ATI PN Adult Medical Surgical (Med-Surg) 2023
Proctored Exam Verified Answers!!
Section 1: Multiple Choice (Questions 1–80)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports shortness of breath when
lying flat. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Check oxygen saturation
D. Notify the provider
Answer: B
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position reduces venous return and promotes lung expansion,
immediately easing dyspnea. Oxygen and assessment follow.
2. A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which oxygen delivery
device is most appropriate?
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
B. Simple face mask at 6 L/min
C. Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
D. Venturi mask at 24% FiO2
Answer: D
Rationale: Venturi mask delivers precise oxygen concentration, important for COPD clients
to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
3. A nurse is assessing a client 6 hours after a thyroidectomy. The client reports tingling
around the mouth and fingers. What is the priority action?
A. Check serum calcium level
B. Administer oral calcium supplements
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
, Answer: A
Rationale: Tingling suggests hypocalcemia due to accidental parathyroid injury/removal.
Check calcium level first.
4. A client with diabetes mellitus type 2 has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL and is conscious.
What should the nurse administer?
A. 15 g of carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz orange juice)
B. 1 mg glucagon IM
C. 50 mL D50W IV push
D. 2 tbsp honey orally
Answer: A
Rationale: Conscious client with mild hypoglycemia should receive 15 g fast-acting oral
carbohydrate; recheck in 15 min.
5. A nurse is caring for a post-op client who has a Jackson-Pratt drain. Which finding
indicates proper functioning?
A. Drain is fully compressed and closed
B. Drain is half full of serosanguineous fluid
C. Drain is open to air
D. Drain tubing is kinked
Answer: A
Rationale: JP drain must be compressed to create suction; if flattened and closed, suction is
maintained.
6. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A. IV fluids with potassium chloride
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. High-potassium diet
D. Spironolactone administration
Answer: B
Rationale: Kayexalate exchanges sodium for potassium in the gut, reducing serum
potassium.
7. A client post-myocardial infarction is prescribed metoprolol. What is the expected
therapeutic effect?
Proctored Exam Verified Answers!!
Section 1: Multiple Choice (Questions 1–80)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports shortness of breath when
lying flat. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min
B. Place the client in high-Fowler’s position
C. Check oxygen saturation
D. Notify the provider
Answer: B
Rationale: High-Fowler’s position reduces venous return and promotes lung expansion,
immediately easing dyspnea. Oxygen and assessment follow.
2. A client with COPD has an oxygen saturation of 88% on room air. Which oxygen delivery
device is most appropriate?
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
B. Simple face mask at 6 L/min
C. Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
D. Venturi mask at 24% FiO2
Answer: D
Rationale: Venturi mask delivers precise oxygen concentration, important for COPD clients
to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
3. A nurse is assessing a client 6 hours after a thyroidectomy. The client reports tingling
around the mouth and fingers. What is the priority action?
A. Check serum calcium level
B. Administer oral calcium supplements
C. Apply oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
, Answer: A
Rationale: Tingling suggests hypocalcemia due to accidental parathyroid injury/removal.
Check calcium level first.
4. A client with diabetes mellitus type 2 has a blood glucose of 55 mg/dL and is conscious.
What should the nurse administer?
A. 15 g of carbohydrate (e.g., 4 oz orange juice)
B. 1 mg glucagon IM
C. 50 mL D50W IV push
D. 2 tbsp honey orally
Answer: A
Rationale: Conscious client with mild hypoglycemia should receive 15 g fast-acting oral
carbohydrate; recheck in 15 min.
5. A nurse is caring for a post-op client who has a Jackson-Pratt drain. Which finding
indicates proper functioning?
A. Drain is fully compressed and closed
B. Drain is half full of serosanguineous fluid
C. Drain is open to air
D. Drain tubing is kinked
Answer: A
Rationale: JP drain must be compressed to create suction; if flattened and closed, suction is
maintained.
6. A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L. Which
intervention should the nurse anticipate?
A. IV fluids with potassium chloride
B. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. High-potassium diet
D. Spironolactone administration
Answer: B
Rationale: Kayexalate exchanges sodium for potassium in the gut, reducing serum
potassium.
7. A client post-myocardial infarction is prescribed metoprolol. What is the expected
therapeutic effect?
