ATI Adult Medical Surgical Nursing (CMS)
Exam Actual Questions and Answers with
Expert Explanation (2026/2027 Update)
Complete A+ Guide
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving morphine via patient controlled
analgesia (PCA) infusion device after abdominal surgery. Which of the following client
statements indicates that the client understands how to use the device?
A. "I'll wait to use the device until it is absolutely necessary"
B. "I'll be careful about pushing the button so I dont get an overdose"
C. "I should tell the nurse if the pain doesnt stop after I use this device"
D. "I will ask my son to push the dose button when I am sleeping" - correct answer C.
"I should tell the nurse if the pain doesnt stop after I use this device"
A nurse is discussing pain assessment with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the
following information should the nurse include?
,A. Most clients exaggerate their pain level
B. Pain must have an identifiable source to justify the use of opioids
C. Objective data are essential in assessing pain
D. Pain is whatever the client says it is - correct answer D. Pain is whatever the client
says it is
A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving opioid analgesia. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as adverse effects of opioid analgesics?
A. Urinary Incontinence
B. Diarrhea
C. Bradypnea
D. Orthostatic hypotension
E. Nausea - correct answer C. Bradypnea
D. Orthostatic Hypotension
E. Nausea
,A nurse is assessing a client who reports severe headache and stiff neck. The nurse's
assessment reveals positive kernig's and Brudzinski's signs. Which of the following
actions should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Implement droplet precautions
C. Initiate IV access
D. Decrease bright lights - correct answer B Implement droplet precautions
A nurse on a Medical Surgical unit is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should
notify the rapid response team for which of the following clients?
A. Client who has a pressure injury of the right heel whose blood glucose is 300mg/dL
B. Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
C. Client who has blood on a pressure dressing in the femoral area following a cardiac
catheterization
, D. Client who has dark red coloration of left toes and absent pedal pulse - correct
answer B. Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
Rational: SOB could be from a PE
A nurse is caring for a client who has ingested a toxic agent. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select all that apply)
A. Induce vomitting
B. Instill activated charcoal
C. Perform a gastric lavage with aspiration
D. Administer syrup of ipecac
D. Infuse IV fluids - correct answer B. Instill activated charcoal
C. Perform a gastric lavage with aspiration
D. administer IV fluids
Exam Actual Questions and Answers with
Expert Explanation (2026/2027 Update)
Complete A+ Guide
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving morphine via patient controlled
analgesia (PCA) infusion device after abdominal surgery. Which of the following client
statements indicates that the client understands how to use the device?
A. "I'll wait to use the device until it is absolutely necessary"
B. "I'll be careful about pushing the button so I dont get an overdose"
C. "I should tell the nurse if the pain doesnt stop after I use this device"
D. "I will ask my son to push the dose button when I am sleeping" - correct answer C.
"I should tell the nurse if the pain doesnt stop after I use this device"
A nurse is discussing pain assessment with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the
following information should the nurse include?
,A. Most clients exaggerate their pain level
B. Pain must have an identifiable source to justify the use of opioids
C. Objective data are essential in assessing pain
D. Pain is whatever the client says it is - correct answer D. Pain is whatever the client
says it is
A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving opioid analgesia. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as adverse effects of opioid analgesics?
A. Urinary Incontinence
B. Diarrhea
C. Bradypnea
D. Orthostatic hypotension
E. Nausea - correct answer C. Bradypnea
D. Orthostatic Hypotension
E. Nausea
,A nurse is assessing a client who reports severe headache and stiff neck. The nurse's
assessment reveals positive kernig's and Brudzinski's signs. Which of the following
actions should the nurse perform first?
A. Administer antibiotics
B. Implement droplet precautions
C. Initiate IV access
D. Decrease bright lights - correct answer B Implement droplet precautions
A nurse on a Medical Surgical unit is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should
notify the rapid response team for which of the following clients?
A. Client who has a pressure injury of the right heel whose blood glucose is 300mg/dL
B. Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
C. Client who has blood on a pressure dressing in the femoral area following a cardiac
catheterization
, D. Client who has dark red coloration of left toes and absent pedal pulse - correct
answer B. Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
Rational: SOB could be from a PE
A nurse is caring for a client who has ingested a toxic agent. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take? (Select all that apply)
A. Induce vomitting
B. Instill activated charcoal
C. Perform a gastric lavage with aspiration
D. Administer syrup of ipecac
D. Infuse IV fluids - correct answer B. Instill activated charcoal
C. Perform a gastric lavage with aspiration
D. administer IV fluids
