Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
NEWEST 2025 ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM NGN INCLUDES
ACCURATE AND VERIFIED QUESTIONS COVERING MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS,
DISEASE PROCESSES, NURSING INTERVENTIONS, LAB INTERPRETATION,
PATIENT EDUCATION, AND SAFETY. TOPICS INCLUDE RESPIRATORY,
CARDIOVASCULAR, RENAL, GASTROINTESTINAL, ENDOCRINE, AND
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM, ALIGNED WITH NGN STANDARDS, IDEAL FOR
PROCTORED OR PRACTICE EXAMS.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cervical spinal cord injury sustained 1 month ago. Which of
the following manifestations indicates that the client is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia
(AD)? - ANSWER-Heart Rate 52/min
Rationale: A client who is experiencing AD will exhibit multiple manifestations, including
bradycardia, severe headache, and flushing.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take? - ANSWER-Place a pressure bag around the flush solutions
Rationale: The nurse should place a pressure bag around the flush solution of 0.9% sodium
chloride because the pressure from an artery is greater than that of the line.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has osteomyelitis and a prescription for
gentamicin. Which of the following findings from the client's medical record should indicate to
the nurse the need to withhold the medication and notify the provider? - ANSWER-Serum
creatinine
Rationale: A client who has an elevated serum creatinine level should not receive gentamicin
because the medication is nephrotoxic.
A nurse is preparing to administer phenytoin 600 mg PO daily to a client. he amount available is
oral solution 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? - ANSWER-24
Rationale: Desired/have x mL
1|Page
, Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who is scheduled for a mastectomy.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make? - ANSWER-"I will refer you to
community resources that can provide support."
Rationale: The nurse should provide the client with support resources, including community
programs, to assist the client with acceptance of body image changes.
A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled for a thoracentesis. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include in the plan? - ANSWER-Encourage the client to take deep
breaths after the procedure.
Rationale: After a thoracentesis, the client should deep breathe to re-expand the lung.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has laryngeal cancer and is receiving
radiation therapy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching? - ANSWER-"I will avoid direct exposure to the sun."
Rationale: The client should avoid exposure of irradiated skin areas to the sun for at least 1 year
after completing radiation therapy. Skin in the radiation path is especially sensitive to sun
damage.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following
nonpharmacological interventions should the nurse suggest to the client to reduce pain? -
ANSWER-Alternate the application of heat and cold to the affected joints.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to alternate heat and cold applications to
decrease joint inflammation and pain. The application of cold can relieve joint swelling and the
application of heat can decrease joint stiffness and pain.
A nurse is assessing a client's hydration status. Which of the following findings indicates fluid
volume overload? - ANSWER-Distended neck veins
Rationale: The nurse should identify distended neck and hand veins as indicators of fluid volume
overload.
2|Page
, Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
A nurse is planning care for a client who is having a modified radical mastectomy of the right
breast. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? -
ANSWER-Instruct the client that the drain will be removed when there is 25 mL of output or less
over a 24-hr period.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that the drain will remain in place for 1 to 3
weeks after surgery and will be removed when there is 25 mL of output or less in a 24-hr period.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation via a tracheostomy tube.
The nurse should recognize that which of he following complications is associated with long-
term mechanical ventilation? - ANSWER-Stress ulcers
Rationale: Stress ulcers in clients who are receiving long-term mechanical ventilation are caused
by elevated levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Stress ulcers increase the risk for
systemic infection and require pharmacological treatment.
A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect? - ANSWER-Low urine specific gravity
Rationale: An expected finding for a client who has diabetes insipidus is a urine specific gravity
between 1.001 and 1.005. Decreased water reabsorption by the renal tubules is caused by an
alteration in antidiuretic hormone release or the kidneys' responsiveness to the hormone.
A nurse is assessing for compartment syndrome in a client who has a short leg cast. Which f the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of this condition? - ANSWER-Pain
that increases with passive movement
Rationale: The nurse should identify that a client who has compartment syndrome experiences
pain that increases with passive movement. Compartment syndrome results from a decrease in
blood flow in the extremity caused by a decrease in the muscle compartment size due to a cast
that is too tight.
A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a transurethral resection of the
prostate (TURP) and notes clots in the client's indwelling urinary catheter and a decrease in
urinary output. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? - ANSWER-Irrigate the
indwelling urinary catheter.
3|Page
, Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
Rationale: The nurse should irrigate the client's catheter per facility protocol to remove clots
obstructing the urine flow.
A nurse is assessing a client while suctioning the client's tracheostomy tube. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse the client is experiencing hypoxia? - ANSWER-
The client's heart rate increases.
Rationale: Hypoxia related to suctioning can cause the client's heart rate to increase. If this
occurs, the nurse should discontinue the suctioning and manually oxygenate the client with
100% oxygen. The nurse should instruct the client to take three or four deep breaths prior to
suctioning to reduce the risk for hypoxia.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postoperative following a modified
radical mastectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? - ANSWER-
Numbness can occur along the inside of the affected arm.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that numbness can occur near the incision and
along the inside of the affected arm due to nerve injury.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who developed chest pain 6 hr ago. The
nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication of a myocardial infarction
(MI)? - ANSWER-Troponin I 8 ng/mL
Rationale: Troponins are proteins present in skeletal and cardiac muscle that are involved with
muscle contraction. The elevation of either troponin T or troponin I is an indication of cardiac
injury. The client's laboratory value is above the expected reference range for troponin I,
indicating an MI has occurred.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client who has an external fixation device for a
fracture of the lower extremity. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in
the plan of care? - ANSWER-Use crutches with rubber tips.
Rationale: Using crutches with rubber tips prevents the client from slipping and decreases the
risk of falls.
4|Page
NEWEST 2025 ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL-SURGICAL EXAM NGN INCLUDES
ACCURATE AND VERIFIED QUESTIONS COVERING MAJOR BODY SYSTEMS,
DISEASE PROCESSES, NURSING INTERVENTIONS, LAB INTERPRETATION,
PATIENT EDUCATION, AND SAFETY. TOPICS INCLUDE RESPIRATORY,
CARDIOVASCULAR, RENAL, GASTROINTESTINAL, ENDOCRINE, AND
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM, ALIGNED WITH NGN STANDARDS, IDEAL FOR
PROCTORED OR PRACTICE EXAMS.
A nurse is caring for a client who has cervical spinal cord injury sustained 1 month ago. Which of
the following manifestations indicates that the client is experiencing autonomic dysreflexia
(AD)? - ANSWER-Heart Rate 52/min
Rationale: A client who is experiencing AD will exhibit multiple manifestations, including
bradycardia, severe headache, and flushing.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take? - ANSWER-Place a pressure bag around the flush solutions
Rationale: The nurse should place a pressure bag around the flush solution of 0.9% sodium
chloride because the pressure from an artery is greater than that of the line.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has osteomyelitis and a prescription for
gentamicin. Which of the following findings from the client's medical record should indicate to
the nurse the need to withhold the medication and notify the provider? - ANSWER-Serum
creatinine
Rationale: A client who has an elevated serum creatinine level should not receive gentamicin
because the medication is nephrotoxic.
A nurse is preparing to administer phenytoin 600 mg PO daily to a client. he amount available is
oral solution 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? - ANSWER-24
Rationale: Desired/have x mL
1|Page
, Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who is scheduled for a mastectomy.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make? - ANSWER-"I will refer you to
community resources that can provide support."
Rationale: The nurse should provide the client with support resources, including community
programs, to assist the client with acceptance of body image changes.
A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled for a thoracentesis. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse include in the plan? - ANSWER-Encourage the client to take deep
breaths after the procedure.
Rationale: After a thoracentesis, the client should deep breathe to re-expand the lung.
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has laryngeal cancer and is receiving
radiation therapy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching? - ANSWER-"I will avoid direct exposure to the sun."
Rationale: The client should avoid exposure of irradiated skin areas to the sun for at least 1 year
after completing radiation therapy. Skin in the radiation path is especially sensitive to sun
damage.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following
nonpharmacological interventions should the nurse suggest to the client to reduce pain? -
ANSWER-Alternate the application of heat and cold to the affected joints.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to alternate heat and cold applications to
decrease joint inflammation and pain. The application of cold can relieve joint swelling and the
application of heat can decrease joint stiffness and pain.
A nurse is assessing a client's hydration status. Which of the following findings indicates fluid
volume overload? - ANSWER-Distended neck veins
Rationale: The nurse should identify distended neck and hand veins as indicators of fluid volume
overload.
2|Page
, Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
A nurse is planning care for a client who is having a modified radical mastectomy of the right
breast. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? -
ANSWER-Instruct the client that the drain will be removed when there is 25 mL of output or less
over a 24-hr period.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that the drain will remain in place for 1 to 3
weeks after surgery and will be removed when there is 25 mL of output or less in a 24-hr period.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation via a tracheostomy tube.
The nurse should recognize that which of he following complications is associated with long-
term mechanical ventilation? - ANSWER-Stress ulcers
Rationale: Stress ulcers in clients who are receiving long-term mechanical ventilation are caused
by elevated levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Stress ulcers increase the risk for
systemic infection and require pharmacological treatment.
A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus. Which of the following findings should
the nurse expect? - ANSWER-Low urine specific gravity
Rationale: An expected finding for a client who has diabetes insipidus is a urine specific gravity
between 1.001 and 1.005. Decreased water reabsorption by the renal tubules is caused by an
alteration in antidiuretic hormone release or the kidneys' responsiveness to the hormone.
A nurse is assessing for compartment syndrome in a client who has a short leg cast. Which f the
following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of this condition? - ANSWER-Pain
that increases with passive movement
Rationale: The nurse should identify that a client who has compartment syndrome experiences
pain that increases with passive movement. Compartment syndrome results from a decrease in
blood flow in the extremity caused by a decrease in the muscle compartment size due to a cast
that is too tight.
A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a transurethral resection of the
prostate (TURP) and notes clots in the client's indwelling urinary catheter and a decrease in
urinary output. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? - ANSWER-Irrigate the
indwelling urinary catheter.
3|Page
, Newest 2025 ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Exam NGN
Rationale: The nurse should irrigate the client's catheter per facility protocol to remove clots
obstructing the urine flow.
A nurse is assessing a client while suctioning the client's tracheostomy tube. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse the client is experiencing hypoxia? - ANSWER-
The client's heart rate increases.
Rationale: Hypoxia related to suctioning can cause the client's heart rate to increase. If this
occurs, the nurse should discontinue the suctioning and manually oxygenate the client with
100% oxygen. The nurse should instruct the client to take three or four deep breaths prior to
suctioning to reduce the risk for hypoxia.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is postoperative following a modified
radical mastectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? - ANSWER-
Numbness can occur along the inside of the affected arm.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that numbness can occur near the incision and
along the inside of the affected arm due to nerve injury.
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who developed chest pain 6 hr ago. The
nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication of a myocardial infarction
(MI)? - ANSWER-Troponin I 8 ng/mL
Rationale: Troponins are proteins present in skeletal and cardiac muscle that are involved with
muscle contraction. The elevation of either troponin T or troponin I is an indication of cardiac
injury. The client's laboratory value is above the expected reference range for troponin I,
indicating an MI has occurred.
A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client who has an external fixation device for a
fracture of the lower extremity. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in
the plan of care? - ANSWER-Use crutches with rubber tips.
Rationale: Using crutches with rubber tips prevents the client from slipping and decreases the
risk of falls.
4|Page
