ATI Med Surge Proctored Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parental nutrition through a central
line. The current bag is nearly empty, and a new bag is unavailable from the
pharmacy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Switch the infusion to a 10% dextrose solution
b. Discontinue the infusion and flush the line
c. Decrease the rate of infusion to last until the new bag is available
d. Start an infusion of 0.45% sodium chloride solution
Correct Answer
a. Switch the infusion to a 10% dextrose solution
Question 2
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is returning from the PACU
following a left below-the-knee amputation. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Provide the client with a firm mattress
b. Wrap the client's residual limb with elastic bandage in a distal to proximal direction
c. Place the client's residual limb in a dependent position when possible
d. Keep the client in a supine position for 48 hours
Correct Answer
a. Provide the client with a firm mattress
Page 1 of 440
,Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who has arteriovenous (AV) graft in the left forearm.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse a complication of
vascular access?
a. 2+ left radical pulse
b. Absence of a bruit
c. Presence of a palpable thrill
d. Dilated appearance of the AV site
Correct Answer
b. Absence of a bruit
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has an arteriovenous graft. Which of the following
findings indicates adequate circulation of the graft?
a. Dilated appearance of the graft
b. Absence of a bruit
c. Normotensive blood pressure
d. Palpable thrill
Correct Answer
d. Palpable thrill
Question 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who will be self-administering
insulin at home. Which of the following information should the nurse include
regarding needle disposal?
a. "secure the cap tightly over the needle before you discard it"
b. "remove the needle from the syringe before you place it in the trash"
c. "you can discard needles in an empty bleach bottle with a lid"
d. "place your storage container in a recycle bin when it is full"
Correct Answer
c. "you can discard needles in an empty bleach bottle with a lid"
Page 2 of 440
,Question 6
A nurse is planning care for an older adult client who has Meniere's disease. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Perform range-of-motion exercises to the client's neck every 4 hour
b. Limit the client's fluid intake to 1,500 ml/day
c. Encourage the client to change positions slowly
d. Administer aspirin if the client reports a headache
Correct Answer
c. Encourage the client to change positions slowly
Question 7
A nurse is providing instructions to a client who has primary syphilis. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge plan?
a. "you will need cryotherapy for 1 to 2 weeks"
b. "you will need to take an antiviral medication for 6 months"
c. "you will need 3 follow-up blood tests within 24 month period"
d. "you will need to be monitored for 15 minutes after receiving each medication
dose"
Correct Answer
c. "you will need 3 follow-up blood tests within 24 month period"
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is caregiver for a relative who has chronic disease.
Which of the following statements indicates the client is adapting to the role change?
a. "I had to reschedule my doctor's appointment last week"
b. "I have lunch with my friends once a week"
c. "I've lost 15 pounds in the past 2 months"
d. "I need to get my blood pressure medicine refilled"
Correct Answer
d. "I need to get my blood pressure medicine refilled"
Page 3 of 440
, Question 9
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a central venous access device for
intermittent infusions. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the
plan of care?
a. Flush the catheter using a 10ml syringe
b. Change the dressing every 24 hour
c. Use clean technique when changing the dressing
d. Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine
Correct Answer
a. Flush the catheter using a 10ml syringe
Question 10
A nurse in the PACU is assessing a client who is postoperative following general
anesthesia. Which of the following findings is the priority to address?
a. Vomiting upon arousal
b. Decreased body temperature
c. Indistinct, rambling speech
d. Piloerection of the skin
Correct Answer
a. Vomiting upon arousal
Question 11
A nurse is teaching a client who has Graves' disease about recognizing the
manifestations of the thyroid storm. Which of the following findings should the nurse
include in the teaching?
a. Increased temperature
b. Decreased HR
c. Hypotension
d. Lethargy
Correct Answer
a. Increased temperature
Page 4 of 440
with Correct Answers
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parental nutrition through a central
line. The current bag is nearly empty, and a new bag is unavailable from the
pharmacy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Switch the infusion to a 10% dextrose solution
b. Discontinue the infusion and flush the line
c. Decrease the rate of infusion to last until the new bag is available
d. Start an infusion of 0.45% sodium chloride solution
Correct Answer
a. Switch the infusion to a 10% dextrose solution
Question 2
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is returning from the PACU
following a left below-the-knee amputation. Which of the following interventions
should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Provide the client with a firm mattress
b. Wrap the client's residual limb with elastic bandage in a distal to proximal direction
c. Place the client's residual limb in a dependent position when possible
d. Keep the client in a supine position for 48 hours
Correct Answer
a. Provide the client with a firm mattress
Page 1 of 440
,Question 3
A nurse is assessing a client who has arteriovenous (AV) graft in the left forearm.
Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse a complication of
vascular access?
a. 2+ left radical pulse
b. Absence of a bruit
c. Presence of a palpable thrill
d. Dilated appearance of the AV site
Correct Answer
b. Absence of a bruit
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has an arteriovenous graft. Which of the following
findings indicates adequate circulation of the graft?
a. Dilated appearance of the graft
b. Absence of a bruit
c. Normotensive blood pressure
d. Palpable thrill
Correct Answer
d. Palpable thrill
Question 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who will be self-administering
insulin at home. Which of the following information should the nurse include
regarding needle disposal?
a. "secure the cap tightly over the needle before you discard it"
b. "remove the needle from the syringe before you place it in the trash"
c. "you can discard needles in an empty bleach bottle with a lid"
d. "place your storage container in a recycle bin when it is full"
Correct Answer
c. "you can discard needles in an empty bleach bottle with a lid"
Page 2 of 440
,Question 6
A nurse is planning care for an older adult client who has Meniere's disease. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan?
a. Perform range-of-motion exercises to the client's neck every 4 hour
b. Limit the client's fluid intake to 1,500 ml/day
c. Encourage the client to change positions slowly
d. Administer aspirin if the client reports a headache
Correct Answer
c. Encourage the client to change positions slowly
Question 7
A nurse is providing instructions to a client who has primary syphilis. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include in the discharge plan?
a. "you will need cryotherapy for 1 to 2 weeks"
b. "you will need to take an antiviral medication for 6 months"
c. "you will need 3 follow-up blood tests within 24 month period"
d. "you will need to be monitored for 15 minutes after receiving each medication
dose"
Correct Answer
c. "you will need 3 follow-up blood tests within 24 month period"
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is caregiver for a relative who has chronic disease.
Which of the following statements indicates the client is adapting to the role change?
a. "I had to reschedule my doctor's appointment last week"
b. "I have lunch with my friends once a week"
c. "I've lost 15 pounds in the past 2 months"
d. "I need to get my blood pressure medicine refilled"
Correct Answer
d. "I need to get my blood pressure medicine refilled"
Page 3 of 440
, Question 9
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a central venous access device for
intermittent infusions. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the
plan of care?
a. Flush the catheter using a 10ml syringe
b. Change the dressing every 24 hour
c. Use clean technique when changing the dressing
d. Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine
Correct Answer
a. Flush the catheter using a 10ml syringe
Question 10
A nurse in the PACU is assessing a client who is postoperative following general
anesthesia. Which of the following findings is the priority to address?
a. Vomiting upon arousal
b. Decreased body temperature
c. Indistinct, rambling speech
d. Piloerection of the skin
Correct Answer
a. Vomiting upon arousal
Question 11
A nurse is teaching a client who has Graves' disease about recognizing the
manifestations of the thyroid storm. Which of the following findings should the nurse
include in the teaching?
a. Increased temperature
b. Decreased HR
c. Hypotension
d. Lethargy
Correct Answer
a. Increased temperature
Page 4 of 440
