(2025/2026) ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL
CONTENT MASTERY EXAM QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS |
ATI CMS
A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a traumatic
head injury and has an intraventricular catheter
(ventriculostomy) for ICP monitoring. The nurse should
monitor the client for which of the following complications
related to ventriculostomy?
A. Headache
B. Infection
C. Aphasia
D. Hypertension Correct Answer B. Infection
A nurse is assessing the client for changes in the level of
consciousness using the glascow coma scale (GCS). The
client opens his eyes when spoken to, speaks
incoherently, and moves his extremities when pain is
applied. Which of the following GCS scores should the
nurse document?
A. E2 + V3 + M5 = 10
B. E3 + V4 + M4 = 11
C. E4 + V5 + M6=15
D. E2 + V2 + M4 =8 Correct Answer B. E3 + V4 + M4 = 11
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is
scheduled for a cerebral angiography with contrast media.
,Which of the following statements by the client should the
nurse report to the provider? Select all that apply
A. "I think I might be pregnant"
B. "I take warfarin"
C. "I take antihypertensive medication"
D. "I am allergic to shrimp"
E. "I ate a light breakfast this morning" Correct Answer A.
"I think I might be pregnant"
B. "I take warfarin"
D. "I am allergic to shrimp"
E. "I ate a light breakfast this morning"
A nurse is providing education to a client who is to
undergo an electroencephalogram (EEG) the next day.
Which of the following information should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "Do not wash your hair the morning of the procedure"
B. "Try to stay awake most of the night prior to the
procedure"
C. "The procedure will take approximately 15 minutes"
D. "You will need to lie flat for 4 hours after the procedure"
Correct Answer B. "Try to stay awake most of the night
prior to this procedure"
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing mild
acute pain after spraining an ankle. Which of the following
analgesics should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Ketorolac
B. Ketamine
C. Meperidine
D. Methadone Correct Answer A. Ketorolac
, A nurse at a clinic is talking with a client who has cancer
and takes extended release opioids twice daily. The client
reports an increase in localized, achy pain over the last
few days. How should the nurse document this increase in
pain?
A. Phantom limb pain
B. Mixed pain
C. Breakthrough pain
D. Neuropathic pain Correct Answer C. Breakthrough pain
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving morphine via
patient controlled analgesia (PCA) infusion device after
abdominal surgery. Which of the following client
statements indicates that the client understands how to
use the device?
A. "I'll wait to use the device until it is absolutely
necessary"
B. "I'll be careful about pushing the button so I dont get an
overdose"
C. "I should tell the nurse if the pain doesnt stop after I use
this device"
D. "I will ask my son to push the dose button when I am
sleeping" Correct Answer C. "I should tell the nurse if the
pain doesnt stop after I use this device"
A nurse is discussing pain assessment with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following information should
the nurse include?
A. Most clients exaggerate their pain level
CONTENT MASTERY EXAM QUESTIONS
AND DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS |
ATI CMS
A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a traumatic
head injury and has an intraventricular catheter
(ventriculostomy) for ICP monitoring. The nurse should
monitor the client for which of the following complications
related to ventriculostomy?
A. Headache
B. Infection
C. Aphasia
D. Hypertension Correct Answer B. Infection
A nurse is assessing the client for changes in the level of
consciousness using the glascow coma scale (GCS). The
client opens his eyes when spoken to, speaks
incoherently, and moves his extremities when pain is
applied. Which of the following GCS scores should the
nurse document?
A. E2 + V3 + M5 = 10
B. E3 + V4 + M4 = 11
C. E4 + V5 + M6=15
D. E2 + V2 + M4 =8 Correct Answer B. E3 + V4 + M4 = 11
A nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who is
scheduled for a cerebral angiography with contrast media.
,Which of the following statements by the client should the
nurse report to the provider? Select all that apply
A. "I think I might be pregnant"
B. "I take warfarin"
C. "I take antihypertensive medication"
D. "I am allergic to shrimp"
E. "I ate a light breakfast this morning" Correct Answer A.
"I think I might be pregnant"
B. "I take warfarin"
D. "I am allergic to shrimp"
E. "I ate a light breakfast this morning"
A nurse is providing education to a client who is to
undergo an electroencephalogram (EEG) the next day.
Which of the following information should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "Do not wash your hair the morning of the procedure"
B. "Try to stay awake most of the night prior to the
procedure"
C. "The procedure will take approximately 15 minutes"
D. "You will need to lie flat for 4 hours after the procedure"
Correct Answer B. "Try to stay awake most of the night
prior to this procedure"
A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing mild
acute pain after spraining an ankle. Which of the following
analgesics should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Ketorolac
B. Ketamine
C. Meperidine
D. Methadone Correct Answer A. Ketorolac
, A nurse at a clinic is talking with a client who has cancer
and takes extended release opioids twice daily. The client
reports an increase in localized, achy pain over the last
few days. How should the nurse document this increase in
pain?
A. Phantom limb pain
B. Mixed pain
C. Breakthrough pain
D. Neuropathic pain Correct Answer C. Breakthrough pain
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving morphine via
patient controlled analgesia (PCA) infusion device after
abdominal surgery. Which of the following client
statements indicates that the client understands how to
use the device?
A. "I'll wait to use the device until it is absolutely
necessary"
B. "I'll be careful about pushing the button so I dont get an
overdose"
C. "I should tell the nurse if the pain doesnt stop after I use
this device"
D. "I will ask my son to push the dose button when I am
sleeping" Correct Answer C. "I should tell the nurse if the
pain doesnt stop after I use this device"
A nurse is discussing pain assessment with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following information should
the nurse include?
A. Most clients exaggerate their pain level
