ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
1. B. Limit family member visits to 30 min per day.: A nurse is caring for a client who has a
sealed radiation implant. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Give the dosimeter badge to the oncoming nurse at the end of the shift.
B. Limit family member visits to 30 min per day.
C. Remove soiled linens from the room after each change.
D. Apply a second pair of gloves before touching the client's implant if it dislodges.
2. D. Antithrombotic: A nurse is planning the discharge of a client who had an ischemic stroke. The nurse
should ensure that the client is discharged with which of the following types of pharmacologic therapy?
A. Opioid analgesic
B. Anticonvulsant
C. Diuretic
D. Antithrombotic
3. C. Initiate a referral for the client to a home health agency.: A nurse is teaching a
client who has AIDS and wishes to continue self-care at home despite living alone. Which of the following actions by
the nurse demonstrates client advocacy?
A. Remind the client of the importance of medication adherence.
B. Tell the client to avoid places where there are large crowds of people.
C. Initiate a referral for the client to a home health agency.
D. Instruct the client to avoid eating raw vegetables.
4. D. "I will draw up the regular insulin into the syringe first.": A nurse is providing
teaching for a client who has diabetes mellitus about the self-administration of insulin. The client has prescriptions for
regular and NPH insulins. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will insert the needle at a 15-degree angle."
B. "I will store prefilled syringes in the refrigerator with the needle pointed downward."
C. "I will shake the NPH vial vigorously before drawing up the insulin."
D. "I will draw up the regular insulin into the syringe first."
5. D. Flush the catheter with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution after each use.: A
nurse is caring for a client who has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line in her left forearm. The client
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
is receiving an antibiotic via intermittent IV bolus every 12 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse take in
managing the client's PICC line?
A. Change the transparent membrane dressing daily.
B. Access the catheter using a non-coring needle.
C. Maintain a continuous IV infusion through the PICC line.
D. Flush the catheter with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution after each use.
6. D. Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hr: A nurse is administering furosemide 80
mg PO twice daily to a client who has pulmonary edema. Which of the following assessment findings indicates to the
nurse that the medication is ettective?
A. Elevation in blood pressure
B. Adventitious breath sounds
C. Respiratory rate of 24/min
D. Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hr
7. B. Provide the client with a trapeze bar.: A nurse is caring for a client who has skeletal traction
applied to the left leg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Check pressure points every 12 hr.
B. Provide the client with a trapeze bar.
C. Remove the weights before changing the client's bedlinens.
D. Instruct the client to use their elbows to reposition.
8. B. "I can assist you with making a list of foods you like for the dietitian.": A
nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and has a referral for dietary consult.
The client tells the nurse, "I will have to eat whatever the dietitian tells me." Which of the following statements by the
nurse encourages the client's involvement in their plan of care?
A. "I understand that the dietary choices can seem overwhelming."
B. "I can assist you with making a list of foods you like for the dietitian."
C. "The dietitian will provide you with the best food choices to manage your diabetes."
D. "Managing your diabetes will require you to make accommodations."
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
9. A. Perforation of the eardrum
D. Chronic infections of the middle ear
E. Use of a loop diuretic: A nurse is teaching a group of young adult clients about risk factors for hearing
loss. Which of the following factors should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Perforation of the eardrum
B. Born with a high birth weight
C. Frequent exposure to low-volume noise
D. Chronic infections of the middle ear
E. Use of a loop diuretic
10. C. Cool, clammy skin: A nurse suspects that a client who has diabetes mellitus is experiencing
hypoglycemia. Which of the following assessment findings supports this suspicion?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Increased urine output
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Acetone breath
11. B. "Do you feel life you have food stuck at the base of your throat?": A nurse is
caring for a client who has oral achalasia. The nurse should ask the client which of the following questions to assess
their ability to swallow?
A. "Do you feel any burning sensations in your throat?"
B. "Do you feel life you have food stuck at the base of your throat?"
C. "Do you have any feelings of fullness in the neck?"
D. "Do you have any problems with pain while swallowing?"
12. B. Slow infusion rate and contact the provider.: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving
a 0.9% sodium chloride via IV infusion. The client has become dyspneic with a blood pressure of 140/100 mm Hg,
a fluid intake of 960 mL, and an output of 300 mL in the past 12 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Administer prescribed corticosteroids.
B. Slow infusion rate and contact the provider.
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
C. Change infusion to lactated Ringer's and maintain rate.
D. Lower the head of the bed to semi-Fowler's.
13. D. Instruct the client not to bend the affected leg.: A nurse is caring for a client
immediately following a cardiac catheterization through the right femoral artery. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Monitor the client's vital signs once every hour.
B. Elevate the head of the client's bed to a 45° angle.
C. Restrict the client's fluid intake.
D. Instruct the client not to bend the attected leg.
14. C. Uric acid: A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has acute gout. The nurse should expect
an increase in which of the following laboratory results?
A. Intrinsic factor
B. Creatinine kinase
C. Uric acid
D. Chloride level
15. B: A nurse is assessing a client for a positive Chvostek's sign following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following
areas on the client's head should the nurse tap to assess the client for tetany?
16. A. "Provide the client with structured activities to fill their time.": A nurse is
providing teaching for the family of a client who has Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following statements should
the nurse include?
A. "Provide the client with structured activities to fill their time."
B. "Keep the client's room dark at night to promote sleep."
C. "Display a monthly calendar in the client's room."
D. "Provide plenty of stimulation in the client's room."
17. B. Clamp the tubing to check for air leaks.: A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest
tube in the pleural space. The nurse notices continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of the client's drainage
system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
1. B. Limit family member visits to 30 min per day.: A nurse is caring for a client who has a
sealed radiation implant. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Give the dosimeter badge to the oncoming nurse at the end of the shift.
B. Limit family member visits to 30 min per day.
C. Remove soiled linens from the room after each change.
D. Apply a second pair of gloves before touching the client's implant if it dislodges.
2. D. Antithrombotic: A nurse is planning the discharge of a client who had an ischemic stroke. The nurse
should ensure that the client is discharged with which of the following types of pharmacologic therapy?
A. Opioid analgesic
B. Anticonvulsant
C. Diuretic
D. Antithrombotic
3. C. Initiate a referral for the client to a home health agency.: A nurse is teaching a
client who has AIDS and wishes to continue self-care at home despite living alone. Which of the following actions by
the nurse demonstrates client advocacy?
A. Remind the client of the importance of medication adherence.
B. Tell the client to avoid places where there are large crowds of people.
C. Initiate a referral for the client to a home health agency.
D. Instruct the client to avoid eating raw vegetables.
4. D. "I will draw up the regular insulin into the syringe first.": A nurse is providing
teaching for a client who has diabetes mellitus about the self-administration of insulin. The client has prescriptions for
regular and NPH insulins. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will insert the needle at a 15-degree angle."
B. "I will store prefilled syringes in the refrigerator with the needle pointed downward."
C. "I will shake the NPH vial vigorously before drawing up the insulin."
D. "I will draw up the regular insulin into the syringe first."
5. D. Flush the catheter with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution after each use.: A
nurse is caring for a client who has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line in her left forearm. The client
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
is receiving an antibiotic via intermittent IV bolus every 12 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse take in
managing the client's PICC line?
A. Change the transparent membrane dressing daily.
B. Access the catheter using a non-coring needle.
C. Maintain a continuous IV infusion through the PICC line.
D. Flush the catheter with a 0.9% sodium chloride solution after each use.
6. D. Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hr: A nurse is administering furosemide 80
mg PO twice daily to a client who has pulmonary edema. Which of the following assessment findings indicates to the
nurse that the medication is ettective?
A. Elevation in blood pressure
B. Adventitious breath sounds
C. Respiratory rate of 24/min
D. Weight loss of 1.8 kg (4 lb) in the past 24 hr
7. B. Provide the client with a trapeze bar.: A nurse is caring for a client who has skeletal traction
applied to the left leg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Check pressure points every 12 hr.
B. Provide the client with a trapeze bar.
C. Remove the weights before changing the client's bedlinens.
D. Instruct the client to use their elbows to reposition.
8. B. "I can assist you with making a list of foods you like for the dietitian.": A
nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and has a referral for dietary consult.
The client tells the nurse, "I will have to eat whatever the dietitian tells me." Which of the following statements by the
nurse encourages the client's involvement in their plan of care?
A. "I understand that the dietary choices can seem overwhelming."
B. "I can assist you with making a list of foods you like for the dietitian."
C. "The dietitian will provide you with the best food choices to manage your diabetes."
D. "Managing your diabetes will require you to make accommodations."
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
9. A. Perforation of the eardrum
D. Chronic infections of the middle ear
E. Use of a loop diuretic: A nurse is teaching a group of young adult clients about risk factors for hearing
loss. Which of the following factors should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply.)
A. Perforation of the eardrum
B. Born with a high birth weight
C. Frequent exposure to low-volume noise
D. Chronic infections of the middle ear
E. Use of a loop diuretic
10. C. Cool, clammy skin: A nurse suspects that a client who has diabetes mellitus is experiencing
hypoglycemia. Which of the following assessment findings supports this suspicion?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Increased urine output
C. Cool, clammy skin
D. Acetone breath
11. B. "Do you feel life you have food stuck at the base of your throat?": A nurse is
caring for a client who has oral achalasia. The nurse should ask the client which of the following questions to assess
their ability to swallow?
A. "Do you feel any burning sensations in your throat?"
B. "Do you feel life you have food stuck at the base of your throat?"
C. "Do you have any feelings of fullness in the neck?"
D. "Do you have any problems with pain while swallowing?"
12. B. Slow infusion rate and contact the provider.: A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving
a 0.9% sodium chloride via IV infusion. The client has become dyspneic with a blood pressure of 140/100 mm Hg,
a fluid intake of 960 mL, and an output of 300 mL in the past 12 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take?
A. Administer prescribed corticosteroids.
B. Slow infusion rate and contact the provider.
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2023 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL
C. Change infusion to lactated Ringer's and maintain rate.
D. Lower the head of the bed to semi-Fowler's.
13. D. Instruct the client not to bend the affected leg.: A nurse is caring for a client
immediately following a cardiac catheterization through the right femoral artery. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take?
A. Monitor the client's vital signs once every hour.
B. Elevate the head of the client's bed to a 45° angle.
C. Restrict the client's fluid intake.
D. Instruct the client not to bend the attected leg.
14. C. Uric acid: A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has acute gout. The nurse should expect
an increase in which of the following laboratory results?
A. Intrinsic factor
B. Creatinine kinase
C. Uric acid
D. Chloride level
15. B: A nurse is assessing a client for a positive Chvostek's sign following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following
areas on the client's head should the nurse tap to assess the client for tetany?
16. A. "Provide the client with structured activities to fill their time.": A nurse is
providing teaching for the family of a client who has Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following statements should
the nurse include?
A. "Provide the client with structured activities to fill their time."
B. "Keep the client's room dark at night to promote sleep."
C. "Display a monthly calendar in the client's room."
D. "Provide plenty of stimulation in the client's room."
17. B. Clamp the tubing to check for air leaks.: A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest
tube in the pleural space. The nurse notices continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of the client's drainage
system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
