ATI PN Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client who has acute pulmonary
edema. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate
intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
C. Oxygen saturation of 84% on room air
D. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 84% on room air
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant
hypoxemia and impaired oxygenation. Airway and breathing
take priority because inadequate oxygen delivery can rapidly
cause tissue hypoxia and cardiovascular deterioration. The
nurse should position the client upright, administer prescribed
oxygen, assess respiratory status, and promptly notify the
appropriate provider or rapid-response team according to the
severity of the client's condition. Peripheral edema and mildly
,elevated blood pressure are important findings but are not as
immediately life-threatening as severe hypoxemia.
Question 2
A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes urinary
excretion of sodium and water and can also cause potassium
loss. Hypokalemia can produce muscle weakness and potentially
dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor
serum potassium and assess for manifestations such as muscle
cramps, weakness, and abnormal cardiac rhythms. Although
sodium and other laboratory values are also clinically relevant,
potassium is particularly important because of the medication's
tendency to cause potassium depletion.
Question 3
A client reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the
left arm and jaw. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Obtain a dietary history
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Assess vital signs and oxygenation
D. Encourage the client to ambulate
Answer: C. Assess vital signs and oxygenation
Rationale: Crushing substernal chest pain with radiation to the
arm and jaw is concerning for acute coronary syndrome. The
nurse should immediately assess the client's airway, breathing,
circulation, vital signs, and oxygenation while activating the
appropriate emergency response according to facility protocol.
Positioning and prescribed therapies may follow the initial
assessment. Ambulation would increase myocardial oxygen
demand and is inappropriate for a client with suspected acute
myocardial ischemia.
Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which prescription should the nurse
anticipate?
A. High-flow oxygen continuously without reassessment
B. Controlled oxygen therapy with monitoring of oxygenation
C. Oxygen discontinued whenever the client becomes dyspneic
D. Oxygen administered only during meals
, Answer: B. Controlled oxygen therapy with monitoring of
oxygenation
Rationale: Clients with COPD may require carefully titrated
oxygen therapy based on their prescribed target saturation and
clinical condition. The nurse should monitor respiratory status,
oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, and response to
treatment. Oxygen should not be withheld when hypoxemia is
present simply because the client has COPD. Excessive oxygen
administration can contribute to worsening hypercapnia in
susceptible clients, so therapy should be controlled and
reassessed rather than administered indiscriminately.
Question 5
A client experiencing an asthma exacerbation has wheezing and
difficulty breathing. Which medication should the nurse expect
to administer for rapid relief?
A. Albuterol
B. Montelukast
C. Fluticasone
D. Salmeterol
Answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist
used as a rescue medication for acute bronchospasm. It
promotes relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and produces
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A practical nurse is caring for a client who has acute pulmonary
edema. Which finding requires the nurse's immediate
intervention?
A. Bilateral ankle edema
B. Blood pressure of 148/88 mm Hg
C. Oxygen saturation of 84% on room air
D. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 84% on room air
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant
hypoxemia and impaired oxygenation. Airway and breathing
take priority because inadequate oxygen delivery can rapidly
cause tissue hypoxia and cardiovascular deterioration. The
nurse should position the client upright, administer prescribed
oxygen, assess respiratory status, and promptly notify the
appropriate provider or rapid-response team according to the
severity of the client's condition. Peripheral edema and mildly
,elevated blood pressure are important findings but are not as
immediately life-threatening as severe hypoxemia.
Question 2
A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes urinary
excretion of sodium and water and can also cause potassium
loss. Hypokalemia can produce muscle weakness and potentially
dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor
serum potassium and assess for manifestations such as muscle
cramps, weakness, and abnormal cardiac rhythms. Although
sodium and other laboratory values are also clinically relevant,
potassium is particularly important because of the medication's
tendency to cause potassium depletion.
Question 3
A client reports crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the
left arm and jaw. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Obtain a dietary history
B. Place the client in a supine position
C. Assess vital signs and oxygenation
D. Encourage the client to ambulate
Answer: C. Assess vital signs and oxygenation
Rationale: Crushing substernal chest pain with radiation to the
arm and jaw is concerning for acute coronary syndrome. The
nurse should immediately assess the client's airway, breathing,
circulation, vital signs, and oxygenation while activating the
appropriate emergency response according to facility protocol.
Positioning and prescribed therapies may follow the initial
assessment. Ambulation would increase myocardial oxygen
demand and is inappropriate for a client with suspected acute
myocardial ischemia.
Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is receiving
oxygen therapy. Which prescription should the nurse
anticipate?
A. High-flow oxygen continuously without reassessment
B. Controlled oxygen therapy with monitoring of oxygenation
C. Oxygen discontinued whenever the client becomes dyspneic
D. Oxygen administered only during meals
, Answer: B. Controlled oxygen therapy with monitoring of
oxygenation
Rationale: Clients with COPD may require carefully titrated
oxygen therapy based on their prescribed target saturation and
clinical condition. The nurse should monitor respiratory status,
oxygen saturation, level of consciousness, and response to
treatment. Oxygen should not be withheld when hypoxemia is
present simply because the client has COPD. Excessive oxygen
administration can contribute to worsening hypercapnia in
susceptible clients, so therapy should be controlled and
reassessed rather than administered indiscriminately.
Question 5
A client experiencing an asthma exacerbation has wheezing and
difficulty breathing. Which medication should the nurse expect
to administer for rapid relief?
A. Albuterol
B. Montelukast
C. Fluticasone
D. Salmeterol
Answer: A. Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist
used as a rescue medication for acute bronchospasm. It
promotes relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and produces
