ATI Medical-Surgical Endocrine Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Blood glucose of 70 mg/dL
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Bradycardia with hypothermia
Correct answer: C. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: DKA occurs when there is insufficient effective insulin,
resulting in hyperglycemia and breakdown of fat for energy. The
resulting ketone production causes metabolic acidosis.
Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid respirations that
represent the body's attempt to eliminate carbon dioxide and
compensate for metabolic acidosis. Clients commonly also have
dehydration, polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal discomfort,
nausea, and altered mental status. A normal or low glucose
level would not be the expected classic presentation of DKA, and
,respiratory depression would worsen rather than compensate
for the acidosis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus
who is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which finding is most
characteristic?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, rapid respirations
Correct answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous
system, producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors,
palpitations, anxiety, and hunger. As glucose deprivation of the
brain progresses, the client can develop headache, confusion,
seizures, and loss of consciousness. Fruity breath and Kussmaul
respirations are associated with ketoacidosis rather than
hypoglycemia. A client who is conscious and able to swallow is
generally treated promptly with a fast-acting carbohydrate
according to the prescribed hypoglycemia protocol.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin lispro. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Take it approximately 1 hour before meals.
B. Take it only at bedtime.
C. Administer it shortly before eating or as prescribed around
mealtime.
D. Mix it routinely with insulin glargine.
Correct answer: C. Administer it shortly before eating or as
prescribed around mealtime.
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin intended to
control the glucose rise associated with meals. Because it begins
working rapidly, the nurse should coordinate administration
closely with food availability to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin and should not be mixed
with other insulins in the same syringe. The exact administration
timing should follow the specific insulin product and facility
policy.
4. Which insulin should the nurse recognize as a long-acting,
essentially peakless insulin?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH insulin
C. Insulin lispro
D. Insulin glargine
Correct answer: D. Insulin glargine
, Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin
designed to provide relatively steady insulin activity over an
extended period. It does not have the pronounced peak
associated with NPH insulin. Regular insulin is short-acting,
while lispro is rapid-acting. Understanding insulin onset, peak,
and duration is essential because hypoglycemia risk is
influenced by the timing of insulin activity relative to meals and
activity.
5. A client with diabetes is unconscious and has severe
hypoglycemia. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Give orange juice orally.
B. Give a meal containing complex carbohydrates.
C. Administer IV dextrose or glucagon according to the clinical
situation.
D. Administer the client's scheduled insulin.
Correct answer: C. Administer IV dextrose or glucagon
according to the clinical situation.
Rationale: An unconscious client cannot safely swallow, so oral
glucose or juice should not be given because of aspiration risk.
Severe hypoglycemia requires rapid restoration of blood
glucose. IV dextrose can be used when IV access is available,
while glucagon is an important option when IV access is
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA). Which finding should the nurse expect?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Blood glucose of 70 mg/dL
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Bradycardia with hypothermia
Correct answer: C. Kussmaul respirations
Rationale: DKA occurs when there is insufficient effective insulin,
resulting in hyperglycemia and breakdown of fat for energy. The
resulting ketone production causes metabolic acidosis.
Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid respirations that
represent the body's attempt to eliminate carbon dioxide and
compensate for metabolic acidosis. Clients commonly also have
dehydration, polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal discomfort,
nausea, and altered mental status. A normal or low glucose
level would not be the expected classic presentation of DKA, and
,respiratory depression would worsen rather than compensate
for the acidosis.
2. A nurse is caring for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus
who is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which finding is most
characteristic?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Diaphoresis and tremors
D. Deep, rapid respirations
Correct answer: C. Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous
system, producing manifestations such as sweating, tremors,
palpitations, anxiety, and hunger. As glucose deprivation of the
brain progresses, the client can develop headache, confusion,
seizures, and loss of consciousness. Fruity breath and Kussmaul
respirations are associated with ketoacidosis rather than
hypoglycemia. A client who is conscious and able to swallow is
generally treated promptly with a fast-acting carbohydrate
according to the prescribed hypoglycemia protocol.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about insulin lispro. Which
instruction should the nurse provide?
,A. Take it approximately 1 hour before meals.
B. Take it only at bedtime.
C. Administer it shortly before eating or as prescribed around
mealtime.
D. Mix it routinely with insulin glargine.
Correct answer: C. Administer it shortly before eating or as
prescribed around mealtime.
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin intended to
control the glucose rise associated with meals. Because it begins
working rapidly, the nurse should coordinate administration
closely with food availability to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia.
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin and should not be mixed
with other insulins in the same syringe. The exact administration
timing should follow the specific insulin product and facility
policy.
4. Which insulin should the nurse recognize as a long-acting,
essentially peakless insulin?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH insulin
C. Insulin lispro
D. Insulin glargine
Correct answer: D. Insulin glargine
, Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin
designed to provide relatively steady insulin activity over an
extended period. It does not have the pronounced peak
associated with NPH insulin. Regular insulin is short-acting,
while lispro is rapid-acting. Understanding insulin onset, peak,
and duration is essential because hypoglycemia risk is
influenced by the timing of insulin activity relative to meals and
activity.
5. A client with diabetes is unconscious and has severe
hypoglycemia. Which intervention should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Give orange juice orally.
B. Give a meal containing complex carbohydrates.
C. Administer IV dextrose or glucagon according to the clinical
situation.
D. Administer the client's scheduled insulin.
Correct answer: C. Administer IV dextrose or glucagon
according to the clinical situation.
Rationale: An unconscious client cannot safely swallow, so oral
glucose or juice should not be given because of aspiration risk.
Severe hypoglycemia requires rapid restoration of blood
glucose. IV dextrose can be used when IV access is available,
while glucagon is an important option when IV access is
