ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL CMS
100+ Questions Full Practice Exam
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
2026/2027 Academic Year
Exam Format: 100 Verified Practice Questions | 3 Hours
Content Areas: Cardio, Respiratory, GI, Renal, Endocrine, Neuro, MSK, Immune
Includes: Colored Answers + Rationales + TOC + Borders + Page Numbers
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 1 Verified Practice Edition
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Cardiovascular & Chest Tube - Q1-30 Page 3-18
II. Respiratory & COPD - Q31-45 Page 19-26
III. GI, Pancreatitis, Liver - Q46-60 Page 27-34
IV. Renal, Electrolytes, CKD - Q61-75 Page 35-42
V. Endocrine, Diabetes, Thyroid - Q76-88 Page 43-50
VI. Neuro, Stroke, Shock - Q89-100 Page 51-58
VII. Answer Key - 100Q Page 59
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 2 Verified Practice Edition
, [HF] Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure exacerbation s/s. What is
the priority assessment/intervention?
A. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
B. Incorrect - unsafe or not priority
C. Incorrect - contraindicated
D. Incorrect - delays care
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
RATIONALE:
S/S of HF: dyspnea, crackles, edema, weight gain, JVD, fatigue. Daily weights, low Na diet, I&O;,
diuretics, monitor K+. Teach to report 2-3 lb gain in 24hr. For ATI CMS: Focus on ABCs, safety,
assessment first, expected vs unexpected findings, interventions, patient education, and evaluation.
HF is high-yield: monitor VS, labs, I&O;, teach lifestyle changes, prevent complications.
[Chest Tube] Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client with chest tube - air leak
continuous bubbling. What is the priority assessment/intervention?
A. Incorrect option
B. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
C. Incorrect
D. Incorrect
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
RATIONALE:
Continuous bubbling in water seal = air leak. Tidaling normal. Drainage 100-200 mL first hr then
decreases. Keep below chest, no clamping, check for kinks. For ATI CMS: Focus on ABCs, safety,
assessment first, expected vs unexpected findings, interventions, patient education, and evaluation.
Chest Tube is high-yield: monitor VS, labs, I&O;, teach lifestyle changes, prevent complications.
[COPD] Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client with copd - keep spo2 88-92%. What is
the priority assessment/intervention?
A. Incorrect
B. Incorrect
C. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
D. Incorrect
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
RATIONALE:
COPD chronic CO2 retainer. Target SpO2 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive. Low-flow O2,
pursed-lip breathing, tripod position, monitor ABGs. For ATI CMS: Focus on ABCs, safety, assessment
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 3 Verified Practice Edition
, first, expected vs unexpected findings, interventions, patient education, and evaluation. COPD is
high-yield: monitor VS, labs, I&O;, teach lifestyle changes, prevent complications.
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 4 Verified Practice Edition
100+ Questions Full Practice Exam
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI)
2026/2027 Academic Year
Exam Format: 100 Verified Practice Questions | 3 Hours
Content Areas: Cardio, Respiratory, GI, Renal, Endocrine, Neuro, MSK, Immune
Includes: Colored Answers + Rationales + TOC + Borders + Page Numbers
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 1 Verified Practice Edition
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Cardiovascular & Chest Tube - Q1-30 Page 3-18
II. Respiratory & COPD - Q31-45 Page 19-26
III. GI, Pancreatitis, Liver - Q46-60 Page 27-34
IV. Renal, Electrolytes, CKD - Q61-75 Page 35-42
V. Endocrine, Diabetes, Thyroid - Q76-88 Page 43-50
VI. Neuro, Stroke, Shock - Q89-100 Page 51-58
VII. Answer Key - 100Q Page 59
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 2 Verified Practice Edition
, [HF] Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure exacerbation s/s. What is
the priority assessment/intervention?
A. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
B. Incorrect - unsafe or not priority
C. Incorrect - contraindicated
D. Incorrect - delays care
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
RATIONALE:
S/S of HF: dyspnea, crackles, edema, weight gain, JVD, fatigue. Daily weights, low Na diet, I&O;,
diuretics, monitor K+. Teach to report 2-3 lb gain in 24hr. For ATI CMS: Focus on ABCs, safety,
assessment first, expected vs unexpected findings, interventions, patient education, and evaluation.
HF is high-yield: monitor VS, labs, I&O;, teach lifestyle changes, prevent complications.
[Chest Tube] Question 2: A nurse is caring for a client with chest tube - air leak
continuous bubbling. What is the priority assessment/intervention?
A. Incorrect option
B. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
C. Incorrect
D. Incorrect
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
RATIONALE:
Continuous bubbling in water seal = air leak. Tidaling normal. Drainage 100-200 mL first hr then
decreases. Keep below chest, no clamping, check for kinks. For ATI CMS: Focus on ABCs, safety,
assessment first, expected vs unexpected findings, interventions, patient education, and evaluation.
Chest Tube is high-yield: monitor VS, labs, I&O;, teach lifestyle changes, prevent complications.
[COPD] Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client with copd - keep spo2 88-92%. What is
the priority assessment/intervention?
A. Incorrect
B. Incorrect
C. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
D. Incorrect
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Correct evidence-based action per Med-Surg guidelines
RATIONALE:
COPD chronic CO2 retainer. Target SpO2 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive. Low-flow O2,
pursed-lip breathing, tripod position, monitor ABGs. For ATI CMS: Focus on ABCs, safety, assessment
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 3 Verified Practice Edition
, first, expected vs unexpected findings, interventions, patient education, and evaluation. COPD is
high-yield: monitor VS, labs, I&O;, teach lifestyle changes, prevent complications.
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS 2026/2027 - 100Q Full Edition Page 4 Verified Practice Edition
