RN ATI Adult Medical Surgical (Med-
Surg) 2026 Proctored Exam with NGN
100 Questions and Rationales | ATI RN
Adult Medical Surgical (Med-Surg) 2026
Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports sudden onset of
dyspnea, orthopnea, and pink frothy sputum. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer morphine sulfate IV.
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position.
C. Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
D. Administer furosemide IV.
Answer: B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position.
Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary edema. The priority
intervention is to position the client in high-Fowler's position to reduce venous
return, decrease preload, and improve ventilation.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with unstable angina. Which of the following
findings is the priority to report to the healthcare provider?
A. Chest pain relieved by rest.
B. ST-segment depression on ECG.
C. Elevated cardiac troponin levels.
D. Blood pressure of 138/86 mmHg.
Answer: C. Elevated cardiac troponin levels.
Rationale: Elevated troponin indicates myocardial injury and is diagnostic of acute
myocardial infarction (MI), not just unstable angina. This finding suggests the
client may be experiencing an MI and requires immediate intervention.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
,A. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute.
B. Anorexia, nausea, and blurred yellow vision.
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg.
D. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L.
Answer: B. Anorexia, nausea, and blurred yellow vision.
Rationale: Classic signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal symptoms
(anorexia, nausea, vomiting) and visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred
vision).
4. A nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after a cardiac catheterization through
the femoral artery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider?
A. Pulse rate of 72/min.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. Bleeding at the insertion site.
D. Warm, dry skin.
Answer: C. Bleeding at the insertion site.
Rationale: Bleeding at the catheter insertion site is a complication that requires
immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which of the following findings
is characteristic of this condition?
A. Pain relieved by leaning forward.
B. Pain exacerbated by leaning forward.
C. Pain relieved by lying flat.
D. Pain that radiates to the right arm.
Answer: A. Pain relieved by leaning forward.
Rationale: Pericarditis causes sharp, pleuritic chest pain that is worsened by lying
flat and inspiration and is relieved by leaning forward.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with right-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Jugular venous distention.
B. Crackles in the lung bases.
, C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
D. Pink frothy sputum.
Answer: A. Jugular venous distention.
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, leading to
jugular venous distention, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and ascites.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who had a myocardial infarction.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will resume sexual activity when I can climb two flights of stairs without
symptoms."
B. "I should avoid all physical activity for 6 weeks."
C. "I can stop taking my aspirin if I don't have chest pain."
D. "I will limit my fluid intake to 500 mL per day."
Answer: A. "I will resume sexual activity when I can climb two flights of stairs
without symptoms."
Rationale: Clients should be able to perform moderate activity without symptoms
before resuming sexual activity.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with aortic stenosis. Which of the following
findings is most characteristic?
A. Systolic ejection murmur.
B. Diastolic murmur.
C. Opening snap.
D. Pericardial friction rub.
Answer: A. Systolic ejection murmur.
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic
ejection murmur heard best at the right upper sternal border.
9. A nurse is teaching a client with peripheral arterial disease. Which instruction
is appropriate?
A. Elevate legs above the heart.
B. Apply heating pads to improve circulation.
C. Inspect your feet daily for any breaks in the skin.
D. Wear tight-fitting shoes to prevent edema.
Surg) 2026 Proctored Exam with NGN
100 Questions and Rationales | ATI RN
Adult Medical Surgical (Med-Surg) 2026
Answers
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports sudden onset of
dyspnea, orthopnea, and pink frothy sputum. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Administer morphine sulfate IV.
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position.
C. Apply continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
D. Administer furosemide IV.
Answer: B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position.
Rationale: The client is experiencing acute pulmonary edema. The priority
intervention is to position the client in high-Fowler's position to reduce venous
return, decrease preload, and improve ventilation.
2. A nurse is assessing a client with unstable angina. Which of the following
findings is the priority to report to the healthcare provider?
A. Chest pain relieved by rest.
B. ST-segment depression on ECG.
C. Elevated cardiac troponin levels.
D. Blood pressure of 138/86 mmHg.
Answer: C. Elevated cardiac troponin levels.
Rationale: Elevated troponin indicates myocardial injury and is diagnostic of acute
myocardial infarction (MI), not just unstable angina. This finding suggests the
client may be experiencing an MI and requires immediate intervention.
3. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
,A. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute.
B. Anorexia, nausea, and blurred yellow vision.
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg.
D. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L.
Answer: B. Anorexia, nausea, and blurred yellow vision.
Rationale: Classic signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal symptoms
(anorexia, nausea, vomiting) and visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred
vision).
4. A nurse is caring for a client 2 hours after a cardiac catheterization through
the femoral artery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to
the provider?
A. Pulse rate of 72/min.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. Bleeding at the insertion site.
D. Warm, dry skin.
Answer: C. Bleeding at the insertion site.
Rationale: Bleeding at the catheter insertion site is a complication that requires
immediate intervention.
5. A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which of the following findings
is characteristic of this condition?
A. Pain relieved by leaning forward.
B. Pain exacerbated by leaning forward.
C. Pain relieved by lying flat.
D. Pain that radiates to the right arm.
Answer: A. Pain relieved by leaning forward.
Rationale: Pericarditis causes sharp, pleuritic chest pain that is worsened by lying
flat and inspiration and is relieved by leaning forward.
6. A nurse is assessing a client with right-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Jugular venous distention.
B. Crackles in the lung bases.
, C. Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
D. Pink frothy sputum.
Answer: A. Jugular venous distention.
Rationale: Right-sided heart failure causes systemic venous congestion, leading to
jugular venous distention, peripheral edema, hepatomegaly, and ascites.
7. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who had a myocardial infarction.
Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will resume sexual activity when I can climb two flights of stairs without
symptoms."
B. "I should avoid all physical activity for 6 weeks."
C. "I can stop taking my aspirin if I don't have chest pain."
D. "I will limit my fluid intake to 500 mL per day."
Answer: A. "I will resume sexual activity when I can climb two flights of stairs
without symptoms."
Rationale: Clients should be able to perform moderate activity without symptoms
before resuming sexual activity.
8. A nurse is assessing a client with aortic stenosis. Which of the following
findings is most characteristic?
A. Systolic ejection murmur.
B. Diastolic murmur.
C. Opening snap.
D. Pericardial friction rub.
Answer: A. Systolic ejection murmur.
Rationale: Aortic stenosis produces a harsh, crescendo-decrescendo systolic
ejection murmur heard best at the right upper sternal border.
9. A nurse is teaching a client with peripheral arterial disease. Which instruction
is appropriate?
A. Elevate legs above the heart.
B. Apply heating pads to improve circulation.
C. Inspect your feet daily for any breaks in the skin.
D. Wear tight-fitting shoes to prevent edema.
