ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Assessment
UPDATED – Real Exam-Level Questions, Verified
Answers with Expert Explanations, 100% A+
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Instructions
This assessment contains 80 multiple-choice questions covering cardiac, respira-
tory, gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, endocrine, and perioperative nursing.
Each question has four answer options, with one correct answer. A rationale fol-
lows each question to explain the correct choice.
Questions
Question 1: A nurse is monitoring a client with acute myocardial infarction (MI).
Which finding indicates reperfusion of the myocardium after throm-
bolytic therapy?
A. Resolution of chest pain
B. Increased ST elevation
C. New onset of heart block
D. Elevated cardiac enzymes
Correct Answer: A. Resolution of chest pain
Rationale: Resolution of chest pain indicates restored blood flow
to the myocardium after thrombolytic therapy, as pain is caused by
ischemia. Increased ST elevation suggests ongoing ischemia, heart
block is a complication, and elevated enzymes reflect prior damage,
not reperfusion.
Question 2: A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which labora-
tory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Blood urea nitrogen
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases potassium excre-
tion, risking hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias. Monitor-
ing hemoglobin, BUN, or sodium is less critical unless specific symp-
toms arise.
1
,Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. Which medica-
tion is most likely prescribed to prevent thromboembolism?
A. Warfarin
B. Aspirin
C. Clopidogrel
D. Metoprolol
Correct Answer: A. Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to prevent throm-
boembolism in atrial fibrillation by inhibiting clot formation. As-
pirin and clopidogrel are antiplatelets, and metoprolol is a beta-
blocker for rate control.
Question 4: A client with hypertension is started on lisinopril. Which side effect
should the nurse teach the client to report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Dizziness
C. Angioedema
D. Fatigue
Correct Answer: C. Angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening side effect
of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, requiring immediate intervention.
Dry cough, dizziness, and fatigue are common but less urgent.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which finding is most
characteristic?
A. Friction rub
B. Murmur
C. S3 gallop
D. Pulsus paradoxus
Correct Answer: A. Friction rub
Rationale: A pericardial friction rub, caused by inflamed pericar-
dial layers rubbing together, is the hallmark sign of pericarditis.
Murmurs, S3 gallops, and pulsus paradoxus are associated with
other cardiac conditions.
Question 6: A client is receiving nitroglycerin for angina. Which instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Store tablets in a warm, dry place
B. Take up to three doses 5 minutes apart if pain persists
C. Swallow tablets with water
2
, D. Discontinue if headache occurs
Correct Answer: B. Take up to three doses 5 minutes apart if
pain persists
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is taken sublingually every 5 minutes for
up to three doses if angina persists. Tablets should be stored in a
cool, dark place, not swallowed, and headaches are a common side
effect that does not warrant discontinuation.
Question 7: A nurse is preparing a client for a cardiac catheterization. Which
action is essential before the procedure?
A. Check for iodine allergy
B. Administer a beta-blocker
C. Obtain a chest X-ray
D. Restrict fluids for 12 hours
Correct Answer: A. Check for iodine allergy
Rationale: Iodine-based contrast is used in cardiac catheterization,
so checking for allergies is critical to prevent anaphylaxis. Beta-
blockers, chest X-rays, and fluid restriction are not routinely re-
quired.
Question 8: A client with heart failure reports weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Increase diuretic dose
C. Restrict sodium intake
D. Reassess weight in 24 hours
Correct Answer: A. Notify the provider
Rationale: A 3-pound weight gain in 2 days suggests fluid retention,
a sign of worsening heart failure requiring provider intervention.
Adjusting medications, restricting sodium, or reassessing later de-
lays care.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client with an aortic aneurysm. Which ac-
tivity should be avoided?
A. Deep breathing exercises
B. Heavy lifting
C. Walking short distances
D. Low-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B. Heavy lifting
Rationale: Heavy lifting increases intra-abdominal and blood pres-
3
UPDATED – Real Exam-Level Questions, Verified
Answers with Expert Explanations, 100% A+
Mastery Guaranteed
Instructions
This assessment contains 80 multiple-choice questions covering cardiac, respira-
tory, gastrointestinal, neurological, renal, endocrine, and perioperative nursing.
Each question has four answer options, with one correct answer. A rationale fol-
lows each question to explain the correct choice.
Questions
Question 1: A nurse is monitoring a client with acute myocardial infarction (MI).
Which finding indicates reperfusion of the myocardium after throm-
bolytic therapy?
A. Resolution of chest pain
B. Increased ST elevation
C. New onset of heart block
D. Elevated cardiac enzymes
Correct Answer: A. Resolution of chest pain
Rationale: Resolution of chest pain indicates restored blood flow
to the myocardium after thrombolytic therapy, as pain is caused by
ischemia. Increased ST elevation suggests ongoing ischemia, heart
block is a complication, and elevated enzymes reflect prior damage,
not reperfusion.
Question 2: A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which labora-
tory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Blood urea nitrogen
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, increases potassium excre-
tion, risking hypokalemia, which can cause arrhythmias. Monitor-
ing hemoglobin, BUN, or sodium is less critical unless specific symp-
toms arise.
1
,Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. Which medica-
tion is most likely prescribed to prevent thromboembolism?
A. Warfarin
B. Aspirin
C. Clopidogrel
D. Metoprolol
Correct Answer: A. Warfarin
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to prevent throm-
boembolism in atrial fibrillation by inhibiting clot formation. As-
pirin and clopidogrel are antiplatelets, and metoprolol is a beta-
blocker for rate control.
Question 4: A client with hypertension is started on lisinopril. Which side effect
should the nurse teach the client to report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Dizziness
C. Angioedema
D. Fatigue
Correct Answer: C. Angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening side effect
of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril, requiring immediate intervention.
Dry cough, dizziness, and fatigue are common but less urgent.
Question 5: A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which finding is most
characteristic?
A. Friction rub
B. Murmur
C. S3 gallop
D. Pulsus paradoxus
Correct Answer: A. Friction rub
Rationale: A pericardial friction rub, caused by inflamed pericar-
dial layers rubbing together, is the hallmark sign of pericarditis.
Murmurs, S3 gallops, and pulsus paradoxus are associated with
other cardiac conditions.
Question 6: A client is receiving nitroglycerin for angina. Which instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. Store tablets in a warm, dry place
B. Take up to three doses 5 minutes apart if pain persists
C. Swallow tablets with water
2
, D. Discontinue if headache occurs
Correct Answer: B. Take up to three doses 5 minutes apart if
pain persists
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is taken sublingually every 5 minutes for
up to three doses if angina persists. Tablets should be stored in a
cool, dark place, not swallowed, and headaches are a common side
effect that does not warrant discontinuation.
Question 7: A nurse is preparing a client for a cardiac catheterization. Which
action is essential before the procedure?
A. Check for iodine allergy
B. Administer a beta-blocker
C. Obtain a chest X-ray
D. Restrict fluids for 12 hours
Correct Answer: A. Check for iodine allergy
Rationale: Iodine-based contrast is used in cardiac catheterization,
so checking for allergies is critical to prevent anaphylaxis. Beta-
blockers, chest X-rays, and fluid restriction are not routinely re-
quired.
Question 8: A client with heart failure reports weight gain of 3 pounds in 2 days.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Increase diuretic dose
C. Restrict sodium intake
D. Reassess weight in 24 hours
Correct Answer: A. Notify the provider
Rationale: A 3-pound weight gain in 2 days suggests fluid retention,
a sign of worsening heart failure requiring provider intervention.
Adjusting medications, restricting sodium, or reassessing later de-
lays care.
Question 9: A nurse is caring for a client with an aortic aneurysm. Which ac-
tivity should be avoided?
A. Deep breathing exercises
B. Heavy lifting
C. Walking short distances
D. Low-sodium diet
Correct Answer: B. Heavy lifting
Rationale: Heavy lifting increases intra-abdominal and blood pres-
3
