ATI Adult Medical Surgical
Examination With Actual Questions
And Correct Answers Updated
Rationales 2026/2027 Instant
Downloaded PDF.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight loss
C. Peripheral edema
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Heart failure can cause fluid retention, resulting in
dependent edema, weight gain, and pulmonary congestion.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which oxygen saturation target is
generally appropriate for a client with chronic CO₂ retention?
A. 70% to 75%
B. 80% to 85%
C. 88% to 92%
D. 98% to 100%
Answer: C. 88% to 92%
Rationale: A target oxygen saturation of about 88% to 92% is
,commonly used for clients with COPD who are at risk for
hypercapnic respiratory failure.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which
finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Diaphoresis
C. Warm, dry skin
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: B. Diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can cause autonomic manifestations
such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
4. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills,
fever, and back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Fever, chills, and back pain can indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse should immediately
stop the transfusion and maintain IV access with appropriate
compatible fluid.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about
reducing dietary sodium. Which food should the nurse
recommend?
A. Canned soup
B. Processed luncheon meat
, C. Fresh baked potato
D. Salted pretzels
Answer: C. Fresh baked potato
Rationale: Fresh, minimally processed foods generally contain
less sodium than canned, cured, or processed foods.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which
assessment finding requires immediate attention?
A. Productive cough
B. Temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F)
C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Fatigue with activity
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia is an immediate priority
because impaired oxygenation can rapidly become life-
threatening.
7. A client who has a suspected stroke has difficulty swallowing.
Which action should the nurse take before giving oral fluids?
A. Offer a straw
B. Perform a swallowing assessment
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Give thickened fluids immediately
Answer: B. Perform a swallowing assessment
Rationale: Stroke can impair the gag and swallowing reflexes,
increasing the risk for aspiration. Oral intake should be withheld
until swallowing ability is evaluated.
, 8. A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury. Which
laboratory value should the nurse expect to be elevated?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Creatinine
C. Calcium
D. Bicarbonate
Answer: B. Creatinine
Rationale: Reduced renal filtration causes waste products such
as creatinine to accumulate in the blood.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a peptic ulcer. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild nausea
B. Epigastric discomfort
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Black, tarry stools
Rationale: Melena can indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding
and requires prompt evaluation.
10. A nurse is caring for a client after a total hip arthroplasty.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Cross the client's legs
B. Flex the hip beyond 90°
C. Use an abduction pillow as prescribed
D. Encourage the client to sit in a low chair
Answer: C. Use an abduction pillow as prescribed
Rationale: Hip abduction helps prevent dislocation after certain
Examination With Actual Questions
And Correct Answers Updated
Rationales 2026/2027 Instant
Downloaded PDF.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which
finding should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight loss
C. Peripheral edema
D. Decreased respiratory rate
Answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Heart failure can cause fluid retention, resulting in
dependent edema, weight gain, and pulmonary congestion.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). Which oxygen saturation target is
generally appropriate for a client with chronic CO₂ retention?
A. 70% to 75%
B. 80% to 85%
C. 88% to 92%
D. 98% to 100%
Answer: C. 88% to 92%
Rationale: A target oxygen saturation of about 88% to 92% is
,commonly used for clients with COPD who are at risk for
hypercapnic respiratory failure.
3. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which
finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Polyuria
B. Diaphoresis
C. Warm, dry skin
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: B. Diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can cause autonomic manifestations
such as sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
4. A client is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills,
fever, and back pain. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion rate
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Administer acetaminophen
D. Obtain a urine specimen
Answer: B. Stop the transfusion
Rationale: Fever, chills, and back pain can indicate an acute
hemolytic transfusion reaction. The nurse should immediately
stop the transfusion and maintain IV access with appropriate
compatible fluid.
5. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about
reducing dietary sodium. Which food should the nurse
recommend?
A. Canned soup
B. Processed luncheon meat
, C. Fresh baked potato
D. Salted pretzels
Answer: C. Fresh baked potato
Rationale: Fresh, minimally processed foods generally contain
less sodium than canned, cured, or processed foods.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia. Which
assessment finding requires immediate attention?
A. Productive cough
B. Temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F)
C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
D. Fatigue with activity
Answer: C. Oxygen saturation of 86%
Rationale: Significant hypoxemia is an immediate priority
because impaired oxygenation can rapidly become life-
threatening.
7. A client who has a suspected stroke has difficulty swallowing.
Which action should the nurse take before giving oral fluids?
A. Offer a straw
B. Perform a swallowing assessment
C. Place the client in a supine position
D. Give thickened fluids immediately
Answer: B. Perform a swallowing assessment
Rationale: Stroke can impair the gag and swallowing reflexes,
increasing the risk for aspiration. Oral intake should be withheld
until swallowing ability is evaluated.
, 8. A nurse is caring for a client who has acute kidney injury. Which
laboratory value should the nurse expect to be elevated?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Creatinine
C. Calcium
D. Bicarbonate
Answer: B. Creatinine
Rationale: Reduced renal filtration causes waste products such
as creatinine to accumulate in the blood.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a peptic ulcer. Which
finding should the nurse report immediately?
A. Mild nausea
B. Epigastric discomfort
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: C. Black, tarry stools
Rationale: Melena can indicate upper gastrointestinal bleeding
and requires prompt evaluation.
10. A nurse is caring for a client after a total hip arthroplasty.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Cross the client's legs
B. Flex the hip beyond 90°
C. Use an abduction pillow as prescribed
D. Encourage the client to sit in a low chair
Answer: C. Use an abduction pillow as prescribed
Rationale: Hip abduction helps prevent dislocation after certain
