ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 | Complete Test Bank Chapters 1–69 | 500
Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F)
B. Productive cough
C. Oxygen saturation of 84%
D. Respiratory rate of 22/min
Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant hypoxemia and requires
immediate intervention.
2. A client with COPD is experiencing dyspnea. Which breathing technique should the nurse
teach?
A. Rapid shallow breathing
B. Pursed-lip breathing
C. Breath holding
D. Coughing every 5 min
Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing prolongs expiration and helps reduce air trapping.
3. A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when lying flat. Which term
describes this finding?
A. Hemoptysis
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Apnea
,ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 | Complete Test Bank Chapters 1–69 | 500
Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is common with heart failure.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. Which finding should cause the nurse to
withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse 54/min
B. Blood pressure 128/74 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Temperature 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is generally withheld when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min because of
the risk of bradycardia.
5. A client receiving furosemide is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide can increase urinary potassium excretion, resulting in hypokalemia.
6. A client's potassium level is 6.4 mEq/L. Which ECG finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Peaked T waves
B. ST elevation only
, ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 | Complete Test Bank Chapters 1–69 | 500
Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
C. Shortened PR interval
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked T waves and potentially life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias.
7. A client has a serum sodium level of 124 mEq/L. Which finding should the nurse monitor for?
A. Confusion
B. Excessive thirst only
C. Increased muscle strength
D. Bradycardia without other symptoms
Answer: A
Rationale: Significant hyponatremia can cause neurologic manifestations such as headache,
confusion, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who develops chills, fever, and flank pain shortly after a blood
transfusion begins. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Give acetaminophen
D. Increase the transfusion rate
Answer: B
Rationale: These findings can indicate an acute transfusion reaction. The transfusion should be
stopped immediately.
EXAM 2026 | Complete Test Bank Chapters 1–69 | 500
Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Questions 1–50
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Temperature of 38.2°C (100.8°F)
B. Productive cough
C. Oxygen saturation of 84%
D. Respiratory rate of 22/min
Answer: C
Rationale: An oxygen saturation of 84% indicates significant hypoxemia and requires
immediate intervention.
2. A client with COPD is experiencing dyspnea. Which breathing technique should the nurse
teach?
A. Rapid shallow breathing
B. Pursed-lip breathing
C. Breath holding
D. Coughing every 5 min
Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing prolongs expiration and helps reduce air trapping.
3. A client with heart failure reports increasing shortness of breath when lying flat. Which term
describes this finding?
A. Hemoptysis
B. Orthopnea
C. Bradypnea
D. Apnea
,ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 | Complete Test Bank Chapters 1–69 | 500
Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Answer: B
Rationale: Orthopnea is difficulty breathing while lying flat and is common with heart failure.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving digoxin. Which finding should cause the nurse to
withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse 54/min
B. Blood pressure 128/74 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Temperature 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is generally withheld when the adult apical pulse is below 60/min because of
the risk of bradycardia.
5. A client receiving furosemide is at risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide can increase urinary potassium excretion, resulting in hypokalemia.
6. A client's potassium level is 6.4 mEq/L. Which ECG finding should the nurse anticipate?
A. Peaked T waves
B. ST elevation only
, ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL EDITION 12.0 ACTUAL
EXAM 2026 | Complete Test Bank Chapters 1–69 | 500
Exam-Style Questions with Verified Answers | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
C. Shortened PR interval
D. Prominent U waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause tall, peaked T waves and potentially life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias.
7. A client has a serum sodium level of 124 mEq/L. Which finding should the nurse monitor for?
A. Confusion
B. Excessive thirst only
C. Increased muscle strength
D. Bradycardia without other symptoms
Answer: A
Rationale: Significant hyponatremia can cause neurologic manifestations such as headache,
confusion, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who develops chills, fever, and flank pain shortly after a blood
transfusion begins. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the transfusion
B. Stop the transfusion
C. Give acetaminophen
D. Increase the transfusion rate
Answer: B
Rationale: These findings can indicate an acute transfusion reaction. The transfusion should be
stopped immediately.
