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ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
(CMS) 2026 EXAM COMPLETE (200) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS|GUARANTEED PASS.
CMS
Prepare with confidence using this ATI Adult Medical Surgical
Nursing (CMS) Exam, designed to assess essential knowledge and
clinical application in adult medical-surgical nursing care. It focuses
on patient assessment, disease management, pharmacologic
therapies, nursing interventions, prioritization, and evidence-based
care for adult patients. The exam strengthens clinical reasoning and
decision-making in complex healthcare settings. Suitable for nursing
students preparing for ATI CMS examinations and medical-surgical
nursing coursework.
Multiple choice.
Exam Blueprint:
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Disorders (20%) – 40 Qs
Respiratory Disorders (15%) – 30 Qs
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders (15%) – 30 Qs
Renal & Genitourinary Disorders (10%) – 20 Qs
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders (10%) – 20 Qs
Neurologic & Musculoskeletal Disorders (15%) – 30 Qs
Immunologic, Infectious & Perioperative Care (15%) – 30 Qs
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SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS –
Questions 1–40
1. A client with heart failure has crackles in all lung fields, jugular venous
distention, and 3+ pitting edema. Which medication should the nurse
expect to administer first?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
C) Enalapril
D) Carvedilol
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide (loop diuretic) reduces preload by promoting
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diuresis, relieving pulmonary congestion and edema. It is first-line for acute
decompensated heart failure with fluid overload.
2. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test
should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin anticoagulation is monitored by INR; target INR 2-3 for
atrial fibrillation (2.5-3.5 for mechanical valves).
3. A client with chest pain is admitted with suspected acute coronary
syndrome (ACS). Which serum cardiac marker is most specific for
myocardial necrosis?
A) CK-MB
B) Myoglobin
C) Troponin I or T
D) C-reactive protein
Answer: C
Rationale: Troponin is the most specific and sensitive marker for
myocardial necrosis; elevated troponin indicates MI.
4. A client on a cardiac monitor shows ST-segment elevation in leads
V1-V4. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
A) Left circumflex artery
B) Right coronary artery
C) Left anterior descending artery (LAD)
D) Posterior descending artery
Answer: C
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Rationale: LAD occlusion causes anterior wall MI (ST elevation in V1-V4).
Right coronary artery occlusion causes inferior MI (II, III, aVF).
5. A client with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is prescribed
enoxaparin. The nurse should administer this medication via which route?
A) Intravenous push
B) Subcutaneous injection in the abdomen
C) Intramuscular injection
D) Oral
Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin (low-molecular-weight heparin) is given
subcutaneously in the abdomen; rotate sites; do not expel air bubble.
6. A client after cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery has a
sandbag placed over the insertion site. Which finding requires immediate
nursing action?
A) Small amount of oozing around the site
B) Ecchymosis at the site
C) Expanding hematoma and loss of pulse in the affected leg
D) Mild groin discomfort
Answer: C
Rationale: Expanding hematoma with loss of distal pulse indicates possible
retroperitoneal bleeding or vessel occlusion; notify provider immediately.
7. A client with chronic heart failure has a prescription for carvedilol. The
nurse should monitor for which therapeutic effect?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduced mortality
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Decreased urinary output
Answer: B
ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING
(CMS) 2026 EXAM COMPLETE (200) CURRENT
TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS|GUARANTEED PASS.
CMS
Prepare with confidence using this ATI Adult Medical Surgical
Nursing (CMS) Exam, designed to assess essential knowledge and
clinical application in adult medical-surgical nursing care. It focuses
on patient assessment, disease management, pharmacologic
therapies, nursing interventions, prioritization, and evidence-based
care for adult patients. The exam strengthens clinical reasoning and
decision-making in complex healthcare settings. Suitable for nursing
students preparing for ATI CMS examinations and medical-surgical
nursing coursework.
Multiple choice.
Exam Blueprint:
Cardiovascular & Hematologic Disorders (20%) – 40 Qs
Respiratory Disorders (15%) – 30 Qs
Gastrointestinal & Hepatic Disorders (15%) – 30 Qs
Renal & Genitourinary Disorders (10%) – 20 Qs
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders (10%) – 20 Qs
Neurologic & Musculoskeletal Disorders (15%) – 30 Qs
Immunologic, Infectious & Perioperative Care (15%) – 30 Qs
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SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR & HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS –
Questions 1–40
1. A client with heart failure has crackles in all lung fields, jugular venous
distention, and 3+ pitting edema. Which medication should the nurse
expect to administer first?
A) Digoxin
B) Furosemide
C) Enalapril
D) Carvedilol
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide (loop diuretic) reduces preload by promoting
, Page 3 of 69
diuresis, relieving pulmonary congestion and edema. It is first-line for acute
decompensated heart failure with fluid overload.
2. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test
should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin anticoagulation is monitored by INR; target INR 2-3 for
atrial fibrillation (2.5-3.5 for mechanical valves).
3. A client with chest pain is admitted with suspected acute coronary
syndrome (ACS). Which serum cardiac marker is most specific for
myocardial necrosis?
A) CK-MB
B) Myoglobin
C) Troponin I or T
D) C-reactive protein
Answer: C
Rationale: Troponin is the most specific and sensitive marker for
myocardial necrosis; elevated troponin indicates MI.
4. A client on a cardiac monitor shows ST-segment elevation in leads
V1-V4. Which coronary artery is most likely occluded?
A) Left circumflex artery
B) Right coronary artery
C) Left anterior descending artery (LAD)
D) Posterior descending artery
Answer: C
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Rationale: LAD occlusion causes anterior wall MI (ST elevation in V1-V4).
Right coronary artery occlusion causes inferior MI (II, III, aVF).
5. A client with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is prescribed
enoxaparin. The nurse should administer this medication via which route?
A) Intravenous push
B) Subcutaneous injection in the abdomen
C) Intramuscular injection
D) Oral
Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin (low-molecular-weight heparin) is given
subcutaneously in the abdomen; rotate sites; do not expel air bubble.
6. A client after cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery has a
sandbag placed over the insertion site. Which finding requires immediate
nursing action?
A) Small amount of oozing around the site
B) Ecchymosis at the site
C) Expanding hematoma and loss of pulse in the affected leg
D) Mild groin discomfort
Answer: C
Rationale: Expanding hematoma with loss of distal pulse indicates possible
retroperitoneal bleeding or vessel occlusion; notify provider immediately.
7. A client with chronic heart failure has a prescription for carvedilol. The
nurse should monitor for which therapeutic effect?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduced mortality
C) Increased blood pressure
D) Decreased urinary output
Answer: B
