1|Page
ATI MED SURG PROCTORED NEWEST
2026 TEST BANK AND STUDY GUIDE
WITH 1500 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) | ALREADY GRADED A+
ATI RN Med-Surg Practice Questions
1. A patient with heart failure has dyspnea and crackles in both lungs. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Increase oral fluid intake
B. Administer prescribed diuretic
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Document findings
Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid overload; diuretics reduce pulmonary congestion and improve
breathing.
2. A patient receiving warfarin reports dark, tarry stools. What should the nurse do?
A. Hold the next dose and notify the provider
B. Increase the dose of warfarin
C. Document and continue therapy
D. Encourage high-fiber diet
Answer: A
Rationale: Dark stools indicate GI bleeding, a serious complication of anticoagulants.
3. A patient with COPD is prescribed a bronchodilator. Which side effect should the nurse
monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-agonist bronchodilators can cause tachycardia and tremors.
4. A patient is postoperative from abdominal surgery and reports calf pain, swelling, and
redness. What is the priority action?
A. Apply warm compress
B. Notify provider
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Elevate the leg
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of DVT, which requires immediate evaluation.
5. A patient with diabetes has blood glucose 300 mg/dL, fruity breath, and nausea. What is
the priority action?
A. Administer insulin as prescribed
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Document findings
Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hyperglycemia/possible diabetic ketoacidosis; insulin is urgent.
6. Which food should a patient with gout avoid?
A. Leafy greens
B. Organ meats
C. Rice
D. Apples
Answer: B
Rationale: Organ meats are high in purines, which increase uric acid and exacerbate gout.
7. A patient with CKD is at risk for hyperkalemia. Which ECG change would indicate this?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
C. ST elevation
D. U waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves on ECG.
8. A patient with COPD is experiencing shortness of breath and O₂ sat 86%. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Increase activity level
B. Administer supplemental oxygen
C. Encourage fluids
D. Provide cough syrup
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia is life-threatening; oxygen therapy is the priority.
9. A patient with cirrhosis has confusion and asterixis. Which lab supports hepatic
encephalopathy?
A. Ammonia 110 µmol/L
B. Albumin 4.0 g/dL
C. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated ammonia contributes to neurotoxicity in hepatic encephalopathy.
10. A patient on digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual changes. What is the first
nursing action?
A. Administer the next dose
B. Hold medication and notify provider
C. Encourage fluids
D. Give antacids
Answer: B
Rationale: These are classic digoxin toxicity signs; prompt provider notification is required.
11. A patient with a new diagnosis of diabetes is learning to inject insulin. Which teaching
point is most important?
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
A. Rotate injection sites
B. Always inject in the same spot
C. Use alcohol wipes only if the site looks dirty
D. Inject only before bedtime
Answer: A
Rationale: Rotating sites prevents lipodystrophy and ensures consistent insulin absorption.
12. A patient has a post-lumbar puncture headache. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Lie flat and hydrate
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Administer antacids
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Post-lumbar puncture headaches improve with supine positioning and hydration.
13. A patient with RA reports joint stiffness in the morning. Which intervention is most
effective?
A. Bed rest all day
B. Gentle range-of-motion exercises
C. Heavy weight lifting
D. Avoid exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Gentle exercise reduces stiffness and maintains joint function.
14. A patient with MI is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingually. Which instruction is most
important?
A. Take while sitting or lying down
B. Take with a large meal
C. Take every 2 hours regardless of pain
D. Avoid fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension; sitting or lying down prevents falls.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
ATI MED SURG PROCTORED NEWEST
2026 TEST BANK AND STUDY GUIDE
WITH 1500 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) | ALREADY GRADED A+
ATI RN Med-Surg Practice Questions
1. A patient with heart failure has dyspnea and crackles in both lungs. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Increase oral fluid intake
B. Administer prescribed diuretic
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Document findings
Answer: B
Rationale: Crackles indicate fluid overload; diuretics reduce pulmonary congestion and improve
breathing.
2. A patient receiving warfarin reports dark, tarry stools. What should the nurse do?
A. Hold the next dose and notify the provider
B. Increase the dose of warfarin
C. Document and continue therapy
D. Encourage high-fiber diet
Answer: A
Rationale: Dark stools indicate GI bleeding, a serious complication of anticoagulants.
3. A patient with COPD is prescribed a bronchodilator. Which side effect should the nurse
monitor?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-agonist bronchodilators can cause tachycardia and tremors.
4. A patient is postoperative from abdominal surgery and reports calf pain, swelling, and
redness. What is the priority action?
A. Apply warm compress
B. Notify provider
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Elevate the leg
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of DVT, which requires immediate evaluation.
5. A patient with diabetes has blood glucose 300 mg/dL, fruity breath, and nausea. What is
the priority action?
A. Administer insulin as prescribed
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Document findings
Answer: A
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hyperglycemia/possible diabetic ketoacidosis; insulin is urgent.
6. Which food should a patient with gout avoid?
A. Leafy greens
B. Organ meats
C. Rice
D. Apples
Answer: B
Rationale: Organ meats are high in purines, which increase uric acid and exacerbate gout.
7. A patient with CKD is at risk for hyperkalemia. Which ECG change would indicate this?
A. Peaked T waves
B. Prolonged QT interval
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
C. ST elevation
D. U waves
Answer: A
Rationale: Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves on ECG.
8. A patient with COPD is experiencing shortness of breath and O₂ sat 86%. Which action
should the nurse take first?
A. Increase activity level
B. Administer supplemental oxygen
C. Encourage fluids
D. Provide cough syrup
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoxia is life-threatening; oxygen therapy is the priority.
9. A patient with cirrhosis has confusion and asterixis. Which lab supports hepatic
encephalopathy?
A. Ammonia 110 µmol/L
B. Albumin 4.0 g/dL
C. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
D. Sodium 140 mEq/L
Answer: A
Rationale: Elevated ammonia contributes to neurotoxicity in hepatic encephalopathy.
10. A patient on digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual changes. What is the first
nursing action?
A. Administer the next dose
B. Hold medication and notify provider
C. Encourage fluids
D. Give antacids
Answer: B
Rationale: These are classic digoxin toxicity signs; prompt provider notification is required.
11. A patient with a new diagnosis of diabetes is learning to inject insulin. Which teaching
point is most important?
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
A. Rotate injection sites
B. Always inject in the same spot
C. Use alcohol wipes only if the site looks dirty
D. Inject only before bedtime
Answer: A
Rationale: Rotating sites prevents lipodystrophy and ensures consistent insulin absorption.
12. A patient has a post-lumbar puncture headache. Which intervention is appropriate?
A. Lie flat and hydrate
B. Encourage ambulation
C. Administer antacids
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Post-lumbar puncture headaches improve with supine positioning and hydration.
13. A patient with RA reports joint stiffness in the morning. Which intervention is most
effective?
A. Bed rest all day
B. Gentle range-of-motion exercises
C. Heavy weight lifting
D. Avoid exercise
Answer: B
Rationale: Gentle exercise reduces stiffness and maintains joint function.
14. A patient with MI is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingually. Which instruction is most
important?
A. Take while sitting or lying down
B. Take with a large meal
C. Take every 2 hours regardless of pain
D. Avoid fluids
Answer: A
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension; sitting or lying down prevents falls.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
