ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam (26 Exam Sets, Latest-
2021/2022) / Med-Surg ATI Proctored Exam / ATI
Medsurg Proctored Exam / Medsurg ATI Proctored
Exam |Best Document for A.T.I Exam
Section 1: Cardiovascular System
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide. Which of the
following findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
B. Heart rate of 110/min
C. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
D. Bilateral crackles in the lungs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours indicates effective diuresis and fluid
removal in a client with heart failure. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes fluid
excretion. Option B indicates tachycardia, which may suggest worsening heart failure. Option C
indicates inadequate urine output. Option D indicates fluid overload, not therapeutic response.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a risk factor for developing hypertension? (Select all that
apply.)
A. BMI of 32
B. Regular aerobic exercise
C. Family history of hypertension
D. Smoking cessation 5 years ago
E. High sodium intake
Correct Answers: A, C, E
, Rationale: Obesity (BMI >30), family history, and high sodium intake are all risk factors for
hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise and smoking cessation are protective factors that reduce
hypertension risk.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is 6 hours postoperative following a coronary artery bypass
graft (CABG). The nurse notes chest tube drainage of 250 mL in the past hour. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Document the finding in the medical record
B. Notify the surgeon immediately
C. Increase the IV fluid rate
D. Reposition the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chest tube drainage exceeding 100-200 mL/hr after CABG is abnormal and may
indicate hemorrhage or cardiac tamponade. The nurse should notify the surgeon immediately
as this is a medical emergency. Documentation should occur but is not the priority. Increasing IV
fluids requires a prescription. Repositioning will not address the underlying cause.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client who has atrial fibrillation about warfarin therapy. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will increase my intake of green leafy vegetables."
B. "I will use a soft toothbrush when brushing my teeth."
C. "I will take aspirin for headaches."
D. "I will double my dose if I miss one."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk. Using a soft toothbrush
helps prevent gum bleeding. Clients should maintain consistent (not increased) vitamin K intake
from green leafy vegetables. Aspirin increases bleeding risk and should be avoided unless
prescribed. Clients should never double doses of warfarin.
,Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has pericarditis. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Hypertension
D. Decreased ESR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pericarditis causes inflammation of the pericardial sac, resulting in a pleural
friction rub heard on auscultation. Tachycardia (not bradycardia) is common. Hypotension (not
hypertension) may occur. ESR is typically elevated due to inflammation.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new permanent pacemaker. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include in discharge teaching?
A. "You can resume contact sports immediately."
B. "Avoid MRI scans unless cleared by your cardiologist."
C. "Your pacemaker will never need battery replacement."
D. "You should avoid all electrical devices."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MRI scans can interfere with pacemaker function and should be avoided unless
the device is MRI-compatible and cleared by cardiology. Contact sports should be avoided to
prevent damage to the device. Pacemaker batteries typically last 5-10 years. Clients can use
most electrical devices with precautions.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client who has deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left lower extremity.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Unilateral calf pain
B. Warmth to touch
C. Bilateral edema
, D. Redness of the affected extremity
E. Positive Homans' sign
Correct Answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: DVT presents with unilateral calf pain, warmth, redness, and potentially a
positive Homans' sign (calf pain with dorsiflexion). Bilateral edema is not typical of DVT and may
indicate other conditions such as heart failure or bilateral DVT (rare).
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for enalapril. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
B. Dry, persistent cough
C. Swelling of the tongue and lips
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Swelling of the tongue and lips indicates angioedema, a serious adverse effect of
ACE inhibitors that can compromise the airway. This requires immediate intervention. A dry
cough is a common side effect but not emergent. Blood pressure and potassium levels are
within normal limits.
Question 9
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 5 doses."
B. "Swallow the tablet whole with water."
C. "Store the tablets in a dark, dry container."
D. "Take the medication with food."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin tablets are light-sensitive and moisture-sensitive, so they should be
stored in a dark, dry container. The correct dosing is one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3
doses. The tablet should be placed under the tongue, not swallowed. Food does not affect
sublingual nitroglycerin.
2021/2022) / Med-Surg ATI Proctored Exam / ATI
Medsurg Proctored Exam / Medsurg ATI Proctored
Exam |Best Document for A.T.I Exam
Section 1: Cardiovascular System
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide. Which of the
following findings indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours
B. Heart rate of 110/min
C. Urine output of 20 mL/hr
D. Bilateral crackles in the lungs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hours indicates effective diuresis and fluid
removal in a client with heart failure. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes fluid
excretion. Option B indicates tachycardia, which may suggest worsening heart failure. Option C
indicates inadequate urine output. Option D indicates fluid overload, not therapeutic response.
Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of hypertension. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a risk factor for developing hypertension? (Select all that
apply.)
A. BMI of 32
B. Regular aerobic exercise
C. Family history of hypertension
D. Smoking cessation 5 years ago
E. High sodium intake
Correct Answers: A, C, E
, Rationale: Obesity (BMI >30), family history, and high sodium intake are all risk factors for
hypertension. Regular aerobic exercise and smoking cessation are protective factors that reduce
hypertension risk.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who is 6 hours postoperative following a coronary artery bypass
graft (CABG). The nurse notes chest tube drainage of 250 mL in the past hour. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Document the finding in the medical record
B. Notify the surgeon immediately
C. Increase the IV fluid rate
D. Reposition the client
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Chest tube drainage exceeding 100-200 mL/hr after CABG is abnormal and may
indicate hemorrhage or cardiac tamponade. The nurse should notify the surgeon immediately
as this is a medical emergency. Documentation should occur but is not the priority. Increasing IV
fluids requires a prescription. Repositioning will not address the underlying cause.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client who has atrial fibrillation about warfarin therapy. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will increase my intake of green leafy vegetables."
B. "I will use a soft toothbrush when brushing my teeth."
C. "I will take aspirin for headaches."
D. "I will double my dose if I miss one."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases bleeding risk. Using a soft toothbrush
helps prevent gum bleeding. Clients should maintain consistent (not increased) vitamin K intake
from green leafy vegetables. Aspirin increases bleeding risk and should be avoided unless
prescribed. Clients should never double doses of warfarin.
,Question 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has pericarditis. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Pleural friction rub
C. Hypertension
D. Decreased ESR
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pericarditis causes inflammation of the pericardial sac, resulting in a pleural
friction rub heard on auscultation. Tachycardia (not bradycardia) is common. Hypotension (not
hypertension) may occur. ESR is typically elevated due to inflammation.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new permanent pacemaker. Which of the following
instructions should the nurse include in discharge teaching?
A. "You can resume contact sports immediately."
B. "Avoid MRI scans unless cleared by your cardiologist."
C. "Your pacemaker will never need battery replacement."
D. "You should avoid all electrical devices."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MRI scans can interfere with pacemaker function and should be avoided unless
the device is MRI-compatible and cleared by cardiology. Contact sports should be avoided to
prevent damage to the device. Pacemaker batteries typically last 5-10 years. Clients can use
most electrical devices with precautions.
Question 7
A nurse is assessing a client who has deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the left lower extremity.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Unilateral calf pain
B. Warmth to touch
C. Bilateral edema
, D. Redness of the affected extremity
E. Positive Homans' sign
Correct Answers: A, B, D, E
Rationale: DVT presents with unilateral calf pain, warmth, redness, and potentially a
positive Homans' sign (calf pain with dorsiflexion). Bilateral edema is not typical of DVT and may
indicate other conditions such as heart failure or bilateral DVT (rare).
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for enalapril. Which of
the following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
B. Dry, persistent cough
C. Swelling of the tongue and lips
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Swelling of the tongue and lips indicates angioedema, a serious adverse effect of
ACE inhibitors that can compromise the airway. This requires immediate intervention. A dry
cough is a common side effect but not emergent. Blood pressure and potassium levels are
within normal limits.
Question 9
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 5 doses."
B. "Swallow the tablet whole with water."
C. "Store the tablets in a dark, dry container."
D. "Take the medication with food."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin tablets are light-sensitive and moisture-sensitive, so they should be
stored in a dark, dry container. The correct dosing is one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3
doses. The tablet should be placed under the tongue, not swallowed. Food does not affect
sublingual nitroglycerin.
