ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2025–2026 |
100 Verified Questions with Rationales | A+ Study
Guide – HealthStudyPro
1. A nurse is caring for a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Jugular vein distension
B. Peripheral edema
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Hepatomegaly
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion,
causing crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
2. A client with chronic kidney disease is scheduled for hemodialysis.
Which lab value supports this need?
,A. Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 9.5 mg/dL
C. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Elevated creatinine >8 suggests poor kidney filtration and
need for dialysis.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client post-thyroidectomy. Which finding is a
priority?
A. Hoarseness
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Decreased appetite
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Positive Chvostek’s = hypocalcemia, which may result
from parathyroid removal — priority concern.
4. A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle changes.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I’ll avoid canned soups and deli meats.”
,B. “I’ll use table salt sparingly.”
C. “I’ll drink a glass of red wine daily.”
D. “I’ll monitor my BP once a month.”
✅ Correct Answer: A
💡 Rationale: Canned and processed foods are high in sodium, which
worsens hypertension.
5. A client with a history of DVT reports sudden shortness of breath and
chest pain. What is the priority action?
A. Administer aspirin
B. Check oxygen saturation
C. Raise the head of the bed
D. Call the rapid response team
✅ Correct Answer: D
💡 Rationale: Sudden SOB + chest pain = possible PE (pulmonary
embolism) → emergency.
6. Which intervention is appropriate for a client with a new AV fistula?
A. Apply BP cuff above the site
B. Auscultate for a bruit
, C. Start IV in same arm
D. Palpate for pitting edema
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: A bruit or thrill confirms patency of the AV fistula —
essential for dialysis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with COPD. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Clubbing of fingers
B. Barrel chest
C. Respiratory rate of 10/min
D. Use of accessory muscles
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate impending respiratory failure in
COPD clients.
8. Which lab value should be monitored for a client receiving heparin
therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelets
100 Verified Questions with Rationales | A+ Study
Guide – HealthStudyPro
1. A nurse is caring for a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Jugular vein distension
B. Peripheral edema
C. Crackles in lungs
D. Hepatomegaly
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Left-sided heart failure leads to pulmonary congestion,
causing crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea.
2. A client with chronic kidney disease is scheduled for hemodialysis.
Which lab value supports this need?
,A. Potassium 5.2 mEq/L
B. Creatinine 9.5 mg/dL
C. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Elevated creatinine >8 suggests poor kidney filtration and
need for dialysis.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client post-thyroidectomy. Which finding is a
priority?
A. Hoarseness
B. Positive Chvostek’s sign
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Decreased appetite
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: Positive Chvostek’s = hypocalcemia, which may result
from parathyroid removal — priority concern.
4. A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle changes.
Which statement indicates understanding?
A. “I’ll avoid canned soups and deli meats.”
,B. “I’ll use table salt sparingly.”
C. “I’ll drink a glass of red wine daily.”
D. “I’ll monitor my BP once a month.”
✅ Correct Answer: A
💡 Rationale: Canned and processed foods are high in sodium, which
worsens hypertension.
5. A client with a history of DVT reports sudden shortness of breath and
chest pain. What is the priority action?
A. Administer aspirin
B. Check oxygen saturation
C. Raise the head of the bed
D. Call the rapid response team
✅ Correct Answer: D
💡 Rationale: Sudden SOB + chest pain = possible PE (pulmonary
embolism) → emergency.
6. Which intervention is appropriate for a client with a new AV fistula?
A. Apply BP cuff above the site
B. Auscultate for a bruit
, C. Start IV in same arm
D. Palpate for pitting edema
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Rationale: A bruit or thrill confirms patency of the AV fistula —
essential for dialysis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with COPD. Which finding requires
immediate intervention?
A. Clubbing of fingers
B. Barrel chest
C. Respiratory rate of 10/min
D. Use of accessory muscles
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Rationale: Bradypnea can indicate impending respiratory failure in
COPD clients.
8. Which lab value should be monitored for a client receiving heparin
therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelets
