NR 452 Capstone Week 7 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care for four patients. Which
patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and an SpO2 of 90%
B. A client who is 24 hours postoperative and has a new onset of confusion
C. A client with heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. A client receiving physical therapy for a fractured hip who reports pain as 4 on a 1-10 scale
Answer: B
Rationale: New onset confusion in a postoperative patient can indicate hypoxia, sepsis, or
a stroke and requires immediate assessment.
2. An RN is delegating tasks to an Assistive Personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Measuring and recording a client’s intake and output
B. Assisting a stable client to ambulate for the first time after surgery
C. Monitoring a client’s lung sounds after a nebulizer treatment
D. Performing a sterile dressing change on a central line
Answer: A
Rationale: Measuring and recording intake and output is within the scope of practice for
AP. Sterile procedures and assessments are the responsibility of the RN.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient who decides to stop hemodialysis. The nurse
supports the patient’s decision. Which ethical principle is the nurse
demonstrating?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own decisions about
their medical care.
4. A nurse is providing care to a patient and accidentally administers the wrong
dose of medication. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Complete an incident report
C. Inform the nurse manager
D. Assess the patient’s vital signs and status
Answer: D
Rationale: The first priority after a medication error is always the safety and assessment of
the patient to determine any adverse effects.
5. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making decisions
independently without input from the staff?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Transformational
Answer: B
, Rationale: Autocratic leaders make decisions without seeking input from others and
maintain high control over the work group.
6. During a mass casualty incident, the triage nurse identifies a patient with a
sucking chest wound. Which color tag should the nurse assign?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Black
Answer: C
Rationale: Red tags are for patients who have life-threatening injuries but have a high
probability of survival if treated immediately, such as a sucking chest wound.
7. A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool. Which information belongs in
the ‘Assessment’ section?
A. The patient’s name and room number
B. The nurse’s recommendation for a change in treatment
C. The patient’s current vital signs and clinical manifestations
D. The patient’s medical history and reason for admission
Answer: C
Rationale: The Assessment component of SBAR includes the nurse’s clinical findings and
the patient’s current status.
8. A nurse is witnessing a patient sign an informed consent form for surgery.
What is the nurse’s primary responsibility in this process?
A. To provide alternative treatment options to the client
B. To explain the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure
C. To verify that the client is competent to sign and the signature is authentic
D. To ensure the surgeon has fully informed the client of the prognosis
Answer: C
1. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care for four patients. Which
patient should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and an SpO2 of 90%
B. A client who is 24 hours postoperative and has a new onset of confusion
C. A client with heart failure who has 2+ pitting edema in the lower extremities
D. A client receiving physical therapy for a fractured hip who reports pain as 4 on a 1-10 scale
Answer: B
Rationale: New onset confusion in a postoperative patient can indicate hypoxia, sepsis, or
a stroke and requires immediate assessment.
2. An RN is delegating tasks to an Assistive Personnel (AP). Which of the
following tasks is appropriate for the nurse to delegate?
A. Measuring and recording a client’s intake and output
B. Assisting a stable client to ambulate for the first time after surgery
C. Monitoring a client’s lung sounds after a nebulizer treatment
D. Performing a sterile dressing change on a central line
Answer: A
Rationale: Measuring and recording intake and output is within the scope of practice for
AP. Sterile procedures and assessments are the responsibility of the RN.
,3. A nurse is caring for a patient who decides to stop hemodialysis. The nurse
supports the patient’s decision. Which ethical principle is the nurse
demonstrating?
A. Justice
B. Autonomy
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: B
Rationale: Autonomy refers to the right of the patient to make their own decisions about
their medical care.
4. A nurse is providing care to a patient and accidentally administers the wrong
dose of medication. What is the first action the nurse should take?
A. Notify the provider immediately
B. Complete an incident report
C. Inform the nurse manager
D. Assess the patient’s vital signs and status
Answer: D
Rationale: The first priority after a medication error is always the safety and assessment of
the patient to determine any adverse effects.
5. Which leadership style is characterized by the leader making decisions
independently without input from the staff?
A. Democratic
B. Autocratic
C. Laissez-faire
D. Transformational
Answer: B
, Rationale: Autocratic leaders make decisions without seeking input from others and
maintain high control over the work group.
6. During a mass casualty incident, the triage nurse identifies a patient with a
sucking chest wound. Which color tag should the nurse assign?
A. Green
B. Yellow
C. Red
D. Black
Answer: C
Rationale: Red tags are for patients who have life-threatening injuries but have a high
probability of survival if treated immediately, such as a sucking chest wound.
7. A nurse is using the SBAR communication tool. Which information belongs in
the ‘Assessment’ section?
A. The patient’s name and room number
B. The nurse’s recommendation for a change in treatment
C. The patient’s current vital signs and clinical manifestations
D. The patient’s medical history and reason for admission
Answer: C
Rationale: The Assessment component of SBAR includes the nurse’s clinical findings and
the patient’s current status.
8. A nurse is witnessing a patient sign an informed consent form for surgery.
What is the nurse’s primary responsibility in this process?
A. To provide alternative treatment options to the client
B. To explain the risks and benefits of the surgical procedure
C. To verify that the client is competent to sign and the signature is authentic
D. To ensure the surgeon has fully informed the client of the prognosis
Answer: C
