1 | Page
ATI RN Medical-Surgical 2025 Proctored Exam – 180 Verified
Questions with Detailed Answers & Rationales
Question 1
A patient with chronic heart failure reports shortness of breath, orthopnea, and edema. Nursing
priority:
a. Assess airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation
b. Encourage ambulation
c. Provide oral fluids only
d. Position supine
ANS: a
Rationale: Airway and oxygen assessment is the priority to prevent hypoxia and respiratory
distress. Other interventions do not address the acute risk of decompensation.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Cardiac Assessment | TOP: Heart Failure | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 2
,2 | Page
A patient with myocardial infarction reports severe chest pain radiating to the jaw. Nursing
action:
a. Administer prescribed nitroglycerin and monitor response
b. Encourage ambulation
c. Provide oral fluids
d. Reassure only
ANS: a
Rationale: Nitroglycerin relieves ischemic pain; monitoring allows early detection of
complications such as hypotension or arrhythmias.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Cardiac Care | TOP: MI Management | MSC: Safe and Effective Care
Question 3
A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites. Nursing intervention:
a. Monitor daily weight and fluid status
b. Encourage high-protein diet immediately
c. Provide unrestricted fluids
d. Focus solely on vital signs
ANS: a
Rationale: Daily weight and fluid monitoring help detect fluid overload and guide interventions.
Diet adjustments should follow provider instructions.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Liver Disease Management | TOP: Cirrhosis | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
,3 | Page
Question 4
A patient with deep vein thrombosis is prescribed low-molecular-weight heparin. Nursing action:
a. Monitor for bleeding and assess aPTT
b. Encourage ambulation without precautions
c. Provide high-dose aspirin
d. Ignore minor bruising
ANS: a
Rationale: Monitoring prevents serious bleeding complications. Ambulation must be safe, and
aspirin may increase bleeding risk.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Medication Safety | TOP: DVT Management | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 5
A patient with COPD is hypoxic on 2L oxygen via nasal cannula. Nursing priority:
a. Notify provider for oxygen adjustment
b. Increase oxygen to 6L without order
c. Encourage exercise
d. Position supine
ANS: a
Rationale: Persistent hypoxia requires provider evaluation. Unsupervised oxygen increases may
, 4 | Page
suppress the respiratory drive.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Respiratory Management | TOP: COPD | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 6
A patient with heart failure presents with edema and rapid weight gain. Nursing action:
a. Notify provider and monitor fluid status
b. Encourage high-sodium diet
c. Restrict ambulation
d. Provide reassurance only
ANS: a
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid overload; timely intervention prevents
decompensation. Sodium restriction is important but requires provider instruction.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Fluid Management | TOP: Heart Failure | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 7
A patient with pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Nursing priority:
a. Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance
b. Encourage oral intake immediately
c. Focus solely on pain medication
d. Provide high-fat meals
ATI RN Medical-Surgical 2025 Proctored Exam – 180 Verified
Questions with Detailed Answers & Rationales
Question 1
A patient with chronic heart failure reports shortness of breath, orthopnea, and edema. Nursing
priority:
a. Assess airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation
b. Encourage ambulation
c. Provide oral fluids only
d. Position supine
ANS: a
Rationale: Airway and oxygen assessment is the priority to prevent hypoxia and respiratory
distress. Other interventions do not address the acute risk of decompensation.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Cardiac Assessment | TOP: Heart Failure | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 2
,2 | Page
A patient with myocardial infarction reports severe chest pain radiating to the jaw. Nursing
action:
a. Administer prescribed nitroglycerin and monitor response
b. Encourage ambulation
c. Provide oral fluids
d. Reassure only
ANS: a
Rationale: Nitroglycerin relieves ischemic pain; monitoring allows early detection of
complications such as hypotension or arrhythmias.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Cardiac Care | TOP: MI Management | MSC: Safe and Effective Care
Question 3
A patient with cirrhosis develops ascites. Nursing intervention:
a. Monitor daily weight and fluid status
b. Encourage high-protein diet immediately
c. Provide unrestricted fluids
d. Focus solely on vital signs
ANS: a
Rationale: Daily weight and fluid monitoring help detect fluid overload and guide interventions.
Diet adjustments should follow provider instructions.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Liver Disease Management | TOP: Cirrhosis | MSC: Physiological
Integrity
,3 | Page
Question 4
A patient with deep vein thrombosis is prescribed low-molecular-weight heparin. Nursing action:
a. Monitor for bleeding and assess aPTT
b. Encourage ambulation without precautions
c. Provide high-dose aspirin
d. Ignore minor bruising
ANS: a
Rationale: Monitoring prevents serious bleeding complications. Ambulation must be safe, and
aspirin may increase bleeding risk.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Medication Safety | TOP: DVT Management | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 5
A patient with COPD is hypoxic on 2L oxygen via nasal cannula. Nursing priority:
a. Notify provider for oxygen adjustment
b. Increase oxygen to 6L without order
c. Encourage exercise
d. Position supine
ANS: a
Rationale: Persistent hypoxia requires provider evaluation. Unsupervised oxygen increases may
, 4 | Page
suppress the respiratory drive.
DIF: Hard | OBJ: Respiratory Management | TOP: COPD | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 6
A patient with heart failure presents with edema and rapid weight gain. Nursing action:
a. Notify provider and monitor fluid status
b. Encourage high-sodium diet
c. Restrict ambulation
d. Provide reassurance only
ANS: a
Rationale: Rapid weight gain indicates fluid overload; timely intervention prevents
decompensation. Sodium restriction is important but requires provider instruction.
DIF: Moderate | OBJ: Fluid Management | TOP: Heart Failure | MSC: Physiological Integrity
Question 7
A patient with pancreatitis reports severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Nursing priority:
a. Monitor fluid and electrolyte balance
b. Encourage oral intake immediately
c. Focus solely on pain medication
d. Provide high-fat meals
