ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL PROCTORED EXAM 2026/2027 - 400 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES | NGN | LEVEL 3
Course: ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical CMS 2026/2027 | 400 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition | NGN Format
Original 2026/2027 content based on ATI standards, Lewis, Saunders, NCSBN CJMM. Author-created for study. Not official ATI exam.
1. DKA: First IV fluid
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
2. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
3. Chest tube: Tidaling absent
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
4. COPD: O2 target
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
5. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 5 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
6. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 6 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
7. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 7 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
,Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
8. COPD: O2 target (Variant 8 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
9. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 9 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
10. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 10 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
11. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 11 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
12. COPD: O2 target (Variant 12 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
13. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 13 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
14. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 14 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
15. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 15 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
, Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
16. COPD: O2 target (Variant 16 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
17. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 17 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
18. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 18 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
19. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 19 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
20. COPD: O2 target (Variant 20 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
21. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 21 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
22. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 22 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
, 23. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 23 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
24. COPD: O2 target (Variant 24 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
25. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 25 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
26. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 26 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
27. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 27 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
28. COPD: O2 target (Variant 28 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
29. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 29 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
30. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 30 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
QUESTIONS & RATIONALES | NGN | LEVEL 3
Course: ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical CMS 2026/2027 | 400 Verified Questions | 2026/2027 Edition | NGN Format
Original 2026/2027 content based on ATI standards, Lewis, Saunders, NCSBN CJMM. Author-created for study. Not official ATI exam.
1. DKA: First IV fluid
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
2. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
3. Chest tube: Tidaling absent
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
4. COPD: O2 target
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
5. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 5 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
6. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 6 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
7. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 7 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
,Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
8. COPD: O2 target (Variant 8 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
9. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 9 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
10. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 10 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
11. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 11 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
12. COPD: O2 target (Variant 12 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
13. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 13 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
14. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 14 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
15. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 15 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
, Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
16. COPD: O2 target (Variant 16 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
17. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 17 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
18. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 18 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
19. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 19 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
20. COPD: O2 target (Variant 20 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
21. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 21 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
22. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 22 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
, 23. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 23 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
24. COPD: O2 target (Variant 24 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
25. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 25 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
26. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 26 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
Discharge
Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor = laryngeal edema/bleeding/tetany. Emergency airway.
27. Chest tube: Tidaling absent (Variant 27 - 2026/2027)
Obstruction or lung re-expanded - assess
Normal
Infection
Always resolved
Answer: A
Rationale: Absent tidaling may mean obstruction/clot or lung fully expanded. Assess breath sounds, X-ray, drainage.
28. COPD: O2 target (Variant 28 - 2026/2027)
88-92% with 1-2L nasal cannula
100% non-rebreather
No O2
15L
Answer: A
Rationale: COPD chronic CO2 retainer: low-flow O2 1-2L, target 88-92% to avoid suppressing hypoxic drive.
29. DKA: First IV fluid (Variant 29 - 2026/2027)
0.9% NS
D5W
0.45% NS
LR
Answer: A
Rationale: DKA first fluid NS to restore volume, then 0.45% NS, add dextrose when glucose <250 to prevent cerebral edema and
hypoglycemia.
30. Thyroidectomy: Stridor post-op (Variant 30 - 2026/2027)
Airway emergency - prepare tracheostomy set, call provider
Give water
Cough
