ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
Question 1
A patient with chronic heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath and
swelling in the legs. Which of the following assessments should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Skin turgor
B. Lung sounds
C. Bowel sounds
D. Capillary refill
Answer: B. Lung sounds
Rationale: Shortness of breath and leg edema indicate possible fluid overload.
Assessing lung sounds can identify pulmonary congestion, which is life-
threatening.
A: Skin turgor assesses hydration, not fluid overload.
C: Bowel sounds are unrelated to heart failure exacerbation.
D: Capillary refill is less critical in this scenario.
Question 2
A patient with type 1 diabetes reports dizziness and sweating. The nurse notes a
blood glucose of 55 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Administer 10 units of insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the patient to exercise
D. Notify the physician and wait
, ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
Answer: B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: The patient is hypoglycemic. Immediate treatment with fast-acting
carbohydrate is appropriate.
A: Insulin would worsen hypoglycemia.
C: Exercise would lower glucose further.
D: Waiting could lead to severe hypoglycemia.
Question 3
Which lab value is most important for the nurse to monitor in a patient receiving
heparin therapy?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
D. White blood cell count
Answer: C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Rationale: PTT is the primary lab to monitor anticoagulation therapy with
heparin.
A: Platelets are important to monitor for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia, but PTT is more directly related to therapy.
B & D: Hemoglobin and WBC are not used to monitor heparin therapy.
Question 4
, ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing
increased shortness of breath. The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 32/min and
O2 saturation of 88%. What is the priority action?
A. Administer oral bronchodilator
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Administer supplemental oxygen per protocol
D. Place the patient in supine position
Answer: C. Administer supplemental oxygen per protocol
Rationale: Hypoxemia is life-threatening; oxygen should be administered
immediately.
A: Oral bronchodilator has delayed onset.
B: Deep breathing alone is insufficient.
D: Supine position can worsen dyspnea.
Question 5
A postoperative patient is receiving morphine for pain. Which assessment is most
critical before administering the next dose?
A. Pain level
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Heart rate
Answer: B. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Opioids can depress respirations. Safety requires monitoring
respiratory rate before additional doses.
, ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
A: Pain assessment is important but secondary to safety.
C & D: BP and HR are monitored, but respiratory depression is priority.
Question 6
A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-potassium diet. Which
food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Carrots
D. Rice
Answer: B. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided in CKD
patients at risk for hyperkalemia.
A, C, D: Apples, carrots, and rice are lower in potassium.
Question 7
A patient with pneumonia is prescribed ceftriaxone. The patient reports a
penicillin allergy. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer ceftriaxone
B. Notify the provider before administration
C. Give acetaminophen for fever
D. Document the allergy but proceed
Question 1
A patient with chronic heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath and
swelling in the legs. Which of the following assessments should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Skin turgor
B. Lung sounds
C. Bowel sounds
D. Capillary refill
Answer: B. Lung sounds
Rationale: Shortness of breath and leg edema indicate possible fluid overload.
Assessing lung sounds can identify pulmonary congestion, which is life-
threatening.
A: Skin turgor assesses hydration, not fluid overload.
C: Bowel sounds are unrelated to heart failure exacerbation.
D: Capillary refill is less critical in this scenario.
Question 2
A patient with type 1 diabetes reports dizziness and sweating. The nurse notes a
blood glucose of 55 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Administer 10 units of insulin
B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
C. Encourage the patient to exercise
D. Notify the physician and wait
, ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
Answer: B. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
Rationale: The patient is hypoglycemic. Immediate treatment with fast-acting
carbohydrate is appropriate.
A: Insulin would worsen hypoglycemia.
C: Exercise would lower glucose further.
D: Waiting could lead to severe hypoglycemia.
Question 3
Which lab value is most important for the nurse to monitor in a patient receiving
heparin therapy?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
D. White blood cell count
Answer: C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Rationale: PTT is the primary lab to monitor anticoagulation therapy with
heparin.
A: Platelets are important to monitor for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia, but PTT is more directly related to therapy.
B & D: Hemoglobin and WBC are not used to monitor heparin therapy.
Question 4
, ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing
increased shortness of breath. The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 32/min and
O2 saturation of 88%. What is the priority action?
A. Administer oral bronchodilator
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Administer supplemental oxygen per protocol
D. Place the patient in supine position
Answer: C. Administer supplemental oxygen per protocol
Rationale: Hypoxemia is life-threatening; oxygen should be administered
immediately.
A: Oral bronchodilator has delayed onset.
B: Deep breathing alone is insufficient.
D: Supine position can worsen dyspnea.
Question 5
A postoperative patient is receiving morphine for pain. Which assessment is most
critical before administering the next dose?
A. Pain level
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Heart rate
Answer: B. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Opioids can depress respirations. Safety requires monitoring
respiratory rate before additional doses.
, ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM 2025
A: Pain assessment is important but secondary to safety.
C & D: BP and HR are monitored, but respiratory depression is priority.
Question 6
A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a low-potassium diet. Which
food should the nurse instruct the patient to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Carrots
D. Rice
Answer: B. Bananas
Rationale: Bananas are high in potassium and should be avoided in CKD
patients at risk for hyperkalemia.
A, C, D: Apples, carrots, and rice are lower in potassium.
Question 7
A patient with pneumonia is prescribed ceftriaxone. The patient reports a
penicillin allergy. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer ceftriaxone
B. Notify the provider before administration
C. Give acetaminophen for fever
D. Document the allergy but proceed
