• Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical 2026 Proctored Exam
Most Tested Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales Exam Format: 250 questions | Multiple
Choice, SATA, NGN Case Studies | Answers with detailed
rationales | Level 3 proficiency focus Content
The nurse is caring for a client who is two days postoperative. Which observation should alert the nurse to call
the Rapid Response Team (RRT)?
A) Fresh bleeding noted on abdominal surgical wound dressing.
B) Pulse change from 85 to160 beats/minute lasting more than 10 minutes.
P 1
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
C) Temperature of 103.1° F and white blood cell (WBC) count of 16,000 mm3.
D) Weakness, diaphoresis, complaints of feeling faint. BP 100/56 mm Hg. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): B
* The RRT should be called to intervene for a client with an acute life-threatening change, such as (B). (A)
indicates possible hemorrhage and needs further investigation and monitoring. (B) indicates an infection and (D)
may indicate post operative diuresis with corresponding hypotension. Although these symptoms needs prompt
collaborative attention, they can be dealt with through normal channels such providing supportive care and
calling the healthcare provider.
A client with Ménière's disease is incapacitated by vertigo and is lying in bed grasping the side rails and staring at
the television. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Encourage fluids to 3000 ml per day.
B) Change the client's position every two hours.
C) Keep the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees.
D) Turn off the television and darken the room. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): D
* To decrease the client's vertigo during an acute attack of Ménière's disease, any visual stimuli or rotational
movement, such as sudden head movements or position changes, should be minimized. Turning off the
television and darkening the room (D) minimize fluorescent lights, flickering television lights, and distracting
sound. (A, B, and C) are
Which preexisting diagnosis places a client at greatest risk of developing superior vena cava syndrome?
A) Carotid stenosis.
B) Steatosis hepatitis.
C) Metastatic cancer.
D) Clavicular fracture. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): C
* Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava (SVC) is compressed by outside structures,
such as a growing tumor that impedes the return blood flow to the heart. Superior vena cava syndrome is likely
to occur with metastatic cancer (C) from a primary tumor in the upper lobe of the right lung that compresses the
superior vena cava. (A, B, and D) do not result in SVC syndrome.
P 2
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
A client with osteoarthritis receives a prescription for Naproxen (Naprosyn). Which potential side effect should
the nurse provide to the client about this medication?
A) Sensitivity to sunlight.
B) Muscle fasciculations.
C) Increased urinary frequency.
D) Gastrointestinal disturbance. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): D
* Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as naproxen can have gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and
gastric burning (D). It is recommended that this drug be taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
Naproxen (Naprosyn) does not cause sensitivity to sunlight (A), muscle fasciculations (B), or urinary frequency
(C).
What information should the nurse include in a teaching plan about the onset of menopause? (Select all that
apply).
A) Smoking.
B) Oophorectomy with hysterectomy.
C) Early menarche.
D) Cardiac disease.
E) Genetic influence.
F) Chemotherapy exposure. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): A, B, C, E, F
* Menopausal symptoms are related to the cessation of ovarian function. Factors influencing the onset of
menopause include smoking (A), genetic influences (E), early menarche (C), surgical removal (B), and exposure
to chemotherapy agents and radiation (F). Cardiovascular disease (D) is unrelated.
The nurse receives all of the following stat orders for Mr. Palmer. Which one should the nurse question?
1) Oxygen per nasal cannula at 4 L per minute.
2) Enoxaparin (Lovenox) 40 mg subcutaneously.
3) Troponin level.
P 3
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
4) Computed tomography (CT) angiogram. - Correct Answer :Rationale: The nurse should questions the order
for Lovenox because the patient is receiving a heparin drip.
Christine Warren, 45 years old, has a long history of ulcerative colitis, and non-surgical treatment no longer
relieved her symptoms. She underwent a total proctocolectomy and a permanent ileostomy 12 hours ago.
The nurse should contact the physician immediately if Mrs. Warren has which of these findings?
1) The stoma appears pale and dry.
2) The stoma appears red and shiny.
3) There is 200 mL of dark green output from the stoma.
4) There is 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage from the stoma. - Correct Answer :1) The stoma appears pale and
dry.
Rationale: If there is an adequate blood supply to the stoma, the color is pink or red, and the stoma is moist as a
result of mucous production. A pale dry color suggests ischemia of the stoma or bowel and must be reported
immediately to the physician. With an ileostomy initially after surgery, the output is a loose, dark green liquid that
may contain some blood. The ileostomy usually begins to drain within 24 of surgery at more than one liter per
day.
When changing Mrs. Warren's ileostomy bag, the nurse notices that the peristomal skin is irritated.
Which of these actions by the nurse would be appropriate before reapplying the appliance?
1) Wash the area with antiseptic soap and water.
2) Clean the site with Dakin's solution.
3) Use a solid skin barrier.
4) Obtain an order for a topical antibiotic. - Correct Answer :3) Use a solid skin barrier.
Rationale: The drainage from the stoma can quickly irritate the surrounding tissue. Therefore, a solid skin barrier,
with a pectin base or karaya wafer that has a measurable thickness and hydrocolloid adhesive properties, should
be applied.
Which of these comments, if made by Mrs. Warren before her surgery, would indicate that she had concerns
about her body image?
P 4
ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical 2026 Proctored Exam
Most Tested Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales Exam Format: 250 questions | Multiple
Choice, SATA, NGN Case Studies | Answers with detailed
rationales | Level 3 proficiency focus Content
The nurse is caring for a client who is two days postoperative. Which observation should alert the nurse to call
the Rapid Response Team (RRT)?
A) Fresh bleeding noted on abdominal surgical wound dressing.
B) Pulse change from 85 to160 beats/minute lasting more than 10 minutes.
P 1
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
C) Temperature of 103.1° F and white blood cell (WBC) count of 16,000 mm3.
D) Weakness, diaphoresis, complaints of feeling faint. BP 100/56 mm Hg. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): B
* The RRT should be called to intervene for a client with an acute life-threatening change, such as (B). (A)
indicates possible hemorrhage and needs further investigation and monitoring. (B) indicates an infection and (D)
may indicate post operative diuresis with corresponding hypotension. Although these symptoms needs prompt
collaborative attention, they can be dealt with through normal channels such providing supportive care and
calling the healthcare provider.
A client with Ménière's disease is incapacitated by vertigo and is lying in bed grasping the side rails and staring at
the television. Which nursing intervention should the nurse implement?
A) Encourage fluids to 3000 ml per day.
B) Change the client's position every two hours.
C) Keep the head of the bed elevated 30 degrees.
D) Turn off the television and darken the room. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): D
* To decrease the client's vertigo during an acute attack of Ménière's disease, any visual stimuli or rotational
movement, such as sudden head movements or position changes, should be minimized. Turning off the
television and darkening the room (D) minimize fluorescent lights, flickering television lights, and distracting
sound. (A, B, and C) are
Which preexisting diagnosis places a client at greatest risk of developing superior vena cava syndrome?
A) Carotid stenosis.
B) Steatosis hepatitis.
C) Metastatic cancer.
D) Clavicular fracture. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): C
* Superior vena cava syndrome occurs when the superior vena cava (SVC) is compressed by outside structures,
such as a growing tumor that impedes the return blood flow to the heart. Superior vena cava syndrome is likely
to occur with metastatic cancer (C) from a primary tumor in the upper lobe of the right lung that compresses the
superior vena cava. (A, B, and D) do not result in SVC syndrome.
P 2
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
A client with osteoarthritis receives a prescription for Naproxen (Naprosyn). Which potential side effect should
the nurse provide to the client about this medication?
A) Sensitivity to sunlight.
B) Muscle fasciculations.
C) Increased urinary frequency.
D) Gastrointestinal disturbance. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): D
* Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors such as naproxen can have gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and
gastric burning (D). It is recommended that this drug be taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal upset.
Naproxen (Naprosyn) does not cause sensitivity to sunlight (A), muscle fasciculations (B), or urinary frequency
(C).
What information should the nurse include in a teaching plan about the onset of menopause? (Select all that
apply).
A) Smoking.
B) Oophorectomy with hysterectomy.
C) Early menarche.
D) Cardiac disease.
E) Genetic influence.
F) Chemotherapy exposure. - Correct Answer :Correct Answer(s): A, B, C, E, F
* Menopausal symptoms are related to the cessation of ovarian function. Factors influencing the onset of
menopause include smoking (A), genetic influences (E), early menarche (C), surgical removal (B), and exposure
to chemotherapy agents and radiation (F). Cardiovascular disease (D) is unrelated.
The nurse receives all of the following stat orders for Mr. Palmer. Which one should the nurse question?
1) Oxygen per nasal cannula at 4 L per minute.
2) Enoxaparin (Lovenox) 40 mg subcutaneously.
3) Troponin level.
P 3
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
4) Computed tomography (CT) angiogram. - Correct Answer :Rationale: The nurse should questions the order
for Lovenox because the patient is receiving a heparin drip.
Christine Warren, 45 years old, has a long history of ulcerative colitis, and non-surgical treatment no longer
relieved her symptoms. She underwent a total proctocolectomy and a permanent ileostomy 12 hours ago.
The nurse should contact the physician immediately if Mrs. Warren has which of these findings?
1) The stoma appears pale and dry.
2) The stoma appears red and shiny.
3) There is 200 mL of dark green output from the stoma.
4) There is 50 mL of serosanguinous drainage from the stoma. - Correct Answer :1) The stoma appears pale and
dry.
Rationale: If there is an adequate blood supply to the stoma, the color is pink or red, and the stoma is moist as a
result of mucous production. A pale dry color suggests ischemia of the stoma or bowel and must be reported
immediately to the physician. With an ileostomy initially after surgery, the output is a loose, dark green liquid that
may contain some blood. The ileostomy usually begins to drain within 24 of surgery at more than one liter per
day.
When changing Mrs. Warren's ileostomy bag, the nurse notices that the peristomal skin is irritated.
Which of these actions by the nurse would be appropriate before reapplying the appliance?
1) Wash the area with antiseptic soap and water.
2) Clean the site with Dakin's solution.
3) Use a solid skin barrier.
4) Obtain an order for a topical antibiotic. - Correct Answer :3) Use a solid skin barrier.
Rationale: The drainage from the stoma can quickly irritate the surrounding tissue. Therefore, a solid skin barrier,
with a pectin base or karaya wafer that has a measurable thickness and hydrocolloid adhesive properties, should
be applied.
Which of these comments, if made by Mrs. Warren before her surgery, would indicate that she had concerns
about her body image?
P 4
