VATI Med-Surg pre-assessment questions and
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
A nurse is preparing to administer a transfusion of RBCs to a client who has heart failure. For which of
the following manifestations should the nurse monitor to prevent fluid volume overload? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Dyspnea
B. Gastrointestinal bloating
C. Jugular vein distention
D. Confusion
E. Hypotension
- correct answer A. Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a clinical manifestation of fluid volume overload. Jugular vein distention is a clinical
manifestation of fluid volume overload. Confusion is a clinical manifestation of fluid volume overload.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury and suspects the client is developing autonomic
dysreflexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client for a fecal impaction.
B. Examine the client for areas of skin breakdown.
C. Check the client's bladder for distention.
D. Place the client in a sitting position.
- correct answer D. Place the client in a sitting position.
,The nurse should use the least invasive intervention first. Therefore, the nurse should place the client in
a sitting position to decrease the manifestation of hypertension.
The nurse might have to check the client for fecal impaction, which can precipitate autonomic
dysreflexia. However, the nurse should use a less invasive intervention first. The nurse might have to
examine the client's skin for areas of skin breakdown or pressure, which can trigger autonomic
dysreflexia. However, the nurse should use a less invasive intervention first. The nurse might have to
check the client for bladder distention, which can precipitate autonomic dysreflexia. However, the nurse
should use a less invasive intervention first.
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about the risk factors for dehiscence for clients who have
surgical incisions. Which of the following factors should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Poor nutritional state
B. Altered mental status
C. Obesity
D. Pain medication administration
E. Wound infection
- correct answer A. Poor nutritional state
C. Obesity
E. Wound infection
A nurse is caring for a client who has an endotracheal tube and is receiving mechanical ventilation.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse take to reduce the risk for ventilator-associated
pneumonia?
A. Position the head of the client's bed in the flat position.
B. Turn the client every 4 hr.
C. Rinse the client's mouth with an antimicrobial solution every 4 hr.
D. Perform hand hygiene prior to suctioning the client's endotracheal tube.
- correct answer C. Rinse the client's mouth with an antimicrobial solution every 4 hr.
, The nurse should brush the client's teeth every 8 hr and rinse the client's mouth with an antimicrobial
rinse every 2 hr to reduce the growth of bacteria.
The nurse should elevate the head of the client's bed 30° to reduce the risk for aspiration and
pneumonia. The nurse should turn the client every 2 hr to promote lung expansion and reduce the risk
for pneumonia. The nurse should perform hand hygiene prior to suctioning the client's endotracheal
tube to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria.
A nurse is providing instruction to a new nurse about caring for clients who are receiving diuretic
therapy to treat heart failure. The nurse should explain that which of the following medications puts
clients at risk for both hyperkalemia and hyponatremia?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Metolazone
D. Spironolactone
- correct answer D. Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It blocks the effects of aldosterone in the renal tubules,
causing a loss of sodium and water and the retention of potassium. The possible adverse reactions
include hyperkalemia and hyponatremia.
Furosemide is a high-ceiling (loop) diuretic that increases the risk of hyponatremia and hypokalemia, not
hyperkalemia. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that increases the risk of hypokalemia, not
hyperkalemia. Metolazone is a thiazide diuretic that increases the risk of hyponatremia and
hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a peptic ulcer. Which of the following
findings should the nurse recognize as a risk factor for this medication?
A. History of bulimia
B. History of NSAID use
C. Drinks green tea
answers 2026\2027 A+ Grade
A nurse is preparing to administer a transfusion of RBCs to a client who has heart failure. For which of
the following manifestations should the nurse monitor to prevent fluid volume overload? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Dyspnea
B. Gastrointestinal bloating
C. Jugular vein distention
D. Confusion
E. Hypotension
- correct answer A. Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a clinical manifestation of fluid volume overload. Jugular vein distention is a clinical
manifestation of fluid volume overload. Confusion is a clinical manifestation of fluid volume overload.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury and suspects the client is developing autonomic
dysreflexia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client for a fecal impaction.
B. Examine the client for areas of skin breakdown.
C. Check the client's bladder for distention.
D. Place the client in a sitting position.
- correct answer D. Place the client in a sitting position.
,The nurse should use the least invasive intervention first. Therefore, the nurse should place the client in
a sitting position to decrease the manifestation of hypertension.
The nurse might have to check the client for fecal impaction, which can precipitate autonomic
dysreflexia. However, the nurse should use a less invasive intervention first. The nurse might have to
examine the client's skin for areas of skin breakdown or pressure, which can trigger autonomic
dysreflexia. However, the nurse should use a less invasive intervention first. The nurse might have to
check the client for bladder distention, which can precipitate autonomic dysreflexia. However, the nurse
should use a less invasive intervention first.
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about the risk factors for dehiscence for clients who have
surgical incisions. Which of the following factors should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Poor nutritional state
B. Altered mental status
C. Obesity
D. Pain medication administration
E. Wound infection
- correct answer A. Poor nutritional state
C. Obesity
E. Wound infection
A nurse is caring for a client who has an endotracheal tube and is receiving mechanical ventilation.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse take to reduce the risk for ventilator-associated
pneumonia?
A. Position the head of the client's bed in the flat position.
B. Turn the client every 4 hr.
C. Rinse the client's mouth with an antimicrobial solution every 4 hr.
D. Perform hand hygiene prior to suctioning the client's endotracheal tube.
- correct answer C. Rinse the client's mouth with an antimicrobial solution every 4 hr.
, The nurse should brush the client's teeth every 8 hr and rinse the client's mouth with an antimicrobial
rinse every 2 hr to reduce the growth of bacteria.
The nurse should elevate the head of the client's bed 30° to reduce the risk for aspiration and
pneumonia. The nurse should turn the client every 2 hr to promote lung expansion and reduce the risk
for pneumonia. The nurse should perform hand hygiene prior to suctioning the client's endotracheal
tube to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria.
A nurse is providing instruction to a new nurse about caring for clients who are receiving diuretic
therapy to treat heart failure. The nurse should explain that which of the following medications puts
clients at risk for both hyperkalemia and hyponatremia?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Metolazone
D. Spironolactone
- correct answer D. Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It blocks the effects of aldosterone in the renal tubules,
causing a loss of sodium and water and the retention of potassium. The possible adverse reactions
include hyperkalemia and hyponatremia.
Furosemide is a high-ceiling (loop) diuretic that increases the risk of hyponatremia and hypokalemia, not
hyperkalemia. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that increases the risk of hypokalemia, not
hyperkalemia. Metolazone is a thiazide diuretic that increases the risk of hyponatremia and
hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a peptic ulcer. Which of the following
findings should the nurse recognize as a risk factor for this medication?
A. History of bulimia
B. History of NSAID use
C. Drinks green tea
