ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL EXAM 5
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXPERT CHECKED
◉ What manifestation should a nurse expect in a client with left-
sided heart failure? Answer: Daytime oliguria.
◉ What is the first action a nurse should take when observing a
client having a tonic-clonic seizure? Answer: Turn the client on their
side.
◉ What finding indicates that morphine IV was effective for a client
with acute heart failure? Answer: Decreased anxiety.
◉ What manifestation of malnutrition should a nurse identify in a
client with anorexia? Answer: Alopecia.
◉ What is the purpose of maintaining an elastic bandage around the
residual limb after a below-the-knee amputation? Answer: The
elastic bandage will prevent excessive edema.
◉ What is the first action a nurse should take for a client with an
electrical shock injury? Answer: Obtain an ECG.
,◉ What is the highest priority intervention for a client with a new
onset of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS)? Answer: Initiate
IV fluid replacement.
◉ Which food allergy indicates a risk for an allergic reaction to latex
for a client scheduled for exploratory surgery? Answer:
Strawberries.
◉ What instruction should a nurse provide to a client who received
a PPD skin test and has erythema with induration of 12 mm?
Answer: You will need to return in 48 hours for re-evaluation.
◉ What action should a nurse take when withdrawing medication
from an ampule? Answer: Place a paper towel around the ampule's
neck to break off the top with both hands.
◉ What recommendation should a nurse make to a caregiver who is
tired and irritable while caring for a client with moderate
Alzheimer's disease? Answer: Consider respite care services.
◉ What assessment should be the priority for a nurse caring for a
client postoperative following an ORIF of the femur? Answer: Pain
assessment.
, ◉ What action should a nurse take to prevent venous
thromboembolism in a client who is 3 hours postoperative following
a total knee arthroplasty? Answer: Encourage the client to perform
circumduction of the feet.
◉ What test should a nurse monitor for a client who has taken
ibuprofen several times daily for 3 years? Answer: Stool for occult
blood.
◉ What action should a nurse take for a client who is 16 hours
postoperative and experiencing abdominal gas pains? Answer:
Assist the client with ambulation.
◉ What is the first action a nurse should take when a client reports
chills, lower back pain, and nausea after 10 minutes of a packed RBC
infusion? Answer: Stop the infusion.
◉ What laboratory value should a nurse anticipate to be elevated in
a client with a new diagnosis of Graves' disease? Answer:
Triiodothyronine 3.
◉ What action should a nurse take when preparing to administer
fresh frozen plasma? Answer: Administer the plasma immediately
after thawing.
PRACTICE ASSESSMENT 2026 CERTIFICATION
EVALUATION EXPERT CHECKED
◉ What manifestation should a nurse expect in a client with left-
sided heart failure? Answer: Daytime oliguria.
◉ What is the first action a nurse should take when observing a
client having a tonic-clonic seizure? Answer: Turn the client on their
side.
◉ What finding indicates that morphine IV was effective for a client
with acute heart failure? Answer: Decreased anxiety.
◉ What manifestation of malnutrition should a nurse identify in a
client with anorexia? Answer: Alopecia.
◉ What is the purpose of maintaining an elastic bandage around the
residual limb after a below-the-knee amputation? Answer: The
elastic bandage will prevent excessive edema.
◉ What is the first action a nurse should take for a client with an
electrical shock injury? Answer: Obtain an ECG.
,◉ What is the highest priority intervention for a client with a new
onset of hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS)? Answer: Initiate
IV fluid replacement.
◉ Which food allergy indicates a risk for an allergic reaction to latex
for a client scheduled for exploratory surgery? Answer:
Strawberries.
◉ What instruction should a nurse provide to a client who received
a PPD skin test and has erythema with induration of 12 mm?
Answer: You will need to return in 48 hours for re-evaluation.
◉ What action should a nurse take when withdrawing medication
from an ampule? Answer: Place a paper towel around the ampule's
neck to break off the top with both hands.
◉ What recommendation should a nurse make to a caregiver who is
tired and irritable while caring for a client with moderate
Alzheimer's disease? Answer: Consider respite care services.
◉ What assessment should be the priority for a nurse caring for a
client postoperative following an ORIF of the femur? Answer: Pain
assessment.
, ◉ What action should a nurse take to prevent venous
thromboembolism in a client who is 3 hours postoperative following
a total knee arthroplasty? Answer: Encourage the client to perform
circumduction of the feet.
◉ What test should a nurse monitor for a client who has taken
ibuprofen several times daily for 3 years? Answer: Stool for occult
blood.
◉ What action should a nurse take for a client who is 16 hours
postoperative and experiencing abdominal gas pains? Answer:
Assist the client with ambulation.
◉ What is the first action a nurse should take when a client reports
chills, lower back pain, and nausea after 10 minutes of a packed RBC
infusion? Answer: Stop the infusion.
◉ What laboratory value should a nurse anticipate to be elevated in
a client with a new diagnosis of Graves' disease? Answer:
Triiodothyronine 3.
◉ What action should a nurse take when preparing to administer
fresh frozen plasma? Answer: Administer the plasma immediately
after thawing.
