Kaplan SATA Practice Exam Latest 2026 /2027
Questions & Answers | Complete Study Guide |
Guaranteed Exam Prep
1. The nurse is assessing a client who has just returned to the unit after a
thyroidectomy. Which findings indicate a potential complication of
hypocalcemia? (Select all that apply.)
A. Positive Chvostek's sign
B. Positive Trousseau's sign
C. Hoarseness
D. Circumoral numbness
E. Bradycardia
F. Stridor
Correct Answers: A, B, D, F
Rationale: Hypocalcemia (due to accidental removal of parathyroid glands) causes
neuromuscular irritability. Chvostek's sign (A) (facial twitching upon tapping the
cheek) and Trousseau's sign (B) (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are classic.
Circumoral numbness (D) and stridor (F) (indicating laryngeal spasm/airway
compromise) are also signs. Hoarseness (C) indicates recurrent laryngeal nerve
damage, not hypocalcemia. Bradycardia (E) is not typical; tachycardia or
palpitations are more common.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client prescribed warfarin
(Coumadin). Which statements by the client indicate correct understanding?
(Select all that apply.)
A. "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches instead of acetaminophen."
,B. "I should notify my dentist that I am taking this medication before any
procedure."
C. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables to increase my vitamin K."
D. "I should use an electric razor to shave instead of a straight razor."
E. "I will wear a medical alert bracelet indicating I take this drug."
F. "I can stop this medication if I notice bruising on my skin."
Correct Answers: B, D, E
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant. Clients should notify all healthcare
providers (B) to prevent bleeding complications; use an electric razor (D) to avoid
nicks; and wear a medical alert bracelet (E). Ibuprofen (A) increases bleeding risk
(use acetaminophen). Green leafy vegetables (C) are high in vitamin K, which
antagonizes warfarin—clients should maintain a consistent intake, not increase it.
Bruising (F) is expected; stopping the drug is dangerous and requires provider
guidance.
3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment findings indicate the
client is experiencing oxygen toxicity? (Select all that apply.)
A. Non-productive cough
B. Substernal chest pain
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Increased heart rate
E. Flushed skin
F. Dyspnea
Correct Answers: A, B, D, F
Rationale: Oxygen toxicity results from prolonged high-concentration oxygen
exposure. Signs include a non-productive cough (A), substernal chest pain (B),
,tachycardia (D), and dyspnea (F). Nausea (C) and flushed skin (E) are not classic
signs of oxygen toxicity; they are more associated with hypercapnia or anxiety.
4. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube connected to a closed water-
seal drainage system. Which findings indicate that the system is functioning
correctly? (Select all that apply.)
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Tidaling (oscillations) in the water seal chamber with respirations
C. Gentle bubbling in the suction control chamber (if suction is on)
D. Drainage collection chamber is filled with 100 mL of serosanguinous fluid
E. The chest tube is securely taped at the insertion site
F. The water seal chamber has 2 cm of water
Correct Answers: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Tidaling (B) is expected and indicates pleural integrity. Gentle bubbling
in the suction chamber (C) means suction is active. Drainage (D) is expected post-
op. Secure taping (E) prevents dislodgement. Continuous bubbling in the water
seal chamber (A) indicates an AIR LEAK—this is abnormal. The water seal chamber
should have 2 cm of sterile water (F is actually correct—it should be 2 cm! Wait, let
me correct: The water seal should be at the 2 cm line. So F is correct. Let me re-
evaluate. The only abnormal is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber (A).
Everything else is correct.)
Correct Answers: B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: (Revised) The only incorrect option is A (continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber indicates an air leak). Tidaling (B), gentle suction bubbling (C),
expected drainage (D), secure taping (E), and 2 cm water in the seal chamber (F)
are all correct and expected findings.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory findings
are consistent with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Elevated serum amylase
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Decreased serum calcium
D. Elevated serum glucose
E. Elevated serum triglycerides
F. Decreased serum white blood cell (WBC) count
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, amylase (A) and lipase (B) are elevated (lipase is
more specific). Calcium (C) may be decreased due to fat saponification. Glucose (D)
is often elevated due to decreased insulin release. Triglycerides (E) are a risk factor
for pancreatitis. WBCs (F) are typically ELEVATED (leukocytosis) due to
inflammation, not decreased.
6. A client is receiving a blood transfusion of packed red blood cells. The client
develops chills, low back pain, and tachycardia. Which actions should the nurse
take immediately? (Select all that apply.)
A. Stop the transfusion
B. Maintain the IV line with 0.9% normal saline
C. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) IV push
D. Notify the healthcare provider
E. Return the blood bag and tubing to the blood bank
F. Slow the transfusion rate and monitor the client
Correct Answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: These are signs of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The priority
actions are to STOP the transfusion (A), keep the line open with NS (B) (NOT
dextrose), notify the provider (D), and send the blood bag/tubing to the blood
Questions & Answers | Complete Study Guide |
Guaranteed Exam Prep
1. The nurse is assessing a client who has just returned to the unit after a
thyroidectomy. Which findings indicate a potential complication of
hypocalcemia? (Select all that apply.)
A. Positive Chvostek's sign
B. Positive Trousseau's sign
C. Hoarseness
D. Circumoral numbness
E. Bradycardia
F. Stridor
Correct Answers: A, B, D, F
Rationale: Hypocalcemia (due to accidental removal of parathyroid glands) causes
neuromuscular irritability. Chvostek's sign (A) (facial twitching upon tapping the
cheek) and Trousseau's sign (B) (carpal spasm with BP cuff inflation) are classic.
Circumoral numbness (D) and stridor (F) (indicating laryngeal spasm/airway
compromise) are also signs. Hoarseness (C) indicates recurrent laryngeal nerve
damage, not hypocalcemia. Bradycardia (E) is not typical; tachycardia or
palpitations are more common.
2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client prescribed warfarin
(Coumadin). Which statements by the client indicate correct understanding?
(Select all that apply.)
A. "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches instead of acetaminophen."
,B. "I should notify my dentist that I am taking this medication before any
procedure."
C. "I will eat more green leafy vegetables to increase my vitamin K."
D. "I should use an electric razor to shave instead of a straight razor."
E. "I will wear a medical alert bracelet indicating I take this drug."
F. "I can stop this medication if I notice bruising on my skin."
Correct Answers: B, D, E
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant. Clients should notify all healthcare
providers (B) to prevent bleeding complications; use an electric razor (D) to avoid
nicks; and wear a medical alert bracelet (E). Ibuprofen (A) increases bleeding risk
(use acetaminophen). Green leafy vegetables (C) are high in vitamin K, which
antagonizes warfarin—clients should maintain a consistent intake, not increase it.
Bruising (F) is expected; stopping the drug is dangerous and requires provider
guidance.
3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. Which assessment findings indicate the
client is experiencing oxygen toxicity? (Select all that apply.)
A. Non-productive cough
B. Substernal chest pain
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Increased heart rate
E. Flushed skin
F. Dyspnea
Correct Answers: A, B, D, F
Rationale: Oxygen toxicity results from prolonged high-concentration oxygen
exposure. Signs include a non-productive cough (A), substernal chest pain (B),
,tachycardia (D), and dyspnea (F). Nausea (C) and flushed skin (E) are not classic
signs of oxygen toxicity; they are more associated with hypercapnia or anxiety.
4. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube connected to a closed water-
seal drainage system. Which findings indicate that the system is functioning
correctly? (Select all that apply.)
A. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
B. Tidaling (oscillations) in the water seal chamber with respirations
C. Gentle bubbling in the suction control chamber (if suction is on)
D. Drainage collection chamber is filled with 100 mL of serosanguinous fluid
E. The chest tube is securely taped at the insertion site
F. The water seal chamber has 2 cm of water
Correct Answers: B, C, D, E
Rationale: Tidaling (B) is expected and indicates pleural integrity. Gentle bubbling
in the suction chamber (C) means suction is active. Drainage (D) is expected post-
op. Secure taping (E) prevents dislodgement. Continuous bubbling in the water
seal chamber (A) indicates an AIR LEAK—this is abnormal. The water seal chamber
should have 2 cm of sterile water (F is actually correct—it should be 2 cm! Wait, let
me correct: The water seal should be at the 2 cm line. So F is correct. Let me re-
evaluate. The only abnormal is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber (A).
Everything else is correct.)
Correct Answers: B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: (Revised) The only incorrect option is A (continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber indicates an air leak). Tidaling (B), gentle suction bubbling (C),
expected drainage (D), secure taping (E), and 2 cm water in the seal chamber (F)
are all correct and expected findings.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a client with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory findings
are consistent with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply.)
A. Elevated serum amylase
B. Elevated serum lipase
C. Decreased serum calcium
D. Elevated serum glucose
E. Elevated serum triglycerides
F. Decreased serum white blood cell (WBC) count
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: In acute pancreatitis, amylase (A) and lipase (B) are elevated (lipase is
more specific). Calcium (C) may be decreased due to fat saponification. Glucose (D)
is often elevated due to decreased insulin release. Triglycerides (E) are a risk factor
for pancreatitis. WBCs (F) are typically ELEVATED (leukocytosis) due to
inflammation, not decreased.
6. A client is receiving a blood transfusion of packed red blood cells. The client
develops chills, low back pain, and tachycardia. Which actions should the nurse
take immediately? (Select all that apply.)
A. Stop the transfusion
B. Maintain the IV line with 0.9% normal saline
C. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) IV push
D. Notify the healthcare provider
E. Return the blood bag and tubing to the blood bank
F. Slow the transfusion rate and monitor the client
Correct Answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: These are signs of an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. The priority
actions are to STOP the transfusion (A), keep the line open with NS (B) (NOT
dextrose), notify the provider (D), and send the blood bag/tubing to the blood
