ATI Medical-Surgical (Med-Surg) Final Exam
2026–2027 | All Chapters | Comprehensive
Practice Questions with Detailed Answer
Rationales | Complete Nursing Study Guide
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute
asthma attack. Which of the following assessments indicates that the respiratory status
is declining? SATA A. SaO2 95%
B. Wheezing
C. Retraction of sternal muscles
D. Pink mucous membranes E. Tachycardia
Correct Answer - B. Wheezing
C. Retraction of sternal muscles
A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit admits a client. Two hours after admission,
the client's SaO2 is 91% and he is exhibiting audible wheezes and use of his accessory
muscles. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer? A.
Antibiotic
B. Beta-blocker
C. Antiviral
D. Beta2 agonist
Correct Answer - D. Beta2 agonist
A nurse is screening a client for hypertension. The nurse should identify that which of
the following actions by the client increase the risk of hypertension? SATA
A. Drinking 8 oz nonfat milk daily
B. Eating popcorn at the movie theater
C. Walking 1 mile daily at 12 min/mile pace
pg. 1
,D. Consuming 36 oz beer daily
E. Getting a massage once a week
Correct Answer - B. Eating popcorn at the movie theater
D. Consuming 36 oz beer daily
A nurse in an urgent care clinic obtaining a history from a client who has type 2 diabetes
mellitus and a recent diagnosis of hypertension. This is the second time in 2 weeks that
the client experienced hypoglycemia. Which of the following client data should the nurse
report to the provider?
A. Takes psyllium daily as a fiber laxative
B. Drinks skim milk daily as a bedtime snack
C. Takes metoprolol daily after meals
D. Drinks grapefruit juice daily with breakfast
Correct Answer - C. Takes metoprolol daily after meals
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the emergency department with a
blood pressure of 266/147 mm Hg. The client reports a headache and double vision.
The client states that she ran out of her diltiazem 3 days ago, and is unable to
purchase more. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? A.
Administer acetaminophen for headache.
B. Provide teaching regarding the importance of not abruptly stopping an
antihypertensive.
C. Obtain IV access and prepare to administer an IV antihypertensive.
D. Call social services for a referral for financial assistance in obtaining prescribed
medication
Correct Answer - C. Obtain IV access and prepare to administer an IV
antihypertensive.
A nurse is providing teaching fora client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension and a
new prescription for spironolactone25 mg/day. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas and potatoes."
pg. 2
,B. "I will report any changes in heart rate to my provider."
C."I should replace the salt shaker on my table with a salt substitute."
D."I will decrease the doseof this medication when I no longer have headaches and
facial redness."
Correct Answer - B. "I will report any changes in heart rate to my provider."
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has a prescription for
furosemide 40 mg PO daily. The nurse should instruct the client to take this medication
at which of the following times of day?
A. Morning
B. Immediately after lunch
C. Immediately before dinner D. Bedtime
Correct Answer - A. Morning
A nurse on a cardiac unit is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should recognize
which of the following clients as being at risk for the development of dysrhythmia? SATA
A. A client who has metabolic alkalosis
B. A client who has a serum potassium level of 4.3 mEq/L
C. A client who has an SaO2 of 96%
D. A client who has COPD
E. A client who underwent stent placement in a coronary artery
Correct Answer - A. A client who has metabolic alkalosis
D. A client who has COPD
E. A client who underwent stent placement in a coronary artery
A nurse on a cardiac unit is caring for a client who is on telemetry. The nurse recognizes
the client's heart rate is 46/min and notifies the provider. The nurse should anticipate
that which of the following management strategies will be used for this client?
A. Defibrillation
pg. 3
, B. Pacemaker insertion
C. Synchronized cardioversion
D. Administration of IV lidocaine
Correct Answer - B. Pacemaker insertion
A nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury who reports a severe headache
and is sweating profusely. Vital signs include BP of 220/110 mmHg, with an apical heart
rate of 54/min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Sit the client upright in bed
C. Check the client's urinary catheter for blockage D. administer antihypertensive
medication
Correct Answer - B. Sit the client upright in bed
A nurse is caring for a client who has a C4 spinal cord injury. Which of the following
should the nurse recognize the client as being at the greatest risk for?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Paralytic ileus
C. Stress ulcer
D. Respiratory compromise
Correct Answer - D. Respiratory compromise
A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a cervical spine injury 24 hours ago.
Which of the following types of prescribed medications should the nurse clarify with the
provider?
A. Glucocorticoids
B. Plasma expanders
C. H2 antagonists
pg. 4
2026–2027 | All Chapters | Comprehensive
Practice Questions with Detailed Answer
Rationales | Complete Nursing Study Guide
A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a client who is experiencing an acute
asthma attack. Which of the following assessments indicates that the respiratory status
is declining? SATA A. SaO2 95%
B. Wheezing
C. Retraction of sternal muscles
D. Pink mucous membranes E. Tachycardia
Correct Answer - B. Wheezing
C. Retraction of sternal muscles
A nurse working on a medical-surgical unit admits a client. Two hours after admission,
the client's SaO2 is 91% and he is exhibiting audible wheezes and use of his accessory
muscles. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer? A.
Antibiotic
B. Beta-blocker
C. Antiviral
D. Beta2 agonist
Correct Answer - D. Beta2 agonist
A nurse is screening a client for hypertension. The nurse should identify that which of
the following actions by the client increase the risk of hypertension? SATA
A. Drinking 8 oz nonfat milk daily
B. Eating popcorn at the movie theater
C. Walking 1 mile daily at 12 min/mile pace
pg. 1
,D. Consuming 36 oz beer daily
E. Getting a massage once a week
Correct Answer - B. Eating popcorn at the movie theater
D. Consuming 36 oz beer daily
A nurse in an urgent care clinic obtaining a history from a client who has type 2 diabetes
mellitus and a recent diagnosis of hypertension. This is the second time in 2 weeks that
the client experienced hypoglycemia. Which of the following client data should the nurse
report to the provider?
A. Takes psyllium daily as a fiber laxative
B. Drinks skim milk daily as a bedtime snack
C. Takes metoprolol daily after meals
D. Drinks grapefruit juice daily with breakfast
Correct Answer - C. Takes metoprolol daily after meals
A nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the emergency department with a
blood pressure of 266/147 mm Hg. The client reports a headache and double vision.
The client states that she ran out of her diltiazem 3 days ago, and is unable to
purchase more. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first? A.
Administer acetaminophen for headache.
B. Provide teaching regarding the importance of not abruptly stopping an
antihypertensive.
C. Obtain IV access and prepare to administer an IV antihypertensive.
D. Call social services for a referral for financial assistance in obtaining prescribed
medication
Correct Answer - C. Obtain IV access and prepare to administer an IV
antihypertensive.
A nurse is providing teaching fora client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension and a
new prescription for spironolactone25 mg/day. Which of the following statements by the
client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas and potatoes."
pg. 2
,B. "I will report any changes in heart rate to my provider."
C."I should replace the salt shaker on my table with a salt substitute."
D."I will decrease the doseof this medication when I no longer have headaches and
facial redness."
Correct Answer - B. "I will report any changes in heart rate to my provider."
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client who has a prescription for
furosemide 40 mg PO daily. The nurse should instruct the client to take this medication
at which of the following times of day?
A. Morning
B. Immediately after lunch
C. Immediately before dinner D. Bedtime
Correct Answer - A. Morning
A nurse on a cardiac unit is caring for a group of clients. The nurse should recognize
which of the following clients as being at risk for the development of dysrhythmia? SATA
A. A client who has metabolic alkalosis
B. A client who has a serum potassium level of 4.3 mEq/L
C. A client who has an SaO2 of 96%
D. A client who has COPD
E. A client who underwent stent placement in a coronary artery
Correct Answer - A. A client who has metabolic alkalosis
D. A client who has COPD
E. A client who underwent stent placement in a coronary artery
A nurse on a cardiac unit is caring for a client who is on telemetry. The nurse recognizes
the client's heart rate is 46/min and notifies the provider. The nurse should anticipate
that which of the following management strategies will be used for this client?
A. Defibrillation
pg. 3
, B. Pacemaker insertion
C. Synchronized cardioversion
D. Administration of IV lidocaine
Correct Answer - B. Pacemaker insertion
A nurse is caring for a client with a spinal cord injury who reports a severe headache
and is sweating profusely. Vital signs include BP of 220/110 mmHg, with an apical heart
rate of 54/min. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Sit the client upright in bed
C. Check the client's urinary catheter for blockage D. administer antihypertensive
medication
Correct Answer - B. Sit the client upright in bed
A nurse is caring for a client who has a C4 spinal cord injury. Which of the following
should the nurse recognize the client as being at the greatest risk for?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Paralytic ileus
C. Stress ulcer
D. Respiratory compromise
Correct Answer - D. Respiratory compromise
A nurse is caring for a client who experienced a cervical spine injury 24 hours ago.
Which of the following types of prescribed medications should the nurse clarify with the
provider?
A. Glucocorticoids
B. Plasma expanders
C. H2 antagonists
pg. 4
