RN Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing Content
Mastery Series Ed 12.0 (ATI CMS) 2026/2027 |
Medical-Surg
EXAM
This document contains a comprehensive ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Content Mastery Series (Edition 12.0) study set for the 2026/2027 academic cyc le,
featuring 100 verified exam-style questions with correct answers and detailed
rationales. It is designed to help nursing students strengthen clinical judgment,
prioritization, and safe patient care decision-making in adult medical-surgical
nursing environments. The content aligns with the ATI Content Mastery Series
blueprint, Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
standards, and current evidence-based medical-surgical nursing guidelines.
Topics include cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal,
neurological, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and immune system disorders, as
well as fluid and electrolyte balance, infection control, oxygenation,
pharmacology applications, perioperative nursing care, patient safety,
delegation, and prioritization. The material provides structured review support
for ATI performance improvement, exam readiness, and NCLEX preparation.
Foundations of Care & Nursing Process
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which action
demonstrates the nurse's understanding of The Joint Commission's safety focus?
A) Performing range-of-motion exercises three times daily
B) Assessing the client's respirations when administering opioids
C) Delegating complete bed baths to nursing assistants
D) Ensuring the client eats 100% of served meals
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Client safety is The Joint Commission's primary objective. Assessing
respirations when administering opioids prevents respiratory depression, a life-
,threatening complication . The other options address mobility, hygiene, and
nutrition, which are important but do not directly target the high-risk safety
concern of opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Question 2
A nurse receives SBAR report from the emergency department about a client being
transferred to the medical-surgical unit. The ED nurse states, "Because of an
identified risk for suicide, you should contact a sitter and behavioral health." This
statement represents which part of SBAR?
A) Situation
B) Recommendation
C) Background
D) Assessment
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The ED nurse is providing specific actions the receiving nurse should
take (contact sitter and behavioral health), which represents the "Recommendation"
component of SBAR. Situation describes what is happening, background provides
relevant history, and assessment includes clinical findings .
Question 3
A nurse is delegating tasks to an experienced assistive personnel (AP). Which task
is appropriate to delegate?
A) Instructing the client about activity and rest needs
B) Monitoring shortness of breath after ambulation
,C) Obtaining blood pressure and pulse after ambulation
D) Determining readiness to increase activity level
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: AP education includes accurate vital sign measurement. Assessment
(monitoring, determining readiness) and client teaching require registered nurse
education and scope of practice and cannot be delegated .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a group of clients with the help of a float RN, an AP, and an
LPN/LVN. Which delegation would be outside the individual's scope of practice?
A) AP checking for bowel sounds
B) LPN/LVN administering oral medications
C) Float RN from pediatrics administering insulin
D) AP measuring urinary catheter output
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: Assessment requires RN education and scope of practice. Checking for
bowel sounds is an assessment skill that cannot be delegated to an AP or
LPN/LVN. The other assignments are appropriate for the respective team
members' roles .
Question 5
Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an LPN/LVN?
A) Completing the initial admission assessment and plan of care
B) Measuring bedside blood glucose before administering insulin
, C) Documenting teaching completed before a diagnostic procedure
D) Instructing a client about low-fat, reduced-sodium dietary restrictions
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: LPN/LVN education and scope of practice include activities such as
obtaining glucose testing using a finger stick and administering insulin. Patient
teaching and initial assessment/plan of care require RN education and scope of
practice .
Question 6
A nurse is assigned as a case manager for a hospitalized client with a spinal cord
injury. Which activity can the client expect the nurse in this role to perform?
A) Care for the client during hospitalization for the injuries
B) Assist the client with home care activities during recovery
C) Coordinate services the client receives in the hospital and at home
D) Determine what medical care the client needs for optimal rehabilitation
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: The case manager role focuses on coordinating services across the
continuum of care. The case manager does not provide direct bedside care (that is
the staff nurse role) or make independent medical determinations (physician role) .
Question 7
Which statement describes the purpose of the evaluation phase of the nursing
process?
A) To document the nursing care plan in the progress notes
Mastery Series Ed 12.0 (ATI CMS) 2026/2027 |
Medical-Surg
EXAM
This document contains a comprehensive ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Content Mastery Series (Edition 12.0) study set for the 2026/2027 academic cyc le,
featuring 100 verified exam-style questions with correct answers and detailed
rationales. It is designed to help nursing students strengthen clinical judgment,
prioritization, and safe patient care decision-making in adult medical-surgical
nursing environments. The content aligns with the ATI Content Mastery Series
blueprint, Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Clinical Judgment Measurement Model
standards, and current evidence-based medical-surgical nursing guidelines.
Topics include cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal,
neurological, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and immune system disorders, as
well as fluid and electrolyte balance, infection control, oxygenation,
pharmacology applications, perioperative nursing care, patient safety,
delegation, and prioritization. The material provides structured review support
for ATI performance improvement, exam readiness, and NCLEX preparation.
Foundations of Care & Nursing Process
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which action
demonstrates the nurse's understanding of The Joint Commission's safety focus?
A) Performing range-of-motion exercises three times daily
B) Assessing the client's respirations when administering opioids
C) Delegating complete bed baths to nursing assistants
D) Ensuring the client eats 100% of served meals
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Client safety is The Joint Commission's primary objective. Assessing
respirations when administering opioids prevents respiratory depression, a life-
,threatening complication . The other options address mobility, hygiene, and
nutrition, which are important but do not directly target the high-risk safety
concern of opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Question 2
A nurse receives SBAR report from the emergency department about a client being
transferred to the medical-surgical unit. The ED nurse states, "Because of an
identified risk for suicide, you should contact a sitter and behavioral health." This
statement represents which part of SBAR?
A) Situation
B) Recommendation
C) Background
D) Assessment
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: The ED nurse is providing specific actions the receiving nurse should
take (contact sitter and behavioral health), which represents the "Recommendation"
component of SBAR. Situation describes what is happening, background provides
relevant history, and assessment includes clinical findings .
Question 3
A nurse is delegating tasks to an experienced assistive personnel (AP). Which task
is appropriate to delegate?
A) Instructing the client about activity and rest needs
B) Monitoring shortness of breath after ambulation
,C) Obtaining blood pressure and pulse after ambulation
D) Determining readiness to increase activity level
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: AP education includes accurate vital sign measurement. Assessment
(monitoring, determining readiness) and client teaching require registered nurse
education and scope of practice and cannot be delegated .
Question 4
A nurse is caring for a group of clients with the help of a float RN, an AP, and an
LPN/LVN. Which delegation would be outside the individual's scope of practice?
A) AP checking for bowel sounds
B) LPN/LVN administering oral medications
C) Float RN from pediatrics administering insulin
D) AP measuring urinary catheter output
Correct ,,,answer,,,: A
Rationale: Assessment requires RN education and scope of practice. Checking for
bowel sounds is an assessment skill that cannot be delegated to an AP or
LPN/LVN. The other assignments are appropriate for the respective team
members' roles .
Question 5
Which task is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to an LPN/LVN?
A) Completing the initial admission assessment and plan of care
B) Measuring bedside blood glucose before administering insulin
, C) Documenting teaching completed before a diagnostic procedure
D) Instructing a client about low-fat, reduced-sodium dietary restrictions
Correct ,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: LPN/LVN education and scope of practice include activities such as
obtaining glucose testing using a finger stick and administering insulin. Patient
teaching and initial assessment/plan of care require RN education and scope of
practice .
Question 6
A nurse is assigned as a case manager for a hospitalized client with a spinal cord
injury. Which activity can the client expect the nurse in this role to perform?
A) Care for the client during hospitalization for the injuries
B) Assist the client with home care activities during recovery
C) Coordinate services the client receives in the hospital and at home
D) Determine what medical care the client needs for optimal rehabilitation
Correct ,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: The case manager role focuses on coordinating services across the
continuum of care. The case manager does not provide direct bedside care (that is
the staff nurse role) or make independent medical determinations (physician role) .
Question 7
Which statement describes the purpose of the evaluation phase of the nursing
process?
A) To document the nursing care plan in the progress notes
