Legit ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical 2026
(Medsurg) Proctored Exam Package
Containing Actual and Retake Versions,
Each Version 100 Screenshot Questions
and Answers
ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Cardiovascular
1. A nurse is assessing a client who may be experiencing left-sided heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Dependent edema
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Ascites
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, resulting in dyspnea and
crackles. Right-sided failure more commonly causes peripheral edema, ascites, and jugular
venous distention.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary potassium excretion and can
cause hypokalemia.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Heart rate of 54/min
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. A significant decrease in heart rate should prompt
assessment and may require withholding the medication according to prescribed parameters.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of myocardial infarction?
A. Chest pressure that may radiate to the arm or jaw
B. Pain relieved immediately by eating
C. Sharp pain occurring only with movement
D. Mild ankle edema
Answer: A
Rationale: MI commonly causes pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest that can radiate
to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw.
5. A client reports severe chest pain and diaphoresis. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Obtain an ECG
B. Offer a meal
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Place the client in a prone position
Answer: A
Rationale: An ECG should be obtained promptly when acute coronary syndrome is suspected to
identify ischemic changes and guide treatment.
6. Which assessment finding is expected in a client with peripheral arterial disease?
,A. Warm legs with brown pigmentation
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Bilateral dependent edema
D. Bounding pedal pulses
Answer: B
Rationale: Peripheral arterial disease reduces arterial blood flow and commonly causes
exertional leg pain relieved by rest.
7. A client with peripheral arterial disease asks how to protect the feet. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Walk barefoot at home
B. Apply heating pads to cold feet
C. Inspect the feet daily
D. Soak the feet in hot water
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily inspection helps identify wounds early. Reduced arterial circulation can delay
healing and increase the risk of tissue injury.
8. Which finding is most consistent with chronic venous insufficiency?
A. Cool, pale extremity
B. Dependent edema
C. Absent pulses
D. Pain relieved by dangling the leg
Answer: B
Rationale: Venous insufficiency commonly causes dependent edema, venous stasis changes,
and lower-leg skin discoloration.
9. A client receiving warfarin should be monitored using which laboratory test?
A. INR
B. Troponin
, C. aPTT only
D. Serum amylase
Answer: A
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
10. Which food should a client taking warfarin consume consistently rather than suddenly
increasing or decreasing?
A. Spinach
B. White rice
C. Apples
D. Chicken
Answer: A
Rationale: Spinach contains vitamin K, which can interfere with warfarin. The goal is consistent
vitamin K intake rather than complete avoidance.
Respiratory
11. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which prescription should the nurse question?
A. Oxygen at a prescribed low-flow rate
B. Continuous pulse oximetry
C. High-flow oxygen without a specific indication
D. Positioning upright
Answer: C
Rationale: Some clients with severe COPD require controlled oxygen therapy. Excessive oxygen
administration can worsen CO₂ retention in susceptible patients.
12. Which finding is characteristic of emphysema?
A. Barrel-shaped chest
B. Massive peripheral edema in all cases
C. Productive cough with purulent sputum as the defining feature
D. Pleural friction rub
(Medsurg) Proctored Exam Package
Containing Actual and Retake Versions,
Each Version 100 Screenshot Questions
and Answers
ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Cardiovascular
1. A nurse is assessing a client who may be experiencing left-sided heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Dependent edema
B. Crackles in the lungs
C. Ascites
D. Jugular venous distention
Answer: B
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, resulting in dyspnea and
crackles. Right-sided failure more commonly causes peripheral edema, ascites, and jugular
venous distention.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Potassium
B. Calcium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary potassium excretion and can
cause hypokalemia.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin. Which finding requires immediate action?
A. Heart rate of 54/min
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18/min
D. Temperature of 37°C (98.6°F)
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. A significant decrease in heart rate should prompt
assessment and may require withholding the medication according to prescribed parameters.
4. Which finding is most characteristic of myocardial infarction?
A. Chest pressure that may radiate to the arm or jaw
B. Pain relieved immediately by eating
C. Sharp pain occurring only with movement
D. Mild ankle edema
Answer: A
Rationale: MI commonly causes pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest that can radiate
to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw.
5. A client reports severe chest pain and diaphoresis. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A. Obtain an ECG
B. Offer a meal
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Place the client in a prone position
Answer: A
Rationale: An ECG should be obtained promptly when acute coronary syndrome is suspected to
identify ischemic changes and guide treatment.
6. Which assessment finding is expected in a client with peripheral arterial disease?
,A. Warm legs with brown pigmentation
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Bilateral dependent edema
D. Bounding pedal pulses
Answer: B
Rationale: Peripheral arterial disease reduces arterial blood flow and commonly causes
exertional leg pain relieved by rest.
7. A client with peripheral arterial disease asks how to protect the feet. Which instruction is
appropriate?
A. Walk barefoot at home
B. Apply heating pads to cold feet
C. Inspect the feet daily
D. Soak the feet in hot water
Answer: C
Rationale: Daily inspection helps identify wounds early. Reduced arterial circulation can delay
healing and increase the risk of tissue injury.
8. Which finding is most consistent with chronic venous insufficiency?
A. Cool, pale extremity
B. Dependent edema
C. Absent pulses
D. Pain relieved by dangling the leg
Answer: B
Rationale: Venous insufficiency commonly causes dependent edema, venous stasis changes,
and lower-leg skin discoloration.
9. A client receiving warfarin should be monitored using which laboratory test?
A. INR
B. Troponin
, C. aPTT only
D. Serum amylase
Answer: A
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
10. Which food should a client taking warfarin consume consistently rather than suddenly
increasing or decreasing?
A. Spinach
B. White rice
C. Apples
D. Chicken
Answer: A
Rationale: Spinach contains vitamin K, which can interfere with warfarin. The goal is consistent
vitamin K intake rather than complete avoidance.
Respiratory
11. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which prescription should the nurse question?
A. Oxygen at a prescribed low-flow rate
B. Continuous pulse oximetry
C. High-flow oxygen without a specific indication
D. Positioning upright
Answer: C
Rationale: Some clients with severe COPD require controlled oxygen therapy. Excessive oxygen
administration can worsen CO₂ retention in susceptible patients.
12. Which finding is characteristic of emphysema?
A. Barrel-shaped chest
B. Massive peripheral edema in all cases
C. Productive cough with purulent sputum as the defining feature
D. Pleural friction rub
