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ATI Med Surg CMS Proctored Exam 2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving
furosemide. Which finding indicates the client may be experiencing a
complication of this therapy?
A. Increased urine output
B. Potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure of 128/78 mm Hg
D. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Answer: B. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a
common and potentially dangerous complication of loop diuretic
therapy like furosemide, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
Increased urine output and weight loss are expected therapeutic
effects. A blood pressure of 128/78 is within normal limits.
2. A nurse is assessing a client 30 minutes after a thoracentesis. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B. Pulse oximetry of 93% on room air
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C. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side
D. Client reports a pain level of 3 on a 0-10 scale
Answer: C. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side suggests a
tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening complication requiring
immediate intervention. Minimal drainage and a slight drop in oxygen
saturation require monitoring but are not immediately life-threatening.
Mild pain is expected.
3. A nurse is teaching a client with a new diagnosis of hypertension
about lifestyle modifications. Which statement indicates the client
understands the teaching?
A. "I will limit my alcohol intake to three drinks per day."
B. "I only need to exercise if my blood pressure is high that day."
C. "I will follow the DASH eating plan which is high in fruits and
vegetables."
D. "I can use salt substitutes freely since I’m cutting back on table salt."
Answer: C. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, which is proven to
lower blood pressure. Alcohol should be limited to no more than 2
drinks for men and 1 for women. Exercise should be regular, not
contingent on daily readings. Salt substitutes often contain potassium,
which can be dangerous if the client has renal impairment or is on
certain medications.
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4. A nurse is caring for a client 12 hours postoperative after a total hip
arthroplasty. Which nursing action is most important to prevent
dislocation?
A. Keeping the client in a high Fowler’s position
B. Placing an abduction pillow between the client’s legs
C. Turning the client to the operative side every 2 hours
D. Encouraging the client to cross their ankles when sitting
Answer: B. An abduction pillow keeps the hip joints in proper alignment
and prevents adduction, which is a primary cause of postoperative
prosthesis dislocation. The operative hip should not be flexed beyond
90 degrees, adducted, or internally rotated. High Fowler's position
involves excessive hip flexion.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which
clinical manifestation indicates a hemolytic reaction?
A. Hypertension and bounding pulse
B. Fever and lower back pain
C. Urticaria and wheezing
D. Fever and productive cough
Answer: B. Fever, chills, and lower back pain are classic signs of a
hemolytic transfusion reaction caused by ABO incompatibility.
Hypertension and bounding pulse are associated with fluid overload.
Urticaria and wheezing indicate an allergic reaction. Fever and
productive cough could suggest transfusion-related acute lung injury or
infection, but lower back pain is specific to hemolysis.
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6. A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. The physician prescribes
spironolactone. Which electrolyte disturbance is the nurse primarily
trying to prevent?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used in
cirrhosis management to counteract the hypokalemia and metabolic
alkalosis often caused by loop diuretics. The primary goal is to prevent
potassium loss while treating fluid overload.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube to water-seal drainage.
The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Clamp the chest tube immediately
B. Tighten the connections and assess for an air leak
C. Milk the chest tube to clear a clot
D. Add more sterile water to the water-seal chamber
Answer: B. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an
air leak in the system. The nurse should systematically check for loose
connections from the insertion site to the drainage unit. Clamping the
tube without a specific order can cause a tension pneumothorax.
Milking is no longer standard routine care.
ATI Med Surg CMS Proctored Exam 2026-2027 BANK
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS EXAM
QUESTIONS WILL COME FROM HERE (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving
furosemide. Which finding indicates the client may be experiencing a
complication of this therapy?
A. Increased urine output
B. Potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure of 128/78 mm Hg
D. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Answer: B. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, a
common and potentially dangerous complication of loop diuretic
therapy like furosemide, which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
Increased urine output and weight loss are expected therapeutic
effects. A blood pressure of 128/78 is within normal limits.
2. A nurse is assessing a client 30 minutes after a thoracentesis. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage on the dressing
B. Pulse oximetry of 93% on room air
,2|Page
C. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side
D. Client reports a pain level of 3 on a 0-10 scale
Answer: C. Tracheal deviation toward the unaffected side suggests a
tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening complication requiring
immediate intervention. Minimal drainage and a slight drop in oxygen
saturation require monitoring but are not immediately life-threatening.
Mild pain is expected.
3. A nurse is teaching a client with a new diagnosis of hypertension
about lifestyle modifications. Which statement indicates the client
understands the teaching?
A. "I will limit my alcohol intake to three drinks per day."
B. "I only need to exercise if my blood pressure is high that day."
C. "I will follow the DASH eating plan which is high in fruits and
vegetables."
D. "I can use salt substitutes freely since I’m cutting back on table salt."
Answer: C. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet
emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy, which is proven to
lower blood pressure. Alcohol should be limited to no more than 2
drinks for men and 1 for women. Exercise should be regular, not
contingent on daily readings. Salt substitutes often contain potassium,
which can be dangerous if the client has renal impairment or is on
certain medications.
,3|Page
4. A nurse is caring for a client 12 hours postoperative after a total hip
arthroplasty. Which nursing action is most important to prevent
dislocation?
A. Keeping the client in a high Fowler’s position
B. Placing an abduction pillow between the client’s legs
C. Turning the client to the operative side every 2 hours
D. Encouraging the client to cross their ankles when sitting
Answer: B. An abduction pillow keeps the hip joints in proper alignment
and prevents adduction, which is a primary cause of postoperative
prosthesis dislocation. The operative hip should not be flexed beyond
90 degrees, adducted, or internally rotated. High Fowler's position
involves excessive hip flexion.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a blood transfusion. Which
clinical manifestation indicates a hemolytic reaction?
A. Hypertension and bounding pulse
B. Fever and lower back pain
C. Urticaria and wheezing
D. Fever and productive cough
Answer: B. Fever, chills, and lower back pain are classic signs of a
hemolytic transfusion reaction caused by ABO incompatibility.
Hypertension and bounding pulse are associated with fluid overload.
Urticaria and wheezing indicate an allergic reaction. Fever and
productive cough could suggest transfusion-related acute lung injury or
infection, but lower back pain is specific to hemolysis.
, 4|Page
6. A client with cirrhosis develops ascites. The physician prescribes
spironolactone. Which electrolyte disturbance is the nurse primarily
trying to prevent?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used in
cirrhosis management to counteract the hypokalemia and metabolic
alkalosis often caused by loop diuretics. The primary goal is to prevent
potassium loss while treating fluid overload.
7. A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube to water-seal drainage.
The nurse notes continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Clamp the chest tube immediately
B. Tighten the connections and assess for an air leak
C. Milk the chest tube to clear a clot
D. Add more sterile water to the water-seal chamber
Answer: B. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber indicates an
air leak in the system. The nurse should systematically check for loose
connections from the insertion site to the drainage unit. Clamping the
tube without a specific order can cause a tension pneumothorax.
Milking is no longer standard routine care.
