ATI RN Med-Surg Proctored Exam 2026 | Comprehensive
Study Guide with 70 Complete Exam Questions, Verified
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has chronic kidney disease and a new
prescription for erythropoietin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should take calcium supplements, so the medication will work better in my system."
B. "I am taking this medication to increase my energy level."
C. "This medication can cause my blood pressure to drop."
D. "I will not need to restrict protein in my diet while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production, which increases oxygen-
carrying capacity and reduces fatigue, thereby increasing energy levels.
Question 2
A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a client who requests sildenafil to treat erectile
dysfunction. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "You might need to take a stool softener while taking this medication."
B. "You will not be able to use sildenafil if you have diabetes."
C. "You will need to limit your caffeine intake if you start taking sildenafil."
D. "You will not be able to use sildenafil if you are taking nitroglycerin."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sildenafil is contraindicated with nitroglycerin due to the risk of severe
hypotension caused by the combined vasodilating effects.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which of the
following is the priority assessment finding that the nurse should report to the provider?
A. Restlessness
B. T3 level 215 ng/dL
C. Blood pressure 170/80 mm Hg
D. Decreased weight
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension (170/80 mm Hg) is the priority because it indicates potential
thyroid storm or cardiovascular compromise requiring immediate intervention.
Page 1
,Question 4
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is receiving change-of-shift report on four clients.
Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as having the greatest risk for
developing an infection?
A. A client who has a closed fracture of the arm and is receiving an opioid pain medication
B. A client who has COPD and is receiving steroid therapy
C. A client who is postoperative following a laparoscopic appendectomy and is receiving
an antibiotic
D. A client who has a deep vein thrombosis and is receiving anticoagulant therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroid therapy suppresses the immune system, significantly increasing
the risk of infection.
Question 5
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an older adult client who has a fractured
wrist following a fall. During the assessment, the client states, "Last week I crashed my car
because my vision suddenly became blurry." Which of the following actions is the nurse's
priority?
A. Check the client's neurological status
B. Document the client's statements
C. Prepare the client for a CT scan
D. Teach the client about using safety precautions for falls
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden blurry vision followed by a fall and a car accident may indicate a
neurological event such as a stroke or TIA; neurological assessment is the priority.
Question 6
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who is scheduled for an open
cholecystectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Teach the importance of a clear liquid diet after discharge
B. Tell the client to remove incisional adhesive strips 3 days after discharge
C. Demonstrate ways to deep breathe and cough
D. Instruct the client to maintain bedrest for 48 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deep breathing and coughing exercises help prevent postoperative pulmonary
complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.
Page 2
, Question 7
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has full-thickness burns over
20% of his total body surface area. After ensuring a patent airway and administering
oxygen, which of the following items should the nurse prepare to administer first?
A. IV fluids
B. Analgesia
C. Antibiotics
D. Tetanus toxoid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IV fluid resuscitation is the priority after airway management to prevent
hypovolemic shock and maintain tissue perfusion.
Question 8
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has migraine headaches and is taking
feverfew to prevent her headaches. The nurse should identify that which of the following
client medications interacts with feverfew?
A. Metoprolol
B. Bupropion
C. Naproxen
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Feverfew can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when taken with NSAIDs
like naproxen.
Question 9
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has laryngeal cancer and is
receiving radiation treatment. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will wear a badge to measure how much radiation I am receiving."
B. "I will remove the markings on my skin after each radiation treatment."
C. "I will avoid direct exposure to the sun."
D. "I will rinse my mouth with a commercial mouthwash."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Radiation therapy increases skin sensitivity to UV rays; sun exposure should be
avoided to prevent skin damage.
Question 10
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client who has anemia. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
Page 3
Study Guide with 70 Complete Exam Questions, Verified
Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales | Graded A+
Question 1
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has chronic kidney disease and a new
prescription for erythropoietin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should take calcium supplements, so the medication will work better in my system."
B. "I am taking this medication to increase my energy level."
C. "This medication can cause my blood pressure to drop."
D. "I will not need to restrict protein in my diet while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production, which increases oxygen-
carrying capacity and reduces fatigue, thereby increasing energy levels.
Question 2
A nurse in a provider's office is caring for a client who requests sildenafil to treat erectile
dysfunction. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A. "You might need to take a stool softener while taking this medication."
B. "You will not be able to use sildenafil if you have diabetes."
C. "You will need to limit your caffeine intake if you start taking sildenafil."
D. "You will not be able to use sildenafil if you are taking nitroglycerin."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sildenafil is contraindicated with nitroglycerin due to the risk of severe
hypotension caused by the combined vasodilating effects.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which of the
following is the priority assessment finding that the nurse should report to the provider?
A. Restlessness
B. T3 level 215 ng/dL
C. Blood pressure 170/80 mm Hg
D. Decreased weight
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypertension (170/80 mm Hg) is the priority because it indicates potential
thyroid storm or cardiovascular compromise requiring immediate intervention.
Page 1
,Question 4
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is receiving change-of-shift report on four clients.
Which of the following clients should the nurse identify as having the greatest risk for
developing an infection?
A. A client who has a closed fracture of the arm and is receiving an opioid pain medication
B. A client who has COPD and is receiving steroid therapy
C. A client who is postoperative following a laparoscopic appendectomy and is receiving
an antibiotic
D. A client who has a deep vein thrombosis and is receiving anticoagulant therapy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroid therapy suppresses the immune system, significantly increasing
the risk of infection.
Question 5
A nurse in an emergency department is assessing an older adult client who has a fractured
wrist following a fall. During the assessment, the client states, "Last week I crashed my car
because my vision suddenly became blurry." Which of the following actions is the nurse's
priority?
A. Check the client's neurological status
B. Document the client's statements
C. Prepare the client for a CT scan
D. Teach the client about using safety precautions for falls
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Sudden blurry vision followed by a fall and a car accident may indicate a
neurological event such as a stroke or TIA; neurological assessment is the priority.
Question 6
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who is scheduled for an open
cholecystectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Teach the importance of a clear liquid diet after discharge
B. Tell the client to remove incisional adhesive strips 3 days after discharge
C. Demonstrate ways to deep breathe and cough
D. Instruct the client to maintain bedrest for 48 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Deep breathing and coughing exercises help prevent postoperative pulmonary
complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia.
Page 2
, Question 7
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who has full-thickness burns over
20% of his total body surface area. After ensuring a patent airway and administering
oxygen, which of the following items should the nurse prepare to administer first?
A. IV fluids
B. Analgesia
C. Antibiotics
D. Tetanus toxoid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: IV fluid resuscitation is the priority after airway management to prevent
hypovolemic shock and maintain tissue perfusion.
Question 8
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who has migraine headaches and is taking
feverfew to prevent her headaches. The nurse should identify that which of the following
client medications interacts with feverfew?
A. Metoprolol
B. Bupropion
C. Naproxen
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Feverfew can increase the risk of bleeding, especially when taken with NSAIDs
like naproxen.
Question 9
A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has laryngeal cancer and is
receiving radiation treatment. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will wear a badge to measure how much radiation I am receiving."
B. "I will remove the markings on my skin after each radiation treatment."
C. "I will avoid direct exposure to the sun."
D. "I will rinse my mouth with a commercial mouthwash."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Radiation therapy increases skin sensitivity to UV rays; sun exposure should be
avoided to prevent skin damage.
Question 10
A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client who has anemia. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
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