• RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical 2026 Proctored
Exam 4 Actual and Retake Versions
100 NGN Questions and Answers| 2026/2027
Latest Update | Complete Chapter Questions
& Answers with Rationales | Verified Questions
& Answers | Graded A+
The surgeon is preparing to explain a procedure to the patient and obtain informed consent. Which information
is the most vital to relate to the surgeon before he/she enters the patient's room?
A. Patient has been talking about refusing the surgery.
B. Patient had a hypoglycemic episode 3 hours ago.
C. Patient's laboratory reports that are not available yet.
P 1
, • RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
D. Patient received morphine and a sedative 1 hour ago. - Correct Answer :Patient received morphine and a
sedative 1 hour ago.
Rationale: If consent is obtained while the patient is under the influence of consciousness altering substances
(even if prescribed), the consent is not considered valid. The other information is also relevant and the surgeon
should be advised.
The patient is to have nothing by mouth (NPO) starting at midnight the night before surgery. Which task can be
delegated to the UAP?
A. Give the patient small sips of water if he reports thirst.
B. Assist with oral care, but instruct the patient not to swallow fluids.
C. Obtain small hard candy for the patient to suck on.
D. Check the patient's intravenous fluids every 2 hours. - Correct Answer :Assist with oral care, but instruct the
patient not to swallow fluids.
Rationale: The UAP can assist with oral care; however, the patient and the UAP should be instructed that fluids
should not be swallowed. During NPO, patients usually are not given any fluid. The exception could be small sips
of water to take certain medications. Some surgeons will allow the patient to have small hard candies, but
sucking hard candies does stimulate peristalsis, so this is not standard practice for all patients who are NPO.
UAPs are not responsible for checking IV fluids.
Which patient has a contraindication for deep coughing after surgery?
A. The patient who had abdominal surgery
B. The patient who had pneumonia before surgery
C. The patient who had intracranial surgery
D. The patient who had thoracic surgery - Correct Answer :The patient who had intracranial surgery
Rationale: Coughing increases intracranial pressure; therefore, coughing is contraindicated for patients with
intracranial surgery.
P 2
, • RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
The patient had surgery at 10:00 AM. At 6:00 PM, the nurse notes that the patient has not voided since
returning from surgery. What would the nurse do first?
A. Help the patient to the toilet and open the faucet so that water runs.
B. Palpate above the symphysis pubis to check for bladder distention.
C. Call the surgeon and obtain an order for catheterization.
D. Help the patient get up and ambulate to stimulate urination. - Correct Answer :Palpate above the symphysis
pubis to check for bladder distention.
Rationale: The nurse would check for distention first and then consider the other options.
The patient is undergoing spinal anesthesia and the patient's position has to be slightly adjusted during the
procedure. Which occurrence is cause for greatest concern?
A. Slight decrease in blood pressure
B. Loss of sensation in both feet
C. Slowing of respiratory rate
D. Inability to freely move the legs - Correct Answer :Slowing of respiratory rate
Rationale: In spinal anesthesia, an anesthetic is introduced into the cerebrospinal fluid and bodily movement can
affect the flow of the anesthesia up and down the spinal cord. Slowing of the respiratory rate suggests that the
level of anesthesia is causing respiratory paralysis; the patient may require resuscitation. A decrease in blood
pressure is also serious because of possible vasodilation. Loss of sensation and decreased movement of the
lower extremities are expected.
A patient who had surgery on the left hip says, "This sounds crazy, but my arm hurts since I had my surgery."
What would the nurse do first?
A. Check the operating records for patient's position during the operation.
P 3
, • RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
B. Call the surgeon and inform him/her of the new-onset arm pain.
C. Assess the arm for pulse, sensation, movement, pain, and temperature of skin.
D. Give the patient a mild pain medication and elevate the arm on a pillow. - Correct Answer :Assess the arm for
pulse, sensation, movement, pain, and temperature of skin.
Rationale: The nurse would assess the extremity for the new report of discomfort. Based on assessment
findings, the nurse could consider the other options. (Postoperatively, the patient could have an embolus or a
deep vein thrombus. Positioning on the operating table could put pressure on tissues or nerves. Patient could
also have a problem that is not directly related to surgery; for example, bursitis.)
Which instruction is the nurse most likely to give to the patient before administering the preoperative
medication?
A. "Please go to the bathroom and void."
B. "Let me mark the operative site."
C. "I am going to draw a blood sample."
D. "Please sign the consent form." - Correct Answer :"Please go to the bathroom and void."
Rationale: The patient is instructed to get up and void before getting the medication because drowsiness is a
side effect. Urinary retention is also a common complication after surgery. The surgeon should mark the site and
obtain consent. Most preoperative checklists require noting that the site has been marked and that the consent
form is signed. All laboratory tests are usually completed at this point.
The patient will soon be transferred from the PACU to the nursing unit. Which tasks can be delegated to the
UAP? Select all that apply.
A. Place bed in a high position and adjust side rails for safety.
B. Obtain a clean gown and extra pillows for positioning.
C. Set up suction equipment and test function.
D. Get stethoscope, thermometer, and sphygmomanometer.
E. Check the function of the IV pump.
P 4
Surgical 2026
ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical 2026 Proctored
Exam 4 Actual and Retake Versions
100 NGN Questions and Answers| 2026/2027
Latest Update | Complete Chapter Questions
& Answers with Rationales | Verified Questions
& Answers | Graded A+
The surgeon is preparing to explain a procedure to the patient and obtain informed consent. Which information
is the most vital to relate to the surgeon before he/she enters the patient's room?
A. Patient has been talking about refusing the surgery.
B. Patient had a hypoglycemic episode 3 hours ago.
C. Patient's laboratory reports that are not available yet.
P 1
, • RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
D. Patient received morphine and a sedative 1 hour ago. - Correct Answer :Patient received morphine and a
sedative 1 hour ago.
Rationale: If consent is obtained while the patient is under the influence of consciousness altering substances
(even if prescribed), the consent is not considered valid. The other information is also relevant and the surgeon
should be advised.
The patient is to have nothing by mouth (NPO) starting at midnight the night before surgery. Which task can be
delegated to the UAP?
A. Give the patient small sips of water if he reports thirst.
B. Assist with oral care, but instruct the patient not to swallow fluids.
C. Obtain small hard candy for the patient to suck on.
D. Check the patient's intravenous fluids every 2 hours. - Correct Answer :Assist with oral care, but instruct the
patient not to swallow fluids.
Rationale: The UAP can assist with oral care; however, the patient and the UAP should be instructed that fluids
should not be swallowed. During NPO, patients usually are not given any fluid. The exception could be small sips
of water to take certain medications. Some surgeons will allow the patient to have small hard candies, but
sucking hard candies does stimulate peristalsis, so this is not standard practice for all patients who are NPO.
UAPs are not responsible for checking IV fluids.
Which patient has a contraindication for deep coughing after surgery?
A. The patient who had abdominal surgery
B. The patient who had pneumonia before surgery
C. The patient who had intracranial surgery
D. The patient who had thoracic surgery - Correct Answer :The patient who had intracranial surgery
Rationale: Coughing increases intracranial pressure; therefore, coughing is contraindicated for patients with
intracranial surgery.
P 2
, • RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
The patient had surgery at 10:00 AM. At 6:00 PM, the nurse notes that the patient has not voided since
returning from surgery. What would the nurse do first?
A. Help the patient to the toilet and open the faucet so that water runs.
B. Palpate above the symphysis pubis to check for bladder distention.
C. Call the surgeon and obtain an order for catheterization.
D. Help the patient get up and ambulate to stimulate urination. - Correct Answer :Palpate above the symphysis
pubis to check for bladder distention.
Rationale: The nurse would check for distention first and then consider the other options.
The patient is undergoing spinal anesthesia and the patient's position has to be slightly adjusted during the
procedure. Which occurrence is cause for greatest concern?
A. Slight decrease in blood pressure
B. Loss of sensation in both feet
C. Slowing of respiratory rate
D. Inability to freely move the legs - Correct Answer :Slowing of respiratory rate
Rationale: In spinal anesthesia, an anesthetic is introduced into the cerebrospinal fluid and bodily movement can
affect the flow of the anesthesia up and down the spinal cord. Slowing of the respiratory rate suggests that the
level of anesthesia is causing respiratory paralysis; the patient may require resuscitation. A decrease in blood
pressure is also serious because of possible vasodilation. Loss of sensation and decreased movement of the
lower extremities are expected.
A patient who had surgery on the left hip says, "This sounds crazy, but my arm hurts since I had my surgery."
What would the nurse do first?
A. Check the operating records for patient's position during the operation.
P 3
, • RN Adult Medical 09/09/2026
Surgical 2026
B. Call the surgeon and inform him/her of the new-onset arm pain.
C. Assess the arm for pulse, sensation, movement, pain, and temperature of skin.
D. Give the patient a mild pain medication and elevate the arm on a pillow. - Correct Answer :Assess the arm for
pulse, sensation, movement, pain, and temperature of skin.
Rationale: The nurse would assess the extremity for the new report of discomfort. Based on assessment
findings, the nurse could consider the other options. (Postoperatively, the patient could have an embolus or a
deep vein thrombus. Positioning on the operating table could put pressure on tissues or nerves. Patient could
also have a problem that is not directly related to surgery; for example, bursitis.)
Which instruction is the nurse most likely to give to the patient before administering the preoperative
medication?
A. "Please go to the bathroom and void."
B. "Let me mark the operative site."
C. "I am going to draw a blood sample."
D. "Please sign the consent form." - Correct Answer :"Please go to the bathroom and void."
Rationale: The patient is instructed to get up and void before getting the medication because drowsiness is a
side effect. Urinary retention is also a common complication after surgery. The surgeon should mark the site and
obtain consent. Most preoperative checklists require noting that the site has been marked and that the consent
form is signed. All laboratory tests are usually completed at this point.
The patient will soon be transferred from the PACU to the nursing unit. Which tasks can be delegated to the
UAP? Select all that apply.
A. Place bed in a high position and adjust side rails for safety.
B. Obtain a clean gown and extra pillows for positioning.
C. Set up suction equipment and test function.
D. Get stethoscope, thermometer, and sphygmomanometer.
E. Check the function of the IV pump.
P 4
