ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
ATI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST
ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
RATIONALES |ALREADY GRADED A+
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is
experiencing a complication?
- The client reports that the sequential compression devices (SCDs) are
uncomfortable
- The client reports pain at the surgical site as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
- The client's surgical site dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to
drainage
- The client needs assistance with a walker when ambulating in the room
- The client's surgical site dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to
drainage
RATIONALE: Frequent dressing changing after surgery may indicate poor clotting
and increased bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has portal HTN. The client is vomiting blood
mixed with food after a meal. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
- Check laboratory values for recent hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
- Establish a peripheral IV line for possible transfusion
- Call the laboratory to obtain a stat platelet count
- Obtain vital signs
- Obtain vital signs
RATIONALE: The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to
1|Page
, ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
assess the client's vital signs. A client who has portal HTN can develop esophageal
varices, which are fragile and can rupture, resulting in large amounts of blood loss
and shock. Obtaining vital signs provides information about the client's condition
that can contribute to decision making.
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has stress incontinence and a
BMI of 32. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
- "Taking my daily progesterone should improve my symptoms."
- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
- "I should limit my daily fluid intake."
- "I will switch my morning cup of coffee to hot tea."
- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
RATIONALE: Excess weight creates increased abdominal pressure that can result in
stress incontinence.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who takes ginkgo biloba as an herbal
supplement. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
- "Ginkgo biloba relieves nausea for people who have vertigo."
- "Taking ginkgo biloba will help relieve your joint pain."
- "Ginkgo biloba can cause an increased risk for bleeding."
- "Taking ginkgo biloba decreases the risk of migraine headaches."
- "Ginkgo biloba can cause an increased risk for bleeding."
RATIONALE: Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow and is effective in decreasing the
pain associated with peripheral artery disease. The supplement also decreases
platelet aggregation, which in turn, increases the risk for bleeding. Clients who
have been prescribed antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin, should avoid
taking ginkgo biloba without first speaking with their provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who has DKA. Which of the following findings should
indicate to the nurse that the client's condition is improving?
2|Page
, ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
- Potassium 3.2 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L)
- pH 7.28 (7.35 to 7.45)
- Glucose 272 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
- HCO3- 14 mEq/L (21 to 28 mEq/L)
- Glucose 272 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
RATIONALE: A glucose reading less than 300 mg/dL indicates improvement in the
client's status.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postoperative following a
modified radical mastectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
- Flex the affected arm when ambulating
- Numbness can occur along the inside of the affected arm
- Begin ROM exercises 1 day after surgery
- Dress in clothing that fits snugly
- Numbness can occur along the inside of the affected arm
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client that numbness can occur near
the incision and along the inside of the affected arm due to nerve injury.
A nurse is caring for a client who has increased ICP and is receiving mannitol via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider as an adverse effect of this medication?
- Decreased heart rate
- Crackles heard on auscultation
- Increased urinary output
- Decreased deep tendon reflexes
- Crackles heard on auscultation
RATIONALE: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that prevents the reabsorption of
water in the kidneys, thus increasing urinary output. With the exception of the
3|Page
, ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
brain, mannitol can leave the vascular system at the capillary site, which can result
in edema. The nurse should identify crackles as a manifestation of pulmonary
edema and notify the provider. Other manifestations include dyspnea and
decreased oxygen saturation.
A nurse at an urgent care clinic is caring for a client who is experiencing an
anaphylactic reaction. After ensuring a patent airway, which of the following
interventions is the priority?
- Obtaining vital signs
- Placing the client in Fowler's position
- Administering epinephrine
- Initiating an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride
- Administering epinephrine
RATIONALE: Evidence-based practice indicates that the priority intervention is for
the nurse to administer epinephrine quickly to dilate the bronchioles and prevent
circulatory shock.
A nurse is caring for a client who is having a seizure. Which of the following
interventions is the nurse's priority?
- Loosen the clothing around the client's neck
- Check the client's pupillary response
- Turn the client to the side
- Move furniture away from the client
- Turn the client to the side
RATIONALE: The greatest risk to this client is hypoxia from an impaired airway.
Therefore, the priority intervention the nurse should take is to place the client in a
side-lying position to prevent aspiration.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
- Flush the line before administering antibiotics
4|Page
ATI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST
ACTUAL EXAM WITH COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH
RATIONALES |ALREADY GRADED A+
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings indicates that the client is
experiencing a complication?
- The client reports that the sequential compression devices (SCDs) are
uncomfortable
- The client reports pain at the surgical site as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
- The client's surgical site dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to
drainage
- The client needs assistance with a walker when ambulating in the room
- The client's surgical site dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to
drainage
RATIONALE: Frequent dressing changing after surgery may indicate poor clotting
and increased bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has portal HTN. The client is vomiting blood
mixed with food after a meal. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
- Check laboratory values for recent hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
- Establish a peripheral IV line for possible transfusion
- Call the laboratory to obtain a stat platelet count
- Obtain vital signs
- Obtain vital signs
RATIONALE: The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to
1|Page
, ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
assess the client's vital signs. A client who has portal HTN can develop esophageal
varices, which are fragile and can rupture, resulting in large amounts of blood loss
and shock. Obtaining vital signs provides information about the client's condition
that can contribute to decision making.
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has stress incontinence and a
BMI of 32. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
- "Taking my daily progesterone should improve my symptoms."
- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
- "I should limit my daily fluid intake."
- "I will switch my morning cup of coffee to hot tea."
- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
RATIONALE: Excess weight creates increased abdominal pressure that can result in
stress incontinence.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who takes ginkgo biloba as an herbal
supplement. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
- "Ginkgo biloba relieves nausea for people who have vertigo."
- "Taking ginkgo biloba will help relieve your joint pain."
- "Ginkgo biloba can cause an increased risk for bleeding."
- "Taking ginkgo biloba decreases the risk of migraine headaches."
- "Ginkgo biloba can cause an increased risk for bleeding."
RATIONALE: Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow and is effective in decreasing the
pain associated with peripheral artery disease. The supplement also decreases
platelet aggregation, which in turn, increases the risk for bleeding. Clients who
have been prescribed antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin, should avoid
taking ginkgo biloba without first speaking with their provider.
A nurse is caring for a client who has DKA. Which of the following findings should
indicate to the nurse that the client's condition is improving?
2|Page
, ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
- Potassium 3.2 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L)
- pH 7.28 (7.35 to 7.45)
- Glucose 272 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
- HCO3- 14 mEq/L (21 to 28 mEq/L)
- Glucose 272 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL)
RATIONALE: A glucose reading less than 300 mg/dL indicates improvement in the
client's status.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postoperative following a
modified radical mastectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
- Flex the affected arm when ambulating
- Numbness can occur along the inside of the affected arm
- Begin ROM exercises 1 day after surgery
- Dress in clothing that fits snugly
- Numbness can occur along the inside of the affected arm
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client that numbness can occur near
the incision and along the inside of the affected arm due to nerve injury.
A nurse is caring for a client who has increased ICP and is receiving mannitol via
continuous IV infusion. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider as an adverse effect of this medication?
- Decreased heart rate
- Crackles heard on auscultation
- Increased urinary output
- Decreased deep tendon reflexes
- Crackles heard on auscultation
RATIONALE: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that prevents the reabsorption of
water in the kidneys, thus increasing urinary output. With the exception of the
3|Page
, ATI RN Medical Surgical Practice Exam
brain, mannitol can leave the vascular system at the capillary site, which can result
in edema. The nurse should identify crackles as a manifestation of pulmonary
edema and notify the provider. Other manifestations include dyspnea and
decreased oxygen saturation.
A nurse at an urgent care clinic is caring for a client who is experiencing an
anaphylactic reaction. After ensuring a patent airway, which of the following
interventions is the priority?
- Obtaining vital signs
- Placing the client in Fowler's position
- Administering epinephrine
- Initiating an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride
- Administering epinephrine
RATIONALE: Evidence-based practice indicates that the priority intervention is for
the nurse to administer epinephrine quickly to dilate the bronchioles and prevent
circulatory shock.
A nurse is caring for a client who is having a seizure. Which of the following
interventions is the nurse's priority?
- Loosen the clothing around the client's neck
- Check the client's pupillary response
- Turn the client to the side
- Move furniture away from the client
- Turn the client to the side
RATIONALE: The greatest risk to this client is hypoxia from an impaired airway.
Therefore, the priority intervention the nurse should take is to place the client in a
side-lying position to prevent aspiration.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
- Flush the line before administering antibiotics
4|Page
