ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing
Practice Exam A Questions
And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who is
prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
placing the client at risk for hypokalemia.
2. A client with COPD reports increased shortness of breath. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage bed rest
B. Position the client in high Fowler’s position
C. Administer sedatives
D. Restrict fluid intake
,High Fowler’s position optimizes lung expansion and facilitates
breathing in clients with respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving digoxin. Which sign
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypertension
B. Visual disturbances (yellow/green halos)
C. Bradycardia
D. Polyuria
Visual disturbances, nausea, and bradycardia are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity.
4. A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which
instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication with insulin
B. Do not take the medication if contrast dye is needed
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Increase protein intake
Metformin should be held before and after contrast studies to
prevent lactic acidosis.
5. Which lab value indicates the client is experiencing acute kidney
injury?
A. Serum creatinine 3.2 mg/dL
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
,Elevated serum creatinine indicates impaired kidney function,
consistent with acute kidney injury.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food
choice requires further teaching?
A. Fresh vegetables
B. Grilled chicken
C. Canned soup
D. Fresh fruit
Canned soup is high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-
sodium diet.
7. Which of the following is a priority for a client with acute
pancreatitis?
A. Encourage oral intake
B. Administer IV fluids
C. Provide high-fat meals
D. Encourage ambulation
IV fluids are essential to maintain hydration and perfusion in acute
pancreatitis.
8. A client with cirrhosis has ascites. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Encourage high-protein diet
B. Restrict sodium intake
C. Encourage fluid intake without restriction
D. Administer diuretics without monitoring
, Sodium restriction helps reduce fluid accumulation in clients with
ascites.
9. Which sign indicates a client is experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
C. Diaphoresis and confusion
D. Fruity breath odor
Hypoglycemia commonly presents with sweating, confusion,
tremors, and irritability.
10. A client with a pulmonary embolism is prescribed heparin.
Which lab should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Heparin therapy requires monitoring aPTT to ensure therapeutic
anticoagulation.
11. A nurse is caring for a client post-thyroidectomy. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild hoarseness
B. Stridor
C. Pain at incision site
D. Swelling of the hands
Stridor indicates possible airway obstruction, which is an
emergency post-thyroidectomy.
Practice Exam A Questions
And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026/2027 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic heart failure who is
prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
placing the client at risk for hypokalemia.
2. A client with COPD reports increased shortness of breath. Which
intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage bed rest
B. Position the client in high Fowler’s position
C. Administer sedatives
D. Restrict fluid intake
,High Fowler’s position optimizes lung expansion and facilitates
breathing in clients with respiratory distress.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving digoxin. Which sign
indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypertension
B. Visual disturbances (yellow/green halos)
C. Bradycardia
D. Polyuria
Visual disturbances, nausea, and bradycardia are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity.
4. A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which
instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication with insulin
B. Do not take the medication if contrast dye is needed
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Increase protein intake
Metformin should be held before and after contrast studies to
prevent lactic acidosis.
5. Which lab value indicates the client is experiencing acute kidney
injury?
A. Serum creatinine 3.2 mg/dL
B. Sodium 138 mEq/L
C. Potassium 4.0 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
,Elevated serum creatinine indicates impaired kidney function,
consistent with acute kidney injury.
6. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet. Which food
choice requires further teaching?
A. Fresh vegetables
B. Grilled chicken
C. Canned soup
D. Fresh fruit
Canned soup is high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-
sodium diet.
7. Which of the following is a priority for a client with acute
pancreatitis?
A. Encourage oral intake
B. Administer IV fluids
C. Provide high-fat meals
D. Encourage ambulation
IV fluids are essential to maintain hydration and perfusion in acute
pancreatitis.
8. A client with cirrhosis has ascites. Which intervention is
appropriate?
A. Encourage high-protein diet
B. Restrict sodium intake
C. Encourage fluid intake without restriction
D. Administer diuretics without monitoring
, Sodium restriction helps reduce fluid accumulation in clients with
ascites.
9. Which sign indicates a client is experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Polydipsia
C. Diaphoresis and confusion
D. Fruity breath odor
Hypoglycemia commonly presents with sweating, confusion,
tremors, and irritability.
10. A client with a pulmonary embolism is prescribed heparin.
Which lab should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Heparin therapy requires monitoring aPTT to ensure therapeutic
anticoagulation.
11. A nurse is caring for a client post-thyroidectomy. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild hoarseness
B. Stridor
C. Pain at incision site
D. Swelling of the hands
Stridor indicates possible airway obstruction, which is an
emergency post-thyroidectomy.
