2025 VATI MED SURG ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025/2026
client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - " I WILL CHECK MY BLOOD
SUGAR LEVEL BEFORE EXCERCISING. "
- Clients who have diabetes mellitus should not exercise if their blood glucose level is
less than 80 mg/dL or greater than 250 mg/dL. A client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus
and is hyperglycemic can experience even higher blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia
can also occur during exercise and up to 24 hr following exercise
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for WARFARIN.
Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the client to avoid? -
ASPIRIN & NAPROXEN.
- Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication. It can increase the risk of bleeding when taken
with warfarin.
- . Naproxen is an NSAID that relieves mild to moderate pain. It can increase the risk of
bleeding if taken with warfarin.
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is scheduled for a THORACENTESIS.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take? - PLACE THE
CLIENT LEANING FORWARD OVER THE BEDSIDE TABLE FOR THE PROCEDURE.
- This allows the provider complete access to the client's chest and back. This position
also expands the spaces between the ribs where the pleural fluid accumulates.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching about infection control at home for a client who
has TUBERCULOSIS. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching? - " I will place my used tissues in a plastic bag. "
- The sputum of a client who has tuberculosis is considered infectious until there are
three consecutive sputum samples that test negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tissues that are soiled with the client's sputum should be placed in a plastic bag and
sealed to avoid spreading the infection
A nurse is teaching a client who is scheduled to receive RADIOACTIVE IODINE
THERAPHY for treatment of hyperthyroidism. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include in the teaching? - USE DISPOSABLE UTENSILS FOR MEALS.
- The client who receives radioactive iodine has radioactivity in the body fluids, including
saliva, for several weeks following treatment. The nurse should instruct the client to use
disposable utensils, plates, and cups during this time period to decrease the risk for
radiation exposure to other members of the household
,A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled for a RADICAL
PROSTATECTOMY. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the
teaching? - A PCA PUMP WILL BE USED FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN CONTROL.
- A PCA pump is a common method of pain management in the first 24 hr following an
open radical prostatectomy. The nurse should teach the client how to manage pain
during the preoperative period rather than waiting until after surgery when the client is
feeling the sedative effects of the anesthesia and pain medication.
A nurse is assessing a client's ECG strip and notes an irregular heart rate of 98/min with
NO CLEAR P WAVES. Which of the following cardiac dysrhythmias should the nurse
document? - ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.
- With atrial fibrillation, multiple rapid impulses from many different foci cause
depolarization of the atria in a rapid, disorganized manner. This causes a chaotic
rhythm on the ECG strip that has no clear P waves, no atrial contractions, and an
irregular rhythm.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving peritoneal dialysis. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? - REPORT CLOUDY DIALYSATE DRAINAGE TO THE
PROVIDER.
- The most serious complication of peritoneal dialysis is peritonitis, an inflammation of
the peritoneum. Assessment findings include cloudy dialysate drainage, rebound
abdominal tenderness, and diffuse abdominal pain. The nurse should report these
findings immediately to the provider, who can then prescribe a fluid culture, quick
exchanges to wash out mediators of infection, and antibiotics.
A nurse is assessing a client who has suspected APPENDICITIS. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect? - - Elevated WBC count (20,000+)
A client who has acute appendicitis will show a moderate elevation of the WBC count
from 10,000 to 18,000/mm3. If the WBC count is greater than 20,000/mm3, it can
indicate a perforated appendix.
- Rebound tenderness (RLQ)
A client who has appendicitis develops localized pain over the right lower quadrant of
the abdomen. When the area is palpated, pain occurs during release of pressure on the
client's abdomen.
- Anorexia
A client who has acute appendicitis experiences nausea, vomiting, and reduced
appetite.
A nurse is planning preventative strategies for a client who is at risk for PRESSURE
INJURIES. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan? - APPLY
MOISTURIZER TO DAMP SKIN AFTER BATHING.
, - Applying a moisturizer to damp skin after bathing helps prevent dry skin. The drier the
skin is, the greater the risk is for skin breakdown.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of TYPE 1
DIABETES? - KETONES IN THE URINE
- Clients who have type 1 diabetes mellitus can have ketones in the urine, which are a
byproduct of the breakdown of fats for energy. Ketones in the urine are an indicator of
inadequate amounts of insulin and high blood glucose levels
A nurse is caring for a client who had a surgical repair of an ABDOMINAL AORTIC
ANEURYSM 3 days ago.
The client's vital signs are: temperature 38.3° C (100.9° F), heart rate 80/min,
respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg. Which of the following actions
is the nurse's priority? - ASSESS THE SURGICAL INCISION FOR SIGNS OF
INFECTION.
- A surgical wound infection typically appears 3 to 6 days following the surgery. Fever
from the third postoperative day onward indicates that this client's greatest risk is either
a wound infection or a pulmonary infection; therefore, this is the priority action the nurse
should take.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a loop electrosurgical
excision procedure (LEEP) for the treatment of cervical cancer. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - "I may have mild
cramping for several hours."
- The client should expect very little discomfort from the LEEP procedure, which is
performed in ambulatory care using a painless electrical current.
A nurse is assessing a group of clients. For which of the following clients should the
nurse make a referral to palliative care? - A CLIENT WHOSE MEDICATIONS TO
MANAGE PARKINSON'S DISEASE ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE.
- Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease marked by alterations in mobility,
cognition, mood, and functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. The effectiveness
of medications used to manage the symptoms can decrease over time. When this
occurs, the nurse should make a referral to palliative care. Palliative care is designed to
maintain the client's current quality of life through symptom management, assist with
decision making regarding care needs, and work with families to identify care outcomes
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for CEPHALEXIN
oral suspension. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching? - I WILL KEEP THE MEDICATION REFRIGERATED
GRADED A+ 2025/2026
client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - " I WILL CHECK MY BLOOD
SUGAR LEVEL BEFORE EXCERCISING. "
- Clients who have diabetes mellitus should not exercise if their blood glucose level is
less than 80 mg/dL or greater than 250 mg/dL. A client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus
and is hyperglycemic can experience even higher blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia
can also occur during exercise and up to 24 hr following exercise
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for WARFARIN.
Which of the following medications should the nurse instruct the client to avoid? -
ASPIRIN & NAPROXEN.
- Aspirin is an antiplatelet medication. It can increase the risk of bleeding when taken
with warfarin.
- . Naproxen is an NSAID that relieves mild to moderate pain. It can increase the risk of
bleeding if taken with warfarin.
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is scheduled for a THORACENTESIS.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take? - PLACE THE
CLIENT LEANING FORWARD OVER THE BEDSIDE TABLE FOR THE PROCEDURE.
- This allows the provider complete access to the client's chest and back. This position
also expands the spaces between the ribs where the pleural fluid accumulates.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching about infection control at home for a client who
has TUBERCULOSIS. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching? - " I will place my used tissues in a plastic bag. "
- The sputum of a client who has tuberculosis is considered infectious until there are
three consecutive sputum samples that test negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Tissues that are soiled with the client's sputum should be placed in a plastic bag and
sealed to avoid spreading the infection
A nurse is teaching a client who is scheduled to receive RADIOACTIVE IODINE
THERAPHY for treatment of hyperthyroidism. Which of the following instructions should
the nurse include in the teaching? - USE DISPOSABLE UTENSILS FOR MEALS.
- The client who receives radioactive iodine has radioactivity in the body fluids, including
saliva, for several weeks following treatment. The nurse should instruct the client to use
disposable utensils, plates, and cups during this time period to decrease the risk for
radiation exposure to other members of the household
,A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled for a RADICAL
PROSTATECTOMY. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the
teaching? - A PCA PUMP WILL BE USED FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN CONTROL.
- A PCA pump is a common method of pain management in the first 24 hr following an
open radical prostatectomy. The nurse should teach the client how to manage pain
during the preoperative period rather than waiting until after surgery when the client is
feeling the sedative effects of the anesthesia and pain medication.
A nurse is assessing a client's ECG strip and notes an irregular heart rate of 98/min with
NO CLEAR P WAVES. Which of the following cardiac dysrhythmias should the nurse
document? - ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.
- With atrial fibrillation, multiple rapid impulses from many different foci cause
depolarization of the atria in a rapid, disorganized manner. This causes a chaotic
rhythm on the ECG strip that has no clear P waves, no atrial contractions, and an
irregular rhythm.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving peritoneal dialysis. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take? - REPORT CLOUDY DIALYSATE DRAINAGE TO THE
PROVIDER.
- The most serious complication of peritoneal dialysis is peritonitis, an inflammation of
the peritoneum. Assessment findings include cloudy dialysate drainage, rebound
abdominal tenderness, and diffuse abdominal pain. The nurse should report these
findings immediately to the provider, who can then prescribe a fluid culture, quick
exchanges to wash out mediators of infection, and antibiotics.
A nurse is assessing a client who has suspected APPENDICITIS. Which of the following
manifestations should the nurse expect? - - Elevated WBC count (20,000+)
A client who has acute appendicitis will show a moderate elevation of the WBC count
from 10,000 to 18,000/mm3. If the WBC count is greater than 20,000/mm3, it can
indicate a perforated appendix.
- Rebound tenderness (RLQ)
A client who has appendicitis develops localized pain over the right lower quadrant of
the abdomen. When the area is palpated, pain occurs during release of pressure on the
client's abdomen.
- Anorexia
A client who has acute appendicitis experiences nausea, vomiting, and reduced
appetite.
A nurse is planning preventative strategies for a client who is at risk for PRESSURE
INJURIES. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan? - APPLY
MOISTURIZER TO DAMP SKIN AFTER BATHING.
, - Applying a moisturizer to damp skin after bathing helps prevent dry skin. The drier the
skin is, the greater the risk is for skin breakdown.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of TYPE 1
DIABETES? - KETONES IN THE URINE
- Clients who have type 1 diabetes mellitus can have ketones in the urine, which are a
byproduct of the breakdown of fats for energy. Ketones in the urine are an indicator of
inadequate amounts of insulin and high blood glucose levels
A nurse is caring for a client who had a surgical repair of an ABDOMINAL AORTIC
ANEURYSM 3 days ago.
The client's vital signs are: temperature 38.3° C (100.9° F), heart rate 80/min,
respirations 16/min, and blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg. Which of the following actions
is the nurse's priority? - ASSESS THE SURGICAL INCISION FOR SIGNS OF
INFECTION.
- A surgical wound infection typically appears 3 to 6 days following the surgery. Fever
from the third postoperative day onward indicates that this client's greatest risk is either
a wound infection or a pulmonary infection; therefore, this is the priority action the nurse
should take.
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a loop electrosurgical
excision procedure (LEEP) for the treatment of cervical cancer. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching? - "I may have mild
cramping for several hours."
- The client should expect very little discomfort from the LEEP procedure, which is
performed in ambulatory care using a painless electrical current.
A nurse is assessing a group of clients. For which of the following clients should the
nurse make a referral to palliative care? - A CLIENT WHOSE MEDICATIONS TO
MANAGE PARKINSON'S DISEASE ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE.
- Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease marked by alterations in mobility,
cognition, mood, and functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. The effectiveness
of medications used to manage the symptoms can decrease over time. When this
occurs, the nurse should make a referral to palliative care. Palliative care is designed to
maintain the client's current quality of life through symptom management, assist with
decision making regarding care needs, and work with families to identify care outcomes
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for CEPHALEXIN
oral suspension. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching? - I WILL KEEP THE MEDICATION REFRIGERATED
