1
ATI Med Surg Cardiovascular &
Respiratory Exam 2025 – 100%
Correct Questions with Verified
Clinical Answers
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with acute heart failure. Which finding indicates a need for
immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
B. Crackles in bilateral lung bases
C. Heart rate of 88 bpm
D. Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: B. Crackles in bilateral lung bases
Rationale: Crackles in bilateral lung bases indicate pulmonary edema, a life-threatening
complication of acute heart failure requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory
failure.
Question 2
A client with a myocardial infarction is receiving thrombolytic therapy. Which finding indicates
a complication?
A. Heart rate of 90 bpm
B. Sudden onset of confusion
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
D. Oxygen saturation of 95%
Correct Answer: B. Sudden onset of confusion
Rationale: Sudden confusion may indicate cerebral bleeding, a serious complication of
thrombolytic therapy, requiring immediate cessation and medical evaluation.
Question 3
, 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer oxygen therapy
B. Initiate IV fluids
C. Administer a bronchodilator
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: A. Administer oxygen therapy
Rationale: Oxygen therapy is the priority to correct hypoxia in pulmonary embolism, improving
oxygenation and preventing further tissue damage.
Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an arterial blood gas (ABG)
result of pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, PaO₂ 70 mmHg. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Administer a bronchodilator
D. Notify the respiratory therapist
Correct Answer: B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis (pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg) in COPD is managed by improving
ventilation through pursed-lip breathing, which reduces CO₂ retention.
Question 5
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause hypokalemia, increasing the risk of
arrhythmias, necessitating close potassium monitoring.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected aortic aneurysm. Which finding requires immediate
action?
, 3
A. Pulsating abdominal mass
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 80 bpm
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
Correct Answer: A. Pulsating abdominal mass
Rationale: A pulsating abdominal mass suggests an aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition
requiring immediate surgical evaluation to prevent rupture.
Question 7
A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is receiving warfarin. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Prothrombin time (PT)
Correct Answer: B. International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR monitors the therapeutic effect of warfarin, ensuring safe anticoagulation by
assessing the extrinsic clotting pathway.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which finding indicates an air leak?
A. Fluctuation in the water seal chamber
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. 50 mL of drainage in 4 hours
D. Pain at the insertion site
Correct Answer: B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak, requiring
immediate intervention to identify and correct the source.
Question 9
A client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has an oxygen saturation of 85%.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Place the client in a prone position
ATI Med Surg Cardiovascular &
Respiratory Exam 2025 – 100%
Correct Questions with Verified
Clinical Answers
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client with acute heart failure. Which finding indicates a need for
immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
B. Crackles in bilateral lung bases
C. Heart rate of 88 bpm
D. Peripheral edema
Correct Answer: B. Crackles in bilateral lung bases
Rationale: Crackles in bilateral lung bases indicate pulmonary edema, a life-threatening
complication of acute heart failure requiring immediate intervention to prevent respiratory
failure.
Question 2
A client with a myocardial infarction is receiving thrombolytic therapy. Which finding indicates
a complication?
A. Heart rate of 90 bpm
B. Sudden onset of confusion
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg
D. Oxygen saturation of 95%
Correct Answer: B. Sudden onset of confusion
Rationale: Sudden confusion may indicate cerebral bleeding, a serious complication of
thrombolytic therapy, requiring immediate cessation and medical evaluation.
Question 3
, 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Which intervention is the priority?
A. Administer oxygen therapy
B. Initiate IV fluids
C. Administer a bronchodilator
D. Encourage ambulation
Correct Answer: A. Administer oxygen therapy
Rationale: Oxygen therapy is the priority to correct hypoxia in pulmonary embolism, improving
oxygenation and preventing further tissue damage.
Question 4
A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an arterial blood gas (ABG)
result of pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg, PaO₂ 70 mmHg. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Increase oxygen to 6 L/min
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Administer a bronchodilator
D. Notify the respiratory therapist
Correct Answer: B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
Rationale: Respiratory acidosis (pH 7.32, PaCO₂ 50 mmHg) in COPD is managed by improving
ventilation through pursed-lip breathing, which reduces CO₂ retention.
Question 5
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: A. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause hypokalemia, increasing the risk of
arrhythmias, necessitating close potassium monitoring.
Question 6
A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected aortic aneurysm. Which finding requires immediate
action?
, 3
A. Pulsating abdominal mass
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 80 bpm
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
Correct Answer: A. Pulsating abdominal mass
Rationale: A pulsating abdominal mass suggests an aortic aneurysm, a life-threatening condition
requiring immediate surgical evaluation to prevent rupture.
Question 7
A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is receiving warfarin. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Prothrombin time (PT)
Correct Answer: B. International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR monitors the therapeutic effect of warfarin, ensuring safe anticoagulation by
assessing the extrinsic clotting pathway.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube. Which finding indicates an air leak?
A. Fluctuation in the water seal chamber
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. 50 mL of drainage in 4 hours
D. Pain at the insertion site
Correct Answer: B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak, requiring
immediate intervention to identify and correct the source.
Question 9
A client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has an oxygen saturation of 85%.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Place the client in a prone position
