ATI Med-Surg 2 Exam 2 – 2026 Verified Version Most Recent exam
COMPLETE (2026) EXAM Questions and Answers (Verified Answers) (Latest
Update 2026)
TI MED-SURG 2 —
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing chest pain unrelieved by rest. Which action should
the nurse take FIRST?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Check troponin levels
C. Administer morphine
D. Start a heparin infusion
Rationale: ECG must be obtained immediately to identify ischemia or MI.
2. A client with heart failure reports increased SOB and a 3-lb weight gain in 24 hr. Which
finding indicates worsening heart failure?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Crackles in lung bases
C. BP 130/90
D. HR 88/min
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles reflect fluid overload from HF exacerbation.
3. A client receiving IV furosemide develops muscle weakness. Which lab should the nurse
check?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Sodium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss → muscle weakness.
4. A client with atrial fibrillation is starting warfarin. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I will increase green leafy vegetables.”
B. “I need to avoid acetaminophen.”
EXAMPREPMASTER
,C. “I will keep my diet consistent each week.”
D. “I do not need blood tests.”
Rationale: Consistent vitamin K intake keeps INR stable.
5. A nurse notes ST depression on the ECG. The client is likely experiencing:
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Acute STEMI
C. Myocardial ischemia
D. Pericarditis
Rationale: ST depression indicates ischemia, not injury.
6. A client with pericarditis has pulsus paradoxus. This finding suggests:
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Right-sided HF
D. MI
Rationale: Pulsus paradoxus is a hallmark sign of tamponade.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerin. Which assessment is PRIORITY?
A. Pain score
B. Heart rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause dangerous hypotension.
8. A client with left-sided HF is at increased risk for:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular distention
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Weight loss
Rationale: Left HF → fluid backs up into lungs.
9. A client with endocarditis reports new onset of flank pain. The nurse should suspect:
A. Kidney infection
B. Emboli to renal arteries
C. Hydronephrosis
EXAMPREPMASTER
,D. Dehydration
Rationale: Infective endocarditis can cause emboli to kidneys.
10. Which assessment finding is an early indicator of shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Decreased urine output
C. Tachycardia
D. Peripheral cyanosis
Rationale: Tachycardia compensates early to maintain perfusion.
QUESTIONS 11–20 — RESPIRATORY
11. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min. The nurse should monitor for:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Oxygen toxicity
C. Hypoventilation
D. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: High O₂ can decrease drive to breathe in COPD.
12. Which finding indicates TB treatment is effective?
A. Decreased cough
B. Negative sputum cultures
C. Appetite improvement
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Only negative sputum cultures confirm non-infectious.
13. A client suddenly becomes dyspneic post-thoracentesis. FIRST action?
A. Increase O₂
B. Assess lung sounds
C. Notify provider
D. Obtain ABGs
Rationale: Risk of pneumothorax — assess immediately.
EXAMPREPMASTER
, 14. A nurse gives albuterol to a client with asthma. Which finding shows improvement?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Improved wheezing
C. Increased peak flow reading
D. Clear sputum
Rationale: Peak flow improvement shows bronchodilation.
15. Which finding requires immediate action for a client with pneumonia?
A. Cough with sputum
B. Fever 101°F
C. Confusion
D. Crackles
Rationale: Confusion indicates hypoxia — emergency.
16. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. This
indicates:
A. Suction working
B. Normal operation
C. Air leak
D. Blocked tubing
Rationale: Continuous bubbling = air leak.
17. A client with a pulmonary embolism is receiving heparin. Monitor for:
A. Hypertension
B. Bruising/bleeding
C. Tachypnea
D. Chest pain
Rationale: Heparin increases bleeding risk.
18. Which position helps improve gas exchange in ARDS?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Prone position
D. Side-lying
Rationale: Prone positioning improves oxygenation in ARDS.
EXAMPREPMASTER
COMPLETE (2026) EXAM Questions and Answers (Verified Answers) (Latest
Update 2026)
TI MED-SURG 2 —
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing chest pain unrelieved by rest. Which action should
the nurse take FIRST?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Check troponin levels
C. Administer morphine
D. Start a heparin infusion
Rationale: ECG must be obtained immediately to identify ischemia or MI.
2. A client with heart failure reports increased SOB and a 3-lb weight gain in 24 hr. Which
finding indicates worsening heart failure?
A. Bounding pulses
B. Crackles in lung bases
C. BP 130/90
D. HR 88/min
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles reflect fluid overload from HF exacerbation.
3. A client receiving IV furosemide develops muscle weakness. Which lab should the nurse
check?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Sodium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss → muscle weakness.
4. A client with atrial fibrillation is starting warfarin. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I will increase green leafy vegetables.”
B. “I need to avoid acetaminophen.”
EXAMPREPMASTER
,C. “I will keep my diet consistent each week.”
D. “I do not need blood tests.”
Rationale: Consistent vitamin K intake keeps INR stable.
5. A nurse notes ST depression on the ECG. The client is likely experiencing:
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Acute STEMI
C. Myocardial ischemia
D. Pericarditis
Rationale: ST depression indicates ischemia, not injury.
6. A client with pericarditis has pulsus paradoxus. This finding suggests:
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Right-sided HF
D. MI
Rationale: Pulsus paradoxus is a hallmark sign of tamponade.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerin. Which assessment is PRIORITY?
A. Pain score
B. Heart rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause dangerous hypotension.
8. A client with left-sided HF is at increased risk for:
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular distention
C. Pulmonary congestion
D. Weight loss
Rationale: Left HF → fluid backs up into lungs.
9. A client with endocarditis reports new onset of flank pain. The nurse should suspect:
A. Kidney infection
B. Emboli to renal arteries
C. Hydronephrosis
EXAMPREPMASTER
,D. Dehydration
Rationale: Infective endocarditis can cause emboli to kidneys.
10. Which assessment finding is an early indicator of shock?
A. Hypotension
B. Decreased urine output
C. Tachycardia
D. Peripheral cyanosis
Rationale: Tachycardia compensates early to maintain perfusion.
QUESTIONS 11–20 — RESPIRATORY
11. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen at 4 L/min. The nurse should monitor for:
A. Pneumothorax
B. Oxygen toxicity
C. Hypoventilation
D. Pulmonary edema
Rationale: High O₂ can decrease drive to breathe in COPD.
12. Which finding indicates TB treatment is effective?
A. Decreased cough
B. Negative sputum cultures
C. Appetite improvement
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Only negative sputum cultures confirm non-infectious.
13. A client suddenly becomes dyspneic post-thoracentesis. FIRST action?
A. Increase O₂
B. Assess lung sounds
C. Notify provider
D. Obtain ABGs
Rationale: Risk of pneumothorax — assess immediately.
EXAMPREPMASTER
, 14. A nurse gives albuterol to a client with asthma. Which finding shows improvement?
A. Decreased respiratory rate
B. Improved wheezing
C. Increased peak flow reading
D. Clear sputum
Rationale: Peak flow improvement shows bronchodilation.
15. Which finding requires immediate action for a client with pneumonia?
A. Cough with sputum
B. Fever 101°F
C. Confusion
D. Crackles
Rationale: Confusion indicates hypoxia — emergency.
16. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. This
indicates:
A. Suction working
B. Normal operation
C. Air leak
D. Blocked tubing
Rationale: Continuous bubbling = air leak.
17. A client with a pulmonary embolism is receiving heparin. Monitor for:
A. Hypertension
B. Bruising/bleeding
C. Tachypnea
D. Chest pain
Rationale: Heparin increases bleeding risk.
18. Which position helps improve gas exchange in ARDS?
A. Supine
B. High Fowler’s
C. Prone position
D. Side-lying
Rationale: Prone positioning improves oxygenation in ARDS.
EXAMPREPMASTER
