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ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL PROCTORED RN ATI EXAM
2026-2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of heart failure and is
receiving furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an indication of hypokalemia?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Weak, irregular pulse
C. Facial flushing
D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B. Weak, irregular pulse
Explanation: Hypokalemia, a potential complication of loop diuretic
therapy such as furosemide, causes cardiac electrical conduction
disturbances. A weak, irregular pulse indicates possible cardiac
dysrhythmia. Hyperactive bowel sounds and decreased deep tendon
reflexes are associated with hyperkalemia. Facial flushing is not a
typical sign.
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2. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
The client reports chills, low back pain, and a feeling of tightness in the
chest. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Obtain a urine specimen
D. Notify the provider
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Explanation: The client is exhibiting signs of a hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The priority action is to immediately stop the infusion to limit
the amount of incompatible blood entering the circulation. The nurse
should then maintain the IV line with normal saline, notify the provider,
and monitor vital signs.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
permanent pacemaker. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will avoid using my cell phone on the side opposite the
pacemaker."
B. "I can resume lifting weights at the gym in 2 weeks."
C. "I should avoid microwave ovens completely."
D. "My heart rate should stay exactly at 70 beats per minute."
Answer: A. "I will avoid using my cell phone on the side opposite the
pacemaker."
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Explanation: Cell phones should be held to the ear on the side opposite
the pacemaker and should not be carried in a pocket over the
generator to avoid electromagnetic interference. Weight lifting
restrictions typically last longer than 2 weeks. Microwave ovens are
safe to use. The heart rate can vary; the pacemaker fires when the
intrinsic rate falls below its set rate.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
A. Serum pH 7.48
B. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Urine ketones positive
D. Serum bicarbonate 28 mEq/L
Answer: C. Urine ketones positive
Explanation: DKA results from a deficiency of insulin, leading to
hyperglycemia, ketone body production, and metabolic acidosis. The
nurse should expect positive urine ketones. The pH would be low
(acidosis), blood glucose would be elevated (usually above 250 mg/dL),
and bicarbonate would be low.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure
(ICP). Which of the following actions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the head of the bed flat
B. Administer hypotonic intravenous fluids
C. Maintain the head in a midline position
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D. Encourage vigorous coughing and deep breathing
Answer: C. Maintain the head in a midline position
Explanation: Keeping the head in a neutral, midline position promotes
jugular venous outflow, which helps to decrease ICP. The head of the
bed should be elevated to 30 degrees. Hypotonic fluids are avoided
because they can cross the blood-brain barrier and worsen cerebral
edema. Coughing and straining increase ICP.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Periumbilical cyanosis
B. Right lower quadrant guarding
C. Epigastric pain radiating to the back
D. Rebound tenderness at McBurney's point
Answer: C. Epigastric pain radiating to the back
Explanation: Acute pancreatitis causes severe, boring epigastric pain
that often radiates to the back due to retroperitoneal inflammation.
Periumbilical cyanosis (Cullen's sign) or flank ecchymosis (Grey-Turner's
sign) indicate hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Right lower quadrant pain is
characteristic of appendicitis.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of
hypothyroidism. Which of the following statements should the nurse
include?
A. "You should take your levothyroxine with a high-fiber meal."
ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL PROCTORED RN ATI EXAM
2026-2027 BANK QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS EXAM QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE
(100% CORRECT ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of heart failure and is
receiving furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as an indication of hypokalemia?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Weak, irregular pulse
C. Facial flushing
D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes
Answer: B. Weak, irregular pulse
Explanation: Hypokalemia, a potential complication of loop diuretic
therapy such as furosemide, causes cardiac electrical conduction
disturbances. A weak, irregular pulse indicates possible cardiac
dysrhythmia. Hyperactive bowel sounds and decreased deep tendon
reflexes are associated with hyperkalemia. Facial flushing is not a
typical sign.
,2|Page
2. A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
The client reports chills, low back pain, and a feeling of tightness in the
chest. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer acetaminophen
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Obtain a urine specimen
D. Notify the provider
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Explanation: The client is exhibiting signs of a hemolytic transfusion
reaction. The priority action is to immediately stop the infusion to limit
the amount of incompatible blood entering the circulation. The nurse
should then maintain the IV line with normal saline, notify the provider,
and monitor vital signs.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new
permanent pacemaker. Which of the following statements by the client
indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will avoid using my cell phone on the side opposite the
pacemaker."
B. "I can resume lifting weights at the gym in 2 weeks."
C. "I should avoid microwave ovens completely."
D. "My heart rate should stay exactly at 70 beats per minute."
Answer: A. "I will avoid using my cell phone on the side opposite the
pacemaker."
,3|Page
Explanation: Cell phones should be held to the ear on the side opposite
the pacemaker and should not be carried in a pocket over the
generator to avoid electromagnetic interference. Weight lifting
restrictions typically last longer than 2 weeks. Microwave ovens are
safe to use. The heart rate can vary; the pacemaker fires when the
intrinsic rate falls below its set rate.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
A. Serum pH 7.48
B. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Urine ketones positive
D. Serum bicarbonate 28 mEq/L
Answer: C. Urine ketones positive
Explanation: DKA results from a deficiency of insulin, leading to
hyperglycemia, ketone body production, and metabolic acidosis. The
nurse should expect positive urine ketones. The pH would be low
(acidosis), blood glucose would be elevated (usually above 250 mg/dL),
and bicarbonate would be low.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure
(ICP). Which of the following actions should the nurse implement?
A. Keep the head of the bed flat
B. Administer hypotonic intravenous fluids
C. Maintain the head in a midline position
, 4|Page
D. Encourage vigorous coughing and deep breathing
Answer: C. Maintain the head in a midline position
Explanation: Keeping the head in a neutral, midline position promotes
jugular venous outflow, which helps to decrease ICP. The head of the
bed should be elevated to 30 degrees. Hypotonic fluids are avoided
because they can cross the blood-brain barrier and worsen cerebral
edema. Coughing and straining increase ICP.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Periumbilical cyanosis
B. Right lower quadrant guarding
C. Epigastric pain radiating to the back
D. Rebound tenderness at McBurney's point
Answer: C. Epigastric pain radiating to the back
Explanation: Acute pancreatitis causes severe, boring epigastric pain
that often radiates to the back due to retroperitoneal inflammation.
Periumbilical cyanosis (Cullen's sign) or flank ecchymosis (Grey-Turner's
sign) indicate hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Right lower quadrant pain is
characteristic of appendicitis.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of
hypothyroidism. Which of the following statements should the nurse
include?
A. "You should take your levothyroxine with a high-fiber meal."
