ATI MEDICAL SURGICAL RESPIRATORY RETAKE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Respiratory Assessment and Diagnostic Testing
Upper Respiratory Disorders and Airway Management
Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Asthma and COPD
Restrictive Pulmonary Disorders and Interstitial Lung Disease
Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, and Infectious Respiratory
Conditions
Pulmonary Vascular Disorders and Pulmonary Embolism
Acute Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation
Thoracic Surgery, Chest Tubes, and Postoperative Respiratory
Care
Respiratory Pharmacology and Oxygen Therapy
Professional Standards, Ethics, and Patient Safety
INTRODUCTION
,The ATI Medical Surgical Respiratory Retake assessment
evaluates the clinical judgment and foundational knowledge
required for safe, competent nursing care of adults with
respiratory disorders. It assesses respiratory assessment,
oxygen therapy, medication management, airway clearance,
mechanical ventilation, and complication prevention. Items
include multiple-choice and NGN scenario-based questions
requiring prioritization, critical thinking, and real-world
application. The examination emphasizes evidence-based
practice, patient safety, and professional standards essential
for entry-level registered nursing practice in medical-surgical
settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A client with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with
progressive dyspnea, barrel chest, and pursed-lip breathing.
Which arterial blood gas result should the nurse expect?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 32 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 58 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
C. pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 48 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 35 mEq/L
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: This ABG demonstrates uncompensated
respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation. The low
pH, elevated PaCO₂, and elevated bicarbonate are classic for
chronic bronchitis-type COPD with chronic CO₂ retention.
The kidneys increase acid excretion over days to weeks to
buffer retained CO₂.
Question 2
A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol and fluticasone.
Which statement indicates understanding of the medication
regimen?
A. "I should use my fluticasone inhaler first when I have an
asthma attack."
B. "I need to rinse my mouth after using my fluticasone
inhaler."
C. "Albuterol will reduce the inflammation in my airways
over time."
D. "I can stop taking fluticasone when my breathing feels
better."
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Rinsing the mouth after inhaled
corticosteroid use is essential to prevent oral candidiasis.
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used first during an
acute attack, and fluticasone is a controller medication that
must be taken consistently.
Question 3
A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 30/min,
SpO₂ of 84%, heart rate of 116/min, and new confusion.
Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 116/min
B. Respiratory rate of 30/min
C. SpO₂ of 84%
D. Temperature of 38.2°C
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: An SpO₂ of 84% indicates significant
hypoxemia and threatens oxygen delivery to vital organs.
The nurse should immediately assess airway and breathing
and initiate prescribed or emergency oxygen support.
Question 4
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
CORE DOMAINS
Respiratory Assessment and Diagnostic Testing
Upper Respiratory Disorders and Airway Management
Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Asthma and COPD
Restrictive Pulmonary Disorders and Interstitial Lung Disease
Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, and Infectious Respiratory
Conditions
Pulmonary Vascular Disorders and Pulmonary Embolism
Acute Respiratory Failure and Mechanical Ventilation
Thoracic Surgery, Chest Tubes, and Postoperative Respiratory
Care
Respiratory Pharmacology and Oxygen Therapy
Professional Standards, Ethics, and Patient Safety
INTRODUCTION
,The ATI Medical Surgical Respiratory Retake assessment
evaluates the clinical judgment and foundational knowledge
required for safe, competent nursing care of adults with
respiratory disorders. It assesses respiratory assessment,
oxygen therapy, medication management, airway clearance,
mechanical ventilation, and complication prevention. Items
include multiple-choice and NGN scenario-based questions
requiring prioritization, critical thinking, and real-world
application. The examination emphasizes evidence-based
practice, patient safety, and professional standards essential
for entry-level registered nursing practice in medical-surgical
settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
A client with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with
progressive dyspnea, barrel chest, and pursed-lip breathing.
Which arterial blood gas result should the nurse expect?
A. pH 7.48, PaCO₂ 32 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
B. pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 58 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 30 mEq/L
C. pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 24 mEq/L
D. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 48 mm Hg, HCO₃⁻ 35 mEq/L
,🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: This ABG demonstrates uncompensated
respiratory acidosis with metabolic compensation. The low
pH, elevated PaCO₂, and elevated bicarbonate are classic for
chronic bronchitis-type COPD with chronic CO₂ retention.
The kidneys increase acid excretion over days to weeks to
buffer retained CO₂.
Question 2
A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol and fluticasone.
Which statement indicates understanding of the medication
regimen?
A. "I should use my fluticasone inhaler first when I have an
asthma attack."
B. "I need to rinse my mouth after using my fluticasone
inhaler."
C. "Albuterol will reduce the inflammation in my airways
over time."
D. "I can stop taking fluticasone when my breathing feels
better."
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Rinsing the mouth after inhaled
corticosteroid use is essential to prevent oral candidiasis.
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used first during an
acute attack, and fluticasone is a controller medication that
must be taken consistently.
Question 3
A client with pneumonia has a respiratory rate of 30/min,
SpO₂ of 84%, heart rate of 116/min, and new confusion.
Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 116/min
B. Respiratory rate of 30/min
C. SpO₂ of 84%
D. Temperature of 38.2°C
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: An SpO₂ of 84% indicates significant
hypoxemia and threatens oxygen delivery to vital organs.
The nurse should immediately assess airway and breathing
and initiate prescribed or emergency oxygen support.
Question 4
