ATI RN MEDICAL-SURGICAL
PROCTORED EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
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1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with an acute myocardial infarction.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Chest pain rated 9/10 with diaphoresis
B. Blood pressure of 138/82 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 78 beats/minute
D. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Chest pain rated 9/10 with diaphoresis
RATIONALE: Severe chest pain with diaphoresis suggests ongoing myocardial ischemia
requiring immediate intervention.
2. A client with chronic heart failure reports waking up at night gasping for air.
Which condition is the client describing?
A. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Claudication
D. Syncope
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
RATIONALE: Sudden nighttime shortness of breath is a classic symptom of worsening heart
failure.
3. Which client should the nurse assess first?
,A. A client with a serum potassium level of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked T waves
B. A client requesting assistance with bathing
C. A client with chronic arthritis pain
D. A client awaiting discharge teaching
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client with a serum potassium level of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked
T waves
RATIONALE: Severe hyperkalemia can rapidly lead to fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) becomes
increasingly restless and confused. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Carbon dioxide retention
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Dehydration
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Carbon dioxide retention
RATIONALE: Restlessness and confusion are signs of worsening hypercapnia.
5. A nurse is caring for a client receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum bilirubin
C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Serum potassium
RATIONALE: Furosemide increases potassium excretion, placing the client at risk for
hypokalemia.
6. A client suddenly develops sharp chest pain and shortness of breath after hip
replacement surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
, A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Atelectasis
D. Pleural effusion
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pulmonary embolism
RATIONALE: Orthopedic surgery significantly increases the risk for pulmonary embolism.
7. Which assessment finding is expected in hypovolemic shock?
A. Cool, clammy skin with tachycardia
B. Warm skin and bounding pulses
C. Hypertension and bradycardia
D. Slow respirations with flushed skin
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Cool, clammy skin with tachycardia
RATIONALE: Hypovolemia causes sympathetic stimulation resulting in tachycardia and
peripheral vasoconstriction.
8. A client with pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Maintain the client NPO
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Provide a high-fat meal
D. Position the client supine
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Maintain the client NPO
RATIONALE: Keeping the client NPO reduces pancreatic stimulation and inflammation.
9. A client receiving IV potassium chloride reports burning at the IV site. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Assess the IV site for infiltration
B. Increase the infusion rate
C. Flush the IV rapidly
D. Apply heat immediately
PROCTORED EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted with an acute myocardial infarction.
Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Chest pain rated 9/10 with diaphoresis
B. Blood pressure of 138/82 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 78 beats/minute
D. Temperature of 37.2°C (99°F)
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Chest pain rated 9/10 with diaphoresis
RATIONALE: Severe chest pain with diaphoresis suggests ongoing myocardial ischemia
requiring immediate intervention.
2. A client with chronic heart failure reports waking up at night gasping for air.
Which condition is the client describing?
A. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Claudication
D. Syncope
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
RATIONALE: Sudden nighttime shortness of breath is a classic symptom of worsening heart
failure.
3. Which client should the nurse assess first?
,A. A client with a serum potassium level of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked T waves
B. A client requesting assistance with bathing
C. A client with chronic arthritis pain
D. A client awaiting discharge teaching
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client with a serum potassium level of 6.7 mEq/L and peaked
T waves
RATIONALE: Severe hyperkalemia can rapidly lead to fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) becomes
increasingly restless and confused. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Carbon dioxide retention
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Dehydration
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Carbon dioxide retention
RATIONALE: Restlessness and confusion are signs of worsening hypercapnia.
5. A nurse is caring for a client receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum bilirubin
C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Serum potassium
RATIONALE: Furosemide increases potassium excretion, placing the client at risk for
hypokalemia.
6. A client suddenly develops sharp chest pain and shortness of breath after hip
replacement surgery. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
, A. Pulmonary embolism
B. Pneumonia
C. Atelectasis
D. Pleural effusion
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pulmonary embolism
RATIONALE: Orthopedic surgery significantly increases the risk for pulmonary embolism.
7. Which assessment finding is expected in hypovolemic shock?
A. Cool, clammy skin with tachycardia
B. Warm skin and bounding pulses
C. Hypertension and bradycardia
D. Slow respirations with flushed skin
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Cool, clammy skin with tachycardia
RATIONALE: Hypovolemia causes sympathetic stimulation resulting in tachycardia and
peripheral vasoconstriction.
8. A client with pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which intervention
should the nurse implement first?
A. Maintain the client NPO
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Provide a high-fat meal
D. Position the client supine
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Maintain the client NPO
RATIONALE: Keeping the client NPO reduces pancreatic stimulation and inflammation.
9. A client receiving IV potassium chloride reports burning at the IV site. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Assess the IV site for infiltration
B. Increase the infusion rate
C. Flush the IV rapidly
D. Apply heat immediately
