VATI GREEN LIGHT COMPREHENSIVE EXAM /APPROVED VATI GREEN
LIGHT COMPREHENSIVE FORM A, B & C EXAM ACTUAL 2026/2027 HIGH
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE
EXAM
1. A nurse receives handoff on four clients at the beginning of a shift. Which
client should the nurse assess first when applying airway, breathing,
circulation, and clinical deterioration priorities?
A. A client with heart failure who has gained 1.5 kg over 3 days and reports
increasing ankle edema
B. A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 86% despite
receiving oxygen at 4 L/min by nasal cannula
C. A client with diabetes whose prebreakfast blood glucose is 224 mg/dL
and who reports increased thirst
D. A client 2 days after abdominal surgery who reports incisional pain rated
7/10
Answer: B
2. A postoperative client suddenly becomes restless, tachycardic, pale, and
diaphoretic and reports severe shortness of breath. The oxygen saturation
has fallen from 97% to 84%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the findings and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Administer the prescribed opioid for anxiety-related discomfort
C. Position the client appropriately, apply oxygen, and activate emergency
assistance
D. Encourage the client to ambulate to improve circulation
Answer: C
3. A nurse is caring for a client who develops facial swelling, wheezing,
hypotension, and generalized urticaria shortly after receiving an IV
medication. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Administer prescribed epinephrine and support the airway
B. Obtain a complete allergy history before intervening
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler position and offer oral fluids
pg. 1
, D. Administer an oral antihistamine and reassess after 30 minutes
Answer: A
4. A client with acute pulmonary edema is sitting upright, coughing pink frothy
sputum, and demonstrating severe respiratory distress. Which nursing
intervention should be implemented immediately while additional
treatment is obtained?
A. Encourage oral fluids to thin respiratory secretions
B. Place the client flat and elevate the legs
C. Initiate vigorous chest percussion
D. Position the client upright and provide supplemental oxygen as
prescribed
Answer: D
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from thyroid surgery.
Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Hoarse voice immediately after surgery
B. Tingling around the mouth with inspiratory stridor
C. Mild incisional discomfort when swallowing
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
Answer: B
6. A client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion has a newly developed
severe headache, vomiting, and altered level of consciousness. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the heparin infusion and notify the provider immediately
B. Administer the next scheduled dose of anticoagulant
C. Encourage oral fluids and reassess neurologic status later
D. Apply a warm compress to the client's neck
Answer: A
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted chest tube following a
traumatic pneumothorax. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Gentle tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Small amount of drainage during the first several hours
pg. 2
, C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber accompanied by
increasing respiratory distress
D. Mild discomfort at the insertion site when coughing
Answer: C
8. A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L and
reports muscle weakness. Which finding should the nurse recognize as the
greatest immediate concern?
A. Mild peripheral edema
B. Hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL
C. Serum phosphorus of 5.1 mg/dL
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias associated with hyperkalemia
Answer: D
9. A client with diabetes mellitus becomes shaky, diaphoretic, confused, and
irritable before lunch. The bedside glucose reading is 52 mg/dL, and the
client is awake and able to swallow. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
A. Give a rapid source of carbohydrate according to the hypoglycemia
protocol
B. Administer the scheduled rapid-acting insulin
C. Restrict oral intake until the provider evaluates the client
D. Administer long-acting insulin to stabilize glucose
Answer: A
10. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a client with diabetes. The
client is prescribed both regular insulin and NPH insulin at the same time.
Which technique is appropriate when these insulins are ordered together?
A. Draw NPH insulin into the syringe before regular insulin
B. Draw regular insulin before NPH insulin after injecting air into the
appropriate vials
C. Mix the insulins only after administering the regular insulin
D. Shake both insulin vials vigorously before withdrawing the doses
Answer: B
pg. 3
, 11. A client with heart failure reports increasing fatigue, orthopnea, and a 2-kg
weight gain over several days. Which additional finding would most strongly
indicate worsening fluid volume excess?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Flat neck veins
C. Bilateral crackles and increasing peripheral edema
D. Increased urine output without diuretic therapy
Answer: C
12. A client receiving furosemide for heart failure has a potassium level of 3.0
mEq/L and reports generalized weakness. Which nursing action is most
appropriate?
A. Administer the medication without further assessment
B. Encourage the client to avoid potassium-containing foods
C. Give an additional dose of furosemide
D. Notify the provider and anticipate management of the hypokalemia
Answer: D
13. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy and becomes increasingly
somnolent. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Assess respiratory status and oxygenation and notify the provider of the
change
B. Discontinue all oxygen immediately without further assessment
C. Encourage the client to breathe rapidly and deeply for several minutes
D. Place the client supine to promote diaphragmatic relaxation
Answer: A
14. A client with asthma develops wheezing and chest tightness during
exercise. Which prescribed medication would the nurse expect to provide
rapid relief of acute bronchoconstriction?
A. Fluticasone inhaler
B. Albuterol inhaler
C. Montelukast tablet
pg. 4
LIGHT COMPREHENSIVE FORM A, B & C EXAM ACTUAL 2026/2027 HIGH
YIELD PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE
EXAM
1. A nurse receives handoff on four clients at the beginning of a shift. Which
client should the nurse assess first when applying airway, breathing,
circulation, and clinical deterioration priorities?
A. A client with heart failure who has gained 1.5 kg over 3 days and reports
increasing ankle edema
B. A client with pneumonia who has an oxygen saturation of 86% despite
receiving oxygen at 4 L/min by nasal cannula
C. A client with diabetes whose prebreakfast blood glucose is 224 mg/dL
and who reports increased thirst
D. A client 2 days after abdominal surgery who reports incisional pain rated
7/10
Answer: B
2. A postoperative client suddenly becomes restless, tachycardic, pale, and
diaphoretic and reports severe shortness of breath. The oxygen saturation
has fallen from 97% to 84%. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Document the findings and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Administer the prescribed opioid for anxiety-related discomfort
C. Position the client appropriately, apply oxygen, and activate emergency
assistance
D. Encourage the client to ambulate to improve circulation
Answer: C
3. A nurse is caring for a client who develops facial swelling, wheezing,
hypotension, and generalized urticaria shortly after receiving an IV
medication. Which intervention has the highest priority?
A. Administer prescribed epinephrine and support the airway
B. Obtain a complete allergy history before intervening
C. Place the client in a high-Fowler position and offer oral fluids
pg. 1
, D. Administer an oral antihistamine and reassess after 30 minutes
Answer: A
4. A client with acute pulmonary edema is sitting upright, coughing pink frothy
sputum, and demonstrating severe respiratory distress. Which nursing
intervention should be implemented immediately while additional
treatment is obtained?
A. Encourage oral fluids to thin respiratory secretions
B. Place the client flat and elevate the legs
C. Initiate vigorous chest percussion
D. Position the client upright and provide supplemental oxygen as
prescribed
Answer: D
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has just returned from thyroid surgery.
Which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Hoarse voice immediately after surgery
B. Tingling around the mouth with inspiratory stridor
C. Mild incisional discomfort when swallowing
D. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
Answer: B
6. A client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion has a newly developed
severe headache, vomiting, and altered level of consciousness. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Stop the heparin infusion and notify the provider immediately
B. Administer the next scheduled dose of anticoagulant
C. Encourage oral fluids and reassess neurologic status later
D. Apply a warm compress to the client's neck
Answer: A
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a newly inserted chest tube following a
traumatic pneumothorax. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Gentle tidaling in the water-seal chamber
B. Small amount of drainage during the first several hours
pg. 2
, C. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber accompanied by
increasing respiratory distress
D. Mild discomfort at the insertion site when coughing
Answer: C
8. A client with chronic kidney disease has a potassium level of 6.4 mEq/L and
reports muscle weakness. Which finding should the nurse recognize as the
greatest immediate concern?
A. Mild peripheral edema
B. Hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL
C. Serum phosphorus of 5.1 mg/dL
D. Cardiac dysrhythmias associated with hyperkalemia
Answer: D
9. A client with diabetes mellitus becomes shaky, diaphoretic, confused, and
irritable before lunch. The bedside glucose reading is 52 mg/dL, and the
client is awake and able to swallow. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
A. Give a rapid source of carbohydrate according to the hypoglycemia
protocol
B. Administer the scheduled rapid-acting insulin
C. Restrict oral intake until the provider evaluates the client
D. Administer long-acting insulin to stabilize glucose
Answer: A
10. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin to a client with diabetes. The
client is prescribed both regular insulin and NPH insulin at the same time.
Which technique is appropriate when these insulins are ordered together?
A. Draw NPH insulin into the syringe before regular insulin
B. Draw regular insulin before NPH insulin after injecting air into the
appropriate vials
C. Mix the insulins only after administering the regular insulin
D. Shake both insulin vials vigorously before withdrawing the doses
Answer: B
pg. 3
, 11. A client with heart failure reports increasing fatigue, orthopnea, and a 2-kg
weight gain over several days. Which additional finding would most strongly
indicate worsening fluid volume excess?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Flat neck veins
C. Bilateral crackles and increasing peripheral edema
D. Increased urine output without diuretic therapy
Answer: C
12. A client receiving furosemide for heart failure has a potassium level of 3.0
mEq/L and reports generalized weakness. Which nursing action is most
appropriate?
A. Administer the medication without further assessment
B. Encourage the client to avoid potassium-containing foods
C. Give an additional dose of furosemide
D. Notify the provider and anticipate management of the hypokalemia
Answer: D
13. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy and becomes increasingly
somnolent. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
A. Assess respiratory status and oxygenation and notify the provider of the
change
B. Discontinue all oxygen immediately without further assessment
C. Encourage the client to breathe rapidly and deeply for several minutes
D. Place the client supine to promote diaphragmatic relaxation
Answer: A
14. A client with asthma develops wheezing and chest tightness during
exercise. Which prescribed medication would the nurse expect to provide
rapid relief of acute bronchoconstriction?
A. Fluticasone inhaler
B. Albuterol inhaler
C. Montelukast tablet
pg. 4
