ATI Med Surge Proctored
Exam 2023, RN 2023 Adult
Medical Surgical ATI Exam
Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss,
increasing risk for hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
2. Which finding indicates early hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradycardia
C. Restlessness
D. Hypotension
,Answer: C. Restlessness
Rationale: Restlessness and anxiety are early signs of hypoxia before
cyanosis appears.
3. A patient has chest pain. Which action is priority?
A. Obtain ECG
B. Give morphine
C. Administer oxygen
D. Draw troponin
Answer: C. Administer oxygen
Rationale: ABCs—oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation
immediately.
4. Which sign is expected in left-sided heart failure?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Ascites
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes pulmonary congestion.
5. A patient is taking warfarin. Which lab is monitored?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR assesses therapeutic effect of warfarin.
,6. Which electrolyte imbalance causes peaked T waves?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction.
7. A postoperative patient suddenly becomes dyspneic. First
action?
A. CT scan
B. Oxygen
C. D-dimer
D. Heparin
Answer: B. Oxygen
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority.
8. Which medication is used for acute angina?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Metoprolol
D. Furosemide
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Vasodilates coronary arteries, reducing ischemia.
9. A patient with COPD should receive which oxygen level?
A. 1–2 L/min
B. 2–4 L/min
C. 5–6 L/min
, D. 10 L/min
Answer: A. 1–2 L/min
Rationale: High oxygen may suppress respiratory drive in COPD.
10. Which symptom indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Hyperactivity
D. Dry skin
Answer: A. Bradycardia
Rationale: Digoxin slows AV conduction excessively when toxic.
11. Which intervention reduces aspiration risk?
A. Supine position
B. NPO for all patients
C. High Fowler’s during meals
D. Bed rest
Answer: C. High Fowler’s during meals
Rationale: Upright position reduces aspiration risk.
12. Which sign indicates fluid overload?
A. Tachycardia
B. Flat neck veins
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: A. Tachycardia
Rationale: Fluid overload increases cardiac workload.
13. A patient has stroke symptoms. Priority imaging?
Exam 2023, RN 2023 Adult
Medical Surgical ATI Exam
Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2025/2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which lab
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss,
increasing risk for hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
2. Which finding indicates early hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Bradycardia
C. Restlessness
D. Hypotension
,Answer: C. Restlessness
Rationale: Restlessness and anxiety are early signs of hypoxia before
cyanosis appears.
3. A patient has chest pain. Which action is priority?
A. Obtain ECG
B. Give morphine
C. Administer oxygen
D. Draw troponin
Answer: C. Administer oxygen
Rationale: ABCs—oxygen improves myocardial oxygenation
immediately.
4. Which sign is expected in left-sided heart failure?
A. Hepatomegaly
B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Ascites
Answer: C. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes pulmonary congestion.
5. A patient is taking warfarin. Which lab is monitored?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelets
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR assesses therapeutic effect of warfarin.
,6. Which electrolyte imbalance causes peaked T waves?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Elevated potassium alters cardiac conduction.
7. A postoperative patient suddenly becomes dyspneic. First
action?
A. CT scan
B. Oxygen
C. D-dimer
D. Heparin
Answer: B. Oxygen
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority.
8. Which medication is used for acute angina?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Metoprolol
D. Furosemide
Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Vasodilates coronary arteries, reducing ischemia.
9. A patient with COPD should receive which oxygen level?
A. 1–2 L/min
B. 2–4 L/min
C. 5–6 L/min
, D. 10 L/min
Answer: A. 1–2 L/min
Rationale: High oxygen may suppress respiratory drive in COPD.
10. Which symptom indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Hyperactivity
D. Dry skin
Answer: A. Bradycardia
Rationale: Digoxin slows AV conduction excessively when toxic.
11. Which intervention reduces aspiration risk?
A. Supine position
B. NPO for all patients
C. High Fowler’s during meals
D. Bed rest
Answer: C. High Fowler’s during meals
Rationale: Upright position reduces aspiration risk.
12. Which sign indicates fluid overload?
A. Tachycardia
B. Flat neck veins
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: A. Tachycardia
Rationale: Fluid overload increases cardiac workload.
13. A patient has stroke symptoms. Priority imaging?
