VATI Medical-Surgical Questions
with Answers | 100% Proven Pass
Rate | Verified and A+ Graded |
2025/2026 Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This document contains a verified collection of Medical-Surgical nursing questions and
100% correct answers from the Virtual ATI (VATI) Med-Surg review, updated for the
2025/2026 academic year.
It covers essential topics such as cardiac, respiratory, renal, neurological, gastrointestinal,
musculoskeletal, endocrine, and perioperative care, along with clinical judgment,
prioritization, and emergency interventions.
This A+ graded resource is based on the latest NCLEX-style format and has supported
students in achieving a 100% proven pass rate on both the VATI and NCLEX-RN
assessments.
Section 2: Exam Questions and Answers
Format
• Numbered multiple-choice questions
• Four answer choices per question (A–D)
• Correct answer highlighted in luminous green
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Obtain an ECG
C) Give nitroglycerin
D) Check vital signs
Correct Answer: B) Obtain an ECG
Rationale: An ECG is the priority to assess for cardiac ischemia.
2. A client with pneumonia has a temperature of 101.5°F. What intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Apply a cooling blanket
B) Administer antibiotics
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Provide oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: B) Administer antibiotics
Rationale: Antibiotics treat the underlying infection.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with acute kidney injury. Which finding is most
concerning?
A) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
B) Urine output of 20 mL/hour
, C) Heart rate of 72 bpm
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B) Urine output of 20 mL/hour
Rationale: Low urine output indicates potential renal failure.
4. A client with a seizure disorder experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. What should the
nurse do?
A) Restrain the client
B) Insert a tongue blade
C) Protect the client’s head
D) Administer IV lorazepam immediately
Correct Answer: C) Protect the client’s head
Rationale: Preventing injury is the priority during a seizure.
5. A client with appendicitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which position should the
nurse encourage?
A) Supine with legs extended
B) Side-lying with knees flexed
C) Sitting upright
D) Prone position
Correct Answer: B) Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: This position reduces abdominal tension.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a fractured femur. What is the priority nursing
action?
A) Apply a cast
B) Administer pain medication
C) Monitor for compartment syndrome
D) Perform range-of-motion exercises
Correct Answer: C) Monitor for compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a life-threatening complication.
7. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 500 mg/dL. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Administer regular insulin
B) Provide a glucose tablet
C) Recheck the blood glucose
D) Notify the provider
Correct Answer: A) Administer regular insulin
Rationale: Insulin is needed to lower high glucose levels.
8. A client is postoperative following a cholecystectomy. Which finding requires
immediate attention?
A) Pain at incision site
B) Temperature of 99°F
C) Drainage from the incision
D) Heart rate of 110 bpm
Correct Answer: C) Drainage from the incision
Rationale: Drainage may indicate infection or dehiscence.
9. A nurse is prioritizing care for multiple clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A) Client with a new onset of confusion
B) Client with stable hypertension
C) Client scheduled for a routine dressing change
D) Client with a controlled urinary infection
, Correct Answer: A) Client with a new onset of confusion
Rationale: Confusion may indicate a neurological emergency.
10. A client experiences a cardiac arrest. What is the first action in the ACLS protocol?
A) Start chest compressions
B) Administer epinephrine
C) Check for a pulse
D) Defibrillate if indicated
Correct Answer: C) Check for a pulse
Rationale: Pulse check confirms the need for resuscitation.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with a pneumothorax. Which assessment finding is most
urgent?
A) Decreased breath sounds on one side
B) Mild chest discomfort
C) Oxygen saturation of 94%
D) Heart rate of 88 bpm
Correct Answer: A) Decreased breath sounds on one side
Rationale: This indicates a collapsed lung requiring immediate intervention.
12. A client with a history of hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What should the nurse
monitor?
A) Blood glucose levels
B) Potassium levels
C) Liver function tests
D) White blood cell count
Correct Answer: B) Potassium levels
Rationale: Lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia as a side effect.
13. A nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which instruction is most important?
A) Eat a light meal the night before
B) Complete bowel preparation as directed
C) Take all regular medications
D) Arrive 2 hours early
Correct Answer: B) Complete bowel preparation as directed
Rationale: Proper bowel prep ensures a clear view during the procedure.
14. A client with a spinal cord injury reports loss of bladder control. What should the
nurse suspect?
A) Urinary tract infection
B) Neurogenic bladder
C) Kidney stones
D) Overhydration
Correct Answer: B) Neurogenic bladder
Rationale: Spinal cord injury can disrupt bladder innervation.
15. A nurse is assessing a client with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which symptom is
most concerning?
A) Mild leg swelling
B) Warmth in the affected leg
C) Sudden chest pain
D) Slight redness
Correct Answer: C) Sudden chest pain
Rationale: This may indicate a pulmonary embolism, a DVT complication.
16. A client with cirrhosis has ascites. What dietary recommendation should the nurse
provide?
with Answers | 100% Proven Pass
Rate | Verified and A+ Graded |
2025/2026 Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This document contains a verified collection of Medical-Surgical nursing questions and
100% correct answers from the Virtual ATI (VATI) Med-Surg review, updated for the
2025/2026 academic year.
It covers essential topics such as cardiac, respiratory, renal, neurological, gastrointestinal,
musculoskeletal, endocrine, and perioperative care, along with clinical judgment,
prioritization, and emergency interventions.
This A+ graded resource is based on the latest NCLEX-style format and has supported
students in achieving a 100% proven pass rate on both the VATI and NCLEX-RN
assessments.
Section 2: Exam Questions and Answers
Format
• Numbered multiple-choice questions
• Four answer choices per question (A–D)
• Correct answer highlighted in luminous green
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Obtain an ECG
C) Give nitroglycerin
D) Check vital signs
Correct Answer: B) Obtain an ECG
Rationale: An ECG is the priority to assess for cardiac ischemia.
2. A client with pneumonia has a temperature of 101.5°F. What intervention is most
appropriate?
A) Apply a cooling blanket
B) Administer antibiotics
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Provide oxygen therapy
Correct Answer: B) Administer antibiotics
Rationale: Antibiotics treat the underlying infection.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with acute kidney injury. Which finding is most
concerning?
A) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
B) Urine output of 20 mL/hour
, C) Heart rate of 72 bpm
D) Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B) Urine output of 20 mL/hour
Rationale: Low urine output indicates potential renal failure.
4. A client with a seizure disorder experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. What should the
nurse do?
A) Restrain the client
B) Insert a tongue blade
C) Protect the client’s head
D) Administer IV lorazepam immediately
Correct Answer: C) Protect the client’s head
Rationale: Preventing injury is the priority during a seizure.
5. A client with appendicitis reports severe abdominal pain. Which position should the
nurse encourage?
A) Supine with legs extended
B) Side-lying with knees flexed
C) Sitting upright
D) Prone position
Correct Answer: B) Side-lying with knees flexed
Rationale: This position reduces abdominal tension.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a fractured femur. What is the priority nursing
action?
A) Apply a cast
B) Administer pain medication
C) Monitor for compartment syndrome
D) Perform range-of-motion exercises
Correct Answer: C) Monitor for compartment syndrome
Rationale: Compartment syndrome is a life-threatening complication.
7. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose of 500 mg/dL. What should the
nurse do first?
A) Administer regular insulin
B) Provide a glucose tablet
C) Recheck the blood glucose
D) Notify the provider
Correct Answer: A) Administer regular insulin
Rationale: Insulin is needed to lower high glucose levels.
8. A client is postoperative following a cholecystectomy. Which finding requires
immediate attention?
A) Pain at incision site
B) Temperature of 99°F
C) Drainage from the incision
D) Heart rate of 110 bpm
Correct Answer: C) Drainage from the incision
Rationale: Drainage may indicate infection or dehiscence.
9. A nurse is prioritizing care for multiple clients. Which client should be assessed first?
A) Client with a new onset of confusion
B) Client with stable hypertension
C) Client scheduled for a routine dressing change
D) Client with a controlled urinary infection
, Correct Answer: A) Client with a new onset of confusion
Rationale: Confusion may indicate a neurological emergency.
10. A client experiences a cardiac arrest. What is the first action in the ACLS protocol?
A) Start chest compressions
B) Administer epinephrine
C) Check for a pulse
D) Defibrillate if indicated
Correct Answer: C) Check for a pulse
Rationale: Pulse check confirms the need for resuscitation.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with a pneumothorax. Which assessment finding is most
urgent?
A) Decreased breath sounds on one side
B) Mild chest discomfort
C) Oxygen saturation of 94%
D) Heart rate of 88 bpm
Correct Answer: A) Decreased breath sounds on one side
Rationale: This indicates a collapsed lung requiring immediate intervention.
12. A client with a history of hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What should the nurse
monitor?
A) Blood glucose levels
B) Potassium levels
C) Liver function tests
D) White blood cell count
Correct Answer: B) Potassium levels
Rationale: Lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia as a side effect.
13. A nurse is preparing a client for a colonoscopy. Which instruction is most important?
A) Eat a light meal the night before
B) Complete bowel preparation as directed
C) Take all regular medications
D) Arrive 2 hours early
Correct Answer: B) Complete bowel preparation as directed
Rationale: Proper bowel prep ensures a clear view during the procedure.
14. A client with a spinal cord injury reports loss of bladder control. What should the
nurse suspect?
A) Urinary tract infection
B) Neurogenic bladder
C) Kidney stones
D) Overhydration
Correct Answer: B) Neurogenic bladder
Rationale: Spinal cord injury can disrupt bladder innervation.
15. A nurse is assessing a client with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which symptom is
most concerning?
A) Mild leg swelling
B) Warmth in the affected leg
C) Sudden chest pain
D) Slight redness
Correct Answer: C) Sudden chest pain
Rationale: This may indicate a pulmonary embolism, a DVT complication.
16. A client with cirrhosis has ascites. What dietary recommendation should the nurse
provide?
