ATI Med-Surg 2 Exam 2 | Test Bank - 2026/2027 Verified
Version | Complete Exam Questions & Detailed Answers (Latest
Update)
Question 1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as an indication of worsening left-sided heart
failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion and manifestations
such as crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral edema, jugular venous
distention, and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of right-sided heart
failure.
Question 2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary excretion of
sodium and water and can cause significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia can
lead to muscle weakness and potentially life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Potassium should therefore be monitored closely.
pg. 1
,Question 3. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute myocardial
infarction. Which medication is commonly administered to reduce platelet
aggregation?
A. Aspirin
B. Furosemide
C. Digoxin
D. Atorvastatin only after discharge
Correct Answer: A. Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and helps limit thrombus
formation during acute coronary syndrome. It is commonly administered
promptly unless contraindicated. The other medications do not provide the
immediate antiplatelet effect needed during an acute MI.
Question 4. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client who has
an acute myocardial infarction?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Occasional nausea
C. New-onset ventricular dysrhythmia
D. Heart rate of 88/min
Correct Answer: C. New-onset ventricular dysrhythmia
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias can significantly reduce cardiac output
and may progress to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They
require immediate recognition and intervention. Mild anxiety and nausea can
occur with MI but are not as immediately life-threatening.
Question 5. A client with angina reports chest pain after climbing stairs.
Which instruction should the nurse provide regarding prescribed sublingual
nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue
pg. 2
,C. Take the medication only after eating
D. Store the medication in the bathroom
Correct Answer: B. Place the tablet under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption through the oral mucosa. It should not be swallowed. Proper
storage is also important because nitroglycerin can lose potency when
improperly stored.
Question 6. A client taking nitroglycerin reports a headache. How should the
nurse respond?
A. “This indicates an allergic reaction.”
B. “Stop the medication permanently.”
C. “A headache can occur because nitroglycerin causes vasodilation.”
D. “Take an additional dose immediately.”
Correct Answer: C. “A headache can occur because nitroglycerin causes
vasodilation.”
Rationale: Headache is a common adverse effect of nitroglycerin because
vasodilation affects cerebral blood vessels. The nurse should assess the client
and follow the prescribed regimen rather than independently discontinuing
therapy.
Question 7. Which finding is most characteristic of peripheral arterial
disease?
A. Warm, edematous legs
B. Brown pigmentation around the ankles
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Pain relieved by standing
Correct Answer: C. Intermittent claudication
pg. 3
, Rationale: Peripheral arterial disease results from inadequate arterial blood
flow. Clients commonly experience intermittent claudication, characterized by
leg pain during activity that improves with rest. The affected extremity may be
cool, pale, and have diminished pulses.
Question 8. A client with peripheral arterial disease should be taught to
avoid:
A. Walking programs
B. Smoking
C. Wearing properly fitted shoes
D. Inspecting the feet daily
Correct Answer: B. Smoking
Rationale: Smoking causes vasoconstriction and accelerates atherosclerosis,
significantly worsening peripheral arterial disease. Smoking cessation is one
of the most important interventions for improving vascular health.
Question 9. A client has a deep-vein thrombosis. Which finding requires
immediate attention?
A. Mild calf tenderness
B. Sudden shortness of breath
C. Unilateral leg swelling
D. Warmth over the affected leg
Correct Answer: B. Sudden shortness of breath
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath in a client with DVT can indicate
pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when part of the
thrombus travels to the pulmonary circulation and can rapidly become life-
threatening.
pg. 4
Version | Complete Exam Questions & Detailed Answers (Latest
Update)
Question 1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding
should the nurse recognize as an indication of worsening left-sided heart
failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular venous distention
C. Crackles in the lungs
D. Hepatomegaly
Correct Answer: C. Crackles in the lungs
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes blood to back up into the
pulmonary circulation, resulting in pulmonary congestion and manifestations
such as crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral edema, jugular venous
distention, and hepatomegaly are more characteristic of right-sided heart
failure.
Question 2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which
laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor?
A. Calcium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases urinary excretion of
sodium and water and can cause significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia can
lead to muscle weakness and potentially life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias. Potassium should therefore be monitored closely.
pg. 1
,Question 3. A nurse is caring for a client experiencing an acute myocardial
infarction. Which medication is commonly administered to reduce platelet
aggregation?
A. Aspirin
B. Furosemide
C. Digoxin
D. Atorvastatin only after discharge
Correct Answer: A. Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and helps limit thrombus
formation during acute coronary syndrome. It is commonly administered
promptly unless contraindicated. The other medications do not provide the
immediate antiplatelet effect needed during an acute MI.
Question 4. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client who has
an acute myocardial infarction?
A. Mild anxiety
B. Occasional nausea
C. New-onset ventricular dysrhythmia
D. Heart rate of 88/min
Correct Answer: C. New-onset ventricular dysrhythmia
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias can significantly reduce cardiac output
and may progress to ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. They
require immediate recognition and intervention. Mild anxiety and nausea can
occur with MI but are not as immediately life-threatening.
Question 5. A client with angina reports chest pain after climbing stairs.
Which instruction should the nurse provide regarding prescribed sublingual
nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with water
B. Place the tablet under the tongue
pg. 2
,C. Take the medication only after eating
D. Store the medication in the bathroom
Correct Answer: B. Place the tablet under the tongue
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue for rapid
absorption through the oral mucosa. It should not be swallowed. Proper
storage is also important because nitroglycerin can lose potency when
improperly stored.
Question 6. A client taking nitroglycerin reports a headache. How should the
nurse respond?
A. “This indicates an allergic reaction.”
B. “Stop the medication permanently.”
C. “A headache can occur because nitroglycerin causes vasodilation.”
D. “Take an additional dose immediately.”
Correct Answer: C. “A headache can occur because nitroglycerin causes
vasodilation.”
Rationale: Headache is a common adverse effect of nitroglycerin because
vasodilation affects cerebral blood vessels. The nurse should assess the client
and follow the prescribed regimen rather than independently discontinuing
therapy.
Question 7. Which finding is most characteristic of peripheral arterial
disease?
A. Warm, edematous legs
B. Brown pigmentation around the ankles
C. Intermittent claudication
D. Pain relieved by standing
Correct Answer: C. Intermittent claudication
pg. 3
, Rationale: Peripheral arterial disease results from inadequate arterial blood
flow. Clients commonly experience intermittent claudication, characterized by
leg pain during activity that improves with rest. The affected extremity may be
cool, pale, and have diminished pulses.
Question 8. A client with peripheral arterial disease should be taught to
avoid:
A. Walking programs
B. Smoking
C. Wearing properly fitted shoes
D. Inspecting the feet daily
Correct Answer: B. Smoking
Rationale: Smoking causes vasoconstriction and accelerates atherosclerosis,
significantly worsening peripheral arterial disease. Smoking cessation is one
of the most important interventions for improving vascular health.
Question 9. A client has a deep-vein thrombosis. Which finding requires
immediate attention?
A. Mild calf tenderness
B. Sudden shortness of breath
C. Unilateral leg swelling
D. Warmth over the affected leg
Correct Answer: B. Sudden shortness of breath
Rationale: Sudden shortness of breath in a client with DVT can indicate
pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism occurs when part of the
thrombus travels to the pulmonary circulation and can rapidly become life-
threatening.
pg. 4
