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 unrelieved by three doses of nitroglycerin
B. Blood pressure of 138/84 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 86 beats/minute
D. Oxygen saturation of 96% on 2 L/min via nasal cannula
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Chest pain rated 9/10 unrelieved by three doses of nitroglycerin
RATIONALE: Persistent chest pain despite nitroglycerin may indicate ongoing myocardial
ischemia requiring immediate intervention.
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suddenly
becomes restless and confused. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory status
B. Encourage the client to ambulate
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Administer a sedative
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Assess the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory status
RATIONALE: Restlessness and confusion are early signs of hypoxemia and require immediate
respiratory assessment.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which assessment finding
indicates worsening pulmonary edema?
A. Pink frothy sputum and bilateral crackles
B. Dry cough only
C. Bradycardia with clear lung sounds
D. Increased appetite
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pink frothy sputum and bilateral crackles
RATIONALE: Pink frothy sputum is a hallmark sign of acute pulmonary edema and requires
immediate treatment.
4. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is receiving IV insulin therapy.
Which laboratory value indicates that treatment is effective?
A. Blood glucose decreases to 180 mg/dL
B. Serum potassium increases to 6.5 mEq/L
C. Blood pH decreases further
D. Respiratory rate continues to increase
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood glucose decreases to 180 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Controlled reduction in blood glucose indicates that insulin therapy is effective.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which finding is expected?
A. Unilateral calf swelling, warmth, and tenderness
B. Bilateral cool extremities
C. Generalized edema only
D. Absent pedal pulses bilaterally
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Unilateral calf swelling, warmth, and tenderness
RATIONALE: DVT commonly presents with unilateral swelling, pain, warmth, and tenderness.
6. A client receiving hemodialysis reports muscle cramps and dizziness during
treatment. What should the nurse suspect?
, A. Hypotension due to excessive fluid removal
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Hypercalcemia
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Hypotension due to excessive fluid removal
RATIONALE: Rapid fluid removal during dialysis commonly causes hypotension and muscle
cramps.
7. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T waves
B. A client requesting pain medication after surgery
C. A client awaiting discharge instructions
D. A client requesting assistance with bathing
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client with a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked
T waves
RATIONALE: Severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
8. A client with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth and shortness of
breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Ascites
B. Appendicitis
C. Nephrolithiasis
D. Pancreatitis
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Ascites
RATIONALE: Fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity causes abdominal distention and
respiratory compromise.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory finding
is expected?
A. Elevated serum lipase level
B. Decreased amylase level
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 unrelieved by three doses of nitroglycerin
B. Blood pressure of 138/84 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 86 beats/minute
D. Oxygen saturation of 96% on 2 L/min via nasal cannula
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Chest pain rated 9/10 unrelieved by three doses of nitroglycerin
RATIONALE: Persistent chest pain despite nitroglycerin may indicate ongoing myocardial
ischemia requiring immediate intervention.
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suddenly
becomes restless and confused. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Assess the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory status
B. Encourage the client to ambulate
C. Offer oral fluids
D. Administer a sedative
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Assess the client's oxygen saturation and respiratory status
RATIONALE: Restlessness and confusion are early signs of hypoxemia and require immediate
respiratory assessment.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which assessment finding
indicates worsening pulmonary edema?
A. Pink frothy sputum and bilateral crackles
B. Dry cough only
C. Bradycardia with clear lung sounds
D. Increased appetite
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Pink frothy sputum and bilateral crackles
RATIONALE: Pink frothy sputum is a hallmark sign of acute pulmonary edema and requires
immediate treatment.
4. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is receiving IV insulin therapy.
Which laboratory value indicates that treatment is effective?
A. Blood glucose decreases to 180 mg/dL
B. Serum potassium increases to 6.5 mEq/L
C. Blood pH decreases further
D. Respiratory rate continues to increase
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Blood glucose decreases to 180 mg/dL
RATIONALE: Controlled reduction in blood glucose indicates that insulin therapy is effective.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which finding is expected?
A. Unilateral calf swelling, warmth, and tenderness
B. Bilateral cool extremities
C. Generalized edema only
D. Absent pedal pulses bilaterally
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Unilateral calf swelling, warmth, and tenderness
RATIONALE: DVT commonly presents with unilateral swelling, pain, warmth, and tenderness.
6. A client receiving hemodialysis reports muscle cramps and dizziness during
treatment. What should the nurse suspect?
, A. Hypotension due to excessive fluid removal
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Pulmonary edema
D. Hypercalcemia
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Hypotension due to excessive fluid removal
RATIONALE: Rapid fluid removal during dialysis commonly causes hypotension and muscle
cramps.
7. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A client with a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T waves
B. A client requesting pain medication after surgery
C. A client awaiting discharge instructions
D. A client requesting assistance with bathing
CORRECT ANSWER: A — A client with a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked
T waves
RATIONALE: Severe hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
8. A client with cirrhosis develops increasing abdominal girth and shortness of
breath. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Ascites
B. Appendicitis
C. Nephrolithiasis
D. Pancreatitis
CORRECT ANSWER: A — Ascites
RATIONALE: Fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity causes abdominal distention and
respiratory compromise.
9. A nurse is caring for a client with acute pancreatitis. Which laboratory finding
is expected?
A. Elevated serum lipase level
B. Decreased amylase level
