RN ATI Capstone Proctored Pharmacology EXAM-1

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Sample questions from RN ATI Capstone Proctored Pharmacology EXAM-1

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.In the emergency department, a client with a history of heart failure reports worsening shortness of breath. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Obtain a complete dietary history.
   • B.Place the client in high-Fowler position and apply oxygen as prescribed.
   • C.Prepare the client for a chest radiograph.
   • D.Teach the client to limit sodium intake.

   Rationale: High-Fowler positioning reduces venous return and can ease breathing while the nurse assesses and treats the acute problem. A dietary history and sodium teaching are useful later but do not address immediate respiratory distress. A chest radiograph may be prescribed, but positioning and oxygen support should not be delayed.

2. 2.A client's potassium is 6.1 mEq/L (reference range 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L). Which actions should the nurse anticipate or take? Select all that apply.

   • A.Notify the health care provider promptly.
   • B.Place the client on cardiac monitoring.
   • C.Review the ECG for peaked T waves and widened QRS complexes.
   • D.Administer a potassium supplement as prescribed for routine replacement.
   • E.Encourage the client to eat a banana.

   Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias, so cardiac monitoring, ECG assessment, and prompt provider notification are appropriate. A banana and a potassium supplement can further increase the potassium level. The exam takeaway is to treat significant hyperkalemia as an urgent cardiac risk.

3. 3.A primigravida at 32 weeks reports a severe headache and blurred vision. Which additional findings should the nurse report immediately? Select all that apply.

   • A.Blood pressure 168/110 mm Hg.
   • B.Right upper-quadrant pain.
   • C.Deep tendon reflexes 4+ with clonus.
   • D.Urine protein 3+.
   • E.Mild ankle edema after standing.

   Rationale: Severe hypertension, right upper-quadrant pain, hyperreflexia with clonus, and marked proteinuria are concerning for preeclampsia with severe features and require immediate evaluation. Mild dependent ankle edema is common in pregnancy and, by itself, is not a defining severe feature. The combination of neurologic symptoms and these findings increases risk for seizure and maternal-fetal complications.

4. 4.A client with type 1 diabetes is awake, diaphoretic, and has a blood glucose of 54 mg/dL. What should the nurse do first?

   • A.Give 15 g of a rapid-acting carbohydrate.
   • B.Administer the scheduled insulin dose.
   • C.Prepare to administer glucagon intramuscularly.
   • D.Give a high-protein meal and recheck in 2 hours.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.Which finding in a client with a lower-leg cast requires immediate follow-up?

   • A.The client reports mild itching under the cast.
   • B.The client can move the toes on request.
   • C.The client reports increasing pain unrelieved by prescribed analgesia.
   • D.The toes are warm with brisk capillary refill.

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.