ATI Med-Surg Immune, Infection, Oncology &
Cardiovascular 2026 Exam Prep | 280+ Verified
Questions & Detailed Answers | A+ Graded
Latest Test Bank
ATI MED-SURG: IMMUNE, INFECTION, ONCOLOGY & CARDIOVASCULAR 2026
Question 1 A nurse is caring for a client who has HIV and a CD4+ T-cell count of 180
cells/mm³. Which of the following infections should the nurse anticipate?
A. Otitis media
B. Community-acquired pneumonia
C. Strep throat
D. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)
E. Influenza A
CORRECT ANSWER: D RATIONALE: A CD4+ count below 200 cells/mm³ indicates
severe immunosuppression. PCP is an opportunistic infection that occurs when the
immune system is significantly compromised. Prophylaxis with trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole is indicated at this level.
Question 2 A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE). Which finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Neutrophilia
C. Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA)
D. Elevated platelet count
E. Low ESR
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: ANA is the hallmark laboratory finding in SLE.
It detects antibodies against nuclear antigens. A positive ANA is present in over 95% of
SLE cases and is used as a screening marker.
,Question 3 A client with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. The nurse
should instruct the client to avoid which of the following?
A. Whole grains
B. Alcohol consumption
C. Calcium supplements
D. Low-impact exercise
E. Sunscreen use
CORRECT ANSWER: B RATIONALE: Methotrexate is hepatotoxic. Alcohol combined
with methotrexate significantly increases the risk of liver damage and hepatotoxicity.
Clients should completely avoid alcohol during therapy.
Question 4 A nurse is assessing a client who has anaphylaxis. Which medication
should the nurse administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine IV
B. Methylprednisolone IV
C. Albuterol nebulizer
D. Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM
E. Normal saline bolus
CORRECT ANSWER: D RATIONALE: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for
anaphylaxis. It reverses bronchospasm, vasodilation, and angioedema by acting on
alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. Delay in administration can be fatal.
Question 5 A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone long-term.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Moon face
B. Weight gain of 2 lbs in one week
C. Blood glucose of 310 mg/dL
D. Mild ankle edema
E. Buffalo hump
,CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: Corticosteroids such as prednisone can cause
hyperglycemia by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. A blood glucose of
310 mg/dL represents dangerous hyperglycemia requiring immediate intervention.
Question 6 A nurse is providing teaching to a client newly diagnosed with HIV. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I can stop my medications once my viral load is undetectable."
B. "I only need to use protection if I feel sick."
C. "I will take my antiretroviral medications every day as prescribed."
D. "I should avoid all contact with other people."
E. "My CD4 count doesn't matter as long as I feel well."
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) must be taken
consistently every day to suppress the viral load and prevent disease progression.
Stopping medications leads to viral rebound and resistance development.
Question 7 A nurse is assessing a client with a latex allergy. Which food should the
nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Avocados
C. Grapes
D. Oranges
E. Pears
CORRECT ANSWER: B RATIONALE: Cross-reactivity exists between latex and
certain foods. Avocados, bananas, kiwis, and chestnuts contain proteins similar to latex
allergens and can trigger allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.
Question 8 A nurse is reviewing the chart of a client with Sjögren's syndrome. Which
manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Joint hypermobility
, B. Malar rash
C. Dry eyes and dry mouth
D. Renal calculi
E. Skin thickening
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune
disorder that primarily attacks exocrine glands. The hallmark manifestations are
keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes) and xerostomia (dry mouth) due to destruction of
lacrimal and salivary glands.
Question 9 A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion who develops
chills, fever, and flank pain 15 minutes after initiation. What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine
C. Stop the transfusion immediately
D. Obtain a urine specimen
E. Notify the blood bank
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: The symptoms described indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction, which is a medical emergency. The nurse must stop the
transfusion immediately to prevent further hemolysis, renal failure, and death before any
other interventions.
Question 10 A nurse is teaching a client about gout. Which dietary instruction should be
included?
A. Increase red meat intake for protein
B. Avoid organ meats and alcohol
C. Consume high-purine vegetables daily
D. Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter/day
E. Increase shellfish intake
Cardiovascular 2026 Exam Prep | 280+ Verified
Questions & Detailed Answers | A+ Graded
Latest Test Bank
ATI MED-SURG: IMMUNE, INFECTION, ONCOLOGY & CARDIOVASCULAR 2026
Question 1 A nurse is caring for a client who has HIV and a CD4+ T-cell count of 180
cells/mm³. Which of the following infections should the nurse anticipate?
A. Otitis media
B. Community-acquired pneumonia
C. Strep throat
D. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP)
E. Influenza A
CORRECT ANSWER: D RATIONALE: A CD4+ count below 200 cells/mm³ indicates
severe immunosuppression. PCP is an opportunistic infection that occurs when the
immune system is significantly compromised. Prophylaxis with trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole is indicated at this level.
Question 2 A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE). Which finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Neutrophilia
C. Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA)
D. Elevated platelet count
E. Low ESR
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: ANA is the hallmark laboratory finding in SLE.
It detects antibodies against nuclear antigens. A positive ANA is present in over 95% of
SLE cases and is used as a screening marker.
,Question 3 A client with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. The nurse
should instruct the client to avoid which of the following?
A. Whole grains
B. Alcohol consumption
C. Calcium supplements
D. Low-impact exercise
E. Sunscreen use
CORRECT ANSWER: B RATIONALE: Methotrexate is hepatotoxic. Alcohol combined
with methotrexate significantly increases the risk of liver damage and hepatotoxicity.
Clients should completely avoid alcohol during therapy.
Question 4 A nurse is assessing a client who has anaphylaxis. Which medication
should the nurse administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine IV
B. Methylprednisolone IV
C. Albuterol nebulizer
D. Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM
E. Normal saline bolus
CORRECT ANSWER: D RATIONALE: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for
anaphylaxis. It reverses bronchospasm, vasodilation, and angioedema by acting on
alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. Delay in administration can be fatal.
Question 5 A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone long-term.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Moon face
B. Weight gain of 2 lbs in one week
C. Blood glucose of 310 mg/dL
D. Mild ankle edema
E. Buffalo hump
,CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: Corticosteroids such as prednisone can cause
hyperglycemia by promoting gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance. A blood glucose of
310 mg/dL represents dangerous hyperglycemia requiring immediate intervention.
Question 6 A nurse is providing teaching to a client newly diagnosed with HIV. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I can stop my medications once my viral load is undetectable."
B. "I only need to use protection if I feel sick."
C. "I will take my antiretroviral medications every day as prescribed."
D. "I should avoid all contact with other people."
E. "My CD4 count doesn't matter as long as I feel well."
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) must be taken
consistently every day to suppress the viral load and prevent disease progression.
Stopping medications leads to viral rebound and resistance development.
Question 7 A nurse is assessing a client with a latex allergy. Which food should the
nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. Apples
B. Avocados
C. Grapes
D. Oranges
E. Pears
CORRECT ANSWER: B RATIONALE: Cross-reactivity exists between latex and
certain foods. Avocados, bananas, kiwis, and chestnuts contain proteins similar to latex
allergens and can trigger allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.
Question 8 A nurse is reviewing the chart of a client with Sjögren's syndrome. Which
manifestation should the nurse expect?
A. Joint hypermobility
, B. Malar rash
C. Dry eyes and dry mouth
D. Renal calculi
E. Skin thickening
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune
disorder that primarily attacks exocrine glands. The hallmark manifestations are
keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes) and xerostomia (dry mouth) due to destruction of
lacrimal and salivary glands.
Question 9 A nurse is caring for a client receiving a blood transfusion who develops
chills, fever, and flank pain 15 minutes after initiation. What should the nurse do first?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine
C. Stop the transfusion immediately
D. Obtain a urine specimen
E. Notify the blood bank
CORRECT ANSWER: C RATIONALE: The symptoms described indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction, which is a medical emergency. The nurse must stop the
transfusion immediately to prevent further hemolysis, renal failure, and death before any
other interventions.
Question 10 A nurse is teaching a client about gout. Which dietary instruction should be
included?
A. Increase red meat intake for protein
B. Avoid organ meats and alcohol
C. Consume high-purine vegetables daily
D. Restrict fluid intake to 1 liter/day
E. Increase shellfish intake
