ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored
Assessment Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 | Comprehensive
Review | Capstone | Predictor | Pass
Guarantee
Question 1 A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased urine output B. Increased thirst C. Weight gain D. Decreased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Polyuria, polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyphagia are the classic triad of type 1
diabetes due to osmotic diuresis from hyperglycemia. Weight loss is common, not weight gain.
Question 2 A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV heparin for deep vein thrombosis.
The client’s aPTT is 120 seconds (therapeutic range 60–80 seconds). Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Continue the infusion at the current rate B. Hold the heparin infusion C. Increase the infusion
rate D. Administer protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: An aPTT >100 seconds is supratherapeutic and places the client at high risk for
bleeding. The priority action is to hold the infusion immediately and notify the provider.
Question 3 A nurse is caring for a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse expect to be elevated?
A. Serum calcium B. Serum amylase and lipase C. Serum potassium D. Serum sodium
Answer: B
, Rationale: Acute pancreatitis causes inflammation and autodigestion of the pancreas, resulting
in markedly elevated serum amylase and lipase levels (often >3 times the upper limit of normal).
Question 4 A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has heart failure about dietary
restrictions. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to limit?
A. Fresh fruits B. Canned soup C. Whole-grain bread D. Unsalted nuts
Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are very high in sodium, which can worsen fluid retention in heart
failure. Clients should be taught to choose low-sodium or no-salt-added options.
Question 5 A nurse is caring for a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
A. “I will change the pouch when it is one-third full of stool.” B. “I should avoid eating broccoli
and cabbage.” C. “I will keep the skin around the stoma clean and dry.” D. “I can resume my
normal diet right away.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with a new colostomy should start with a low-fiber diet and gradually
reintroduce foods. Immediate resumption of a normal diet can cause obstruction or excessive
gas/stool output.
Question 6 A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following findings is
consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Hyperresonance to percussion B. Decreased tactile fremitus C. Bronchial breath sounds over
affected area D. Clear lung sounds bilaterally
Answer: C
Rationale: Consolidation (pneumonia) transmits high-frequency sounds better, producing
bronchial breath sounds over the affected lung tissue.
Assessment Questions and Answers with
Rationales 2026/2027 | Comprehensive
Review | Capstone | Predictor | Pass
Guarantee
Question 1 A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased urine output B. Increased thirst C. Weight gain D. Decreased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Polyuria, polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyphagia are the classic triad of type 1
diabetes due to osmotic diuresis from hyperglycemia. Weight loss is common, not weight gain.
Question 2 A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV heparin for deep vein thrombosis.
The client’s aPTT is 120 seconds (therapeutic range 60–80 seconds). Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Continue the infusion at the current rate B. Hold the heparin infusion C. Increase the infusion
rate D. Administer protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: An aPTT >100 seconds is supratherapeutic and places the client at high risk for
bleeding. The priority action is to hold the infusion immediately and notify the provider.
Question 3 A nurse is caring for a client who has acute pancreatitis. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse expect to be elevated?
A. Serum calcium B. Serum amylase and lipase C. Serum potassium D. Serum sodium
Answer: B
, Rationale: Acute pancreatitis causes inflammation and autodigestion of the pancreas, resulting
in markedly elevated serum amylase and lipase levels (often >3 times the upper limit of normal).
Question 4 A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has heart failure about dietary
restrictions. Which of the following foods should the nurse instruct the client to limit?
A. Fresh fruits B. Canned soup C. Whole-grain bread D. Unsalted nuts
Answer: B
Rationale: Canned soups are very high in sodium, which can worsen fluid retention in heart
failure. Clients should be taught to choose low-sodium or no-salt-added options.
Question 5 A nurse is caring for a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
A. “I will change the pouch when it is one-third full of stool.” B. “I should avoid eating broccoli
and cabbage.” C. “I will keep the skin around the stoma clean and dry.” D. “I can resume my
normal diet right away.”
Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with a new colostomy should start with a low-fiber diet and gradually
reintroduce foods. Immediate resumption of a normal diet can cause obstruction or excessive
gas/stool output.
Question 6 A nurse is assessing a client who has pneumonia. Which of the following findings is
consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Hyperresonance to percussion B. Decreased tactile fremitus C. Bronchial breath sounds over
affected area D. Clear lung sounds bilaterally
Answer: C
Rationale: Consolidation (pneumonia) transmits high-frequency sounds better, producing
bronchial breath sounds over the affected lung tissue.
