CAPSTONE ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSESSMENT EXAM ||
QUESTIONS AND WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES/
ATI MED SURG CAPSTONE ASSESSMENT REAL LATEST EXAMS
2025/2026 || GUARANTEED PASS || BRAND NEW!!!!!!
A nurse is caring for a client with asthma experiencing acute bronchospasm. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer first?
A. Albuterol
B. Montelukast
C. Fluticasone
D. Theophylline
Correct answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist that provides rapid bronchodilation and is
the first-line rescue medication in acute asthma attacks. Montelukast and fluticasone are
maintenance therapies, not for immediate relief.
A nurse is assessing a patient with hypokalemia. Which finding is expected?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia with bounding pulse
D. Hyperactive reflexes
Correct answer: A. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Low potassium causes neuromuscular weakness, fatigue, and dysrhythmias.
Hyperreflexia and hypertension are not typical findings.
A nurse is teaching about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. I will increase leafy greens in my diet
B. I will use a soft toothbrush
C. I will take aspirin for pain
D. I will double my dose if I miss one
Correct answer: B. I will use a soft toothbrush
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; patients should prevent injury using soft
toothbrushes. Vitamin K intake should remain consistent, aspirin increases bleeding, and
doses should never be doubled.
,A nurse is caring for a patient with DKA. Which finding is expected?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Slow, shallow respirations
D. Alkalosis
Correct answer: B. Fruity breath odor
Rationale: DKA causes ketone buildup leading to fruity (acetone) breath and metabolic
acidosis with Kussmaul respirations.
A nurse is teaching insulin administration. Which site provides fastest absorption?
A. Abdomen
B. Thigh
C. Buttocks
D. Upper arm
Correct answer: A. Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen has the most consistent and rapid insulin absorption due to
increased blood flow.
A nurse is caring for a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. Which finding is expected?
A. Weight loss
B. Thin skin and bruising
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperpigmentation
Correct answer: B. Thin skin and bruising
Rationale: Excess cortisol causes skin fragility, central obesity, and easy bruising.
A nurse is teaching about tuberculosis. Which isolation is required?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
,Correct answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: TB spreads via airborne droplets; N95 respirators and negative pressure rooms
are required.
A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperthyroidism. Which symptom is expected?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Heat intolerance
D. Cold intolerance
Correct answer: C. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism causing heat intolerance, tachycardia, and
weight loss.
A nurse is teaching about digoxin. Which finding indicates toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Heart rate 48 bpm
C. Hypertension
D. Dry skin
Correct answer: B. Heart rate 48 bpm
Rationale: Bradycardia is a classic sign of digoxin toxicity due to increased vagal tone.
A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which position improves breathing?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Correct answer: B. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and oxygenation.
A nurse is assessing dehydration. Which finding is expected?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Tachycardia
C. Bradycardia
D. Low urine output only at night
, Correct answer: B. Tachycardia
Rationale: Fluid loss causes compensatory tachycardia and poor skin turgor.
A nurse is caring for a patient with stroke. Which sign requires immediate action?
A. Mild headache
B. Sudden unilateral weakness
C. Fatigue
D. Anxiety
Correct answer: B. Sudden unilateral weakness
Rationale: Sudden neurologic deficits indicate acute stroke requiring emergency
intervention.
A nurse is teaching about calcium intake. Which food is best?
A. Spinach
B. Milk
C. Orange juice
D. Rice
Correct answer: B. Milk
Rationale: Dairy products provide highly absorbable calcium essential for bone health.
A nurse is caring for a patient with kidney failure. Which lab is most concerning?
A. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
B. Sodium 140
C. Potassium 4.0
D. Calcium 9.0
Correct answer: A. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates impaired kidney filtration.
A nurse is teaching about constipation prevention. Which is best?
A. Decrease fiber
B. Increase fluids
C. Avoid activity
D. Reduce fruits
QUESTIONS AND WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES/
ATI MED SURG CAPSTONE ASSESSMENT REAL LATEST EXAMS
2025/2026 || GUARANTEED PASS || BRAND NEW!!!!!!
A nurse is caring for a client with asthma experiencing acute bronchospasm. Which
medication should the nurse expect to administer first?
A. Albuterol
B. Montelukast
C. Fluticasone
D. Theophylline
Correct answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist that provides rapid bronchodilation and is
the first-line rescue medication in acute asthma attacks. Montelukast and fluticasone are
maintenance therapies, not for immediate relief.
A nurse is assessing a patient with hypokalemia. Which finding is expected?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia with bounding pulse
D. Hyperactive reflexes
Correct answer: A. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Low potassium causes neuromuscular weakness, fatigue, and dysrhythmias.
Hyperreflexia and hypertension are not typical findings.
A nurse is teaching about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. I will increase leafy greens in my diet
B. I will use a soft toothbrush
C. I will take aspirin for pain
D. I will double my dose if I miss one
Correct answer: B. I will use a soft toothbrush
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk; patients should prevent injury using soft
toothbrushes. Vitamin K intake should remain consistent, aspirin increases bleeding, and
doses should never be doubled.
,A nurse is caring for a patient with DKA. Which finding is expected?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Slow, shallow respirations
D. Alkalosis
Correct answer: B. Fruity breath odor
Rationale: DKA causes ketone buildup leading to fruity (acetone) breath and metabolic
acidosis with Kussmaul respirations.
A nurse is teaching insulin administration. Which site provides fastest absorption?
A. Abdomen
B. Thigh
C. Buttocks
D. Upper arm
Correct answer: A. Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen has the most consistent and rapid insulin absorption due to
increased blood flow.
A nurse is caring for a patient with Cushing’s syndrome. Which finding is expected?
A. Weight loss
B. Thin skin and bruising
C. Hypotension
D. Hyperpigmentation
Correct answer: B. Thin skin and bruising
Rationale: Excess cortisol causes skin fragility, central obesity, and easy bruising.
A nurse is teaching about tuberculosis. Which isolation is required?
A. Contact
B. Droplet
C. Airborne
D. Protective
,Correct answer: C. Airborne
Rationale: TB spreads via airborne droplets; N95 respirators and negative pressure rooms
are required.
A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperthyroidism. Which symptom is expected?
A. Weight gain
B. Bradycardia
C. Heat intolerance
D. Cold intolerance
Correct answer: C. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism causing heat intolerance, tachycardia, and
weight loss.
A nurse is teaching about digoxin. Which finding indicates toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Heart rate 48 bpm
C. Hypertension
D. Dry skin
Correct answer: B. Heart rate 48 bpm
Rationale: Bradycardia is a classic sign of digoxin toxicity due to increased vagal tone.
A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. Which position improves breathing?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Trendelenburg
D. Prone
Correct answer: B. High Fowler’s
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and oxygenation.
A nurse is assessing dehydration. Which finding is expected?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Tachycardia
C. Bradycardia
D. Low urine output only at night
, Correct answer: B. Tachycardia
Rationale: Fluid loss causes compensatory tachycardia and poor skin turgor.
A nurse is caring for a patient with stroke. Which sign requires immediate action?
A. Mild headache
B. Sudden unilateral weakness
C. Fatigue
D. Anxiety
Correct answer: B. Sudden unilateral weakness
Rationale: Sudden neurologic deficits indicate acute stroke requiring emergency
intervention.
A nurse is teaching about calcium intake. Which food is best?
A. Spinach
B. Milk
C. Orange juice
D. Rice
Correct answer: B. Milk
Rationale: Dairy products provide highly absorbable calcium essential for bone health.
A nurse is caring for a patient with kidney failure. Which lab is most concerning?
A. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
B. Sodium 140
C. Potassium 4.0
D. Calcium 9.0
Correct answer: A. Creatinine 3.5 mg/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates impaired kidney filtration.
A nurse is teaching about constipation prevention. Which is best?
A. Decrease fiber
B. Increase fluids
C. Avoid activity
D. Reduce fruits
