ATI Medical Surgical Practice
Questions – Complete Study Guide
(82 Questions with Answers and
Rationales)
1.
A nurse is providing postoperative teaching for a client who had a total knee
arthroplasty. Which instruction should the nurse include?
Answer: Flex the foot every hour when awake.
Explanation: Frequent ankle and foot flexion promotes venous return and helps prevent
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a common complication after joint replacement
surgery.
2.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pneumothorax with a closed-chest drainage
system. Which finding indicates lung re-expansion?
Answer: Bubbling in the water-seal chamber has ceased.
Explanation: Continuous bubbling usually indicates an air leak. When bubbling stops, it
often indicates the lung has re-expanded and the leak has resolved.
3.
A client is taking warfarin for chronic atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value
indicates effective therapy?
Answer: INR 2.5
Explanation: The therapeutic INR range for most clients taking warfarin is 2.0–3.0, which
prevents clot formation without excessive bleeding risk.
,4.
A home health nurse is teaching a client with a stage I pressure injury on the greater
trochanter. Which instruction should be included?
Answer: Change position every hour.
Explanation: Frequent repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on tissues and promotes
healing.
5.
A nurse is assessing a client after hemodialysis. Which finding is the priority to report
to the provider?
Answer: Hypotension.
Explanation: Fluid removal during dialysis can cause severe drops in blood pressure, which
may lead to shock.
6.
A client is 8 hr postoperative after a total hip arthroplasty and cannot void on a
bedpan. What action should the nurse take first?
Answer: Assist the client to stand or sit on a bedside commode.
Explanation: Normal positioning may stimulate urination before considering catheterization.
7.
Which disorder poses the greatest health risk for African American adults?
Answer: Hypertension
Explanation: Hypertension occurs at higher rates in African American populations and
increases risk for stroke and heart disease.
8.
, A client with diabetic ketoacidosis is improving. Which finding supports this?
Answer: Blood glucose 272 mg/dL
Explanation: DKA initially presents with extremely high glucose levels. A decreasing value
indicates improvement.
9.
A client was extubated 10 minutes ago. Which finding should be reported
immediately?
Answer: Stridor
Explanation: Stridor indicates airway obstruction and requires immediate intervention.
10.
A client had a nephrostomy tube placed 12 hr ago. Which finding should be reported?
Answer: Severe back pain
Explanation: This may indicate tube displacement or obstruction.
11.
A client with active tuberculosis is admitted. Which precautions are required?
Answer: Airborne precautions
Explanation: TB spreads via airborne droplets, requiring negative-pressure rooms and N95
respirators.
12.
A client receiving sealed radiation implants requires which intervention?
Answer: Keep a lead-lined container in the room.
Explanation: This container is used to store the implant if it becomes dislodged.
Questions – Complete Study Guide
(82 Questions with Answers and
Rationales)
1.
A nurse is providing postoperative teaching for a client who had a total knee
arthroplasty. Which instruction should the nurse include?
Answer: Flex the foot every hour when awake.
Explanation: Frequent ankle and foot flexion promotes venous return and helps prevent
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a common complication after joint replacement
surgery.
2.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pneumothorax with a closed-chest drainage
system. Which finding indicates lung re-expansion?
Answer: Bubbling in the water-seal chamber has ceased.
Explanation: Continuous bubbling usually indicates an air leak. When bubbling stops, it
often indicates the lung has re-expanded and the leak has resolved.
3.
A client is taking warfarin for chronic atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value
indicates effective therapy?
Answer: INR 2.5
Explanation: The therapeutic INR range for most clients taking warfarin is 2.0–3.0, which
prevents clot formation without excessive bleeding risk.
,4.
A home health nurse is teaching a client with a stage I pressure injury on the greater
trochanter. Which instruction should be included?
Answer: Change position every hour.
Explanation: Frequent repositioning reduces prolonged pressure on tissues and promotes
healing.
5.
A nurse is assessing a client after hemodialysis. Which finding is the priority to report
to the provider?
Answer: Hypotension.
Explanation: Fluid removal during dialysis can cause severe drops in blood pressure, which
may lead to shock.
6.
A client is 8 hr postoperative after a total hip arthroplasty and cannot void on a
bedpan. What action should the nurse take first?
Answer: Assist the client to stand or sit on a bedside commode.
Explanation: Normal positioning may stimulate urination before considering catheterization.
7.
Which disorder poses the greatest health risk for African American adults?
Answer: Hypertension
Explanation: Hypertension occurs at higher rates in African American populations and
increases risk for stroke and heart disease.
8.
, A client with diabetic ketoacidosis is improving. Which finding supports this?
Answer: Blood glucose 272 mg/dL
Explanation: DKA initially presents with extremely high glucose levels. A decreasing value
indicates improvement.
9.
A client was extubated 10 minutes ago. Which finding should be reported
immediately?
Answer: Stridor
Explanation: Stridor indicates airway obstruction and requires immediate intervention.
10.
A client had a nephrostomy tube placed 12 hr ago. Which finding should be reported?
Answer: Severe back pain
Explanation: This may indicate tube displacement or obstruction.
11.
A client with active tuberculosis is admitted. Which precautions are required?
Answer: Airborne precautions
Explanation: TB spreads via airborne droplets, requiring negative-pressure rooms and N95
respirators.
12.
A client receiving sealed radiation implants requires which intervention?
Answer: Keep a lead-lined container in the room.
Explanation: This container is used to store the implant if it becomes dislodged.
