ATI Medical-Surgical Final Exam Version 1 Practice Quiz 2026
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a suspected digoxin toxicity. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Increased appetite
D. Blurred or yellow vision
Answer: D
Rationale: Manifestations of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects (anorexia,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) and CNS effects (fatigue, weakness, vision changes such
as diplopia, blurred vision, yellow-green or white halos around objects).
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following positions should the nurse place the client?
A. With the affected leg adducted
B. With an abduction pillow between the legs
C. With the affected leg internally rotated
D. In a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: B
Rationale: Following a total hip arthroplasty, the nurse should use an abduction pillow or
splint to prevent adduction of the affected leg and reduce the risk of hip dislocation.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for Albuterol via inhaler.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Use the medication to stop an acute asthma attack
B. Rinse the mouth after use to prevent thrush
C. Wait 10 minutes between puffs
D. This medication can cause drowsiness
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue medication
for acute bronchospasm and asthma attacks. It typically causes tremors and tachycardia,
not drowsiness.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who is diaphoretic
and shaky. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s blood glucose level
B. Administer 15g of carbohydrates
C. Administer a dose of regular insulin
D. Notify the provider
Answer: A
Rationale: The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process approach is to
assess the client’s blood glucose level to confirm hypoglycemia.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client’s chest tube drainage. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Drainage of 150 mL in the first hour
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Fluctuation of the water level with respiration
D. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber
Answer: B
, Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak, which
must be reported. Drainage greater than 100 mL/hr should also be reported, but
continuous bubbling is a critical mechanical failure.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of seizures. Which of the following
is an appropriate safety precaution?
A. Keep a padded tongue blade at the bedside
B. Ensure suction equipment is available at the bedside
C. Place the bed in the high position
D. Restrain the client’s limbs during a seizure
Answer: B
Rationale: Suction and oxygen equipment should be at the bedside to maintain airway
patency if the client has a seizure. Padded tongue blades should never be used as they can
cause injury.
7. A nurse is assessing a client for Chvostek’s sign. Which of the following
electrolyte imbalances is the nurse checking for?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial muscle twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a
sign of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
|Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a suspected digoxin toxicity. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Increased appetite
D. Blurred or yellow vision
Answer: D
Rationale: Manifestations of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects (anorexia,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain) and CNS effects (fatigue, weakness, vision changes such
as diplopia, blurred vision, yellow-green or white halos around objects).
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-operative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following positions should the nurse place the client?
A. With the affected leg adducted
B. With an abduction pillow between the legs
C. With the affected leg internally rotated
D. In a high-Fowler’s position
Answer: B
Rationale: Following a total hip arthroplasty, the nurse should use an abduction pillow or
splint to prevent adduction of the affected leg and reduce the risk of hip dislocation.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for Albuterol via inhaler.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Use the medication to stop an acute asthma attack
B. Rinse the mouth after use to prevent thrush
C. Wait 10 minutes between puffs
D. This medication can cause drowsiness
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue medication
for acute bronchospasm and asthma attacks. It typically causes tremors and tachycardia,
not drowsiness.
4. A nurse is caring for a client with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus who is diaphoretic
and shaky. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s blood glucose level
B. Administer 15g of carbohydrates
C. Administer a dose of regular insulin
D. Notify the provider
Answer: A
Rationale: The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process approach is to
assess the client’s blood glucose level to confirm hypoglycemia.
5. A nurse is monitoring a client’s chest tube drainage. Which of the following
findings should the nurse report to the provider?
A. Drainage of 150 mL in the first hour
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Fluctuation of the water level with respiration
D. Intermittent bubbling in the water seal chamber
Answer: B
, Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak, which
must be reported. Drainage greater than 100 mL/hr should also be reported, but
continuous bubbling is a critical mechanical failure.
6. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of seizures. Which of the following
is an appropriate safety precaution?
A. Keep a padded tongue blade at the bedside
B. Ensure suction equipment is available at the bedside
C. Place the bed in the high position
D. Restrain the client’s limbs during a seizure
Answer: B
Rationale: Suction and oxygen equipment should be at the bedside to maintain airway
patency if the client has a seizure. Padded tongue blades should never be used as they can
cause injury.
7. A nurse is assessing a client for Chvostek’s sign. Which of the following
electrolyte imbalances is the nurse checking for?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: Chvostek’s sign (facial muscle twitching when the facial nerve is tapped) is a
sign of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
