ATI MED SURG PROCTORED EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
1) A nurse is monitoring the ECG of a client who has hypocalcemia. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prolonged QT intervals
C) Shortened QT intervals
D) Widened QRS complexes -- Correct Answer ✔✔ b. Prolonged QT
intervals
Manifestations of hypocalcemia include tingling, numbness, tetany, seizures,
prolonged QT intervals, and laryngospasm.
2) A nurse is examining the ECG of a client who has hyperkalemia. Which of the
following ECG changes should the nurse expect?
A) Elevated ST segments
B) Absent P waves
C) Depressed ST segments
D) Varying PP intervals -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. Absent P waves
3) A nurse is caring for a client during the first 72 hr following a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Turn the client's head to the side with the head of the bed elevated 60°
B) Place the head of the bed flat with pillows under the client's neck and feet
C) Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline
position
, D) Position the client in a dorsal recumbent position with pillows under the
head and knees -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Elevate the head of the bed
25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline position
4) A nurse is caring for a client who is taking streptomycin. Which of the following
medications increases the client's risk of developing ototoxicity when taken with
streptomycin?
A) Cefoxitin
B) Furosemide
C) Naproxen
D) Amphotericin B -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. Furosemide
Furosemide, a high-ceiling (loop) diuretic, increases the risk of developing
ototoxicity when taken with streptomycin, an aminoglycoside.
5) A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection for a client. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a potential contraindication to administering the
medication via the IM route?
A) The medication is a depot preparation.
B) The client is taking an anticoagulant.
C) The medication is a particulate suspension.
D) The client has been vomiting. -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. The client is
taking an anticoagulant.
Because of the risk of bleeding from the injection site, anticoagulant therapy (e.g.
warfarin) is a contraindication to receiving medications via the IM route.
6) A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridium difficile who has contact-isolation
precautions in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
A) Instruct visitors to maintain a distance of at least 1 m (3 ft) from the
client.
B) Wash hands with antimicrobial soap after leaving the client's room.
C) Use dedicated equipment for the client.
, D) Keep the doors to the client's room closed at all times. -- Correct
Answer ✔✔ C. Use dedicated equipment for the client.
The nurse should use dedicated equipment that is left in the room for a client
who has contact-isolation precautions in place.
7) A nurse is assessing a client who sustained superficial partial-thickness and deep
partial-thickness burns 72 hr ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the provider?
A) Edema in the burned extremities
B) Severe pain at the burn sites
C) Urine output of 30 mL/hr
D) Temperature of 39.1°C (102.4°F) -- Correct Answer ✔✔ D.
Temperature of 39.1°C (102.4°F)
An elevated temperature is an indication of infection, and the nurse should
report this finding to the provider. Sepsis is a critical finding following a major
burn injury. Initially, burn wounds are relatively pathogen-free. On approximately
the third day following the injury, early colonization of the wound surface by
gram-negative organisms changes to predominantly gram-positive opportunistic
organisms.
8) An emergency room nurse is assessing a client who has a new traumatic brain injury.
The nurse observes extension of the client's arms and legs, pronation of the arms,
and plantar flexion of the feet. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
A) Monitor urinary output
B) Administer an osmotic diuretic
C) Provide supplemental oxygen
D) Initiate seizure precautions -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Provide
supplemental oxygen
The first action the nurse should take when using the airway, breathing, and
circulation (ABC) approach to client care is to provide supplemental oxygen. The
client might require an artificial airway and mechanical ventilation because these
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
1) A nurse is monitoring the ECG of a client who has hypocalcemia. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A) Flattened T waves
B) Prolonged QT intervals
C) Shortened QT intervals
D) Widened QRS complexes -- Correct Answer ✔✔ b. Prolonged QT
intervals
Manifestations of hypocalcemia include tingling, numbness, tetany, seizures,
prolonged QT intervals, and laryngospasm.
2) A nurse is examining the ECG of a client who has hyperkalemia. Which of the
following ECG changes should the nurse expect?
A) Elevated ST segments
B) Absent P waves
C) Depressed ST segments
D) Varying PP intervals -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. Absent P waves
3) A nurse is caring for a client during the first 72 hr following a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A) Turn the client's head to the side with the head of the bed elevated 60°
B) Place the head of the bed flat with pillows under the client's neck and feet
C) Elevate the head of the bed 25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline
position
, D) Position the client in a dorsal recumbent position with pillows under the
head and knees -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Elevate the head of the bed
25° to 30° with the client in a neutral midline position
4) A nurse is caring for a client who is taking streptomycin. Which of the following
medications increases the client's risk of developing ototoxicity when taken with
streptomycin?
A) Cefoxitin
B) Furosemide
C) Naproxen
D) Amphotericin B -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. Furosemide
Furosemide, a high-ceiling (loop) diuretic, increases the risk of developing
ototoxicity when taken with streptomycin, an aminoglycoside.
5) A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection for a client. Which of the following
factors should the nurse identify as a potential contraindication to administering the
medication via the IM route?
A) The medication is a depot preparation.
B) The client is taking an anticoagulant.
C) The medication is a particulate suspension.
D) The client has been vomiting. -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. The client is
taking an anticoagulant.
Because of the risk of bleeding from the injection site, anticoagulant therapy (e.g.
warfarin) is a contraindication to receiving medications via the IM route.
6) A nurse is caring for a client with Clostridium difficile who has contact-isolation
precautions in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
A) Instruct visitors to maintain a distance of at least 1 m (3 ft) from the
client.
B) Wash hands with antimicrobial soap after leaving the client's room.
C) Use dedicated equipment for the client.
, D) Keep the doors to the client's room closed at all times. -- Correct
Answer ✔✔ C. Use dedicated equipment for the client.
The nurse should use dedicated equipment that is left in the room for a client
who has contact-isolation precautions in place.
7) A nurse is assessing a client who sustained superficial partial-thickness and deep
partial-thickness burns 72 hr ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse
report to the provider?
A) Edema in the burned extremities
B) Severe pain at the burn sites
C) Urine output of 30 mL/hr
D) Temperature of 39.1°C (102.4°F) -- Correct Answer ✔✔ D.
Temperature of 39.1°C (102.4°F)
An elevated temperature is an indication of infection, and the nurse should
report this finding to the provider. Sepsis is a critical finding following a major
burn injury. Initially, burn wounds are relatively pathogen-free. On approximately
the third day following the injury, early colonization of the wound surface by
gram-negative organisms changes to predominantly gram-positive opportunistic
organisms.
8) An emergency room nurse is assessing a client who has a new traumatic brain injury.
The nurse observes extension of the client's arms and legs, pronation of the arms,
and plantar flexion of the feet. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
A) Monitor urinary output
B) Administer an osmotic diuretic
C) Provide supplemental oxygen
D) Initiate seizure precautions -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Provide
supplemental oxygen
The first action the nurse should take when using the airway, breathing, and
circulation (ABC) approach to client care is to provide supplemental oxygen. The
client might require an artificial airway and mechanical ventilation because these
