatment
when access is available.
5. A client receiving morphine has a respiratory rate of 7/min. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-
induced respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 7/min is an
emergency finding requiring immediate intervention.
6. A client with suspected sepsis has a blood pressure of 82/48 mm Hg
and a lactate level of 4.5 mmol/L. Which prescription should the nurse
implement first?
A. Obtain a stool specimen
B. Begin IV crystalloid fluids
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Administer a sedative
Answer: B. Begin IV crystalloid fluids
Rationale: Hypotension and elevated lactate indicate poor tissue
perfusion associated with septic shock. Rapid administration of IV
, crystalloid fluids is a priority while other sepsis interventions are
initiated.
7. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with COPD and oxygen saturation of 90%
B. Client with pneumonia and new confusion
C. Client with chronic back pain requesting medication
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B. Client with pneumonia and new confusion
Rationale: New confusion can indicate acute hypoxia, sepsis, or
worsening respiratory status. This acute change takes priority over
stable or expected findings.
8. A nurse is teaching a client taking warfarin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K."
B. "I will keep my vitamin K intake consistent."
C. "I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache."
D. "I do not need blood tests while taking this medication."
Answer: B. "I will keep my vitamin K intake consistent."
Rationale: Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent intake
of vitamin K rather than eliminating it completely. INR monitoring is
required, and aspirin can increase bleeding risk.
9. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber. What should the nurse suspect?
EVALUATED PRACTICE EXAM 100 QUESTIONS
2026-2027|ORIGINAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
|DETAILED RATIONALES |HINTED COMPLETE
EXAM PREP GRADED A+*INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF*
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and reports
increasing shortness of breath. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. 2+ bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hr
C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
D. Fatigue when ambulating
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 88%
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 88% indicates significant
hypoxemia and requires immediate assessment and intervention. The
other findings are concerning manifestations of worsening heart
failure but are less immediately life-threatening.
2. A client receiving a blood transfusion develops chills, fever, and low
back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Obtain a urine specimen
,Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Fever, chills, and back pain can indicate an acute hemolytic
transfusion reaction. The nurse should stop the transfusion
immediately and maintain IV access with normal saline using new
tubing.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L
(2.8 mmol/L). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Muscle weakness
C. Hyperactive reflexes
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Answer: B. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness, fatigue,
constipation, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Peaked T waves are more
characteristic of hyperkalemia.
4. A client with diabetes mellitus is unconscious and has a blood
glucose of 38 mg/dL (2.1 mmol/L). Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Regular insulin
B. Metformin
C. Glucagon
D. NPH insulin
Answer: C. Glucagon
,Rationale: An unconscious client with severe hypoglycemia requires
rapid glucose replacement. Glucagon can be administered when IV
access is unavailable; IV dextrose is another emergency treatment
when access is available.
5. A client receiving morphine has a respiratory rate of 7/min. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-
induced respiratory depression. A respiratory rate of 7/min is an
emergency finding requiring immediate intervention.
6. A client with suspected sepsis has a blood pressure of 82/48 mm Hg
and a lactate level of 4.5 mmol/L. Which prescription should the nurse
implement first?
A. Obtain a stool specimen
B. Begin IV crystalloid fluids
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Administer a sedative
Answer: B. Begin IV crystalloid fluids
Rationale: Hypotension and elevated lactate indicate poor tissue
perfusion associated with septic shock. Rapid administration of IV
, crystalloid fluids is a priority while other sepsis interventions are
initiated.
7. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with COPD and oxygen saturation of 90%
B. Client with pneumonia and new confusion
C. Client with chronic back pain requesting medication
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: B. Client with pneumonia and new confusion
Rationale: New confusion can indicate acute hypoxia, sepsis, or
worsening respiratory status. This acute change takes priority over
stable or expected findings.
8. A nurse is teaching a client taking warfarin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. "I should avoid all foods containing vitamin K."
B. "I will keep my vitamin K intake consistent."
C. "I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache."
D. "I do not need blood tests while taking this medication."
Answer: B. "I will keep my vitamin K intake consistent."
Rationale: Clients taking warfarin should maintain a consistent intake
of vitamin K rather than eliminating it completely. INR monitoring is
required, and aspirin can increase bleeding risk.
9. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber. What should the nurse suspect?
