ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL 2026
(MEDSURG) PROCTORED EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports crushing substernal chest pain. Which finding
requires immediate action?
A. Pain rated 4/10
B. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
C. Heart rate of 82/min
D. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
Answer: B. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
Rationale: Diaphoresis and dyspnea accompanying chest pain can indicate acute myocardial
ischemia and require immediate assessment and intervention.
2. Which ECG finding is most concerning for acute myocardial infarction?
A. ST-segment elevation
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. First-degree AV block
D. Premature atrial contraction
Answer: A. ST-segment elevation
Rationale: New ST-segment elevation can indicate acute coronary occlusion and requires urgent
evaluation.
3. A client taking warfarin should be instructed to report which finding?
A. Mild thirst
B. Black, tarry stools
,C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: B. Black, tarry stools
Rationale: Melena can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a potentially serious complication of
anticoagulation.
4. Which laboratory value is used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. HbA1c
D. Serum sodium
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time is commonly used to monitor therapeutic
unfractionated heparin.
5. Which laboratory test is commonly used to monitor warfarin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Troponin
D. BNP
Answer: A. INR
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
6. A client with heart failure has severe dyspnea and pink, frothy sputum. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Dehydration
C. Pneumothorax
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Pulmonary edema
,Rationale: Severe dyspnea with pink, frothy sputum is characteristic of acute pulmonary edema.
7. Which position is generally most appropriate for a client experiencing acute pulmonary
edema?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and can reduce venous return to the
heart.
8. Which finding is commonly associated with left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Ascites only
C. Enlarged liver only
D. Dependent edema without respiratory symptoms
Answer: A. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes pulmonary congestion, which can produce crackles and
dyspnea.
9. Which finding is more characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hemoptysis
D. Wheezing only
Answer: B. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided failure causes systemic venous congestion, producing peripheral edema,
jugular venous distention, and sometimes ascites.
, 10. A client taking digoxin reports nausea and seeing yellow halos. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Digoxin toxicity
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Dehydration
D. Iron deficiency
Answer: A. Digoxin toxicity
Rationale: GI symptoms and visual disturbances such as yellow vision can occur with digoxin
toxicity.
11. Which electrolyte abnormality increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin and increases toxicity risk.
12. Before administering digoxin, the nurse should assess:
A. Apical pulse
B. Bowel sounds
C. Pupillary response
D. Skin turgor
Answer: A. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse should be assessed before
administration according to the prescribed parameters.
13. Which lifestyle change is appropriate for a client with hypertension?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Maintain a healthy weight
(MEDSURG) PROCTORED EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports crushing substernal chest pain. Which finding
requires immediate action?
A. Pain rated 4/10
B. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
C. Heart rate of 82/min
D. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
Answer: B. Diaphoresis and shortness of breath
Rationale: Diaphoresis and dyspnea accompanying chest pain can indicate acute myocardial
ischemia and require immediate assessment and intervention.
2. Which ECG finding is most concerning for acute myocardial infarction?
A. ST-segment elevation
B. Sinus bradycardia
C. First-degree AV block
D. Premature atrial contraction
Answer: A. ST-segment elevation
Rationale: New ST-segment elevation can indicate acute coronary occlusion and requires urgent
evaluation.
3. A client taking warfarin should be instructed to report which finding?
A. Mild thirst
B. Black, tarry stools
,C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional sneezing
Answer: B. Black, tarry stools
Rationale: Melena can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a potentially serious complication of
anticoagulation.
4. Which laboratory value is used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. HbA1c
D. Serum sodium
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Activated partial thromboplastin time is commonly used to monitor therapeutic
unfractionated heparin.
5. Which laboratory test is commonly used to monitor warfarin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Troponin
D. BNP
Answer: A. INR
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
6. A client with heart failure has severe dyspnea and pink, frothy sputum. Which complication
should the nurse suspect?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Dehydration
C. Pneumothorax
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Pulmonary edema
,Rationale: Severe dyspnea with pink, frothy sputum is characteristic of acute pulmonary edema.
7. Which position is generally most appropriate for a client experiencing acute pulmonary
edema?
A. Supine
B. High-Fowler's
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
Answer: B. High-Fowler's
Rationale: Upright positioning improves lung expansion and can reduce venous return to the
heart.
8. Which finding is commonly associated with left-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Ascites only
C. Enlarged liver only
D. Dependent edema without respiratory symptoms
Answer: A. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left-sided failure causes pulmonary congestion, which can produce crackles and
dyspnea.
9. Which finding is more characteristic of right-sided heart failure?
A. Pulmonary edema
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hemoptysis
D. Wheezing only
Answer: B. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Right-sided failure causes systemic venous congestion, producing peripheral edema,
jugular venous distention, and sometimes ascites.
, 10. A client taking digoxin reports nausea and seeing yellow halos. What should the nurse
suspect?
A. Digoxin toxicity
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Dehydration
D. Iron deficiency
Answer: A. Digoxin toxicity
Rationale: GI symptoms and visual disturbances such as yellow vision can occur with digoxin
toxicity.
11. Which electrolyte abnormality increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin and increases toxicity risk.
12. Before administering digoxin, the nurse should assess:
A. Apical pulse
B. Bowel sounds
C. Pupillary response
D. Skin turgor
Answer: A. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse should be assessed before
administration according to the prescribed parameters.
13. Which lifestyle change is appropriate for a client with hypertension?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Maintain a healthy weight
