RN ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL 2026 HIGH YIELD
SYSTEMS REVIEW CHEAT SHEET A+
◉ A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis. Which of the following nonpharmacological interventions
should the nurse suggest to the client to reduce pain?
- Increase intake of foods containing calcium
- Alternate application of heat and cold to the affected joints
- Keep the affected extremities elevated
- Limit movement of the affected joints. Answer: - Alternate
application of heat and cold to the affected joints
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client to alternate heat
and cold applications to decrease joint inflammation and pain. The
application of cold can relieve joint swelling and the application of
heat can decrease joint stiffness and pain.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
The client becomes restless, dyspneic, and has crackles noted to the
lung bases. Which of the following actions should the nurse
anticipate taking?
- Administer an antihistamine
- Slow the infusion rate
,- Give the client a corticosteroid
- Elevate the client's lower extremities. Answer: - Slow the infusion
rate
RATIONALE: Dyspnea, restlessness, and the onset of crackles during
a blood transfusion are manifestations of circulatory overload. The
nurse should slow or stop the infusion to improve the client's ability
to breath, place the client in an upright position, and notify the
provider. The provider might prescribe a diuretic to alleviate the
fluid overload.
◉ A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who
has a detached retina. Which of the following should the nurse
expect the client to report?
- "It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
- "This sharp pain in my eye started 2 hours ago."
- "I've been having more and more difficulty seeing over the last few
weeks."
- "I seem to have more problems seeing different colors.". Answer: -
"It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
RATIONALE: A retinal detachment is the separation of the retina
from the epithelium. It can occur because of trauma, cataract
surgery, retinopathy, or uveitis. Clients who have retinal detachment
,typically report the sensation of a curtain being pulled over part of
the visual field.
◉ A nurse is teaching a client who has a family history of colorectal
cancer. To help mitigate this risk, which of the following dietary
alterations should the nurse recommend?
- Add full-fat yogurt to the diet
- Add cabbage to the diet
- Replace butter with coconut oil
- Replace shellfish with red meat. Answer: - Add cabbage to the diet
RATIONALE: To help reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, the client
should consume a diet that is high in fiber, low in fat, and low in
refined carbohydrates. Brassica vegetables, such as cabbage,
cauliflower, and broccoli, are high in fiber.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
abdominal surgery.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
- Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
, - Apply oxygen via a face mask
- Report urinary output to the provider. Answer: - Instruct the client
to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
RATIONALE: It is important for the client to turn, cough, and deep
breathe to reduce the risk for respiratory complications. The nurse
should instruct the client to splint the incision while performing
these actions to reduce the risk of complications to the surgical
incision.
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
RATIONALE: The nurse should plan to ambulate the client as soon as
possible to promote ventilation and decrease the risk of thrombosis..
- Report urinary output to the provider
RATIONALE: The client should produce at least 30 mL of urine per
hour. Therefore, the nurse should report this finding to the provider.
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
SYSTEMS REVIEW CHEAT SHEET A+
◉ A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis. Which of the following nonpharmacological interventions
should the nurse suggest to the client to reduce pain?
- Increase intake of foods containing calcium
- Alternate application of heat and cold to the affected joints
- Keep the affected extremities elevated
- Limit movement of the affected joints. Answer: - Alternate
application of heat and cold to the affected joints
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client to alternate heat
and cold applications to decrease joint inflammation and pain. The
application of cold can relieve joint swelling and the application of
heat can decrease joint stiffness and pain.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion.
The client becomes restless, dyspneic, and has crackles noted to the
lung bases. Which of the following actions should the nurse
anticipate taking?
- Administer an antihistamine
- Slow the infusion rate
,- Give the client a corticosteroid
- Elevate the client's lower extremities. Answer: - Slow the infusion
rate
RATIONALE: Dyspnea, restlessness, and the onset of crackles during
a blood transfusion are manifestations of circulatory overload. The
nurse should slow or stop the infusion to improve the client's ability
to breath, place the client in an upright position, and notify the
provider. The provider might prescribe a diuretic to alleviate the
fluid overload.
◉ A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who
has a detached retina. Which of the following should the nurse
expect the client to report?
- "It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
- "This sharp pain in my eye started 2 hours ago."
- "I've been having more and more difficulty seeing over the last few
weeks."
- "I seem to have more problems seeing different colors.". Answer: -
"It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
RATIONALE: A retinal detachment is the separation of the retina
from the epithelium. It can occur because of trauma, cataract
surgery, retinopathy, or uveitis. Clients who have retinal detachment
,typically report the sensation of a curtain being pulled over part of
the visual field.
◉ A nurse is teaching a client who has a family history of colorectal
cancer. To help mitigate this risk, which of the following dietary
alterations should the nurse recommend?
- Add full-fat yogurt to the diet
- Add cabbage to the diet
- Replace butter with coconut oil
- Replace shellfish with red meat. Answer: - Add cabbage to the diet
RATIONALE: To help reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, the client
should consume a diet that is high in fiber, low in fat, and low in
refined carbohydrates. Brassica vegetables, such as cabbage,
cauliflower, and broccoli, are high in fiber.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following
abdominal surgery.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.)
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
- Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
, - Apply oxygen via a face mask
- Report urinary output to the provider. Answer: - Instruct the client
to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
RATIONALE: It is important for the client to turn, cough, and deep
breathe to reduce the risk for respiratory complications. The nurse
should instruct the client to splint the incision while performing
these actions to reduce the risk of complications to the surgical
incision.
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
RATIONALE: The nurse should plan to ambulate the client as soon as
possible to promote ventilation and decrease the risk of thrombosis..
- Report urinary output to the provider
RATIONALE: The client should produce at least 30 mL of urine per
hour. Therefore, the nurse should report this finding to the provider.
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
