ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored
Examination 2026–2027 | Comprehensive
Question Practice Test with Answers &
Rationales| Free Pdf Access
1. A nurse is caring for a client with acute myocardial infarction. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rating 4/10
B. Heart rate 88/min
C. Oxygen saturation 84%
D. Blood pressure 138/82 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe hypoxemia compromises tissue oxygenation and requires immediate
intervention.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client awaiting discharge teaching
B. Client requesting pain medication
C. Client with chest pain and diaphoresis
D. Client requesting assistance with meals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate myocardial ischemia or
infarction.
3. A client with heart failure gains 4 lb in 2 days. The nurse should:
A. Document the finding
B. Encourage sodium intake
,C. Notify the provider
D. Restrict activity only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
4. Which finding is expected in left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Ascites
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion resulting in crackles.
5. A client receiving furosemide should be monitored for:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion and may cause hypokalemia.
6. A client develops sudden shortness of breath after surgery. The nurse
should suspect:
A. Gastritis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Migraine
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea following surgery may indicate a pulmonary embolism.
7. Which assessment finding is expected in chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)?
, A. Bradypnea
B. Barrel chest
C. Weight gain
D. Peripheral edema only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperinflation of the lungs contributes to barrel chest development.
8. A client with asthma develops acute wheezing. Which medication should the
nurse administer first?
A. Prednisone
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma attacks.
9. Which finding indicates worsening respiratory status?
A. Oxygen saturation 82%
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
C. Clear lung sounds
D. Heart rate 78/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hypoxemia indicates inadequate oxygenation.
10. A client with pneumonia is most likely to exhibit:
A. Productive cough
B. Bradycardia
C. Polyuria
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pneumonia commonly presents with cough and sputum production.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which
finding is expected?
Examination 2026–2027 | Comprehensive
Question Practice Test with Answers &
Rationales| Free Pdf Access
1. A nurse is caring for a client with acute myocardial infarction. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pain rating 4/10
B. Heart rate 88/min
C. Oxygen saturation 84%
D. Blood pressure 138/82 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Severe hypoxemia compromises tissue oxygenation and requires immediate
intervention.
2. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client awaiting discharge teaching
B. Client requesting pain medication
C. Client with chest pain and diaphoresis
D. Client requesting assistance with meals
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chest pain accompanied by diaphoresis may indicate myocardial ischemia or
infarction.
3. A client with heart failure gains 4 lb in 2 days. The nurse should:
A. Document the finding
B. Encourage sodium intake
,C. Notify the provider
D. Restrict activity only
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
4. Which finding is expected in left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Ascites
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion resulting in crackles.
5. A client receiving furosemide should be monitored for:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion and may cause hypokalemia.
6. A client develops sudden shortness of breath after surgery. The nurse
should suspect:
A. Gastritis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Migraine
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden dyspnea following surgery may indicate a pulmonary embolism.
7. Which assessment finding is expected in chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)?
, A. Bradypnea
B. Barrel chest
C. Weight gain
D. Peripheral edema only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperinflation of the lungs contributes to barrel chest development.
8. A client with asthma develops acute wheezing. Which medication should the
nurse administer first?
A. Prednisone
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol provides rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma attacks.
9. Which finding indicates worsening respiratory status?
A. Oxygen saturation 82%
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
C. Clear lung sounds
D. Heart rate 78/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Severe hypoxemia indicates inadequate oxygenation.
10. A client with pneumonia is most likely to exhibit:
A. Productive cough
B. Bradycardia
C. Polyuria
D. Weight gain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pneumonia commonly presents with cough and sputum production.
11. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which
finding is expected?
