ATI Medical Surgical Quiz Q & A 2025

1. The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the plan of care for a client scheduled for a surgical amputation of the left lower leg. Which nursing diagnosis should the PN use as the highest priority for this client after the surgery? - Disturbed body image. 2. The practical nurse (PN) is performing a focused assessment for a postoperative client who returns to the unit after receiving general anesthesia. Which finding should the PN identify as an indicator that the client is free of respiratory complication? - Breath sounds are clear bilaterally. 3. A male client with peptic ulcer disease complains of feeling weak and dizzy. The practical nurse (PN) observes that the client is diaphoretic, has a firm abdomen, thready pulse at 104 beats/minute, and blood pressure of 90/50. Which action should the PN implement? - Notify the healthcare provider. 4. Which factor should the practical nurse (PN) identify that indicates a client needs to be screened for an aggressive breast cancer? - Pre-menopausal breast cancer in her mother. 5. An adult client with otitis media has thick, yellow drainage from the right ear canal. What additional findings should the practical nurse (PN) expect to identify? - Pain relief after ear drainage begins. 6. Which assessment is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to implement for a client who returns from surgery for an arthroscopic repair of the right knee? - Palpation of both pedal pulses. 7. The practical nurse (PN) is assisting the occupational health nurse with employee health screening. Which technique should the PN use to determine a client's visual acuity? - Have the client read the Snellen eye chart. 8. While completing preoperative preparation for a client admitted for same-day surgery, what evaluation statement should the practical nurse identify as an important outcome? - Asks questions regarding the surgical experience. 9. An adult male who is covered with "road rash" after falling off his bicycle arrives at the clinic. He holds his hand to his chest and tells the practical nurse (PN) that he hurts when he breathes. The PN hears an audible "slurping" sound each time the client takes a breath. Which intervention should the PN implement first? - Apply oxygen and inspect the chest wall. 10. What equipment should the practical nurse (PN) ensure is the room for a client after a thyroidectomy? - Tracheostomy tray. 11. A male client who is unconscious after blunt trauma to the head during a baseball game is admitted for observation for possible epidural hematoma. The client is awake and oriented at each hourly check and becomes more difficult to arouse. Which additional finding should the practical nurse report? - Vomiting. 12. An older male with a history of emphysema arrives to the emergent care center with complaints of increasing dyspnea on exertion. The client's chest has an increased anteroposterior diameter, a dry, hacking cough, and pulse oximetry of 89%. What action should the practical nurse take? - Apply oxygen per nasal cannula at 2 L/minute. 13. A client with heart failure (HF) takes a daily tablet of furosemide (Lasix) and lisinopril (Zestril). Which finding during the clinic visit should indicate to the practical nurse that the client's condition is worsening? - Sleeps with two additional pillows. 14. A client who has vomiting, dysuria, and urinary tract infection (UTI) arrives in the clinic and receives an IV antiemetic and a liter of IV fluids. The healthcare provider prescribes oral antibiotics for the client's discharge. Which finding is essential for the practical nurse to determine before the client is discharged? - No vomiting with oral fluid intake. 15. A male client is having an intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement using a tonometer for the first time. The client is fearful that the test hurts and may damage his vision. Which explanation should the practical nurse provide? - A topical anesthetic will be used on the eye surface. 16. Which client should the practical nurse consider at greatest risk for bacterial cystitis? - An older female who does not use estrogen replacement. 17. A client is scheduled for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). What statement by the client reveals to the practical nurse that the client needs additional information? - "My incision will probably be painful." 18. A practical nurse (PN) is coordinating the care of four clients on an oncology unit. Which neutrophil count should the PN identify as a risk for a life-threatening infection in one of the clients? - 500/mm3.