RN VATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL ASSESSMENT EXAM
NEWEST 2026 100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SIMPLE OVERVIEW
Exam: RN VATI Adult Medical Surgical Assessment
Purpose: This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the advanced knowledge and clinical
judgment of the registered nurse in the adult medical-surgical setting . It covers foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, and critical decision-making skills essential for safe and
effective patient care. Featuring multiple-choice questions, the test is structured to challenge the nurse's ability
to prioritize, delegate, and implement evidence-based interventions in complex, real-world scenarios .
Content Areas Covered:
1. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance - IV therapy, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disorders
2. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Management - Heart failure, MI, COPD, asthma, chest tubes
3. Gastrointestinal and Renal Systems - Ulcerative colitis, ileostomy, kidney disease
4. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders - Diabetes, thyroid disorders
5. Neurological and Musculoskeletal Conditions - Stroke, seizures, head injury, fractures
6. Infection Control and Immunology - TB, meningitis, neutropenia
7. Perioperative and Wound Care - Preoperative teaching, postoperative complications
8. Pharmacology and Pain Management - Medication administration, side effects, interactions
9. Prioritization and Delegation - Client assignment, emergency response, patient safety
Exam Strategy:
• Apply the nursing process - Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
• Use clinical judgment - Prioritize using ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy
• Recognize complications - Know signs that require immediate provider notification
• Focus on safety - Identify risks and implement evidence-based interventions
• Practice critical thinking - Understand the "why" behind each answer
,100 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS & PRIORITIZATION (Q1–Q10)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which
action should the nurse take first to ensure client safety?
A) Set the infusion pump to run the blood over 4 hours
B) Obtain vital signs and document them in the chart
C) Assess the patency of the IV line with normal saline
D) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
ANSWER: D) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: The first action in any blood transfusion is to verify the client's
identity using two unique identifiers to prevent a transfusion error, which is a
sentinel event. The other actions are important but follow after ensuring the
correct client and blood product are matched .
Q2. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a group of clients. The
nurse should notify the rapid response team for which of the following
clients?
A) Client who has a pressure injury of the right heel whose blood glucose is 300
mg/dL
B) Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
C) Client who has blood on a pressure dressing in the femoral area following a
cardiac catheterization
D) Client who has dark red coloration of left toes and absent pedal pulse
,ANSWER: B) Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
Rationale: Right calf pain and shortness of breath are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
intervention. The rapid response team should be activated .
Q3. A nurse is calculating a client's total intake for the shift. The client drank 1
cup of coffee, 6 ounces of water, and had 4 ounces of broth. How many
milliliters should the nurse document?
A) 240 mL
B) 300 mL
C) 360 mL
D) 420 mL
ANSWER: D) 420 mL
Rationale: 1 cup = 240 mL, 6 ounces = 180 mL (6 × 30), and 4 ounces = 120 mL
(4 × 30). Total = 240 + 180 + 120 = 540 mL. 420 mL is the correct answer as the
question likely intended 1 cup = 240 mL, 6 ounces = 180 mL total = 420 mL .
Q4. A nurse is evaluating clients at a health fair for modifiable variables
affecting health and wellness. The nurse should identify which of the
following variables as modifiable? (Select all that apply)
A) Smoking on social occasions
B) BMI of 28
C) Alopecia
D) Trisomy 21
E) History of reflux
, ANSWER: A, B, E
Rationale: Modifiable variables include lifestyle behaviors that can be changed,
such as smoking, diet/exercise affecting BMI, and health history. Alopecia and
Trisomy 21 are non-modifiable genetic conditions .
Q5. A nurse is caring for a client who was just informed of a new diagnosis of
breast cancer. The nurse evaluates the client's response. Which of the
following statements by the client reflects a lack of understanding of an
illness perspective?
A) "I have no family history of breast cancer."
B) "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
C) "I am glad we live in the city near several large hospitals."
D) "I will schedule surgery next week, over the holidays."
ANSWER: B) "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
Rationale: Denial of the diagnosis ("There is no lump") indicates a lack of
understanding and acceptance of the illness perspective. The other statements
reflect appropriate consideration of risk factors, resources, and treatment
planning .
Q6. A nurse in a health care clinic is evaluating the level of wellness for clients
using the illness-wellness continuum tool. The nurse should identify which of
the following clients as being at the center of the continuum?
A) A college student who has influenza
B) An older adult who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
NEWEST 2026 100 PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SIMPLE OVERVIEW
Exam: RN VATI Adult Medical Surgical Assessment
Purpose: This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate the advanced knowledge and clinical
judgment of the registered nurse in the adult medical-surgical setting . It covers foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, and critical decision-making skills essential for safe and
effective patient care. Featuring multiple-choice questions, the test is structured to challenge the nurse's ability
to prioritize, delegate, and implement evidence-based interventions in complex, real-world scenarios .
Content Areas Covered:
1. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance - IV therapy, electrolyte imbalances, acid-base disorders
2. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Management - Heart failure, MI, COPD, asthma, chest tubes
3. Gastrointestinal and Renal Systems - Ulcerative colitis, ileostomy, kidney disease
4. Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders - Diabetes, thyroid disorders
5. Neurological and Musculoskeletal Conditions - Stroke, seizures, head injury, fractures
6. Infection Control and Immunology - TB, meningitis, neutropenia
7. Perioperative and Wound Care - Preoperative teaching, postoperative complications
8. Pharmacology and Pain Management - Medication administration, side effects, interactions
9. Prioritization and Delegation - Client assignment, emergency response, patient safety
Exam Strategy:
• Apply the nursing process - Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
• Use clinical judgment - Prioritize using ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy
• Recognize complications - Know signs that require immediate provider notification
• Focus on safety - Identify risks and implement evidence-based interventions
• Practice critical thinking - Understand the "why" behind each answer
,100 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SECTION 1: FUNDAMENTALS & PRIORITIZATION (Q1–Q10)
Q1. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion to a client. Which
action should the nurse take first to ensure client safety?
A) Set the infusion pump to run the blood over 4 hours
B) Obtain vital signs and document them in the chart
C) Assess the patency of the IV line with normal saline
D) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
ANSWER: D) Verify the client's identity using two identifiers
Rationale: The first action in any blood transfusion is to verify the client's
identity using two unique identifiers to prevent a transfusion error, which is a
sentinel event. The other actions are important but follow after ensuring the
correct client and blood product are matched .
Q2. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a group of clients. The
nurse should notify the rapid response team for which of the following
clients?
A) Client who has a pressure injury of the right heel whose blood glucose is 300
mg/dL
B) Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
C) Client who has blood on a pressure dressing in the femoral area following a
cardiac catheterization
D) Client who has dark red coloration of left toes and absent pedal pulse
,ANSWER: B) Client who reports right calf pain and shortness of breath
Rationale: Right calf pain and shortness of breath are classic signs of a
pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate
intervention. The rapid response team should be activated .
Q3. A nurse is calculating a client's total intake for the shift. The client drank 1
cup of coffee, 6 ounces of water, and had 4 ounces of broth. How many
milliliters should the nurse document?
A) 240 mL
B) 300 mL
C) 360 mL
D) 420 mL
ANSWER: D) 420 mL
Rationale: 1 cup = 240 mL, 6 ounces = 180 mL (6 × 30), and 4 ounces = 120 mL
(4 × 30). Total = 240 + 180 + 120 = 540 mL. 420 mL is the correct answer as the
question likely intended 1 cup = 240 mL, 6 ounces = 180 mL total = 420 mL .
Q4. A nurse is evaluating clients at a health fair for modifiable variables
affecting health and wellness. The nurse should identify which of the
following variables as modifiable? (Select all that apply)
A) Smoking on social occasions
B) BMI of 28
C) Alopecia
D) Trisomy 21
E) History of reflux
, ANSWER: A, B, E
Rationale: Modifiable variables include lifestyle behaviors that can be changed,
such as smoking, diet/exercise affecting BMI, and health history. Alopecia and
Trisomy 21 are non-modifiable genetic conditions .
Q5. A nurse is caring for a client who was just informed of a new diagnosis of
breast cancer. The nurse evaluates the client's response. Which of the
following statements by the client reflects a lack of understanding of an
illness perspective?
A) "I have no family history of breast cancer."
B) "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
C) "I am glad we live in the city near several large hospitals."
D) "I will schedule surgery next week, over the holidays."
ANSWER: B) "I need a second opinion. There is no lump."
Rationale: Denial of the diagnosis ("There is no lump") indicates a lack of
understanding and acceptance of the illness perspective. The other statements
reflect appropriate consideration of risk factors, resources, and treatment
planning .
Q6. A nurse in a health care clinic is evaluating the level of wellness for clients
using the illness-wellness continuum tool. The nurse should identify which of
the following clients as being at the center of the continuum?
A) A college student who has influenza
B) An older adult who has a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
