MedSurge Core Week 3 End of Chapter Questions & Answers ATI Book - Edition 202/2026 - The Ultimate Guide to Ace Your Exam on First Attempt

MedSurge Core Week 3 End of Chapter
Questions & Answers ATI Book - Edition
2025/2026 - The Ultimate Guide to Ace
Your Exam on First Attempt

1. A patient with a myocardial infarction develops sudden
dyspnea, hypotension, and jugular venous distension. What is
the priority nursing action?

 A. Administer IV morphine
 B. Assess for cardiac tamponade
 C. Place in Trendelenburg position
 D. Encourage ambulation

Correct Answer: B. Assess for cardiac tamponade

Rationale: These are classic signs of cardiac tamponade (Beck's
triad: hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart sounds). Immediate
assessment and intervention are critical. Morphine may be given
for pain but addressing the underlying cause is the priority.

2. A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most important to monitor?

 A. Hypernatremia
 B. Hypokalemia
 C. Hypercalcemia
 D. Hypophosphatemia

,Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia

Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
loss. Hypokalemia increases the risk for arrhythmias, especially in
heart failure patients.

3. A patient admitted with acute MI has which laboratory
value most specific for myocardial injury?

 A. Troponin I
 B. CK-MB
 C. Myoglobin
 D. LDH

Correct Answer: A. Troponin I

Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for
myocardial necrosis.

4. A nurse hears an extra heart sound immediately after S2 in
a client with mitral insufficiency. How should this be
documented?

 A. S1
 B. S3 (ventricular gallop)
 C. S4 (atrial gallop)
 D. Mitral murmur

Correct Answer: B. S3

Rationale: An S3 is heard following S2, indicating heart failure
and increased filling pressures. S1 is normal closure of
mitral/tricuspid valves. S4 is heard before S1 from resistance to
filling. A murmur of mitral insufficiency occurs during systole.

,5. A nurse administers heparin for deep vein
thrombophlebitis. Which lab value determines heparin's
effectiveness?

 A. PTT
 B. HCT
 C. CBC
 D. PT

Correct Answer: A. PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time)

Rationale: PTT monitors heparin's therapeutic effectiveness. PT
monitors warfarin's effectiveness.

6. A patient taking amiodarone requires monitoring of which
lab values?

 A. Liver function and thyroid function
 B. Renal function only
 C. CBC only
 D. Electrolytes only

Correct Answer: A. Liver and thyroid function tests

Rationale: Amiodarone can cause hepatotoxicity and thyroid
dysfunction; labs must be monitored regularly.

7. A patient develops sudden chest pain and hypotension 2
days post-MI. What complication should the nurse suspect?

 A. Re-infarction
 B. Cardiac rupture
 C. Pulmonary embolism
 D. Stroke

, Correct Answer: B. Cardiac rupture

Rationale: Cardiac rupture is a life-threatening post-MI
complication presenting with sudden hypotension and chest pain,
typically occurring 3-7 days after infarction.

8. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has mitral
valve disease. Which statement indicates understanding?

 A. "I should call my doctor if my ankles swell."
 B. "I should limit fluid intake to prevent swelling."
 C. "I will have more energy as my disease progresses."
 D. "Chest pain is expected and not a concern."

Correct Answer: A. "I should call my doctor if my ankles swell."

Rationale: Swelling of the ankles can indicate heart failure, a
complication of mitral valve disease, and should be reported to
the provider.

9. A nurse is assessing a client with fluid volume overload
from a cardiovascular disorder. Which manifestations should
the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)

 A. Jugular vein distention
 B. Crackles in lungs
 C. Decreased blood pressure
 D. Edema
 E. Bradycardia

Correct Answer: A, B, D.