1
ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Practice: 100 Questions with Answers
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–20)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for
furosemide. Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A) Weight gain of 2 kg
B) Urine output of 50 mL/hr
C) Bibasilar crackles
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid overload. Urine output of 50
mL/hr indicates effective diuresis. Weight gain, crackles, and edema indicate worsening fluid
retention .
Q2. A nurse is teaching a client about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
unit. Which statement should the nurse include?
A) "Apply tester to the site prior to attaching the electrodes"
B) "This device requires access to a 220 volt outlet"
C) "This device delivers heat via electrodes that are attached to the affected area"
D) "Adjust the dial until you feel a 'pins and needles' sensation"
Answer: D
Rationale: The TENS unit should be adjusted until the client feels a tingling "pins and
needles" sensation, which indicates effective stimulation .
Q3. A community health nurse is reviewing care instructions with an older adult client who
has a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which is the priority topic for the nurse to review with
the client?
A) Daily sodium restriction
B) Daily exercise routine
C) Changes in weight
D) Fluid intake record
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring is the most reliable indicator of fluid status in heart
failure. A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 24 hours indicates fluid retention .
Q4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has an implantable cardioverter
defibrillator. Which statement demonstrates understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will soak in the tub rather than showering"
B) "I will wear loose clothing around my ICD"
, 2
C) "I will stop using my microwave oven at home because of my ICD"
D) "I can hold my cellphone on the same side of my body as the ICD"
Answer: B
Rationale: Loose clothing prevents irritation over the ICD site. Clients should not soak in
tubs, and cellphones should be kept at least 6 inches from the ICD .
Q5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
sublingual nitroglycerin. Which client statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should lie down when I take this medication"
B) "I can keep my medication for 1 year before replacing it"
C) "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache"
D) "I can take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical attention"
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients should lie down when taking nitroglycerin to prevent hypotension.
Headache is an expected side effect, not a reason to discontinue. The medication expires
after 6 months, and no more than 3 tablets should be taken .
Q6. A nurse is obtaining a medication history from a client who is to start taking nitroglycerin
for chest discomfort with activity. Which medication should the nurse instruct the client to
avoid taking within 24 hr of using nitroglycerin?
A) Atorvastatin
B) Metformin
C) Sildenafil
D) Omeprazole
Answer: C
Rationale: Sildenafil combined with nitroglycerin can cause severe hypotension. Clients
should avoid sildenafil within 24 hours of nitroglycerin use .
Q7. A nurse is caring for a client following a cardiac catheterization who has hives and
urticaria following administration of IV contrast dye. Which medication should the nurse
plan to administer?
A) Spironolactone
B) Desmopressin
C) Metoclopramide
D) Diphenhydramine
Answer: D
Rationale: Hives and urticaria indicate an allergic reaction to contrast dye. Diphenhydramine
is an antihistamine used to treat allergic reactions .
, 3
Q8. A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B) Limit the client's fluid intake to 1 L per day
C) Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
D) Change the client's dressing every 8 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: After cardiac catheterization, the affected extremity should be kept straight (in
extension) to prevent bleeding at the insertion site .
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Initiate IV dopamine infusion
B) Perform a neurological assessment
C) Place the client supine
D) Begin an IV bolus of lactated ringers
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertensive crisis can cause target organ damage, including neurological
complications. A neurological assessment is essential to evaluate for stroke or
encephalopathy .
Q10. A nurse finds a client in bed, unresponsive and breathing. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Establish IV access
B) Apply blood pressure cuff
C) Palpate for the client's carotid pulse
D) Initiate cardiac monitoring for the client
Answer: C
Rationale: After confirming unresponsiveness and breathing, the nurse should assess
circulation by palpating the carotid pulse .
Q11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which is the
priority assessment finding that the nurse should report to the provider?
A) Blood pressure 170/80 mm Hg
B) Heart rate 88/min
C) Weight gain
D) Cold intolerance
ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Practice: 100 Questions with Answers
Section 1: Cardiovascular Disorders (Questions 1–20)
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a new prescription for
furosemide. Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A) Weight gain of 2 kg
B) Urine output of 50 mL/hr
C) Bibasilar crackles
D) Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid overload. Urine output of 50
mL/hr indicates effective diuresis. Weight gain, crackles, and edema indicate worsening fluid
retention .
Q2. A nurse is teaching a client about transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
unit. Which statement should the nurse include?
A) "Apply tester to the site prior to attaching the electrodes"
B) "This device requires access to a 220 volt outlet"
C) "This device delivers heat via electrodes that are attached to the affected area"
D) "Adjust the dial until you feel a 'pins and needles' sensation"
Answer: D
Rationale: The TENS unit should be adjusted until the client feels a tingling "pins and
needles" sensation, which indicates effective stimulation .
Q3. A community health nurse is reviewing care instructions with an older adult client who
has a new diagnosis of heart failure. Which is the priority topic for the nurse to review with
the client?
A) Daily sodium restriction
B) Daily exercise routine
C) Changes in weight
D) Fluid intake record
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily weight monitoring is the most reliable indicator of fluid status in heart
failure. A weight gain of 2-3 pounds in 24 hours indicates fluid retention .
Q4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has an implantable cardioverter
defibrillator. Which statement demonstrates understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will soak in the tub rather than showering"
B) "I will wear loose clothing around my ICD"
, 2
C) "I will stop using my microwave oven at home because of my ICD"
D) "I can hold my cellphone on the same side of my body as the ICD"
Answer: B
Rationale: Loose clothing prevents irritation over the ICD site. Clients should not soak in
tubs, and cellphones should be kept at least 6 inches from the ICD .
Q5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
sublingual nitroglycerin. Which client statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A) "I should lie down when I take this medication"
B) "I can keep my medication for 1 year before replacing it"
C) "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache"
D) "I can take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical attention"
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients should lie down when taking nitroglycerin to prevent hypotension.
Headache is an expected side effect, not a reason to discontinue. The medication expires
after 6 months, and no more than 3 tablets should be taken .
Q6. A nurse is obtaining a medication history from a client who is to start taking nitroglycerin
for chest discomfort with activity. Which medication should the nurse instruct the client to
avoid taking within 24 hr of using nitroglycerin?
A) Atorvastatin
B) Metformin
C) Sildenafil
D) Omeprazole
Answer: C
Rationale: Sildenafil combined with nitroglycerin can cause severe hypotension. Clients
should avoid sildenafil within 24 hours of nitroglycerin use .
Q7. A nurse is caring for a client following a cardiac catheterization who has hives and
urticaria following administration of IV contrast dye. Which medication should the nurse
plan to administer?
A) Spironolactone
B) Desmopressin
C) Metoclopramide
D) Diphenhydramine
Answer: D
Rationale: Hives and urticaria indicate an allergic reaction to contrast dye. Diphenhydramine
is an antihistamine used to treat allergic reactions .
, 3
Q8. A nurse is planning care for a client following a cardiac catheterization. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B) Limit the client's fluid intake to 1 L per day
C) Maintain the client's affected extremity in extension
D) Change the client's dressing every 8 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: After cardiac catheterization, the affected extremity should be kept straight (in
extension) to prevent bleeding at the insertion site .
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Initiate IV dopamine infusion
B) Perform a neurological assessment
C) Place the client supine
D) Begin an IV bolus of lactated ringers
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypertensive crisis can cause target organ damage, including neurological
complications. A neurological assessment is essential to evaluate for stroke or
encephalopathy .
Q10. A nurse finds a client in bed, unresponsive and breathing. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A) Establish IV access
B) Apply blood pressure cuff
C) Palpate for the client's carotid pulse
D) Initiate cardiac monitoring for the client
Answer: C
Rationale: After confirming unresponsiveness and breathing, the nurse should assess
circulation by palpating the carotid pulse .
Q11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which is the
priority assessment finding that the nurse should report to the provider?
A) Blood pressure 170/80 mm Hg
B) Heart rate 88/min
C) Weight gain
D) Cold intolerance
