ATI MED SURG: respiratory, medical surgical Proficiency
knowledge test Exam Questions and certified Answers
2025/2026
A nurse is caring for a client who's 1 hr postoperative following a thoracentesis. Which
of the following is the priority assessment finding?
A.) Pallor
B.) Insertion site pain
C.) Persistent cough
D.) Temperature 37.3° c (99.1° f) - correct answer persistent cough
Rationale:
When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the nurse should
determine that the priority finding is a persistent cough because this can indicate a
tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency.
A nurse is assessing a client who has bacterial pneumonia. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A.) Decreased fremitus
B.) Sao2 95% on room air
C.) Temperature 38.8° c (101.8° f)
D.) Bradypnea - correct answer temperature 38.8° c (101.8° f)
Rationale:
An elevated temperature is an expected finding for a client who has bacterial
pneumonia.
A nurse receives prescriptions from the provider for performing nasopharyngeal
suctioning on 4 clients. For which of the following clients should the nurse clarify the
provider's prescription?
, A.) Pt w/ epistaxis
B.) Pt w/ amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
C.) Pt w/ pneumonia
D.) Pt w/ emphysema - correct answer a client who has epistaxis
Rationale:
The nurse should avoid providing nasopharyngeal suctioning for a client who has nasal
bleeding because this intervention might cause an increase in bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a lobectomy. Which of the
following items should the nurse keep easily accessible for the client?
A.) Extra drainage system
B.) Suture removal kit
C.) Container of sterile water
D.) Non adherent pads - correct answer container of sterile water
Rationale:
The nurse should have a container of sterile water in a location that is easily accessible
for this client. The nurse should plan to place the open end of the tubing into the sterile
water if the tubing becomes disconnected to prevent a pneumothorax.
A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has copd. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include?
A.) Schedule respiratory treatments following meals.
B.) Have the client sit up in a chair for 2-hr periods three times per day.
C.) Provide a diet that is high in calories and protein.
knowledge test Exam Questions and certified Answers
2025/2026
A nurse is caring for a client who's 1 hr postoperative following a thoracentesis. Which
of the following is the priority assessment finding?
A.) Pallor
B.) Insertion site pain
C.) Persistent cough
D.) Temperature 37.3° c (99.1° f) - correct answer persistent cough
Rationale:
When using the airway, breathing, circulation approach to client care, the nurse should
determine that the priority finding is a persistent cough because this can indicate a
tension pneumothorax, which is a medical emergency.
A nurse is assessing a client who has bacterial pneumonia. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A.) Decreased fremitus
B.) Sao2 95% on room air
C.) Temperature 38.8° c (101.8° f)
D.) Bradypnea - correct answer temperature 38.8° c (101.8° f)
Rationale:
An elevated temperature is an expected finding for a client who has bacterial
pneumonia.
A nurse receives prescriptions from the provider for performing nasopharyngeal
suctioning on 4 clients. For which of the following clients should the nurse clarify the
provider's prescription?
, A.) Pt w/ epistaxis
B.) Pt w/ amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
C.) Pt w/ pneumonia
D.) Pt w/ emphysema - correct answer a client who has epistaxis
Rationale:
The nurse should avoid providing nasopharyngeal suctioning for a client who has nasal
bleeding because this intervention might cause an increase in bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following a lobectomy. Which of the
following items should the nurse keep easily accessible for the client?
A.) Extra drainage system
B.) Suture removal kit
C.) Container of sterile water
D.) Non adherent pads - correct answer container of sterile water
Rationale:
The nurse should have a container of sterile water in a location that is easily accessible
for this client. The nurse should plan to place the open end of the tubing into the sterile
water if the tubing becomes disconnected to prevent a pneumothorax.
A nurse is creating a plan of care for a client who has copd. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include?
A.) Schedule respiratory treatments following meals.
B.) Have the client sit up in a chair for 2-hr periods three times per day.
C.) Provide a diet that is high in calories and protein.
