, ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Part A | ATI Testing | Academic
Year 2026/2027 | Comprehensive Examination Preparation |
100 Original Questions | | VERIFIED BY EXPERTS .
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–15)
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Pedal edema
B. Neck vein distention
C. Daytime oliguria
D. Enlarged liver
CorreCt Answer: C. Daytime oliguria
rAtionAle: Left-sided heart failure causes decreased cardiac output, leading to decreased
renal perfusion and oliguria during the day when the client is active. Pedal edema, neck vein
distention, and enlarged liver are manifestations of right-sided heart failure .
Question 2: Which lab value is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. CK
B. Troponin
C. Myoglobin
D. LDH
CorreCt Answer: B. Troponin
rAtionAle: Troponin is the most specific cardiac marker for myocardial injury. CK-MB is less
specific, myoglobin rises early but is not cardiac-specific, and LDH is a late and nonspecific
marker .
Question 3: A patient in atrial fibrillation is at risk for:
A. Hypotension
B. Clot formation and embolism
C. Bradycardia
D. Cardiac tamponade
CorreCt Answer: B. Clot formation and embolism
,rAtionAle: Atrial fibrillation causes blood stasis in the atria, leading to clot formation and risk
of embolism, particularly stroke. Anticoagulation is indicated based on CHA₂DS₂-VASc score .
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client who has acute angina. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Measure blood pressure
B. Administer aspirin
C. Administer nitroglycerin
D. Initiate IV access
CorreCt Answer: C. Administer nitroglycerin
rAtionAle: The nurse should first administer nitroglycerin, which is the priority intervention
for acute angina to relieve ischemic pain and improve myocardial oxygenation .
Question 5: A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B. Limit the client's fluid intake to 1 L per day
C. Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
D. Change the client's dressing every 8 hours
CorreCt Answer: C. Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
rAtionAle: Maintaining the affected extremity in extension prevents bleeding and hematoma
formation at the catheter insertion site .
Question 6: A patient with myocardial infarction develops sudden dyspnea, hypotension, and
jugular venous distension. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer morphine
B. Assess for cardiac tamponade
C. Increase IV fluids
D. Place in Trendelenburg position
CorreCt Answer: B. Assess for cardiac tamponade
rAtionAle: The triad of hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds
(Beck's triad) indicates cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
assessment and pericardiocentesis .
, Question 7: A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
A. "I can keep my medications for 1 year before replacing it."
B. "I should lie down when I take this medication."
C. "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache."
D. "I can take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical attention."
CorreCt Answer: B. "I should lie down when I take this medication."
rAtionAle: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and dizziness. Lying down when taking the
medication reduces the risk of falls and syncope. Headaches are a common side effect and do
not require discontinuation. The medication should be replaced every 6 months, and no more
than 3 tablets should be taken in 15 minutes before seeking emergency care .
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS) unit. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. "Apply tester to the site prior to attaching the electrodes."
B. "This device requires access to a 220-volt outlet."
C. "This device delivers heat via electrodes that are attached to the affected area."
D. "Adjust the dial until you feel a 'pins and needles' sensation."
CorreCt Answer: D. "Adjust the dial until you feel a 'pins and needles' sensation."
rAtionAle: The TENS unit should be adjusted until the client feels a tingling or "pins and
needles" sensation, which indicates appropriate stimulation. The device does not deliver heat
and typically uses batteries, not a 220-volt outlet .
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Initiate IV dopamine infusion
B. Perform a neurological assessment
C. Place the client supine
D. Begin an IV bolus of lactated Ringer's
CorreCt Answer: B. Perform a neurological assessment
rAtionAle: A neurological assessment is the priority in hypertensive crisis to detect signs of
stroke or increased intracranial pressure. The client should be placed in a semi-Fowler's
position, not supine .
Year 2026/2027 | Comprehensive Examination Preparation |
100 Original Questions | | VERIFIED BY EXPERTS .
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–15)
Question 1: A nurse is caring for a client who has left-sided heart failure. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect?
A. Pedal edema
B. Neck vein distention
C. Daytime oliguria
D. Enlarged liver
CorreCt Answer: C. Daytime oliguria
rAtionAle: Left-sided heart failure causes decreased cardiac output, leading to decreased
renal perfusion and oliguria during the day when the client is active. Pedal edema, neck vein
distention, and enlarged liver are manifestations of right-sided heart failure .
Question 2: Which lab value is most specific for myocardial injury?
A. CK
B. Troponin
C. Myoglobin
D. LDH
CorreCt Answer: B. Troponin
rAtionAle: Troponin is the most specific cardiac marker for myocardial injury. CK-MB is less
specific, myoglobin rises early but is not cardiac-specific, and LDH is a late and nonspecific
marker .
Question 3: A patient in atrial fibrillation is at risk for:
A. Hypotension
B. Clot formation and embolism
C. Bradycardia
D. Cardiac tamponade
CorreCt Answer: B. Clot formation and embolism
,rAtionAle: Atrial fibrillation causes blood stasis in the atria, leading to clot formation and risk
of embolism, particularly stroke. Anticoagulation is indicated based on CHA₂DS₂-VASc score .
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a client who has acute angina. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Measure blood pressure
B. Administer aspirin
C. Administer nitroglycerin
D. Initiate IV access
CorreCt Answer: C. Administer nitroglycerin
rAtionAle: The nurse should first administer nitroglycerin, which is the priority intervention
for acute angina to relieve ischemic pain and improve myocardial oxygenation .
Question 5: A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B. Limit the client's fluid intake to 1 L per day
C. Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
D. Change the client's dressing every 8 hours
CorreCt Answer: C. Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
rAtionAle: Maintaining the affected extremity in extension prevents bleeding and hematoma
formation at the catheter insertion site .
Question 6: A patient with myocardial infarction develops sudden dyspnea, hypotension, and
jugular venous distension. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer morphine
B. Assess for cardiac tamponade
C. Increase IV fluids
D. Place in Trendelenburg position
CorreCt Answer: B. Assess for cardiac tamponade
rAtionAle: The triad of hypotension, jugular venous distension, and muffled heart sounds
(Beck's triad) indicates cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
assessment and pericardiocentesis .
, Question 7: A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
sublingual nitroglycerin. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
A. "I can keep my medications for 1 year before replacing it."
B. "I should lie down when I take this medication."
C. "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache."
D. "I can take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical attention."
CorreCt Answer: B. "I should lie down when I take this medication."
rAtionAle: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and dizziness. Lying down when taking the
medication reduces the risk of falls and syncope. Headaches are a common side effect and do
not require discontinuation. The medication should be replaced every 6 months, and no more
than 3 tablets should be taken in 15 minutes before seeking emergency care .
Question 8: A nurse is teaching a client about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS) unit. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. "Apply tester to the site prior to attaching the electrodes."
B. "This device requires access to a 220-volt outlet."
C. "This device delivers heat via electrodes that are attached to the affected area."
D. "Adjust the dial until you feel a 'pins and needles' sensation."
CorreCt Answer: D. "Adjust the dial until you feel a 'pins and needles' sensation."
rAtionAle: The TENS unit should be adjusted until the client feels a tingling or "pins and
needles" sensation, which indicates appropriate stimulation. The device does not deliver heat
and typically uses batteries, not a 220-volt outlet .
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Initiate IV dopamine infusion
B. Perform a neurological assessment
C. Place the client supine
D. Begin an IV bolus of lactated Ringer's
CorreCt Answer: B. Perform a neurological assessment
rAtionAle: A neurological assessment is the priority in hypertensive crisis to detect signs of
stroke or increased intracranial pressure. The client should be placed in a semi-Fowler's
position, not supine .
