ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL-SURGICAL PROCTORED EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED
A+. 100% Verified Solutions | Updated Per Latest Guidelines | Graded A+
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Nutritional Disorders
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Neurologic and Sensory Disorders
Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Disorders
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Immune and Infectious Disorders
Perioperative and Pain Management
Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
INTRODUCTION
,This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional
judgment of nursing candidates preparing for the ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026. The
assessment evaluates the candidate's ability to apply evidence-based practice, prioritize patient safety, and make
critical decisions across the continuum of adult medical-surgical nursing care. Scenarios are structured to mirror
the complex, real-world situations faced by registered nurses in acute care settings—from managing patients with
cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine disorders to providing postoperative care and responding to
emergencies. This rigorous practice examination serves as an essential tool to enhance examination readiness and
reinforce the core competencies required for safe, competent nursing practice in adult medical-surgical settings.
SECTION ONE
Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of a potential adverse effect?
A. Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
D. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
,🟢 Correct Answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: A serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is below the expected range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and
indicates hypokalemia, a potential adverse effect of loop diuretics such as furosemide. Hypokalemia can lead to
cardiac arrhythmias. A potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L is within normal limits. A sodium level of 140 mEq/L is
within expected range (135-145 mEq/L). A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is elevated but expected in a client
with heart failure and would be monitored, not the priority adverse effect.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postoperative following abdominal surgery. The client reports a
sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse notes tachycardia and tachypnea. Which of
the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumonia
D. Incisional pain
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A sudden onset of sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and tachypnea in a
postoperative client suggests a pulmonary embolism (PE). Immobility following surgery increases the risk of
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can embolize to the lungs. Atelectasis typically presents with gradual onset,
, crackles, and decreased breath sounds. Pneumonia would have a more gradual onset with fever and productive
cough. Incisional pain would be localized to the surgical site.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client is at risk for digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
B. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Serum magnesium level of 2.0 mEq/L
D. Heart rate of 72/min
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is below the expected range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and
indicates hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity because digoxin competes with
potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump. A creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL is within
normal limits. A magnesium level of 2.0 mEq/L is within expected range (1.5-2.5 mEq/L). A heart rate of 72/min
is within normal limits.
Question 4
A+. 100% Verified Solutions | Updated Per Latest Guidelines | Graded A+
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Nutritional Disorders
Renal and Urinary Disorders
Neurologic and Sensory Disorders
Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Disorders
Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
Immune and Infectious Disorders
Perioperative and Pain Management
Emergency and Critical Care Nursing
INTRODUCTION
,This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and professional
judgment of nursing candidates preparing for the ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026. The
assessment evaluates the candidate's ability to apply evidence-based practice, prioritize patient safety, and make
critical decisions across the continuum of adult medical-surgical nursing care. Scenarios are structured to mirror
the complex, real-world situations faced by registered nurses in acute care settings—from managing patients with
cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine disorders to providing postoperative care and responding to
emergencies. This rigorous practice examination serves as an essential tool to enhance examination readiness and
reinforce the core competencies required for safe, competent nursing practice in adult medical-surgical settings.
SECTION ONE
Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of a potential adverse effect?
A. Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
D. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
,🟢 Correct Answer: D
🔴 RATIONALE: A serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L is below the expected range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and
indicates hypokalemia, a potential adverse effect of loop diuretics such as furosemide. Hypokalemia can lead to
cardiac arrhythmias. A potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L is within normal limits. A sodium level of 140 mEq/L is
within expected range (135-145 mEq/L). A blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg is elevated but expected in a client
with heart failure and would be monitored, not the priority adverse effect.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who is 2 days postoperative following abdominal surgery. The client reports a
sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. The nurse notes tachycardia and tachypnea. Which of
the following conditions should the nurse suspect?
A. Atelectasis
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Pneumonia
D. Incisional pain
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A sudden onset of sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, tachycardia, and tachypnea in a
postoperative client suggests a pulmonary embolism (PE). Immobility following surgery increases the risk of
deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can embolize to the lungs. Atelectasis typically presents with gradual onset,
, crackles, and decreased breath sounds. Pneumonia would have a more gradual onset with fever and productive
cough. Incisional pain would be localized to the surgical site.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client is at risk for digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
B. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Serum magnesium level of 2.0 mEq/L
D. Heart rate of 72/min
🟢 Correct Answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: A serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is below the expected range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) and
indicates hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity because digoxin competes with
potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump. A creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL is within
normal limits. A magnesium level of 2.0 mEq/L is within expected range (1.5-2.5 mEq/L). A heart rate of 72/min
is within normal limits.
Question 4
