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ATI MED SURG CMS PROCTORED EXAMINATION2026-2027
BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of
hyperparathyroidism. Which of the following laboratory values should
the nurse expect to be elevated?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum phosphate
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum sodium
Answer: A. Serum calcium
Explanation: Hyperparathyroidism involves excessive secretion of
parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH increases bone resorption, renal
calcium reabsorption, and activation of vitamin D, which enhances
intestinal calcium absorption. The net effect is hypercalcemia.
Phosphate levels are typically decreased due to the phosphaturic effect
of PTH.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following
a total thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority to
report to the provider?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
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B. Difficulty speaking in a normal tone
C. Laryngeal stridor
D. Pain rating of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale
Answer: C. Laryngeal stridor
Explanation: Laryngeal stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound indicating
airway obstruction, often due to laryngeal edema or hematoma
formation. This is a life-threatening postoperative complication
following thyroidectomy due to tracheal compression and requires
immediate intervention to secure the airway.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new
prescription for furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values is
the priority to monitor before administering the medication?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Serum potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Blood urea nitrogen
Answer: B. Serum potassium
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant
potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases
the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias, particularly in clients with heart failure
who may also be taking digoxin. Monitoring serum potassium is
essential to prevent life-threatening cardiac events.
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4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has increased intracranial
pressure secondary to a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include?
A. Suction the airway every 2 hours
B. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees
C. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
D. Maintain the client in a supine position
Answer: B. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees
Explanation: Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees promotes
venous drainage from the brain, thereby decreasing intracranial
pressure. The head should be maintained in a midline, neutral position
to facilitate jugular venous outflow. Suctioning and coughing should be
minimized as they increase intrathoracic pressure and ICP.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for digoxin. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will take the medication with an antacid if indigestion occurs."
B. "I should expect my pulse rate to increase."
C. "I will call my doctor if I experience yellow-tinged vision."
D. "I should increase my intake of bran fiber."
Answer: C. "I will call my doctor if I experience yellow-tinged vision."
Explanation: Yellow-tinged or blurred vision (xanthopsia) is a classic sign
of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should instruct the client to report visual
disturbances immediately. Digoxin decreases heart rate, and its
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absorption is reduced by antacids and high-fiber meals. Toxicity risk
increases with hypokalemia.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department who
reports midsternal chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
C. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring
Answer: B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
Explanation: The client's presentation is suggestive of acute coronary
syndrome. The initial priority is to obtain a 12-lead ECG within 10
minutes of arrival to identify ST-segment elevation, which determines
the treatment pathway (reperfusion therapy). Continuous monitoring
and oxygen administration are important but are secondary to
diagnostic identification.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Weight gain
Answer: C. Kussmaul respirations
ATI MED SURG CMS PROCTORED EXAMINATION2026-2027
BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS
EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of
hyperparathyroidism. Which of the following laboratory values should
the nurse expect to be elevated?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum phosphate
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum sodium
Answer: A. Serum calcium
Explanation: Hyperparathyroidism involves excessive secretion of
parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH increases bone resorption, renal
calcium reabsorption, and activation of vitamin D, which enhances
intestinal calcium absorption. The net effect is hypercalcemia.
Phosphate levels are typically decreased due to the phosphaturic effect
of PTH.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours postoperative following
a total thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings is the priority to
report to the provider?
A. Serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
,2|Page
B. Difficulty speaking in a normal tone
C. Laryngeal stridor
D. Pain rating of 6 on a 0 to 10 scale
Answer: C. Laryngeal stridor
Explanation: Laryngeal stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound indicating
airway obstruction, often due to laryngeal edema or hematoma
formation. This is a life-threatening postoperative complication
following thyroidectomy due to tracheal compression and requires
immediate intervention to secure the airway.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new
prescription for furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values is
the priority to monitor before administering the medication?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Serum potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Blood urea nitrogen
Answer: B. Serum potassium
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant
potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases
the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias, particularly in clients with heart failure
who may also be taking digoxin. Monitoring serum potassium is
essential to prevent life-threatening cardiac events.
,3|Page
4. A nurse is planning care for a client who has increased intracranial
pressure secondary to a traumatic brain injury. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include?
A. Suction the airway every 2 hours
B. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees
C. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
D. Maintain the client in a supine position
Answer: B. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 30 degrees
Explanation: Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees promotes
venous drainage from the brain, thereby decreasing intracranial
pressure. The head should be maintained in a midline, neutral position
to facilitate jugular venous outflow. Suctioning and coughing should be
minimized as they increase intrathoracic pressure and ICP.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for digoxin. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will take the medication with an antacid if indigestion occurs."
B. "I should expect my pulse rate to increase."
C. "I will call my doctor if I experience yellow-tinged vision."
D. "I should increase my intake of bran fiber."
Answer: C. "I will call my doctor if I experience yellow-tinged vision."
Explanation: Yellow-tinged or blurred vision (xanthopsia) is a classic sign
of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should instruct the client to report visual
disturbances immediately. Digoxin decreases heart rate, and its
, 4|Page
absorption is reduced by antacids and high-fiber meals. Toxicity risk
increases with hypokalemia.
6. A nurse is caring for a client in the emergency department who
reports midsternal chest pain radiating to the left arm. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer morphine sulfate intravenously
B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
C. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula
D. Initiate continuous cardiac monitoring
Answer: B. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram
Explanation: The client's presentation is suggestive of acute coronary
syndrome. The initial priority is to obtain a 12-lead ECG within 10
minutes of arrival to identify ST-segment elevation, which determines
the treatment pathway (reperfusion therapy). Continuous monitoring
and oxygen administration are important but are secondary to
diagnostic identification.
7. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Weight gain
Answer: C. Kussmaul respirations
