ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
1. A nurse is planning care for a client who is having a percutaneous translumi-
nal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement. Which of the following
actions should the nurse anticipate in the post-procedure plan of care?
A. Instruct the client about a long-term cardiac conditioning program
B. Administer scheduled doses of acetaminophen
C. Check for peak laboratory markers of myocardial damage
D. Monitor for bleeding: D. Monitor for bleeding
Correct Answer: D.
Monitor for bleeding
Bleeding is a post-procedure complication of PTCA because of the administration of heparin during the procedure
and the removal of the femoral (or brachial) sheath. Manual pressure or a closure device is used to obtain hemostasis
to the site. The client should remain on bed rest until hemostasis is assured.
Incorrect Answers:A. The nurse should provide teaching about cardiac rehabilitation prior to the client's discharge
from the hospital.
B. The nurse should plan to administer scheduled doses of aspirin post-procedure. This maintains the patency of the
client's coronary arteries following the PTCA by preventing platelet aggregation and thrombus formation around the
newly placed stent.
C. The nurse should monitor for peak laboratory markers of myocardial damage following a myocardial infarction and
reperfusion with thrombolytic therapy.
2. A nurse in a provider's office is reviewing the medical records of a group of
clients. Which of the following clients is at risk for iron deficiency? (Select all
that apply.)
A. A client who is postmenopausal
B. A client who is a vegetarian
C. A middle adult male client
D. A client who is pregnant
E. A toddler who is overweight: B. A client who is a vegetarian
D. A client who is pregnant
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
E. A toddler who is overweight
A client who is a vegetarian might require additional iron because the availability of iron in vegetable food sources is
limited. During pregnancy, maternal blood volume increases, and the fetus requires additional iron. Therefore, the
RDA of iron for clients who are pregnant is increased to 27 mg per day. Toddlers who are overweight may get most
of their calories from milk and foods that are not considered healthy, which increases their risk for iron-deficiency
anemia.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has protein-calo-
rie malnutrition. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased albumin
B. Elevated hemoglobin
C. Elevated lymphocytes
D. Decreased cortisol: A. Decreased albumin
Correct Answer: A.
Decreased albumin
A decrease in the albumin level can be an indication of long-term protein depletion. Other potential conditions that
result in decreased albumin levels include burns, wound drainage, and impaired hepatic function.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has increased intracranial pressure and
has received intravenous mannitol. Which of the following findings indicates
a therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Decreased blood glucose
B. Decreased bronchospasms
C. Increased urine output
D. Increased temperature: C. Increased urine output
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce intracranial pressure by mobilizing intracranial fluid and inhibiting the
reabsorption of water and electrolytes in the kidneys. Increased urine output and decreased intracranial pressure are
therapeutic ettects of this medication.
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
5. A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about assessing clients who
are having an acute myocardial infarction (MI). What is the most common
assessment finding with acute MI?
A. Dyspnea
B. Pain in the shoulder and left arm
C. Substernal chest pain
D. Palpitations: C. Substernal chest pain
Evidence-based practice indicates that the most common manifestation of acute MI is substernal chest pain that does
not subside with rest or nitroglycerin. Therefore, nurses should make pain management with morphine a priority to
reduce myocardial oxygen demand and increase oxygenation.
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who had a bone marrow
transplant and has thrombocytopenia. Which of the following statements
indicates that the client understands the precautions he must take at home?
A. "I'll stick with soft foods for now."
B. "My family will be bringing me fresh flowers today."
C. "I'll use a new disposable razor each day."
D. "I'll blow my nose more often to avoid nosebleeds.": A. "I'll stick with soft foods for
now."
Thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) is common after a bone marrow transplant. To prevent bleeding until the
client's platelet count improves, the client should avoid hard foods that could cause mouth trauma.
Incorrect Answers:
C. To reduce the risk of injury and bleeding, the client should use an electric shaver rather than a razor.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy with an inflated cuff in
place. Which of the following findings indicates that the nurse should suction
the client's airway secretions?
A. The client is unable to speak.
B. The client's airway secretions were last suctioned 2 hr ago.
C. The client coughs and expectorates a large mucous plug.
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
D. The nurse auscultates coarse crackles in the lung fields.: D. The nurse auscultates
coarse crackles in the lung fields.
Correct Answer: D.
The nurse auscultates coarse crackles in the lung fields.
The nurse should auscultate coarse crackles or rhonchi, identify a moist cough, hear or see secretions in the
tracheostomy tube, and then suction the client's airway secretions.
Incorrect Answers:A. A client who has a tracheostomy with an inflated cutt in place is unable to speak.
B. The nurse should assess the need for suctioning every 2 hours and suction as necessary.
C. The nurse should assess the client's airway after coughing and only suction the client's secretions if the client is
not able to cough and expectorate secretions.
8. A nurse is caring for a client during the first 72 hr following a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Turn the client's head to the side with the head of the bed elevated 60°
B. Place the head of the bed flat with pillows under the client's neck and feet
C. Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline
position
D. Position the client in a dorsal recumbent position with pillows under the
head and knees: C. Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline position
Elevating the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client's head in a neutral midline position helps prevent an increase
in intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure is a major risk factor for complications in the first 72 hours
following the onset of a CVA.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has cataracts. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pupils nonreactive to light
B. Opacity visible behind the pupil
C. White circle around the outside border of the iris
D. Increased intraocular pressure: B. Opacity visible behind the pupil
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
1. A nurse is planning care for a client who is having a percutaneous translumi-
nal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent placement. Which of the following
actions should the nurse anticipate in the post-procedure plan of care?
A. Instruct the client about a long-term cardiac conditioning program
B. Administer scheduled doses of acetaminophen
C. Check for peak laboratory markers of myocardial damage
D. Monitor for bleeding: D. Monitor for bleeding
Correct Answer: D.
Monitor for bleeding
Bleeding is a post-procedure complication of PTCA because of the administration of heparin during the procedure
and the removal of the femoral (or brachial) sheath. Manual pressure or a closure device is used to obtain hemostasis
to the site. The client should remain on bed rest until hemostasis is assured.
Incorrect Answers:A. The nurse should provide teaching about cardiac rehabilitation prior to the client's discharge
from the hospital.
B. The nurse should plan to administer scheduled doses of aspirin post-procedure. This maintains the patency of the
client's coronary arteries following the PTCA by preventing platelet aggregation and thrombus formation around the
newly placed stent.
C. The nurse should monitor for peak laboratory markers of myocardial damage following a myocardial infarction and
reperfusion with thrombolytic therapy.
2. A nurse in a provider's office is reviewing the medical records of a group of
clients. Which of the following clients is at risk for iron deficiency? (Select all
that apply.)
A. A client who is postmenopausal
B. A client who is a vegetarian
C. A middle adult male client
D. A client who is pregnant
E. A toddler who is overweight: B. A client who is a vegetarian
D. A client who is pregnant
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
E. A toddler who is overweight
A client who is a vegetarian might require additional iron because the availability of iron in vegetable food sources is
limited. During pregnancy, maternal blood volume increases, and the fetus requires additional iron. Therefore, the
RDA of iron for clients who are pregnant is increased to 27 mg per day. Toddlers who are overweight may get most
of their calories from milk and foods that are not considered healthy, which increases their risk for iron-deficiency
anemia.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who has protein-calo-
rie malnutrition. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased albumin
B. Elevated hemoglobin
C. Elevated lymphocytes
D. Decreased cortisol: A. Decreased albumin
Correct Answer: A.
Decreased albumin
A decrease in the albumin level can be an indication of long-term protein depletion. Other potential conditions that
result in decreased albumin levels include burns, wound drainage, and impaired hepatic function.
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has increased intracranial pressure and
has received intravenous mannitol. Which of the following findings indicates
a therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Decreased blood glucose
B. Decreased bronchospasms
C. Increased urine output
D. Increased temperature: C. Increased urine output
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce intracranial pressure by mobilizing intracranial fluid and inhibiting the
reabsorption of water and electrolytes in the kidneys. Increased urine output and decreased intracranial pressure are
therapeutic ettects of this medication.
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
5. A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about assessing clients who
are having an acute myocardial infarction (MI). What is the most common
assessment finding with acute MI?
A. Dyspnea
B. Pain in the shoulder and left arm
C. Substernal chest pain
D. Palpitations: C. Substernal chest pain
Evidence-based practice indicates that the most common manifestation of acute MI is substernal chest pain that does
not subside with rest or nitroglycerin. Therefore, nurses should make pain management with morphine a priority to
reduce myocardial oxygen demand and increase oxygenation.
6. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who had a bone marrow
transplant and has thrombocytopenia. Which of the following statements
indicates that the client understands the precautions he must take at home?
A. "I'll stick with soft foods for now."
B. "My family will be bringing me fresh flowers today."
C. "I'll use a new disposable razor each day."
D. "I'll blow my nose more often to avoid nosebleeds.": A. "I'll stick with soft foods for
now."
Thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) is common after a bone marrow transplant. To prevent bleeding until the
client's platelet count improves, the client should avoid hard foods that could cause mouth trauma.
Incorrect Answers:
C. To reduce the risk of injury and bleeding, the client should use an electric shaver rather than a razor.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy with an inflated cuff in
place. Which of the following findings indicates that the nurse should suction
the client's airway secretions?
A. The client is unable to speak.
B. The client's airway secretions were last suctioned 2 hr ago.
C. The client coughs and expectorates a large mucous plug.
, ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PROCTORED EXAM 2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL A+ VERIFIED LATEST UPDATE
D. The nurse auscultates coarse crackles in the lung fields.: D. The nurse auscultates
coarse crackles in the lung fields.
Correct Answer: D.
The nurse auscultates coarse crackles in the lung fields.
The nurse should auscultate coarse crackles or rhonchi, identify a moist cough, hear or see secretions in the
tracheostomy tube, and then suction the client's airway secretions.
Incorrect Answers:A. A client who has a tracheostomy with an inflated cutt in place is unable to speak.
B. The nurse should assess the need for suctioning every 2 hours and suction as necessary.
C. The nurse should assess the client's airway after coughing and only suction the client's secretions if the client is
not able to cough and expectorate secretions.
8. A nurse is caring for a client during the first 72 hr following a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Turn the client's head to the side with the head of the bed elevated 60°
B. Place the head of the bed flat with pillows under the client's neck and feet
C. Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline
position
D. Position the client in a dorsal recumbent position with pillows under the
head and knees: C. Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline position
Elevating the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client's head in a neutral midline position helps prevent an increase
in intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure is a major risk factor for complications in the first 72 hours
following the onset of a CVA.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has cataracts. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pupils nonreactive to light
B. Opacity visible behind the pupil
C. White circle around the outside border of the iris
D. Increased intraocular pressure: B. Opacity visible behind the pupil
