1
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Exam
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam
Test Bank 4 2026 – 350 Verified Questions
and Detailed Answers WITH DETAILED
RATIONALESLATEST EXAM (BRAND
NEW!!)
The nurse monitors a patient in the emergency department after chest tube placement for a
hemopneumothorax. The nurse is most concerned if which assessment finding is observed?
a. A large air leak in the water-seal chamber
b. 400 mL of blood in the collection chamber
c. Complaint of pain with each deep inspiration
d. Subcutaneous emphysema at the insertion site –
, 2
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Correct Answer :b. 400 mL of blood in the collection chamber Exam
The large amount of blood may indicate that the patient is in danger of developing
hypovolemic shock
A patient experiences a chest wall contusion as a result of being struck in the chest with a
baseball bat. The emergency department nurse would be most concerned if which finding is
observed during the initial assessment?
a. Paradoxical chest movement
c. Heart rate of 110 beats/minute
b. Complaint of chest wall pain
d. Large bruised area on the chest –
Correct Answer :a. Paradoxical chest movement
Flail chest!, which can severely compromise gas exchange and can rapidly lead to hypoxemia.
When assessing a patient who has just arrived after an automobile accident, the emergency
department nurse notes tachycardia and absent breath sounds over the right lung. For which
intervention will the nurse prepare the patient?
a. Emergency pericardiocentesis
c. Bronchodilator administration
b. Stabilization of the chest wall
d. Chest tube connected to suction –
Correct Answer :d. Chest tube connected to suction
, 3
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Exam
The patient's history and absent breath sounds suggest a right-sided pneumothorax or
hemothorax, which will require treatment with a chest tube and drainage to suction.
A patient who has a right-sided chest tube after a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in
the suction-control chamber of the collection device. Which action by the nurse is
appropriate?
a. Adjust the dial on the wall regulator.
b. Continue to monitor the collection device.
c. Document the presence of a large air leak.
d. Notify the surgeon of a possible pneumothorax. –
Correct Answer :b. Continue to monitor the collection device.
Continuous bubbling is expected in the suction-control chamber and indicates that the
suction-control chamber is connected to suction.
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with an open stab wound to the left
chest. What action should the nurse take?
a. Keep the head of the patient's bed positioned flat.
b. Cover the wound tightly with an occlusive dressing.
c. Position the patient so that the left chest is dependent.
d. Tape a nonporous dressing on three sides over the wound. –
Correct Answer :d. Tape a nonporous dressing on three sides over the wound.
, 4
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Exam
The dressing taped on three sides will allow air to escape when intrapleural pressure increases
during expiration, but it will prevent air from moving into the pleural space during inspiration.
The nurse provides discharge teaching for a patient who has two fractured ribs from an
automobile accident. Which statement, if made by the patient, would indicate that teaching
has been effective?
a. "I am going to buy a rib binder to wear during the day."
b. "I can take shallow breaths to prevent my chest from hurting."
c. "I should plan on taking the pain pills only at bedtime so I can sleep."
d. "I will use the incentive spirometer every hour or two during the day." –
Correct Answer :d. "I will use the incentive spirometer every hour or two during the day."
•A doctor has ordered cardiac enzymes on a patient being admitted with chest pain. You
know that _____________ levels elevate 4-6 hours after injury to the heart and is the most
regarded marker by providers.
A. Myoglobin
B. CK-MB
C. CK
D. Troponin –
Correct Answer :D. Troponin
•A client is complaining of chest pain. An ECG is done and the client is diagnosed as having a
NSTEMI. You obtain the client's vital signs and find the following: Blood pressure 190/98, HR
110, oxygen saturation 96% on room air, and respiratory rate 20. What is the MOST
IMPORTANT nursing interventions you will provide based on the client's current status:
Select-all-that-apply.
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Exam
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam
Test Bank 4 2026 – 350 Verified Questions
and Detailed Answers WITH DETAILED
RATIONALESLATEST EXAM (BRAND
NEW!!)
The nurse monitors a patient in the emergency department after chest tube placement for a
hemopneumothorax. The nurse is most concerned if which assessment finding is observed?
a. A large air leak in the water-seal chamber
b. 400 mL of blood in the collection chamber
c. Complaint of pain with each deep inspiration
d. Subcutaneous emphysema at the insertion site –
, 2
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Correct Answer :b. 400 mL of blood in the collection chamber Exam
The large amount of blood may indicate that the patient is in danger of developing
hypovolemic shock
A patient experiences a chest wall contusion as a result of being struck in the chest with a
baseball bat. The emergency department nurse would be most concerned if which finding is
observed during the initial assessment?
a. Paradoxical chest movement
c. Heart rate of 110 beats/minute
b. Complaint of chest wall pain
d. Large bruised area on the chest –
Correct Answer :a. Paradoxical chest movement
Flail chest!, which can severely compromise gas exchange and can rapidly lead to hypoxemia.
When assessing a patient who has just arrived after an automobile accident, the emergency
department nurse notes tachycardia and absent breath sounds over the right lung. For which
intervention will the nurse prepare the patient?
a. Emergency pericardiocentesis
c. Bronchodilator administration
b. Stabilization of the chest wall
d. Chest tube connected to suction –
Correct Answer :d. Chest tube connected to suction
, 3
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Exam
The patient's history and absent breath sounds suggest a right-sided pneumothorax or
hemothorax, which will require treatment with a chest tube and drainage to suction.
A patient who has a right-sided chest tube after a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in
the suction-control chamber of the collection device. Which action by the nurse is
appropriate?
a. Adjust the dial on the wall regulator.
b. Continue to monitor the collection device.
c. Document the presence of a large air leak.
d. Notify the surgeon of a possible pneumothorax. –
Correct Answer :b. Continue to monitor the collection device.
Continuous bubbling is expected in the suction-control chamber and indicates that the
suction-control chamber is connected to suction.
A patient is admitted to the emergency department with an open stab wound to the left
chest. What action should the nurse take?
a. Keep the head of the patient's bed positioned flat.
b. Cover the wound tightly with an occlusive dressing.
c. Position the patient so that the left chest is dependent.
d. Tape a nonporous dressing on three sides over the wound. –
Correct Answer :d. Tape a nonporous dressing on three sides over the wound.
, 4
ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored
Exam
The dressing taped on three sides will allow air to escape when intrapleural pressure increases
during expiration, but it will prevent air from moving into the pleural space during inspiration.
The nurse provides discharge teaching for a patient who has two fractured ribs from an
automobile accident. Which statement, if made by the patient, would indicate that teaching
has been effective?
a. "I am going to buy a rib binder to wear during the day."
b. "I can take shallow breaths to prevent my chest from hurting."
c. "I should plan on taking the pain pills only at bedtime so I can sleep."
d. "I will use the incentive spirometer every hour or two during the day." –
Correct Answer :d. "I will use the incentive spirometer every hour or two during the day."
•A doctor has ordered cardiac enzymes on a patient being admitted with chest pain. You
know that _____________ levels elevate 4-6 hours after injury to the heart and is the most
regarded marker by providers.
A. Myoglobin
B. CK-MB
C. CK
D. Troponin –
Correct Answer :D. Troponin
•A client is complaining of chest pain. An ECG is done and the client is diagnosed as having a
NSTEMI. You obtain the client's vital signs and find the following: Blood pressure 190/98, HR
110, oxygen saturation 96% on room air, and respiratory rate 20. What is the MOST
IMPORTANT nursing interventions you will provide based on the client's current status:
Select-all-that-apply.
