ATI CAPSTONE MED SURGICAL ASSESSMENT 1 & 2 – 280 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS & RATIONALES | LATEST 2026 REAL EXAMS

ATI CAPSTONE MED SURGICAL ASSESSMENT
1 & 2 – 280 QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS & RATIONALES | LATEST 2026 REAL
EXAMS
ATI CAPSTONE MED-SURGICAL ASSESSMENT 1 & 2

Questions with CORRECT ANSWER & RATIONALE | Latest 2026



QUESTION 1

A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for lisinopril. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg

B. Serum potassium of 5.6 mEq/L
C. Heart rate of 78 beats/min

D. Dry, nonproductive cough

E. Serum creatinine of 0.9 mg/dL

CORRECT ANSWER: B. Serum potassium of 5.6 mEq/L

RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause hyperkalemia by reducing
aldosterone secretion. A serum potassium of 5.6 mEq/L is above the normal range (3.5–
5.0 mEq/L) and must be reported immediately as it can lead to life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias.


QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which of the following findings is the
priority?
A. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours

B. Bilateral 2+ pitting edema in lower extremities

C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air

D. Blood pressure of 150/92 mmHg
E. Fatigue with minimal exertion

, CORRECT ANSWER: C. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air

RATIONALE: Using the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), oxygenation is the
priority. An SpO₂ of 88% indicates hypoxemia and requires immediate intervention. All
other findings are important but do not pose the same immediate threat to life.



QUESTION 3

A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which laboratory
value requires immediate intervention?

A. BUN of 22 mg/dL

B. Hemoglobin of 10.5 g/dL

C. Serum phosphorus of 4.5 mg/dL
D. Serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L

E. Serum sodium of 138 mEq/L

CORRECT ANSWER: D. Serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L

RATIONALE: A serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L indicates severe hyperkalemia, which
can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias including ventricular fibrillation. This requires
immediate intervention such as cardiac monitoring, administration of calcium gluconate,
sodium bicarbonate, or insulin with dextrose.



QUESTION 4
A nurse is teaching a client who has type 2 diabetes mellitus about foot care. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates understanding?

A. "I will soak my feet in hot water every evening."
B. "I will trim my toenails in a rounded shape."

C. "I will inspect my feet weekly for any changes."

D. "I will wear well-fitting shoes at all times."

E. "I will apply lotion between my toes after bathing."

CORRECT ANSWER: D. "I will wear well-fitting shoes at all times."

,RATIONALE: Clients with diabetes are at risk for peripheral neuropathy and poor
circulation. Wearing well-fitting shoes protects the feet from injury. Soaking feet in hot
water can cause burns, toenails should be cut straight across, feet should be inspected
daily, and lotion should not be applied between toes as it promotes fungal growth.


QUESTION 5

A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation?
A. Position the client with legs adducted

B. Encourage the client to bend at the waist when sitting

C. Place a pillow between the client's legs when turning

D. Assist the client to sit in a low recliner chair

E. Encourage internal rotation of the operative hip

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Place a pillow between the client's legs when
turning

RATIONALE: After total hip arthroplasty, an abduction pillow is placed between the
legs to maintain abduction and prevent hip dislocation. The hip should not be adducted,
flexed beyond 90°, or internally rotated as these positions risk dislocation of the
prosthesis.


QUESTION 6
A nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. Prior to administering a tube
feeding, which action is the priority?

A. Flush the tube with 30 mL of water

B. Warm the formula to room temperature

C. Verify tube placement by checking pH of aspirate

D. Position the client in a left lateral position

E. Check the expiration date of the formula

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Verify tube placement by checking pH of aspirate

, RATIONALE: Before any feeding or medication administration through an NG tube,
placement must be verified to prevent aspiration. Checking the pH of gastric aspirate
(pH ≤ 5.5 indicates gastric placement) is the recommended bedside method.
Administering feeding into a misplaced tube can cause aspiration pneumonia.


QUESTION 7

A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has liver cirrhosis. Which
finding requires immediate action?
A. Albumin of 3.2 g/dL

B. Total bilirubin of 2.8 mg/dL

C. Ammonia level of 110 mcg/dL

D. Prothrombin time of 15 seconds

E. Platelet count of 140,000/mm³

CORRECT ANSWER: C. Ammonia level of 110 mcg/dL

RATIONALE: An elevated ammonia level (normal: 15–45 mcg/dL) indicates hepatic
encephalopathy. Ammonia crosses the blood-brain barrier and causes neurological
impairment. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention including
lactulose administration to reduce ammonia levels.



QUESTION 8

A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following assessment
findings is most concerning?

A. Temperature of 38.4°C (101.1°F)

B. Respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min

C. Productive cough with yellow sputum

D. Crackles auscultated at lung bases

E. SpO₂ of 91% on 4L nasal cannula

CORRECT ANSWER: E. SpO₂ of 91% on 4L nasal cannula