ATI MED SURG CMS PROCTORED EXAM 2026
| VERSIONS A, B AND C | COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS
• This material covers ATI Med-Surg CMS Proctored Exam 2026 across Versions A, B,
and C with 200 verified questions and correct answers with EXPERT RATIONALE —
ideal for focused, timed practice sessions.
• Use this by reading each question independently before checking the answer,
then study the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding of the clinical
concept.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new
prescription for furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse
monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Weight gain
E. Hypokalemia ✓
Correct Answer: E. Hypokalemia EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop
diuretic that causes excretion of potassium along with sodium and water, leading to
hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and watch for signs such as
muscle weakness, leg cramps, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is assessing a client who has a pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Productive cough with green sputum
,D. Sudden onset of chest pain ✓
E. Hypertension
Correct Answer: D. Sudden onset of chest pain EXPERT RATIONALE: A
pulmonary embolism causes sudden onset of sharp chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia,
and anxiety due to obstruction of pulmonary blood flow. This is a medical emergency
requiring immediate intervention.
QUESTION 3 A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse expect to find?
A. Decreased serum creatinine
B. Decreased BUN
C. Elevated serum creatinine ✓
D. Elevated GFR
E. Decreased serum potassium
Correct Answer: C. Elevated serum creatinine EXPERT RATIONALE: In
chronic kidney disease, the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products. Creatinine,
a byproduct of muscle metabolism, accumulates in the blood resulting in elevated serum
creatinine levels.
QUESTION 4 A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
A. Skip meals if blood glucose is above 200 mg/dL
B. Avoid all physical activity
C. Monitor blood glucose levels regularly ✓
D. Take insulin only when symptomatic
E. Eat high-carbohydrate snacks before bedtime
, Correct Answer: C. Monitor blood glucose levels regularly EXPERT
RATIONALE: Regular blood glucose monitoring helps clients with type 2 diabetes
understand how diet, activity, and medications affect their glucose levels. This is a
cornerstone of diabetes self-management education.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube. The
client reports nausea and the nurse notices the NG tube has moved. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Notify the provider
C. Verify tube placement ✓
D. Remove the tube immediately
E. Flush the tube with water
Correct Answer: C. Verify tube placement EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any
action involving an NG tube, including administering medications or feeding, the nurse
must first verify correct placement by checking pH of aspirate or obtaining an X-ray
confirmation as ordered.
QUESTION 6 A nurse is assessing a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which
of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypoglycemia with diaphoresis
B. Ascites and jaundice ✓
C. Elevated serum albumin
D. Decreased prothrombin time
E. Increased urine output
Correct Answer: B. Ascites and jaundice EXPERT RATIONALE: Cirrhosis
impairs liver function, resulting in portal hypertension causing ascites (fluid
, accumulation in abdomen) and jaundice due to impaired bilirubin metabolism. These
are classic manifestations of end-stage liver disease.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a
total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
prevent hip dislocation?
A. Position the client with hip flexion greater than 90 degrees
B. Encourage the client to cross their legs when sitting
C. Place a pillow between the client's legs ✓
D. Have the client sit in low chairs
E. Encourage internal rotation of the hip
Correct Answer: C. Place a pillow between the client's legs EXPERT
RATIONALE: An abduction pillow between the legs prevents adduction and internal
rotation of the hip, which are the primary movements that cause dislocation after total
hip arthroplasty.
QUESTION 8 A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Position the client supine at all times
B. Encourage increased fluid intake ✓
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Administer antiviral medications as prescribed
E. Place the client in reverse isolation
Correct Answer: B. Encourage increased fluid intake EXPERT RATIONALE:
Increased fluid intake helps to liquefy secretions, making them easier to expectorate.
Adequate hydration is essential in the management of pneumonia to facilitate airway
clearance.
| VERSIONS A, B AND C | COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS
• This material covers ATI Med-Surg CMS Proctored Exam 2026 across Versions A, B,
and C with 200 verified questions and correct answers with EXPERT RATIONALE —
ideal for focused, timed practice sessions.
• Use this by reading each question independently before checking the answer,
then study the EXPERT RATIONALE to reinforce understanding of the clinical
concept.
QUESTION 1 A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new
prescription for furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse
monitor as an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Weight gain
E. Hypokalemia ✓
Correct Answer: E. Hypokalemia EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop
diuretic that causes excretion of potassium along with sodium and water, leading to
hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor potassium levels and watch for signs such as
muscle weakness, leg cramps, and cardiac dysrhythmias.
QUESTION 2 A nurse is assessing a client who has a pulmonary embolism.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Decreased respiratory rate
C. Productive cough with green sputum
,D. Sudden onset of chest pain ✓
E. Hypertension
Correct Answer: D. Sudden onset of chest pain EXPERT RATIONALE: A
pulmonary embolism causes sudden onset of sharp chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia,
and anxiety due to obstruction of pulmonary blood flow. This is a medical emergency
requiring immediate intervention.
QUESTION 3 A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse expect to find?
A. Decreased serum creatinine
B. Decreased BUN
C. Elevated serum creatinine ✓
D. Elevated GFR
E. Decreased serum potassium
Correct Answer: C. Elevated serum creatinine EXPERT RATIONALE: In
chronic kidney disease, the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products. Creatinine,
a byproduct of muscle metabolism, accumulates in the blood resulting in elevated serum
creatinine levels.
QUESTION 4 A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include?
A. Skip meals if blood glucose is above 200 mg/dL
B. Avoid all physical activity
C. Monitor blood glucose levels regularly ✓
D. Take insulin only when symptomatic
E. Eat high-carbohydrate snacks before bedtime
, Correct Answer: C. Monitor blood glucose levels regularly EXPERT
RATIONALE: Regular blood glucose monitoring helps clients with type 2 diabetes
understand how diet, activity, and medications affect their glucose levels. This is a
cornerstone of diabetes self-management education.
QUESTION 5 A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube. The
client reports nausea and the nurse notices the NG tube has moved. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Notify the provider
C. Verify tube placement ✓
D. Remove the tube immediately
E. Flush the tube with water
Correct Answer: C. Verify tube placement EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any
action involving an NG tube, including administering medications or feeding, the nurse
must first verify correct placement by checking pH of aspirate or obtaining an X-ray
confirmation as ordered.
QUESTION 6 A nurse is assessing a client who has cirrhosis of the liver. Which
of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypoglycemia with diaphoresis
B. Ascites and jaundice ✓
C. Elevated serum albumin
D. Decreased prothrombin time
E. Increased urine output
Correct Answer: B. Ascites and jaundice EXPERT RATIONALE: Cirrhosis
impairs liver function, resulting in portal hypertension causing ascites (fluid
, accumulation in abdomen) and jaundice due to impaired bilirubin metabolism. These
are classic manifestations of end-stage liver disease.
QUESTION 7 A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a
total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to
prevent hip dislocation?
A. Position the client with hip flexion greater than 90 degrees
B. Encourage the client to cross their legs when sitting
C. Place a pillow between the client's legs ✓
D. Have the client sit in low chairs
E. Encourage internal rotation of the hip
Correct Answer: C. Place a pillow between the client's legs EXPERT
RATIONALE: An abduction pillow between the legs prevents adduction and internal
rotation of the hip, which are the primary movements that cause dislocation after total
hip arthroplasty.
QUESTION 8 A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse implement?
A. Position the client supine at all times
B. Encourage increased fluid intake ✓
C. Restrict oral fluids
D. Administer antiviral medications as prescribed
E. Place the client in reverse isolation
Correct Answer: B. Encourage increased fluid intake EXPERT RATIONALE:
Increased fluid intake helps to liquefy secretions, making them easier to expectorate.
Adequate hydration is essential in the management of pneumonia to facilitate airway
clearance.
