ATI Med Surg Practice Exam A 2024
Question 1:
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has stage II cervical cancer and is
scheduled for brachytherapy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
• "You will have an implant placed twice each month for the duration of the
treatment."
• "You should remain at least 6 feet away from others between treatments."
• "You should expect to have blood in your urine for a few days after
treatment."
• "You will need to stay still in the bed during each treatment session."
Correct Answer: "You will need to stay still in the bed during each
treatment session."
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that they will need to remain on
bed rest with very limited movement because excessive movement can cause the
radioactive source to become dislodged.
Question 2:
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who reports vomiting
and diarrhea for the past 3 days. Which of the following findings should indicate to
the nurse that the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
• Heart rate 110/min
• Blood pressure 138/90 mm Hg
• Urine specific gravity 1.020
• BUN 15 mg/dl
Correct Answer: Heart rate 110/min
,Rationale: A client who has a 3-day history of vomiting and diarrhea is likely to
have fluid volume deficit and an elevated heart rate.
Question 3:
A nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer. The client tells the nurse, "I
wish I could stop these treatments. I am ready to die." Which of the following
statements should the nurse make?
• "Discontinuing with the treatments is your choice if it is your wish to do so."
• "Your child is named as your health care surrogate. I will ask them if you
can stop the treatments."
• "I will call your spiritual advisor to come in, so you can discuss this with
them."
• "Next time you have an oncology appointment, you should ask the
oncologist."
Correct Answer: "Discontinuing with the treatments is your choice if it is
your wish to do so."
Rationale: The nurse should recognize the client's right to refuse the treatments
and inform the client of this right. The nurse should advocate for the client and
offer to contact the provider for the client.
Question 4:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving dialysis treatment. For each potential
nursing intervention, click to specify if the intervention is indicated or not
indicated.
INDICATED:
• Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
• Administer a 0.9% sodium chloride 200 ml IV bolus.
• Notify the provider immediately.
, • Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
NOT INDICATED:
• Perform a 12-lead ECG.
• Obtain the client's blood glucose level.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? Select all that apply.
• Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
• Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
• Report urinary output to the provider
• Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
Rationale:
• It is important for the client to turn, cough, and deep breathe to reduce the
risk for respiratory complications and complications to the surgical incision.
• The nurse should plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible to promote
ventilation and decrease the risk of thrombosis.
• The client should produce at least 30 ml of urine per hour. Therefore, the
nurse should report this finding to the provider.
• The nurse should have the client rate their pain prior to and following the
administration of pain medication to evaluate its effectiveness.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A
new bag is not available when the current infusion is nearly completed. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
, 1. Keep the line open with 0.9% sodium chloride until the new bag arrives.
2. Administer dextrose 10% in water until the new bag arrives.
3. Flush the line and cap the port until the new bag arrives.
4. Decrease the infusion rate until the new bag arrives.
Correct Answer: 2. Administer dextrose 10% in water until the new bag
arrives.
Rationale: TPN solutions have a high concentration of dextrose. Therefore, if a
TPN solution is temporarily unavailable, the nurse should administer dextrose 10%
or 20% in water to avoid a precipitous drop in the client's blood glucose level.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a client who had a nephrostomy tube inserted 12 hours ago.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
1. The client's urinary output has increased.
2. The client reports back pain.
3. The client's urine color is red tinged.
4. The client's BUN is 18 mg/dl.
Correct Answer: 2. The client reports back pain.
Rationale: The nurse should notify the provider if the client reports back pain,
which can indicate that the nephrostomy tube is dislodged or clogged.
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a client who is having a seizure. Which of the following
interventions is the nurse's priority?
1. Loosen the clothing around the client's neck.
2. Check the client's pupillary response.
3. Turn the client to the side.
Question 1:
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has stage II cervical cancer and is
scheduled for brachytherapy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
• "You will have an implant placed twice each month for the duration of the
treatment."
• "You should remain at least 6 feet away from others between treatments."
• "You should expect to have blood in your urine for a few days after
treatment."
• "You will need to stay still in the bed during each treatment session."
Correct Answer: "You will need to stay still in the bed during each
treatment session."
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client that they will need to remain on
bed rest with very limited movement because excessive movement can cause the
radioactive source to become dislodged.
Question 2:
A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who reports vomiting
and diarrhea for the past 3 days. Which of the following findings should indicate to
the nurse that the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?
• Heart rate 110/min
• Blood pressure 138/90 mm Hg
• Urine specific gravity 1.020
• BUN 15 mg/dl
Correct Answer: Heart rate 110/min
,Rationale: A client who has a 3-day history of vomiting and diarrhea is likely to
have fluid volume deficit and an elevated heart rate.
Question 3:
A nurse is caring for a client who has terminal cancer. The client tells the nurse, "I
wish I could stop these treatments. I am ready to die." Which of the following
statements should the nurse make?
• "Discontinuing with the treatments is your choice if it is your wish to do so."
• "Your child is named as your health care surrogate. I will ask them if you
can stop the treatments."
• "I will call your spiritual advisor to come in, so you can discuss this with
them."
• "Next time you have an oncology appointment, you should ask the
oncologist."
Correct Answer: "Discontinuing with the treatments is your choice if it is
your wish to do so."
Rationale: The nurse should recognize the client's right to refuse the treatments
and inform the client of this right. The nurse should advocate for the client and
offer to contact the provider for the client.
Question 4:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving dialysis treatment. For each potential
nursing intervention, click to specify if the intervention is indicated or not
indicated.
INDICATED:
• Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
• Administer a 0.9% sodium chloride 200 ml IV bolus.
• Notify the provider immediately.
, • Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
NOT INDICATED:
• Perform a 12-lead ECG.
• Obtain the client's blood glucose level.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? Select all that apply.
• Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
• Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
• Report urinary output to the provider
• Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
Rationale:
• It is important for the client to turn, cough, and deep breathe to reduce the
risk for respiratory complications and complications to the surgical incision.
• The nurse should plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible to promote
ventilation and decrease the risk of thrombosis.
• The client should produce at least 30 ml of urine per hour. Therefore, the
nurse should report this finding to the provider.
• The nurse should have the client rate their pain prior to and following the
administration of pain medication to evaluate its effectiveness.
Question 6:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). A
new bag is not available when the current infusion is nearly completed. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
, 1. Keep the line open with 0.9% sodium chloride until the new bag arrives.
2. Administer dextrose 10% in water until the new bag arrives.
3. Flush the line and cap the port until the new bag arrives.
4. Decrease the infusion rate until the new bag arrives.
Correct Answer: 2. Administer dextrose 10% in water until the new bag
arrives.
Rationale: TPN solutions have a high concentration of dextrose. Therefore, if a
TPN solution is temporarily unavailable, the nurse should administer dextrose 10%
or 20% in water to avoid a precipitous drop in the client's blood glucose level.
Question 7:
A nurse is caring for a client who had a nephrostomy tube inserted 12 hours ago.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
1. The client's urinary output has increased.
2. The client reports back pain.
3. The client's urine color is red tinged.
4. The client's BUN is 18 mg/dl.
Correct Answer: 2. The client reports back pain.
Rationale: The nurse should notify the provider if the client reports back pain,
which can indicate that the nephrostomy tube is dislodged or clogged.
Question 8:
A nurse is caring for a client who is having a seizure. Which of the following
interventions is the nurse's priority?
1. Loosen the clothing around the client's neck.
2. Check the client's pupillary response.
3. Turn the client to the side.
