CAT Exam

Free preview · Original latest version

Sample questions from CAT Exam

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

1. 1.In the emergency department, a 71-year-old client with atrial fibrillation reports sudden difficulty speaking that began 35 minutes ago. The client follows commands but has right facial droop and arm drift; BP is 184/102 mm Hg, glucose is 112 mg/dL, and oxygen saturation is 97% on room air. Which action should the nurse take first?

   • A.Administer the prescribed oral aspirin while awaiting imaging
   • B.Obtain a detailed history of the client's usual speech and mobility
   • C.Lower the blood pressure with the client's home antihypertensive medication
   • D.Activate the facility's stroke response and communicate the last-known-well time

   Rationale: The sudden focal deficits and known onset within a treatment window require immediate stroke-team activation and communication of the last-known-well time. Aspirin should not be given before imaging excludes hemorrhage, and lowering blood pressure without a specific order may compromise cerebral perfusion. A detailed baseline history is useful but must not delay time-sensitive evaluation.

2. 2.During a home visit, a 9-month-old infant with a gastrostomy tube is due for a scheduled feeding. The parent reports that the infant has been sleepier than usual and vomited once; the infant is arousable, has a respiratory rate of 34/min, and has an oxygen saturation of 95% on room air. Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an experienced unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

   • A.Measure and record the infant's temperature and report it promptly
   • B.Verify tube placement before the feeding and document the assessment
   • C.Assess the infant's hydration status and decide whether the feeding should be held
   • D.Teach the parent how to recognize aspiration during gastrostomy feedings

   Rationale: Obtaining and reporting a temperature is a predictable data-collection task that may be delegated to a competent UAP. Assessing hydration, deciding whether to hold a feeding, and verifying tube placement require nursing judgment. Teaching also remains the nurse's responsibility, especially because the infant has new symptoms that require assessment before feeding.

3. 3.Refer to the client's chart. Which actions should the nurse take now to address the client's change in condition and coordinate care? Select all that apply.

   • A.Apply oxygen as indicated by the client's hypoxemia while remaining with the client
   • B.Ask the UAP to obtain a complete set of vital signs before taking further action
   • C.Notify the rapid response team using the facility's escalation process
   • D.Stop the infusion and assess the client and the IV site immediately
   • E.Document the response and notifications after initiating urgent interventions

   Rationale: The new dyspnea, crackles, falling oxygen saturation, and recent fluid bolus indicate acute deterioration, so the nurse should stop the infusion, assess, escalate care, and support oxygenation without delay. Waiting for a UAP to collect a complete set of vital signs before intervening delays care; the nurse can delegate data collection after initiating urgent actions. Documentation is necessary after immediate stabilization efforts and escalation have begun.

4. 4.Refer to the client's chart. Which action is the priority for the nurse to take?

   • A.Ask the UAP to repeat the INR after the client has rested
   • B.Administer vitamin K before contacting the provider
   • C.Hold the next warfarin dose and immediately notify the provider of the bleeding and INR
   • D.Give the scheduled warfarin dose because the INR is within the therapeutic range

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A provider prescribes digoxin 0.125 mg by mouth daily for a 68-year-old client with heart failure. Before the morning dose, the client reports nausea and seeing yellow halos; the apical pulse is 54/min, and the potassium is 3.1 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take?

   • A.Administer the dose and request a potassium supplement for later
   • B.Hold the digoxin and notify the provider of the findings
   • C.Give the dose with food and reassess the pulse in 1 hour
   • D.Ask another nurse to verify the dose and then administer it

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.