ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026–2027: 100
Comprehensive Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales (Latest ATI-Style Review Guide)
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing chest pain. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Administer oxygen if indicated
C. Give prescribed morphine
D. Obtain a complete health history
Answer: B Rationale: Follow the ABCs. Ensure adequate oxygenation first if indicated, then
continue the cardiac evaluation.
2. A client with heart failure has crackles in both lungs. Which finding indicates worsening
fluid overload?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
3. Which laboratory value should the nurse report immediately for a client receiving
warfarin?
A. INR 1.2
B. INR 2.5
C. INR 5.0
D. INR 2.0
Answer: C Rationale: An INR of 5.0 indicates a high risk of bleeding.
4. Which finding is expected in a client with left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular vein distention
,B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C Rationale: Left-sided heart failure commonly causes pulmonary congestion.
5. A client with COPD should receive oxygen therapy with caution because:
A. Oxygen causes pneumonia.
B. High oxygen levels can reduce respiratory drive.
C. Oxygen increases heart rate.
D. Oxygen damages the lungs.
Answer: B Rationale: Excessive oxygen may suppress respiratory drive in some clients with
COPD.
6. Which intervention is the priority for a client having an asthma attack?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Administer a prescribed bronchodilator
C. Teach pursed-lip breathing
D. Restrict activity
Answer: B Rationale: Rapid bronchodilation is the priority during an acute attack.
7. A nurse should place a client with active tuberculosis in:
A. Contact precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Protective isolation
Answer: B Rationale: Tuberculosis spreads through airborne particles.
8. Which finding indicates effective treatment of pneumonia?
A. Increased fever
B. Improved oxygen saturation
, C. Increased sputum production
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: B Rationale: Improved oxygenation is a sign of recovery.
9. A client with diabetes reports shakiness and sweating. The nurse should first:
A. Check the blood glucose level
B. Administer insulin
C. Encourage exercise
D. Call the provider
Answer: A Rationale: These are symptoms of hypoglycaemia; verify the glucose level
immediately.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance commonly occurs with prolonged vomiting?
A. Hyperkalaemia
B. Hypokalaemia
C. Hypercalcaemia
D. Hypermagnesaemia
Answer: B Rationale: Vomiting causes potassium loss.
11. Which assessment finding is expected in hyperthyroidism?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Cold intolerance
Answer: C Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism, causing heat intolerance.
12. Which instruction should the nurse give a client taking levothyroxine?
A. Take it with meals.
B. Take it every morning on an empty stomach.
C. Stop when symptoms improve.
Comprehensive Practice Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales (Latest ATI-Style Review Guide)
1. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing chest pain. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Administer oxygen if indicated
C. Give prescribed morphine
D. Obtain a complete health history
Answer: B Rationale: Follow the ABCs. Ensure adequate oxygenation first if indicated, then
continue the cardiac evaluation.
2. A client with heart failure has crackles in both lungs. Which finding indicates worsening
fluid overload?
A. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
B. Dry mucous membranes
C. Bradycardia
D. Increased urine output
Answer: A Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention and worsening heart failure.
3. Which laboratory value should the nurse report immediately for a client receiving
warfarin?
A. INR 1.2
B. INR 2.5
C. INR 5.0
D. INR 2.0
Answer: C Rationale: An INR of 5.0 indicates a high risk of bleeding.
4. Which finding is expected in a client with left-sided heart failure?
A. Jugular vein distention
,B. Peripheral edema
C. Pulmonary crackles
D. Enlarged liver
Answer: C Rationale: Left-sided heart failure commonly causes pulmonary congestion.
5. A client with COPD should receive oxygen therapy with caution because:
A. Oxygen causes pneumonia.
B. High oxygen levels can reduce respiratory drive.
C. Oxygen increases heart rate.
D. Oxygen damages the lungs.
Answer: B Rationale: Excessive oxygen may suppress respiratory drive in some clients with
COPD.
6. Which intervention is the priority for a client having an asthma attack?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Administer a prescribed bronchodilator
C. Teach pursed-lip breathing
D. Restrict activity
Answer: B Rationale: Rapid bronchodilation is the priority during an acute attack.
7. A nurse should place a client with active tuberculosis in:
A. Contact precautions
B. Airborne precautions
C. Droplet precautions
D. Protective isolation
Answer: B Rationale: Tuberculosis spreads through airborne particles.
8. Which finding indicates effective treatment of pneumonia?
A. Increased fever
B. Improved oxygen saturation
, C. Increased sputum production
D. Decreased appetite
Answer: B Rationale: Improved oxygenation is a sign of recovery.
9. A client with diabetes reports shakiness and sweating. The nurse should first:
A. Check the blood glucose level
B. Administer insulin
C. Encourage exercise
D. Call the provider
Answer: A Rationale: These are symptoms of hypoglycaemia; verify the glucose level
immediately.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance commonly occurs with prolonged vomiting?
A. Hyperkalaemia
B. Hypokalaemia
C. Hypercalcaemia
D. Hypermagnesaemia
Answer: B Rationale: Vomiting causes potassium loss.
11. Which assessment finding is expected in hyperthyroidism?
A. Bradycardia
B. Weight gain
C. Heat intolerance
D. Cold intolerance
Answer: C Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism, causing heat intolerance.
12. Which instruction should the nurse give a client taking levothyroxine?
A. Take it with meals.
B. Take it every morning on an empty stomach.
C. Stop when symptoms improve.
