ATI Med Surg REAL EXAM 250 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)|AGRADE
A nurse is caring for client who is experiencing supraventricular tachycardia. Upon assessing the client,
the nurse observes the following findings: heart rate 200/min, blood pressure 78/40 mm Hg, and
respiratory rate 30/min. Which of the following actions should then nurse take?
a. Defibrillate the client's heart.
b. Perform synchronized cardioversion.
c. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
d. Administer lidocaine IV bolus. - CORRECT ANSWER b. Perform synchronized cardioversion.
The nurse should perform synchronized cardioversion for a client who has supraventricular tachycardia.
What rhythms are shockable? (defibrillation) - CORRECT ANSWER ventricular fibrillation and pulseless
ventricular tachycarida
What dysrhythmia are amiodarone and lidocaine indicated for? - CORRECT ANSWER ventricular
arrhythmias
The nurse should initiate CPR for a client who what? - CORRECT ANSWER is pulseless or not breathing
A nurse is preparing a client who has supraventricular tachycardia for elective cardioversion. Which of
the following medications should the nurse instruct the client to withhold for 48 hr prior to
cardioversion?
A. Enoxaparin
B. Metformin
C. Diazepam
D. Digoxin - CORRECT ANSWER D. digoxin
,Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, are withheld prior to cardioversion. These medications can increase
ventricular irritability and put the client at risk for ventricular fibrillation after the synchronized
countershock of cardioversion
_______ are usually given prior to cardioversion to reduce anxiety and minimize discomfort with the
procedure. - CORRECT ANSWER Sedatives like diazepam
Metformin is held before what kind of procedures? Example? Why? - CORRECT ANSWER Ones that
involve contrast dye like cardiac catheterization, in order to prevent kidney damage.
__________ prevent blood clots that can be released into the circulatory system after cardioversion. -
CORRECT ANSWER Anticoagulants like enoxaparin
What kind of drugs are withheld prior to cardioversion? - CORRECT ANSWER cardiac glycosides like
digoxin
exopthalmosis - CORRECT ANSWER condition produced by hyperthyroidism in which the eyeballs
protrude beyond their normal protective orbit because of swelling in the tissues behind them
entropion - CORRECT ANSWER the inversion of the edge of an eyelid
ectropion - CORRECT ANSWER the eversion of the edge of an eyelid
ptosis - CORRECT ANSWER drooping
A nurse is caring for a client who has emphysema and is receiving mechanical ventilation. The client
appears anxious and restless, and the high-pressure alarm is sounding. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain ABGs.
B. Administer propofol to the client.
C. Instruct the client to allow the machine to breathe for them.
,D. Disconnect the machine and manually ventilate the client. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Instruct the client
to allow the machine to breathe for them. When providing client care, the nurse should first use the
least restrictive intervention. Therefore, the first action the nurse should take is to provide verbal
instructions and emotional support to help the client relax and allow the ventilator to work. Clients can
exhibit anxiety and restlessness when trying to "fight the ventilator."
A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 3. Which of the following assessment findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Positive Trousseau's sign
B. 4+ deep tendon reflexes
C. Deep respirations
D. Hypoactive bowel sounds - CORRECT ANSWER D. Hypoactive bowel sounds
Deep tendon reflexes are used to monitor what electrolyte level? - CORRECT ANSWER magnesium
What kind of respirations occur with hypokalemia and why? - CORRECT ANSWER shallow respirations
due to respiratory muscle weakness
Trosseau's sign evaluates for what electrolyte imbalances? - CORRECT ANSWER hypocalcelmia and
hypomagnesemia
What is hypokalemia's effect on the GI system? - CORRECT ANSWER It decreases smooth muscle
contraction leading to decreased peristalsis and hypoactive bowel sounds.
Deep tendon reflexes in hypomagnesemia - CORRECT ANSWER increased e.g. 4+
Deep tendon reflexes in hypermagnesemia - CORRECT ANSWER decreased e.g. absent or 1+
What should be done if you are performing a cardiac assessment on a client and you hear a murmur? -
CORRECT ANSWER Listen with the client on their left side so it can be heard more clearly
, A nurse is conducting an admission history for a client who is to undergo a CT scan with an IV contrast
agent. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings requires further assessment?
A. History of asthma
B. Appendectomy 1 year ago
C. Penicillin allergy
D. Total knee arthroplasty 6 months ago - CORRECT ANSWER A. History of asthma
A client who has a history of asthma has a greater risk of reacting to the contrast dye used during the
procedure. Other conditions that can result in a reaction to contrast media include allergies to foods,
such as shellfish, eggs, milk, and chocolate.
What are conditions that may cause a reaction to contrast media? Patients with these conditions require
further screening before a procedure with IV contrast. - CORRECT ANSWER history of asthma and
allergies to shellfish, eggs, milk, and chocolate
What drugs would warrant further screening for increased risk of renal damage in someone getting a
procedure with IV contrast? - CORRECT ANSWER aminoglycosides, NSAIDs, metformin
Patients with what conditions have an increased risk for renal damage from a procedure with IV
contrast? - CORRECT ANSWER history of diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, or heart failure
A nurse is an ED is reviewing the provider's prescriptions for a client who sustained a rattlesnake bite to
the lower leg. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse expect?
A. Apply ice to the clients puncture wounds
B. Initiate corticosteroid therapy for the client
C. Keep the client's leg above heart level
D. Administer an opioid analgesic to the client - CORRECT ANSWER D. Administer an opioid analgesic to
the client
Expect an opioid analgesic to promote comfort in someone with a rattlesnake bite.
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS)|AGRADE
A nurse is caring for client who is experiencing supraventricular tachycardia. Upon assessing the client,
the nurse observes the following findings: heart rate 200/min, blood pressure 78/40 mm Hg, and
respiratory rate 30/min. Which of the following actions should then nurse take?
a. Defibrillate the client's heart.
b. Perform synchronized cardioversion.
c. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
d. Administer lidocaine IV bolus. - CORRECT ANSWER b. Perform synchronized cardioversion.
The nurse should perform synchronized cardioversion for a client who has supraventricular tachycardia.
What rhythms are shockable? (defibrillation) - CORRECT ANSWER ventricular fibrillation and pulseless
ventricular tachycarida
What dysrhythmia are amiodarone and lidocaine indicated for? - CORRECT ANSWER ventricular
arrhythmias
The nurse should initiate CPR for a client who what? - CORRECT ANSWER is pulseless or not breathing
A nurse is preparing a client who has supraventricular tachycardia for elective cardioversion. Which of
the following medications should the nurse instruct the client to withhold for 48 hr prior to
cardioversion?
A. Enoxaparin
B. Metformin
C. Diazepam
D. Digoxin - CORRECT ANSWER D. digoxin
,Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, are withheld prior to cardioversion. These medications can increase
ventricular irritability and put the client at risk for ventricular fibrillation after the synchronized
countershock of cardioversion
_______ are usually given prior to cardioversion to reduce anxiety and minimize discomfort with the
procedure. - CORRECT ANSWER Sedatives like diazepam
Metformin is held before what kind of procedures? Example? Why? - CORRECT ANSWER Ones that
involve contrast dye like cardiac catheterization, in order to prevent kidney damage.
__________ prevent blood clots that can be released into the circulatory system after cardioversion. -
CORRECT ANSWER Anticoagulants like enoxaparin
What kind of drugs are withheld prior to cardioversion? - CORRECT ANSWER cardiac glycosides like
digoxin
exopthalmosis - CORRECT ANSWER condition produced by hyperthyroidism in which the eyeballs
protrude beyond their normal protective orbit because of swelling in the tissues behind them
entropion - CORRECT ANSWER the inversion of the edge of an eyelid
ectropion - CORRECT ANSWER the eversion of the edge of an eyelid
ptosis - CORRECT ANSWER drooping
A nurse is caring for a client who has emphysema and is receiving mechanical ventilation. The client
appears anxious and restless, and the high-pressure alarm is sounding. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain ABGs.
B. Administer propofol to the client.
C. Instruct the client to allow the machine to breathe for them.
,D. Disconnect the machine and manually ventilate the client. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Instruct the client
to allow the machine to breathe for them. When providing client care, the nurse should first use the
least restrictive intervention. Therefore, the first action the nurse should take is to provide verbal
instructions and emotional support to help the client relax and allow the ventilator to work. Clients can
exhibit anxiety and restlessness when trying to "fight the ventilator."
A nurse is caring for a client who has a potassium level of 3. Which of the following assessment findings
should the nurse expect?
A. Positive Trousseau's sign
B. 4+ deep tendon reflexes
C. Deep respirations
D. Hypoactive bowel sounds - CORRECT ANSWER D. Hypoactive bowel sounds
Deep tendon reflexes are used to monitor what electrolyte level? - CORRECT ANSWER magnesium
What kind of respirations occur with hypokalemia and why? - CORRECT ANSWER shallow respirations
due to respiratory muscle weakness
Trosseau's sign evaluates for what electrolyte imbalances? - CORRECT ANSWER hypocalcelmia and
hypomagnesemia
What is hypokalemia's effect on the GI system? - CORRECT ANSWER It decreases smooth muscle
contraction leading to decreased peristalsis and hypoactive bowel sounds.
Deep tendon reflexes in hypomagnesemia - CORRECT ANSWER increased e.g. 4+
Deep tendon reflexes in hypermagnesemia - CORRECT ANSWER decreased e.g. absent or 1+
What should be done if you are performing a cardiac assessment on a client and you hear a murmur? -
CORRECT ANSWER Listen with the client on their left side so it can be heard more clearly
, A nurse is conducting an admission history for a client who is to undergo a CT scan with an IV contrast
agent. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings requires further assessment?
A. History of asthma
B. Appendectomy 1 year ago
C. Penicillin allergy
D. Total knee arthroplasty 6 months ago - CORRECT ANSWER A. History of asthma
A client who has a history of asthma has a greater risk of reacting to the contrast dye used during the
procedure. Other conditions that can result in a reaction to contrast media include allergies to foods,
such as shellfish, eggs, milk, and chocolate.
What are conditions that may cause a reaction to contrast media? Patients with these conditions require
further screening before a procedure with IV contrast. - CORRECT ANSWER history of asthma and
allergies to shellfish, eggs, milk, and chocolate
What drugs would warrant further screening for increased risk of renal damage in someone getting a
procedure with IV contrast? - CORRECT ANSWER aminoglycosides, NSAIDs, metformin
Patients with what conditions have an increased risk for renal damage from a procedure with IV
contrast? - CORRECT ANSWER history of diabetes mellitus, renal impairment, or heart failure
A nurse is an ED is reviewing the provider's prescriptions for a client who sustained a rattlesnake bite to
the lower leg. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse expect?
A. Apply ice to the clients puncture wounds
B. Initiate corticosteroid therapy for the client
C. Keep the client's leg above heart level
D. Administer an opioid analgesic to the client - CORRECT ANSWER D. Administer an opioid analgesic to
the client
Expect an opioid analgesic to promote comfort in someone with a rattlesnake bite.
