Page 1 of 125
ATI PN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING EDITION EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
ATI PN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Edition —Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING CARE (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A) Pain rating of 5 on a 0-to-10 scale
B) Serosanguinous drainage on the surgical dressing
C) Calf swelling and redness on the operative leg
D) Temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F)
Answer: C
Rationale: Calf swelling, redness, and warmth are classic signs of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication following hip surgery. This requires immediate
intervention to prevent pulmonary embolism.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
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A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting, leading to
hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias and digoxin
toxicity.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is being discharged. Which statement
indicates understanding of the disease management?
A) "I will check my feet weekly for any sores or cuts."
B) "I will need to have my eyes examined by an ophthalmologist every year."
C) "I can stop my medication once my blood glucose levels are normal."
D) "I should avoid all carbohydrates in my diet."
Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic clients are at high risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to
blindness. Annual eye examinations by an ophthalmologist are essential. Foot
inspections should be performed daily, not weekly.
4. A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory
test should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio
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(INR). The therapeutic INR range for most clients on warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. Heparin
therapy is monitored using aPTT.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin. Which
action should the nurse take?
A) Administer the medication intramuscularly
B) Monitor the client for signs of bleeding
C) Administer the medication with food
D) Monitor the client's blood glucose level
Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin administered
subcutaneously. The nurse should monitor for signs of bleeding, including bruising,
petechiae, and bleeding gums.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has peripheral arterial disease. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A) Dependent rubor
B) Pitting edema
C) Warm extremities
D) Improved pulses after elevation
Answer: A
Rationale: Dependent rubor is a classic finding in peripheral arterial disease. When the
extremity is dependent, it becomes reddish-blue due to vasodilation. Other findings
include cool extremities, decreased pulses, and intermittent claudication.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet for heart failure. Which food
should the client avoid?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Canned soups
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C) Fresh vegetables
D) Grilled chicken
Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-sodium
diet. Clients with heart failure should limit sodium intake to 2 grams per day.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has developed thrombophlebitis at an IV site.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A) A red line extending up the arm
B) Clear drainage at the site
C) A cool, pale extremity
D) Decreased blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Thrombophlebitis is characterized by a red line extending up the arm from
the IV site, warmth, tenderness, and swelling. The nurse should discontinue the IV,
elevate the extremity, and apply warm compresses.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which finding
indicates a potential complication?
A) Platelet count of 100,000/mm³
B) Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
C) INR of 1.0
D) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
Answer: A
Rationale: A platelet count below 150,000/mm³ may indicate heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication of heparin therapy. The nurse should
notify the provider immediately.
ATI PN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING EDITION EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS
& ANSWERS
ATI PN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Edition —Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING CARE (Questions 1–30)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider
immediately?
A) Pain rating of 5 on a 0-to-10 scale
B) Serosanguinous drainage on the surgical dressing
C) Calf swelling and redness on the operative leg
D) Temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F)
Answer: C
Rationale: Calf swelling, redness, and warmth are classic signs of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication following hip surgery. This requires immediate
intervention to prevent pulmonary embolism.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
, Page 2 of 125
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting, leading to
hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias and digoxin
toxicity.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes mellitus is being discharged. Which statement
indicates understanding of the disease management?
A) "I will check my feet weekly for any sores or cuts."
B) "I will need to have my eyes examined by an ophthalmologist every year."
C) "I can stop my medication once my blood glucose levels are normal."
D) "I should avoid all carbohydrates in my diet."
Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetic clients are at high risk for diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to
blindness. Annual eye examinations by an ophthalmologist are essential. Foot
inspections should be performed daily, not weekly.
4. A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory
test should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized Ratio
, Page 3 of 125
(INR). The therapeutic INR range for most clients on warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. Heparin
therapy is monitored using aPTT.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin. Which
action should the nurse take?
A) Administer the medication intramuscularly
B) Monitor the client for signs of bleeding
C) Administer the medication with food
D) Monitor the client's blood glucose level
Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin administered
subcutaneously. The nurse should monitor for signs of bleeding, including bruising,
petechiae, and bleeding gums.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has peripheral arterial disease. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A) Dependent rubor
B) Pitting edema
C) Warm extremities
D) Improved pulses after elevation
Answer: A
Rationale: Dependent rubor is a classic finding in peripheral arterial disease. When the
extremity is dependent, it becomes reddish-blue due to vasodilation. Other findings
include cool extremities, decreased pulses, and intermittent claudication.
7. A nurse is teaching a client about a low-sodium diet for heart failure. Which food
should the client avoid?
A) Fresh fruits
B) Canned soups
, Page 4 of 125
C) Fresh vegetables
D) Grilled chicken
Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are high in sodium and should be avoided on a low-sodium
diet. Clients with heart failure should limit sodium intake to 2 grams per day.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has developed thrombophlebitis at an IV site.
Which finding should the nurse expect?
A) A red line extending up the arm
B) Clear drainage at the site
C) A cool, pale extremity
D) Decreased blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Thrombophlebitis is characterized by a red line extending up the arm from
the IV site, warmth, tenderness, and swelling. The nurse should discontinue the IV,
elevate the extremity, and apply warm compresses.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which finding
indicates a potential complication?
A) Platelet count of 100,000/mm³
B) Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
C) INR of 1.0
D) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
Answer: A
Rationale: A platelet count below 150,000/mm³ may indicate heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication of heparin therapy. The nurse should
notify the provider immediately.
