2026 ATI AdulT MedIcAl-SurgIcAl
ProcTored exAM coMPrehenSIve STudy
guIde | AdulT heAlTh dISorderS, MedIcAl-
SurgIcAl nurSIng InTervenTIonS, clInIcAl
PrIorITIzATIon, PhArMAcology, dIAgnoSTIc
InTerPreTATIon, nclex-STyle PrAcTIce
QueSTIonS & hIgh-yIeld exAM PrePArATIon
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which laboratory result indicates the
severity of the patient's condition?
A) Serum glucose level
B) B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum electrolytes
Correct Option: B) B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
Rationale: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a biomarker used to diagnose and assess
the severity of heart failure. Elevated BNP levels indicate increased myocardial stress
and fluid overload, commonly associated with heart failure.
Question 2:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing increased
shortness of breath. What should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
A) Encourage high-flow oxygen therapy
B) Administer bronchodilator medication
C) Initiate mechanical ventilation
D) Increase fluid intake
Correct Option: B) Administer bronchodilator medication
Rationale: Bronchodilators are critical in relieving bronchospasm and improving airflow
in patients with COPD. While oxygen therapy may be necessary, it should not supersede
the need for bronchodilators in acute situations.
Question 3:
In a patient diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, which assessment finding would the
nurse expect to observe?
,A) Hypertension
B) Jaundice
C) Abdominal rigidity
D) Periorbital edema
Correct Option: C) Abdominal rigidity
Rationale: Abdominal rigidity is commonly observed in acute pancreatitis due to
inflammation and irritation of the peritoneum. Other findings may include pain and
tenderness, but rigidity is a key assessment sign indicating potential complications.
Question 4:
A post-operative patient is experiencing severe pain despite receiving the prescribed
analgesia. What is the best nursing intervention?
A) Reassess the patient's pain using a pain scale
B) Increase the dosage of the prescribed medication
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Encourage the patient to practice deep breathing exercises
Correct Option: A) Reassess the patient's pain using a pain scale
Rationale: Reassessing pain using a standardized pain scale helps determine the
effectiveness of current analgesia and guides further interventions. Before making
medication changes or notifying the provider, it is essential to assess the pain
comprehensively.
Question 5:
During a health promotion seminar, a nurse discusses cardiovascular health. Which
statement made by a participant indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will increase my intake of fruits and vegetables."
B) "I should avoid trans fats in my diet."
C) "I can eat as much salt as I want as long as I don’t have high blood pressure."
D) "Exercising regularly can improve my heart health."
Correct Option: C) "I can eat as much salt as I want as long as I don’t have high
blood pressure."
Rationale: This statement reflects a misunderstanding of dietary sodium. High salt
intake can contribute to cardiovascular disease and should be moderated regardless of
current blood pressure status, as it can affect fluid balance and cardiovascular health.
Question 6:
,A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient after an acute myocardial infarction. Which
instruction should be prioritized?
A) "You can return to your regular activities immediately."
B) "You should limit your physical activity to gentle walking."
C) "Stop all medications as soon as you feel better."
D) "It's okay to consume alcohol in moderation."
Correct Option: B) "You should limit your physical activity to gentle walking."
Rationale: After an acute myocardial infarction, patients are encouraged to gradually
increase physical activity as they recover, starting with light activities to improve
cardiovascular health while preventing complications.
Question 7:
A patient with diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which lab value
would the nurse expect to find?
A) Low blood glucose
B) Elevated blood ketones
C) Decreased serum bicarbonate
D) Normal arterial blood gases
Correct Option: B) Elevated blood ketones
Rationale: DKA is characterized by high levels of ketones due to the body's inability to
utilize glucose, leading to increased fat metabolism. This condition typically results in
elevated blood ketone levels and metabolic acidosis.
Question 8:
A nurse assessing a patient with pneumonia notes the patient has a productive cough
with green sputum. What does this indicate?
A) Viral infection
B) Allergic reaction
C) Bacterial infection
D) Normal lung function
Correct Option: C) Bacterial infection
Rationale: Green sputum is often associated with bacterial infections due to the
presence of pus cells and bacteria. This finding warrants further clinical evaluation and
potentially antibiotic treatment.
, Question 9:
Which medication is commonly prescribed for patients with hypertension and diabetes
due to its renal protective effects?
A) Furosemide
B) Metoprolol
C) Lisinopril
D) Amlodipine
Correct Option: C) Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, not only treats hypertension but also provides
renal protection, particularly beneficial for diabetic patients who are at risk of
nephropathy.
Question 10:
A nurse is about to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube (NGT). What is the
most critical action to take?
A) Crush all pills before administration
B) Use a large syringe to ensure delivery
C) Confirm placement of the NGT
D) Flush the tube with cold water
Correct Option: C) Confirm placement of the NGT
Rationale: Confirming NGT placement is crucial to ensure that the medication is
delivered into the stomach and prevents aspiration into the lungs, which can lead to
serious complications.
Question 11:
A patient is diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which assessment finding
would the nurse expect?
A) Coolness of the affected limb
B) Warmth and swelling
C) Pallor of the affected leg
D) Absence of pulses in the affected limb
Correct Option: B) Warmth and swelling
Rationale: DVT typically presents with warmth, swelling, and redness of the affected
limb due to inflammation and venous engorgement, which are key indicators for further
evaluation.
ProcTored exAM coMPrehenSIve STudy
guIde | AdulT heAlTh dISorderS, MedIcAl-
SurgIcAl nurSIng InTervenTIonS, clInIcAl
PrIorITIzATIon, PhArMAcology, dIAgnoSTIc
InTerPreTATIon, nclex-STyle PrAcTIce
QueSTIonS & hIgh-yIeld exAM PrePArATIon
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which laboratory result indicates the
severity of the patient's condition?
A) Serum glucose level
B) B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum electrolytes
Correct Option: B) B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
Rationale: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a biomarker used to diagnose and assess
the severity of heart failure. Elevated BNP levels indicate increased myocardial stress
and fluid overload, commonly associated with heart failure.
Question 2:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing increased
shortness of breath. What should the nurse prioritize in the care plan?
A) Encourage high-flow oxygen therapy
B) Administer bronchodilator medication
C) Initiate mechanical ventilation
D) Increase fluid intake
Correct Option: B) Administer bronchodilator medication
Rationale: Bronchodilators are critical in relieving bronchospasm and improving airflow
in patients with COPD. While oxygen therapy may be necessary, it should not supersede
the need for bronchodilators in acute situations.
Question 3:
In a patient diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, which assessment finding would the
nurse expect to observe?
,A) Hypertension
B) Jaundice
C) Abdominal rigidity
D) Periorbital edema
Correct Option: C) Abdominal rigidity
Rationale: Abdominal rigidity is commonly observed in acute pancreatitis due to
inflammation and irritation of the peritoneum. Other findings may include pain and
tenderness, but rigidity is a key assessment sign indicating potential complications.
Question 4:
A post-operative patient is experiencing severe pain despite receiving the prescribed
analgesia. What is the best nursing intervention?
A) Reassess the patient's pain using a pain scale
B) Increase the dosage of the prescribed medication
C) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
D) Encourage the patient to practice deep breathing exercises
Correct Option: A) Reassess the patient's pain using a pain scale
Rationale: Reassessing pain using a standardized pain scale helps determine the
effectiveness of current analgesia and guides further interventions. Before making
medication changes or notifying the provider, it is essential to assess the pain
comprehensively.
Question 5:
During a health promotion seminar, a nurse discusses cardiovascular health. Which
statement made by a participant indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will increase my intake of fruits and vegetables."
B) "I should avoid trans fats in my diet."
C) "I can eat as much salt as I want as long as I don’t have high blood pressure."
D) "Exercising regularly can improve my heart health."
Correct Option: C) "I can eat as much salt as I want as long as I don’t have high
blood pressure."
Rationale: This statement reflects a misunderstanding of dietary sodium. High salt
intake can contribute to cardiovascular disease and should be moderated regardless of
current blood pressure status, as it can affect fluid balance and cardiovascular health.
Question 6:
,A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient after an acute myocardial infarction. Which
instruction should be prioritized?
A) "You can return to your regular activities immediately."
B) "You should limit your physical activity to gentle walking."
C) "Stop all medications as soon as you feel better."
D) "It's okay to consume alcohol in moderation."
Correct Option: B) "You should limit your physical activity to gentle walking."
Rationale: After an acute myocardial infarction, patients are encouraged to gradually
increase physical activity as they recover, starting with light activities to improve
cardiovascular health while preventing complications.
Question 7:
A patient with diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which lab value
would the nurse expect to find?
A) Low blood glucose
B) Elevated blood ketones
C) Decreased serum bicarbonate
D) Normal arterial blood gases
Correct Option: B) Elevated blood ketones
Rationale: DKA is characterized by high levels of ketones due to the body's inability to
utilize glucose, leading to increased fat metabolism. This condition typically results in
elevated blood ketone levels and metabolic acidosis.
Question 8:
A nurse assessing a patient with pneumonia notes the patient has a productive cough
with green sputum. What does this indicate?
A) Viral infection
B) Allergic reaction
C) Bacterial infection
D) Normal lung function
Correct Option: C) Bacterial infection
Rationale: Green sputum is often associated with bacterial infections due to the
presence of pus cells and bacteria. This finding warrants further clinical evaluation and
potentially antibiotic treatment.
, Question 9:
Which medication is commonly prescribed for patients with hypertension and diabetes
due to its renal protective effects?
A) Furosemide
B) Metoprolol
C) Lisinopril
D) Amlodipine
Correct Option: C) Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, not only treats hypertension but also provides
renal protection, particularly beneficial for diabetic patients who are at risk of
nephropathy.
Question 10:
A nurse is about to administer a medication via a nasogastric tube (NGT). What is the
most critical action to take?
A) Crush all pills before administration
B) Use a large syringe to ensure delivery
C) Confirm placement of the NGT
D) Flush the tube with cold water
Correct Option: C) Confirm placement of the NGT
Rationale: Confirming NGT placement is crucial to ensure that the medication is
delivered into the stomach and prevents aspiration into the lungs, which can lead to
serious complications.
Question 11:
A patient is diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which assessment finding
would the nurse expect?
A) Coolness of the affected limb
B) Warmth and swelling
C) Pallor of the affected leg
D) Absence of pulses in the affected limb
Correct Option: B) Warmth and swelling
Rationale: DVT typically presents with warmth, swelling, and redness of the affected
limb due to inflammation and venous engorgement, which are key indicators for further
evaluation.
