RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
EDITION 9.0
ASTERY SER
T M IES
EN ®
NT
CO
L E
R EV D U
IE W M O
, RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing
Review Module Edition 9.0
Contributors
Sheryl Sommer, PhD, RN, CNE
VP Nursing Education & Strategy
Janean Johnson, MSN, RN
Nursing Education Strategist
Karin Roberts, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE
Nursing Education Coordinator
Sharon R. Redding, EdD, RN, CNE
Nursing Education Specialist and Content Project Coordinator
Lois Churchill, MN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Brenda Ball, MEd, BSN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Norma Jean Henry, MSN/Ed, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Peggy Leehy, MSN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Pamela Roland, MSN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Editorial and Publishing
Derek Prater
Spring Lenox
Michelle Renner
Mandy Tallmadge
Kelly Von Lunen
Consultants
Tracey Bousquet, BSN, RN Deb Johnson-Schuh, MSN, RN, CNE
Pam DeMoss, MSN, RN Terri Lemon, DNP, MSN, RN
Carol J. Green, PhD, CNS, RN, CNE Tami J. Rogers, PhD(c), DVM, MSN, CNE
Justina Higgins, RN, MSN, PLNC, HCE, CHC Julie Skrabal, RN, MSN
Honey C. Holman, MSN, RN Virginia E. Tufano, EdD, MSN, RN
RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing i
,RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module Edition 9.0
Intellectual Property Notice
ATI Nursing is a division of Assessment Technologies Institute®, LLC
Copyright © 2013 Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. All rights reserved.
The reproduction of this work in any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, is forbidden without the written permission of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. All of the
content in this publication, including, for example, the cover, all of the page headers, images, illustrations,
graphics, and text, are subject to trademark, service mark, trade dress, copyright, and/or other intellectual
property rights or licenses held by Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC, one of its affiliates, or by third
parties who have licensed their materials to Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC.
Important Notice to the Reader
Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC, is the publisher of this publication. The content of this publication
is for informational and educational purposes only and may be modified or updated by the publisher
at any time. This publication is not providing medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The publisher has designed this publication to provide
accurate information regarding the subject matter covered; however, the publisher is not responsible
for errors, omissions, or for any outcomes related to the use of the contents of this book and makes no
guarantee and assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of the products and procedures described
or the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness of stated information, opinions, or recommendations. The
publisher does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, providers, products, procedures, processes,
opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in this publication. Treatments and side effects
described in this book may not be applicable to all people; likewise, some people may require a dose or
experience a side effect that is not described herein. Drugs and medical devices are discussed that may have
limited availability controlled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use only in a research study
or clinical trial. Research, clinical practice, and government regulations often change the accepted standard
in this field. When consideration is being given to use of any drug in the clinical setting, the health care
provider or reader is responsible for determining FDA status of the drug, reading the package insert, and
reviewing prescribing information for the most up-to-date recommendations on dose, precautions, and
contraindications and determining the appropriate usage for the product. Any references in this book to
procedures to be employed when rendering emergency care to the sick and injured are provided solely as
a general guide. Other or additional safety measures may be required under particular circumstances. This
book is not intended as a statement of the standards of care required in any particular situation, because
circumstances and a patient’s physical condition can vary widely from one emergency to another. Nor is
it intended that this book shall in any way advise personnel concerning legal authority to perform the
activities or procedures discussed. Such specific determination should be made only with the aid of legal
counsel. Some images in this book feature models. These models do not necessarily endorse, represent, or
participate in the activities represented in the images. THE PUBLISHER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTENT
HEREIN. THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED AS-IS, AND THE PUBLISHER AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACTUAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY
DAMAGES RESULTING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FROM THE READER’S USE OF, OR RELIANCE UPON,
SUCH CONTENT.
ii RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing
, RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module Edition 9.0
User’s Guide
Welcome to the Assessment Technologies Institute® RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module
Edition 9.0. The mission of ATI’s Content Mastery Series® review modules is to provide user-friendly
compendiums of nursing knowledge that will:
●● Help you locate important information quickly.
●● Assist in your learning efforts.
●● Provide exercises for applying your nursing knowledge.
●● Facilitate your entry into the nursing profession as a newly licensed RN.
Organization
This review module is organized into units covering the foundations of nursing care (Unit 1), body systems
and physiological processes (Units 2 to 13), and perioperative nursing care (Unit 14). Chapters within these
units conform to one of three organizing principles for presenting the content.
●● Nursing concepts
●● Procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)
●● Systems disorders
Nursing concepts chapters begin with an overview describing the central concept and its relevance to
nursing. Subordinate themes are covered in outline form to demonstrate relationships and present the
information in a clear, succinct manner.
Procedures chapters include an overview describing the procedure(s) covered in the chapter. These chapters
will provide you with nursing knowledge relevant to each procedure, including indications, interpretation
of findings, nursing actions, and complications.
System disorders chapters include an overview describing the disorder(s) and/or disease process. These
chapters may provide information on health promotion and disease prevention before addressing
assessments, including risk factors, subjective data, and objective data. Next, you will focus on
collaborative care, including nursing care, medications, interdisciplinary care, therapeutic procedures,
surgical interventions, and care after discharge. Finally, you will find complications related to the disorder,
along with nursing actions in response to those complications.
Application Exercises
Questions are provided at the end of each chapter so you can practice applying your knowledge. The
Application Exercises include NCLEX-style questions, such as multiple-choice and multiple-select items, and
questions that ask you to apply your knowledge in other formats, such as by using an ATI Active Learning
Template. After the Application Exercises, an answer key is provided, along with rationales for the answers.
RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing iii
EDITION 9.0
ASTERY SER
T M IES
EN ®
NT
CO
L E
R EV D U
IE W M O
, RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing
Review Module Edition 9.0
Contributors
Sheryl Sommer, PhD, RN, CNE
VP Nursing Education & Strategy
Janean Johnson, MSN, RN
Nursing Education Strategist
Karin Roberts, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE
Nursing Education Coordinator
Sharon R. Redding, EdD, RN, CNE
Nursing Education Specialist and Content Project Coordinator
Lois Churchill, MN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Brenda Ball, MEd, BSN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Norma Jean Henry, MSN/Ed, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Peggy Leehy, MSN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Pamela Roland, MSN, RN
Nursing Education Specialist
Editorial and Publishing
Derek Prater
Spring Lenox
Michelle Renner
Mandy Tallmadge
Kelly Von Lunen
Consultants
Tracey Bousquet, BSN, RN Deb Johnson-Schuh, MSN, RN, CNE
Pam DeMoss, MSN, RN Terri Lemon, DNP, MSN, RN
Carol J. Green, PhD, CNS, RN, CNE Tami J. Rogers, PhD(c), DVM, MSN, CNE
Justina Higgins, RN, MSN, PLNC, HCE, CHC Julie Skrabal, RN, MSN
Honey C. Holman, MSN, RN Virginia E. Tufano, EdD, MSN, RN
RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing i
,RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module Edition 9.0
Intellectual Property Notice
ATI Nursing is a division of Assessment Technologies Institute®, LLC
Copyright © 2013 Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. All rights reserved.
The reproduction of this work in any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter
invented, is forbidden without the written permission of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC. All of the
content in this publication, including, for example, the cover, all of the page headers, images, illustrations,
graphics, and text, are subject to trademark, service mark, trade dress, copyright, and/or other intellectual
property rights or licenses held by Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC, one of its affiliates, or by third
parties who have licensed their materials to Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC.
Important Notice to the Reader
Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC, is the publisher of this publication. The content of this publication
is for informational and educational purposes only and may be modified or updated by the publisher
at any time. This publication is not providing medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The publisher has designed this publication to provide
accurate information regarding the subject matter covered; however, the publisher is not responsible
for errors, omissions, or for any outcomes related to the use of the contents of this book and makes no
guarantee and assumes no responsibility or liability for the use of the products and procedures described
or the correctness, sufficiency, or completeness of stated information, opinions, or recommendations. The
publisher does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, providers, products, procedures, processes,
opinions, or other information that may be mentioned in this publication. Treatments and side effects
described in this book may not be applicable to all people; likewise, some people may require a dose or
experience a side effect that is not described herein. Drugs and medical devices are discussed that may have
limited availability controlled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use only in a research study
or clinical trial. Research, clinical practice, and government regulations often change the accepted standard
in this field. When consideration is being given to use of any drug in the clinical setting, the health care
provider or reader is responsible for determining FDA status of the drug, reading the package insert, and
reviewing prescribing information for the most up-to-date recommendations on dose, precautions, and
contraindications and determining the appropriate usage for the product. Any references in this book to
procedures to be employed when rendering emergency care to the sick and injured are provided solely as
a general guide. Other or additional safety measures may be required under particular circumstances. This
book is not intended as a statement of the standards of care required in any particular situation, because
circumstances and a patient’s physical condition can vary widely from one emergency to another. Nor is
it intended that this book shall in any way advise personnel concerning legal authority to perform the
activities or procedures discussed. Such specific determination should be made only with the aid of legal
counsel. Some images in this book feature models. These models do not necessarily endorse, represent, or
participate in the activities represented in the images. THE PUBLISHER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS
OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE CONTENT
HEREIN. THIS PUBLICATION IS PROVIDED AS-IS, AND THE PUBLISHER AND ITS AFFILIATES SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR ANY ACTUAL, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY
DAMAGES RESULTING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FROM THE READER’S USE OF, OR RELIANCE UPON,
SUCH CONTENT.
ii RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing
, RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module Edition 9.0
User’s Guide
Welcome to the Assessment Technologies Institute® RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module
Edition 9.0. The mission of ATI’s Content Mastery Series® review modules is to provide user-friendly
compendiums of nursing knowledge that will:
●● Help you locate important information quickly.
●● Assist in your learning efforts.
●● Provide exercises for applying your nursing knowledge.
●● Facilitate your entry into the nursing profession as a newly licensed RN.
Organization
This review module is organized into units covering the foundations of nursing care (Unit 1), body systems
and physiological processes (Units 2 to 13), and perioperative nursing care (Unit 14). Chapters within these
units conform to one of three organizing principles for presenting the content.
●● Nursing concepts
●● Procedures (diagnostic and therapeutic)
●● Systems disorders
Nursing concepts chapters begin with an overview describing the central concept and its relevance to
nursing. Subordinate themes are covered in outline form to demonstrate relationships and present the
information in a clear, succinct manner.
Procedures chapters include an overview describing the procedure(s) covered in the chapter. These chapters
will provide you with nursing knowledge relevant to each procedure, including indications, interpretation
of findings, nursing actions, and complications.
System disorders chapters include an overview describing the disorder(s) and/or disease process. These
chapters may provide information on health promotion and disease prevention before addressing
assessments, including risk factors, subjective data, and objective data. Next, you will focus on
collaborative care, including nursing care, medications, interdisciplinary care, therapeutic procedures,
surgical interventions, and care after discharge. Finally, you will find complications related to the disorder,
along with nursing actions in response to those complications.
Application Exercises
Questions are provided at the end of each chapter so you can practice applying your knowledge. The
Application Exercises include NCLEX-style questions, such as multiple-choice and multiple-select items, and
questions that ask you to apply your knowledge in other formats, such as by using an ATI Active Learning
Template. After the Application Exercises, an answer key is provided, along with rationales for the answers.
RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing iii
