ATI MED SURG IMMUNE & INFECTION, ATI MED
SURG ONCOLOGY, ATI MED SURG
CARDIOVASCULAR NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
BRAND NEW!!
1. A 65-year-old client with heart failure presents with sudden shortness of
breath and pink frothy sputum. O2 saturation is 84%. What is your priority
action?
A. Encourage coughing
B. Place the client in High-Fowler’s and administer oxygen
C. Give oral fluids
D. Obtain a full history
Answer: B. Place the client in High-Fowler’s and administer oxygen
Rationale: Pulmonary edema requires immediate oxygenation and upright positioning to reduce
venous return and improve oxygenation.
2. A client with acute MI reports chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Call the rapid response team
B. Apply warm compress
C. Encourage rest
D. Obtain blood pressure
Answer: A. Call the rapid response team
Rationale: Persistent chest pain may indicate ongoing myocardial ischemia; urgent intervention
is needed.
3. A client receiving IV vancomycin develops redness and itching along the
infusion site. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Slow the infusion and notify the provider
B. Stop the infusion and document
,C. Administer an antihistamine and continue
D. Disregard; it is a minor reaction
Answer: A. Slow the infusion and notify the provider
Rationale: Red man syndrome occurs with rapid vancomycin infusion; slowing infusion and
monitoring is appropriate.
4. A client with neutropenia due to chemotherapy develops a fever of 101.4°F.
What is the priority action?
A. Obtain a blood culture and start antibiotics immediately
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Hold chemotherapy
D. Monitor temperature every 4 hours
Answer: A. Obtain a blood culture and start antibiotics immediately
Rationale: Fever in neutropenic patients is a medical emergency; early antibiotics prevent sepsis.
5. A 58-year-old client on furosemide for heart failure reports muscle cramps
and weakness. Lab shows K+ 2.8 mEq/L. Which action is priority?
A. Continue medication
B. Hold furosemide and notify provider
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Administer a calcium supplement
Answer: B. Hold furosemide and notify provider
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases risk for arrhythmias; furosemide can exacerbate potassium
loss.
6. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which lab should the
nurse monitor to ensure therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR monitors warfarin efficacy and safety.
,7. A client with HIV presents with persistent diarrhea and weight loss. What is
the most important nursing action?
A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolytes
B. Restrict fluids
C. Provide high-fat diet
D. Administer antipyretics
Answer: A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolytes
Rationale: HIV clients are prone to fluid and electrolyte imbalances from diarrhea.
8. A client with leukemia reports bruising and nosebleeds. Lab shows platelet
count 18,000/mm³. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Apply bleeding precautions and notify provider
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Administer anticoagulants
D. Document and continue monitoring
Answer: A. Apply bleeding precautions and notify provider
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk; protective measures and provider
notification are essential.
9. A client with stage III colon cancer receiving chemotherapy reports nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed antiemetics
B. Encourage oral intake without limits
C. Restrict medications
D. Document symptoms only
Answer: A. Administer prescribed antiemetics
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; early
intervention is important.
10. A client with sepsis has BP 82/54 mm Hg, HR 128 bpm, and temp 102°F.
What is your first action?
, A. Administer IV fluids as ordered
B. Apply a cooling blanket
C. Monitor vitals only
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: A. Administer IV fluids as ordered
Rationale: Hypotension indicates shock; fluid resuscitation is the first-line intervention.
11. A client with left-sided heart failure has crackles, dyspnea, and an S3 heart
sound. Which medication helps improve contractility?
A. Digoxin
B. Furosemide
C. Lisinopril
D. Metoprolol
Answer: A. Digoxin
Rationale: Digoxin improves myocardial contractility and reduces heart failure symptoms.
12. A client with neutropenia is scheduled for a blood transfusion. Which action
is priority?
A. Administer premedication and monitor closely
B. Delay transfusion
C. Encourage oral fluids only
D. Administer antibiotics
Answer: A. Administer premedication and monitor closely
Rationale: Neutropenic patients are at higher risk for transfusion reactions; close monitoring is
essential.
13. A client with PAD complains of calf pain when walking, relieved by rest.
What is the best patient teaching?
A. Encourage walking until pain occurs, rest, then resume
B. Avoid all exercise
C. Elevate legs above heart at all times
D. Apply ice packs
SURG ONCOLOGY, ATI MED SURG
CARDIOVASCULAR NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
BRAND NEW!!
1. A 65-year-old client with heart failure presents with sudden shortness of
breath and pink frothy sputum. O2 saturation is 84%. What is your priority
action?
A. Encourage coughing
B. Place the client in High-Fowler’s and administer oxygen
C. Give oral fluids
D. Obtain a full history
Answer: B. Place the client in High-Fowler’s and administer oxygen
Rationale: Pulmonary edema requires immediate oxygenation and upright positioning to reduce
venous return and improve oxygenation.
2. A client with acute MI reports chest pain unrelieved by nitroglycerin. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Call the rapid response team
B. Apply warm compress
C. Encourage rest
D. Obtain blood pressure
Answer: A. Call the rapid response team
Rationale: Persistent chest pain may indicate ongoing myocardial ischemia; urgent intervention
is needed.
3. A client receiving IV vancomycin develops redness and itching along the
infusion site. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Slow the infusion and notify the provider
B. Stop the infusion and document
,C. Administer an antihistamine and continue
D. Disregard; it is a minor reaction
Answer: A. Slow the infusion and notify the provider
Rationale: Red man syndrome occurs with rapid vancomycin infusion; slowing infusion and
monitoring is appropriate.
4. A client with neutropenia due to chemotherapy develops a fever of 101.4°F.
What is the priority action?
A. Obtain a blood culture and start antibiotics immediately
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Hold chemotherapy
D. Monitor temperature every 4 hours
Answer: A. Obtain a blood culture and start antibiotics immediately
Rationale: Fever in neutropenic patients is a medical emergency; early antibiotics prevent sepsis.
5. A 58-year-old client on furosemide for heart failure reports muscle cramps
and weakness. Lab shows K+ 2.8 mEq/L. Which action is priority?
A. Continue medication
B. Hold furosemide and notify provider
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Administer a calcium supplement
Answer: B. Hold furosemide and notify provider
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases risk for arrhythmias; furosemide can exacerbate potassium
loss.
6. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which lab should the
nurse monitor to ensure therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR monitors warfarin efficacy and safety.
,7. A client with HIV presents with persistent diarrhea and weight loss. What is
the most important nursing action?
A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolytes
B. Restrict fluids
C. Provide high-fat diet
D. Administer antipyretics
Answer: A. Encourage hydration and monitor electrolytes
Rationale: HIV clients are prone to fluid and electrolyte imbalances from diarrhea.
8. A client with leukemia reports bruising and nosebleeds. Lab shows platelet
count 18,000/mm³. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Apply bleeding precautions and notify provider
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Administer anticoagulants
D. Document and continue monitoring
Answer: A. Apply bleeding precautions and notify provider
Rationale: Thrombocytopenia increases bleeding risk; protective measures and provider
notification are essential.
9. A client with stage III colon cancer receiving chemotherapy reports nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer prescribed antiemetics
B. Encourage oral intake without limits
C. Restrict medications
D. Document symptoms only
Answer: A. Administer prescribed antiemetics
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance; early
intervention is important.
10. A client with sepsis has BP 82/54 mm Hg, HR 128 bpm, and temp 102°F.
What is your first action?
, A. Administer IV fluids as ordered
B. Apply a cooling blanket
C. Monitor vitals only
D. Encourage ambulation
Answer: A. Administer IV fluids as ordered
Rationale: Hypotension indicates shock; fluid resuscitation is the first-line intervention.
11. A client with left-sided heart failure has crackles, dyspnea, and an S3 heart
sound. Which medication helps improve contractility?
A. Digoxin
B. Furosemide
C. Lisinopril
D. Metoprolol
Answer: A. Digoxin
Rationale: Digoxin improves myocardial contractility and reduces heart failure symptoms.
12. A client with neutropenia is scheduled for a blood transfusion. Which action
is priority?
A. Administer premedication and monitor closely
B. Delay transfusion
C. Encourage oral fluids only
D. Administer antibiotics
Answer: A. Administer premedication and monitor closely
Rationale: Neutropenic patients are at higher risk for transfusion reactions; close monitoring is
essential.
13. A client with PAD complains of calf pain when walking, relieved by rest.
What is the best patient teaching?
A. Encourage walking until pain occurs, rest, then resume
B. Avoid all exercise
C. Elevate legs above heart at all times
D. Apply ice packs
