NURS 3025 ATI Med-Surg Test Bank
2025/2026 – Complete Questions,
Answers, and Rationales for Nursing
Students
1. During anaphylactic shock, an antigen-antibody reaction provokes mast cells to
release potent vasoactive substances, such as histamine or bradykinin, causing
widespread vasodilation and capillary permeability. Septic shock is a
circulatory state resulting from overwhelming infection causing relative
hypovolemia. Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone causing
relative hypovolemia. Cardiogenic shock results from impairment or failure of
the myocardium.
2. The client exhibits a blood pressure of 110/68 mm Hg, pulse rate of 112
beats/min, temperature of 102°F with skin warm and flushed. Respirations are
30 breaths/min. The nurse assesses the client may be exhibiting the early stage
of which shock? - ANSWER Septic
3. A nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) receives report from the nurse in the
emergency department (ED) about a new patient being admitted with a spinal
cord injury received while diving into a lake. The ED nurse reports that his
blood pressure is 85/54, heart rate is 53 beats per minute, and his skin is warm
and dry. What does the ICU nurse recognize that the patient is probably
experiencing? - ANSWER Neurogenic shock
4. Which pulse pressure indicates shock? - ANSWER 90/70 mm HG
1
,5. Which of the following nursing interventions helps minimize the risk for
hypothermia in a patient in shock? - ANSWER
6. Elevating the patient's legs slightly to improve cerebral circulation is
contraindicated in which of the following disease processes? - ANSWER
7. Elevating the patient's legs slightly to improve cerebral circulation is
contraindicated in which of the following disease processes? - ANSWER
Tachycardia
8. In which type of shock does the patient experience a mismatch of blood flow to
the cells? - ANSWER Circulatory
9. A nurse knows that the major clinical use of dobutamine (Dobutrex) is to: -
ANSWER Increase cardiac output.
10.Which of the following is a clinical characteristic of neurogenic shock? -
ANSWER Bradycardia
11.When teaching a client with newly diagnosed hypertension about the
pathophysiology of this disease, the nurse states that arterial baroreceptors,
which monitor arterial pressure, are located in the carotid sinus. Which other
area should the nurse mention as a site of arterial baroreceptors? - ANSWER
Aorta
12.A client with shock brought on by hemorrhage has a temperature of 97.6° F
(36.4° C), a heart rate of 140 beats/minute, a respiratory rate of 28
breaths/minute, and a blood pressure of 60/30 mm Hg. For this client, the nurse
should question which physician order? - ANSWER "Infuse I.V. fluids at 83
ml/hour."
2
,13.Which is the most common type of shock? - ANSWER
14.The nurse knows when the cardiovascular system becomes ineffective in
maintaining an adequate mean arterial pressure (MAP). Select the reading
below that indicates tissue hypoperfusion. - ANSWER 60 mm Hg
15.You are caring for a client who is in neurogenic shock. You know that this is a
subcategory of what kind of shock? - ANSWER Distributive
16.The nurse is calculating a patient's mean arterial pressure (MAP). What is the
patient's MAP, if the blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg? - ANSWER 83
17.The nurse is using continuous central venous oximetry (ScvO2) to monitor the
blood oxygen saturation of a patient in shock. What value would the nurse
document as normal for the patient? - ANSWER 70%
18.When a patient in shock is receiving fluid replacement, what should the nurse
monitor frequently? (Select all that apply.) - ANSWER • Urinary output
• Mental status
• Vital signs
19.The nurse is aware that fluid replacement is a hallmark treatment for shock.
Which of the following is the crystalloid fluid that helps treat acidosis? -
ANSWER Lactated Ringer's
20.Morphine sulfate has which of the following effects on the body? - ANSWER
Reduces preload
3
, 21.An immunocompromised older adult has developed a urinary tract infection and
the care team recognizes the need to prevent an exacerbation of the patient's
infection that could result in urosepsis and septic shock. What action should the
nurse perform to reduce the patient's risk of septic shock? - ANSWER Early
removal of invasive devices can reduce the incidence of infections.
22.You are talking with the family of a client who is in the irreversible stage of
shock. They ask you why the physician has told the family that the client is
going to die. What would you explain to this family? - ANSWER The client is
not responding to medical interventions.
23.albuterol (Proventil) - ANSWER Category: Bronchodilator, Use: Asthma,
COPD, Precautions: tachycardia, tremors
24.albuterol and ipratropium (Combivent) - ANSWER Catefory:
anticholinergic/bronchodilator, Use: COPD, rhinorrhea, Precautions:
palpitations, dry mouth
25.allopurinol (Zyloprim) - ANSWER Category: Antihyperuricemic, Use: Gout,
Precautions: Monitor uric acid levels
26.alprazolam (Xanax) - ANSWER Category: Antianxiety, Use: anxiety/panic,
Precautions: May cause dizziness, drowsiness and dependence
27.atenolol (Tenormin) - ANSWER Category: Antihypertensive/ Beta Blocker,
Use: Angina, Hypertension, Precautions: Monitor BP and HR prior to
administration
4
2025/2026 – Complete Questions,
Answers, and Rationales for Nursing
Students
1. During anaphylactic shock, an antigen-antibody reaction provokes mast cells to
release potent vasoactive substances, such as histamine or bradykinin, causing
widespread vasodilation and capillary permeability. Septic shock is a
circulatory state resulting from overwhelming infection causing relative
hypovolemia. Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone causing
relative hypovolemia. Cardiogenic shock results from impairment or failure of
the myocardium.
2. The client exhibits a blood pressure of 110/68 mm Hg, pulse rate of 112
beats/min, temperature of 102°F with skin warm and flushed. Respirations are
30 breaths/min. The nurse assesses the client may be exhibiting the early stage
of which shock? - ANSWER Septic
3. A nurse in the intensive care unit (ICU) receives report from the nurse in the
emergency department (ED) about a new patient being admitted with a spinal
cord injury received while diving into a lake. The ED nurse reports that his
blood pressure is 85/54, heart rate is 53 beats per minute, and his skin is warm
and dry. What does the ICU nurse recognize that the patient is probably
experiencing? - ANSWER Neurogenic shock
4. Which pulse pressure indicates shock? - ANSWER 90/70 mm HG
1
,5. Which of the following nursing interventions helps minimize the risk for
hypothermia in a patient in shock? - ANSWER
6. Elevating the patient's legs slightly to improve cerebral circulation is
contraindicated in which of the following disease processes? - ANSWER
7. Elevating the patient's legs slightly to improve cerebral circulation is
contraindicated in which of the following disease processes? - ANSWER
Tachycardia
8. In which type of shock does the patient experience a mismatch of blood flow to
the cells? - ANSWER Circulatory
9. A nurse knows that the major clinical use of dobutamine (Dobutrex) is to: -
ANSWER Increase cardiac output.
10.Which of the following is a clinical characteristic of neurogenic shock? -
ANSWER Bradycardia
11.When teaching a client with newly diagnosed hypertension about the
pathophysiology of this disease, the nurse states that arterial baroreceptors,
which monitor arterial pressure, are located in the carotid sinus. Which other
area should the nurse mention as a site of arterial baroreceptors? - ANSWER
Aorta
12.A client with shock brought on by hemorrhage has a temperature of 97.6° F
(36.4° C), a heart rate of 140 beats/minute, a respiratory rate of 28
breaths/minute, and a blood pressure of 60/30 mm Hg. For this client, the nurse
should question which physician order? - ANSWER "Infuse I.V. fluids at 83
ml/hour."
2
,13.Which is the most common type of shock? - ANSWER
14.The nurse knows when the cardiovascular system becomes ineffective in
maintaining an adequate mean arterial pressure (MAP). Select the reading
below that indicates tissue hypoperfusion. - ANSWER 60 mm Hg
15.You are caring for a client who is in neurogenic shock. You know that this is a
subcategory of what kind of shock? - ANSWER Distributive
16.The nurse is calculating a patient's mean arterial pressure (MAP). What is the
patient's MAP, if the blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg? - ANSWER 83
17.The nurse is using continuous central venous oximetry (ScvO2) to monitor the
blood oxygen saturation of a patient in shock. What value would the nurse
document as normal for the patient? - ANSWER 70%
18.When a patient in shock is receiving fluid replacement, what should the nurse
monitor frequently? (Select all that apply.) - ANSWER • Urinary output
• Mental status
• Vital signs
19.The nurse is aware that fluid replacement is a hallmark treatment for shock.
Which of the following is the crystalloid fluid that helps treat acidosis? -
ANSWER Lactated Ringer's
20.Morphine sulfate has which of the following effects on the body? - ANSWER
Reduces preload
3
, 21.An immunocompromised older adult has developed a urinary tract infection and
the care team recognizes the need to prevent an exacerbation of the patient's
infection that could result in urosepsis and septic shock. What action should the
nurse perform to reduce the patient's risk of septic shock? - ANSWER Early
removal of invasive devices can reduce the incidence of infections.
22.You are talking with the family of a client who is in the irreversible stage of
shock. They ask you why the physician has told the family that the client is
going to die. What would you explain to this family? - ANSWER The client is
not responding to medical interventions.
23.albuterol (Proventil) - ANSWER Category: Bronchodilator, Use: Asthma,
COPD, Precautions: tachycardia, tremors
24.albuterol and ipratropium (Combivent) - ANSWER Catefory:
anticholinergic/bronchodilator, Use: COPD, rhinorrhea, Precautions:
palpitations, dry mouth
25.allopurinol (Zyloprim) - ANSWER Category: Antihyperuricemic, Use: Gout,
Precautions: Monitor uric acid levels
26.alprazolam (Xanax) - ANSWER Category: Antianxiety, Use: anxiety/panic,
Precautions: May cause dizziness, drowsiness and dependence
27.atenolol (Tenormin) - ANSWER Category: Antihypertensive/ Beta Blocker,
Use: Angina, Hypertension, Precautions: Monitor BP and HR prior to
administration
4
