ATI Med Surg Proctored Knowledge test Exam Toolkit
Questions and Verified solution 2025/2026
A client who has unstable angina will have chest pain lasting longer than 15 minutes.
This is due to reduced blood flow in a coronary artery from atherosclerotic plaque and
thrombus formation causing partial arterial obstruction or from an artery spasm.
Incorrect answers:
A. A client who has unstable angina will have chest pain even while resting because of
insufficient blood flow to the coronary arteries and a decreased oxygen supply. Chest
pain at rest is a condition called variant
(Prinzmetal's) angina and is caused by an arterial spasm.
B. A client who has unstable angina will have minimal, if any, relief of chest pain with
nitroglycerin.
C. A client who has unstable angina will report chest pain or discomfort with exertion,
which can limit the client's activity.
A nurse is assessing a client with a closed head injury who has received mannitol for
manifestations of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following findings
indicates that the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
A. The client's serum osmolarity is 310 mOsm/L.
B. The client's pupils are dilated.
C. The client's heart rate is 56/min.
D. The client is restless. - correct answer A. The client's serum osmolarity is 310
mOsm/L.
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce cerebral edema by drawing water out of
the brain tissue. A serum osmolarity of 310 mOsm/L is desired. A decrease in cerebral
edema should result in a decrease in ICP.
,A nurse is planning care for a client who has AIDS and has developed stomatitis. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Rinse the mouth with chlorhexidine solution every 2 hr
B. Limit fluid intake with meals
C. Provide oral hygiene with a firm-bristled toothbrush after each meal
D. Avoid salty foods - correct answer D. Avoid salty foods
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth, usually with ulcerations.
Foods that are spicy, acidic, or salty should be avoided to prevent further irritation and
damage to the oral mucosa.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a left lower lobectomy to treat lung cancer. Which
of the following factors will have a significant impact on the plan of care for this client?
A. The client will need intensive smoking-cessation education.
B. After surgery, the prognosis for clients with lung cancer is usually good.
C. Lung cancer usually has metastasized before the client presents with symptoms.
D. Oxygen therapy is ineffective following a lobectomy. - correct answer C. Lung
cancer usually has metastasized before the client presents with symptoms.
The nurse should be aware that lung cancer is usually at an advanced stage before the
client has any manifestations. This has implications for both short-term and long-term
care options for the client.
A nurse is examining the ECG of a client who has hyperkalemia. Which of the following
ECG changes should the nurse expect?
A. Elevated ST segments
B. Absent P waves
, C. Depressed ST segments
D. Varying PP intervals - correct answer A. Elevated ST segments
Elevated ST segments can indicate hyperkalemia and pericarditis.
A nurse is caring for a client during the first 72 hr following a cerebrovascular accident
(CVA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Turn the client's head to the side with the head of the bed elevated 60°
B. Place the head of the bed flat with pillows under the client's neck and feet
C. Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline position
D. Position the client in a dorsal recumbent position with pillows under the head and
knees - correct answer
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking streptomycin. Which of the following
medications increases the client's risk of developing ototoxicity when taken with
streptomycin?
A. Cefoxitin
B. Furosemide
C. Naproxen
D. Amphotericin B - correct answer B. Furosemide
Furosemide, a high-ceiling (loop) diuretic, increases the risk of developing ototoxicity
when taken with streptomycin, an aminoglycoside.
A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection for a client. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a potential contraindication to administering the
medication via the IM route?
A. The medication is a depot preparation.
Questions and Verified solution 2025/2026
A client who has unstable angina will have chest pain lasting longer than 15 minutes.
This is due to reduced blood flow in a coronary artery from atherosclerotic plaque and
thrombus formation causing partial arterial obstruction or from an artery spasm.
Incorrect answers:
A. A client who has unstable angina will have chest pain even while resting because of
insufficient blood flow to the coronary arteries and a decreased oxygen supply. Chest
pain at rest is a condition called variant
(Prinzmetal's) angina and is caused by an arterial spasm.
B. A client who has unstable angina will have minimal, if any, relief of chest pain with
nitroglycerin.
C. A client who has unstable angina will report chest pain or discomfort with exertion,
which can limit the client's activity.
A nurse is assessing a client with a closed head injury who has received mannitol for
manifestations of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which of the following findings
indicates that the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
A. The client's serum osmolarity is 310 mOsm/L.
B. The client's pupils are dilated.
C. The client's heart rate is 56/min.
D. The client is restless. - correct answer A. The client's serum osmolarity is 310
mOsm/L.
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce cerebral edema by drawing water out of
the brain tissue. A serum osmolarity of 310 mOsm/L is desired. A decrease in cerebral
edema should result in a decrease in ICP.
,A nurse is planning care for a client who has AIDS and has developed stomatitis. Which
of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
A. Rinse the mouth with chlorhexidine solution every 2 hr
B. Limit fluid intake with meals
C. Provide oral hygiene with a firm-bristled toothbrush after each meal
D. Avoid salty foods - correct answer D. Avoid salty foods
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucosa of the mouth, usually with ulcerations.
Foods that are spicy, acidic, or salty should be avoided to prevent further irritation and
damage to the oral mucosa.
A nurse is caring for a client who had a left lower lobectomy to treat lung cancer. Which
of the following factors will have a significant impact on the plan of care for this client?
A. The client will need intensive smoking-cessation education.
B. After surgery, the prognosis for clients with lung cancer is usually good.
C. Lung cancer usually has metastasized before the client presents with symptoms.
D. Oxygen therapy is ineffective following a lobectomy. - correct answer C. Lung
cancer usually has metastasized before the client presents with symptoms.
The nurse should be aware that lung cancer is usually at an advanced stage before the
client has any manifestations. This has implications for both short-term and long-term
care options for the client.
A nurse is examining the ECG of a client who has hyperkalemia. Which of the following
ECG changes should the nurse expect?
A. Elevated ST segments
B. Absent P waves
, C. Depressed ST segments
D. Varying PP intervals - correct answer A. Elevated ST segments
Elevated ST segments can indicate hyperkalemia and pericarditis.
A nurse is caring for a client during the first 72 hr following a cerebrovascular accident
(CVA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Turn the client's head to the side with the head of the bed elevated 60°
B. Place the head of the bed flat with pillows under the client's neck and feet
C. Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline position
D. Position the client in a dorsal recumbent position with pillows under the head and
knees - correct answer
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking streptomycin. Which of the following
medications increases the client's risk of developing ototoxicity when taken with
streptomycin?
A. Cefoxitin
B. Furosemide
C. Naproxen
D. Amphotericin B - correct answer B. Furosemide
Furosemide, a high-ceiling (loop) diuretic, increases the risk of developing ototoxicity
when taken with streptomycin, an aminoglycoside.
A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection for a client. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a potential contraindication to administering the
medication via the IM route?
A. The medication is a depot preparation.
