NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice
Questions and Answers with Rationale ATI
Exam 2026
Q1. Prioritization (ABC / NGN style)
A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A. Client with COPD reporting mild dyspnea after walking
B. Client with chest pain rated 6/10
C. Client with inspiratory stridor and drooling
D. Client with postoperative pain 8/10
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
Stridor and drooling indicate upper airway obstruction (life-threatening). Airway always
comes first (ABC). Chest pain and dyspnea are serious but not immediately obstructed airway.
Q2. NGN Clinical Judgment – Recognizing Cues
A client with heart failure has: crackles, 3+ edema, and weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours. What is
the priority interpretation?
A. Improved cardiac output
B. Fluid volume overload
C. Hypovolemia
D. Electrolyte deficit
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Rapid weight gain + crackles + edema = fluid overload from worsening HF.
Q3. SATA (Select All That Apply) – MI Care
, NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
Which actions are appropriate for a client with acute myocardial infarction?
A. Administer oxygen if SpO₂ < 90%
B. Encourage ambulation immediately
C. Give aspirin as prescribed
D. Monitor cardiac rhythm
E. Place client in Trendelenburg position
✅ Answer: A, C, D
🧠 Rationale:
Oxygen improves myocardial perfusion
Aspirin prevents clot expansion
Continuous ECG monitoring is essential
Trendelenburg and early ambulation are inappropriate
Q4. NGN – Evaluating Outcomes
A patient with asthma received albuterol. Which finding shows treatment effectiveness?
A. Increased wheezing
B. HR 140 bpm
C. Respiratory rate decreased from 30 → 18
D. Cyanosis present
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
Improved ventilation = decreased respiratory rate and improved airflow.
Q5. Infection Control
Which patient requires airborne precautions?
A. MRSA wound infection
B. Influenza
C. Tuberculosis
D. C. diff infection
, NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
TB spreads via airborne droplets (N95 mask required).
Q6. NGN – Priority Action
A client has potassium 6.8 mEq/L. What is the priority action?
A. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Start IV insulin + dextrose
C. Encourage potassium-rich foods
D. Give furosemide only after breakfast
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Severe hyperkalemia affects the heart → insulin shifts potassium into cells immediately (life-
saving).
Q7. Post-op Complication
A nurse finds a postoperative abdominal wound evisceration. What is the first action?
A. Push organs back in
B. Cover with sterile saline dressing
C. Apply dry gauze tightly
D. Raise HOB flat
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Cover with sterile moist dressing to protect organs and prevent drying. Never reinsert organs.
Q8. Neurological NGN
Which finding indicates increased intracranial pressure?
, NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
A. Bradycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Fever and diarrhea
D. Hyperactive reflexes only
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Rationale:
Classic Cushing’s triad = late sign of brain herniation risk.
Q9. Diabetes Priority
A client with type 1 diabetes has sweating, confusion, and tremors. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Give insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Give IV potassium
D. Restrict fluids
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia → must confirm before treatment.
Q10. NGN – Delegation
Which task is appropriate to delegate to a UAP?
A. Assess lung sounds
B. Administer insulin
C. Measure vital signs on stable patient
D. Develop care plan
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
UAP can perform non-interpretive, routine tasks on stable clients only.
NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice
Questions and Answers with Rationale ATI
Exam 2026
Q1. Prioritization (ABC / NGN style)
A nurse receives report on four clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A. Client with COPD reporting mild dyspnea after walking
B. Client with chest pain rated 6/10
C. Client with inspiratory stridor and drooling
D. Client with postoperative pain 8/10
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
Stridor and drooling indicate upper airway obstruction (life-threatening). Airway always
comes first (ABC). Chest pain and dyspnea are serious but not immediately obstructed airway.
Q2. NGN Clinical Judgment – Recognizing Cues
A client with heart failure has: crackles, 3+ edema, and weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours. What is
the priority interpretation?
A. Improved cardiac output
B. Fluid volume overload
C. Hypovolemia
D. Electrolyte deficit
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Rapid weight gain + crackles + edema = fluid overload from worsening HF.
Q3. SATA (Select All That Apply) – MI Care
, NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
Which actions are appropriate for a client with acute myocardial infarction?
A. Administer oxygen if SpO₂ < 90%
B. Encourage ambulation immediately
C. Give aspirin as prescribed
D. Monitor cardiac rhythm
E. Place client in Trendelenburg position
✅ Answer: A, C, D
🧠 Rationale:
Oxygen improves myocardial perfusion
Aspirin prevents clot expansion
Continuous ECG monitoring is essential
Trendelenburg and early ambulation are inappropriate
Q4. NGN – Evaluating Outcomes
A patient with asthma received albuterol. Which finding shows treatment effectiveness?
A. Increased wheezing
B. HR 140 bpm
C. Respiratory rate decreased from 30 → 18
D. Cyanosis present
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
Improved ventilation = decreased respiratory rate and improved airflow.
Q5. Infection Control
Which patient requires airborne precautions?
A. MRSA wound infection
B. Influenza
C. Tuberculosis
D. C. diff infection
, NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
TB spreads via airborne droplets (N95 mask required).
Q6. NGN – Priority Action
A client has potassium 6.8 mEq/L. What is the priority action?
A. Administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. Start IV insulin + dextrose
C. Encourage potassium-rich foods
D. Give furosemide only after breakfast
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Severe hyperkalemia affects the heart → insulin shifts potassium into cells immediately (life-
saving).
Q7. Post-op Complication
A nurse finds a postoperative abdominal wound evisceration. What is the first action?
A. Push organs back in
B. Cover with sterile saline dressing
C. Apply dry gauze tightly
D. Raise HOB flat
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Cover with sterile moist dressing to protect organs and prevent drying. Never reinsert organs.
Q8. Neurological NGN
Which finding indicates increased intracranial pressure?
, NGN ATI MED SURG Proctored Exam Practice Questions and Answers with Rationale 2026
A. Bradycardia, hypertension, irregular respirations
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Fever and diarrhea
D. Hyperactive reflexes only
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Rationale:
Classic Cushing’s triad = late sign of brain herniation risk.
Q9. Diabetes Priority
A client with type 1 diabetes has sweating, confusion, and tremors. What should the nurse do
first?
A. Give insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Give IV potassium
D. Restrict fluids
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Rationale:
Symptoms suggest hypoglycemia → must confirm before treatment.
Q10. NGN – Delegation
Which task is appropriate to delegate to a UAP?
A. Assess lung sounds
B. Administer insulin
C. Measure vital signs on stable patient
D. Develop care plan
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Rationale:
UAP can perform non-interpretive, routine tasks on stable clients only.
