2025-2026 1
ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL PROCTORED EXAM 2025–2026 |
100+ QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS &
RATIONALES (LATEST TEST BANK) ALREADY GRADED
A+
Q1. A nurse is administering morphine IV to a postoperative client. Which
assessment is the highest priority?
a. Blood pressure
b. Respiratory rate
c. Heart rate
d. Pain level
Answer: b. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Opioids like morphine can cause respiratory depression,
making respiratory rate the priority assessment.
Q2. A client prescribed warfarin asks which foods to avoid. Which statement
shows correct teaching?
a. “I should limit foods high in vitamin K.”
b. “I need to avoid dairy products.”
c. “I should eat more fiber.”
d. “I can’t have citrus fruits.”
Answer: a. Limit vitamin K foods
Rationale: Vitamin K interferes with warfarin’s anticoagulant effect.
Q3. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin. Which finding requires holding the
dose?
a. BP 110/70 mmHg
b. HR 56 bpm
c. RR 18/min
d. Temp 37°C (98.6°F)
, 2025-2026 2
Answer: b. HR 56 bpm
Rationale: Hold digoxin if HR is below 60 bpm due to risk of
bradycardia.
Q4. A client on lithium therapy reports nausea and tremors. Which action is
appropriate?
a. Withhold dose and notify provider
b. Administer antiemetic
c. Give with milk
d. Encourage hydration only
Answer: a. Withhold dose and notify provider
Rationale: Nausea and tremors indicate lithium toxicity, requiring
provider notification.
Q5. Which lab should be monitored for a client taking furosemide?
a. Potassium
b. Calcium
c. WBC count
d. Hemoglobin
Answer: a. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, increasing risk for
hypokalemia.
Q6. A nurse is teaching a client starting levothyroxine. Which statement
indicates understanding?
a. “I should take this with food.”
b. “I will take this medication in the morning before eating.”
c. “I will stop if I feel palpitations.”
d. “I can expect immediate results.”
Answer: b. Morning before eating
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach in the
morning.
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Q7. A client taking isoniazid (INH) for TB should be taught to report which
finding?
a. Numbness in hands/feet
b. Increased appetite
c. Muscle cramps
d. Insomnia
Answer: a. Numbness in hands/feet
Rationale: INH can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Q8. Which adverse effect is associated with gentamicin?
a. Ototoxicity
b. Hypertension
c. Constipation
d. Hypoglycemia
Answer: a. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can damage hearing and kidneys.
Q9. A client prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual asks about administration.
Which teaching is correct?
a. “I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, for chest pain.”
b. “I should chew the tablets for faster absorption.”
c. “I can store tablets in the bathroom cabinet.”
d. “I should take one tablet daily for prevention.”
Answer: a. Up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart
Rationale: Nitroglycerin may be repeated every 5 minutes, up to 3 doses.
Q10. Which lab should be monitored for a client receiving heparin infusion?
a. PT/INR
b. aPTT
c. Platelets only
d. Hemoglobin
, 2025-2026 4
Answer: b. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT).
Q11. A client prescribed phenytoin should be instructed to:
a. Use soft toothbrush and good oral hygiene
b. Increase vitamin K intake
c. Take with antacids
d. Expect rapid control of seizures
Answer: a. Oral hygiene
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, so oral care is
essential.
Q12. Which finding indicates aspirin toxicity?
a. Constipation
b. Tinnitus
c. Hypertension
d. Hyperglycemia
Answer: b. Tinnitus
Rationale: Ringing in the ears is a classic sign of salicylate toxicity.
Q13. A nurse administers metoprolol. Which finding should be reported
immediately?
a. HR 54 bpm
b. BP 118/72 mmHg
c. Mild fatigue
d. Headache
Answer: a. HR 54 bpm
Rationale: Beta-blockers may cause bradycardia; hold if HR <60 bpm.
ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL PROCTORED EXAM 2025–2026 |
100+ QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS &
RATIONALES (LATEST TEST BANK) ALREADY GRADED
A+
Q1. A nurse is administering morphine IV to a postoperative client. Which
assessment is the highest priority?
a. Blood pressure
b. Respiratory rate
c. Heart rate
d. Pain level
Answer: b. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Opioids like morphine can cause respiratory depression,
making respiratory rate the priority assessment.
Q2. A client prescribed warfarin asks which foods to avoid. Which statement
shows correct teaching?
a. “I should limit foods high in vitamin K.”
b. “I need to avoid dairy products.”
c. “I should eat more fiber.”
d. “I can’t have citrus fruits.”
Answer: a. Limit vitamin K foods
Rationale: Vitamin K interferes with warfarin’s anticoagulant effect.
Q3. A nurse prepares to administer digoxin. Which finding requires holding the
dose?
a. BP 110/70 mmHg
b. HR 56 bpm
c. RR 18/min
d. Temp 37°C (98.6°F)
, 2025-2026 2
Answer: b. HR 56 bpm
Rationale: Hold digoxin if HR is below 60 bpm due to risk of
bradycardia.
Q4. A client on lithium therapy reports nausea and tremors. Which action is
appropriate?
a. Withhold dose and notify provider
b. Administer antiemetic
c. Give with milk
d. Encourage hydration only
Answer: a. Withhold dose and notify provider
Rationale: Nausea and tremors indicate lithium toxicity, requiring
provider notification.
Q5. Which lab should be monitored for a client taking furosemide?
a. Potassium
b. Calcium
c. WBC count
d. Hemoglobin
Answer: a. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, increasing risk for
hypokalemia.
Q6. A nurse is teaching a client starting levothyroxine. Which statement
indicates understanding?
a. “I should take this with food.”
b. “I will take this medication in the morning before eating.”
c. “I will stop if I feel palpitations.”
d. “I can expect immediate results.”
Answer: b. Morning before eating
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach in the
morning.
, 2025-2026 3
Q7. A client taking isoniazid (INH) for TB should be taught to report which
finding?
a. Numbness in hands/feet
b. Increased appetite
c. Muscle cramps
d. Insomnia
Answer: a. Numbness in hands/feet
Rationale: INH can cause peripheral neuropathy.
Q8. Which adverse effect is associated with gentamicin?
a. Ototoxicity
b. Hypertension
c. Constipation
d. Hypoglycemia
Answer: a. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can damage hearing and kidneys.
Q9. A client prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual asks about administration.
Which teaching is correct?
a. “I can take up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart, for chest pain.”
b. “I should chew the tablets for faster absorption.”
c. “I can store tablets in the bathroom cabinet.”
d. “I should take one tablet daily for prevention.”
Answer: a. Up to three tablets, 5 minutes apart
Rationale: Nitroglycerin may be repeated every 5 minutes, up to 3 doses.
Q10. Which lab should be monitored for a client receiving heparin infusion?
a. PT/INR
b. aPTT
c. Platelets only
d. Hemoglobin
, 2025-2026 4
Answer: b. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy is monitored using activated partial
thromboplastin time (aPTT).
Q11. A client prescribed phenytoin should be instructed to:
a. Use soft toothbrush and good oral hygiene
b. Increase vitamin K intake
c. Take with antacids
d. Expect rapid control of seizures
Answer: a. Oral hygiene
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, so oral care is
essential.
Q12. Which finding indicates aspirin toxicity?
a. Constipation
b. Tinnitus
c. Hypertension
d. Hyperglycemia
Answer: b. Tinnitus
Rationale: Ringing in the ears is a classic sign of salicylate toxicity.
Q13. A nurse administers metoprolol. Which finding should be reported
immediately?
a. HR 54 bpm
b. BP 118/72 mmHg
c. Mild fatigue
d. Headache
Answer: a. HR 54 bpm
Rationale: Beta-blockers may cause bradycardia; hold if HR <60 bpm.
