ATI AdulT MedIcAl-SurgIcAl ProcTored exAM 2026
lATeST VerSIon | coMPleTe ATI rn Med-Surg
QueSTIonS & AnSwerS wITh rATIonAleS |
coMPrehenSIVe AdulT MedIcAl-SurgIcAl nurSIng
STudy guIde & exAM PreP Bundle
Exam Title: ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026
Question 1: Which of the following is a priority nursing assessment for a patient post-
surgery?
A) Pain level
B) Urine output
C) Lung sounds
D) Nutritional status
Correct Option: B) Urine output
Rationale:
Monitoring urine output is crucial post-operatively as it can indicate the patient's fluid balance
and kidney function. Decreased urine output may suggest complications such as dehydration,
renal impairment, or blood loss. While pain levels, lung sounds, and nutritional status are also
important assessments, urine output provides immediate insight into the patient's physiological
stability.
Question 2: A client with heart failure is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food choice
indicates that the client understands the dietary instructions?
A) Canned soup
B) Fresh fruits
C) Bacon
D) Pickles
Correct Option: B) Fresh fruits
Rationale:
Fresh fruits are naturally low in sodium and support a heart-healthy diet, making them an ideal
choice for a client with heart failure. In contrast, canned soups, bacon, and pickles are often high
in sodium and should be avoided to prevent fluid retention and worsening heart failure
symptoms. Educating clients about reading food labels for sodium content is also essential in
managing their condition effectively.
, Question 3: A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of incentive spirometry
after surgery. What should the nurse emphasize?
A) It prevents nausea.
B) It reduces the need for pain medication.
C) It helps expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis.
D) It improves appetite.
Correct Option: C) It helps expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis.
Rationale:
Incentive spirometry is a device used to encourage deep breathing and lung expansion, which is
vital post-operatively to prevent atelectasis (collapse of sections of the lung). By using the
incentive spirometer regularly, patients can maintain lung volume and improve oxygenation,
which contributes to faster recovery. Emphasizing the importance of lung health post-surgery can
motivate patients to adhere to the prescribed use of the device.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus who is experiencing
hypoglycemia. What is the expected priority intervention?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide oral glucose
C) Offer a protein snack
D) Wait for symptoms to resolve
Correct Option: B) Provide oral glucose
Rationale:
In cases of hypoglycemia, the priority intervention is to quickly administer oral glucose or fast-
acting carbohydrates to raise the blood sugar level. Insulin should not be administered, as it
would worsen hypoglycemia. Offering a protein snack is not effective for rapid treatment.
Prompt action is crucial to prevent severe complications, such as loss of consciousness or
seizures.
Question 5: A patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Set the flow rate to 6 L/min
B) Monitor oxygen saturation levels
C) Instruct the patient to breathe rapidly
D) Restrict fluid intake
lATeST VerSIon | coMPleTe ATI rn Med-Surg
QueSTIonS & AnSwerS wITh rATIonAleS |
coMPrehenSIVe AdulT MedIcAl-SurgIcAl nurSIng
STudy guIde & exAM PreP Bundle
Exam Title: ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026
Question 1: Which of the following is a priority nursing assessment for a patient post-
surgery?
A) Pain level
B) Urine output
C) Lung sounds
D) Nutritional status
Correct Option: B) Urine output
Rationale:
Monitoring urine output is crucial post-operatively as it can indicate the patient's fluid balance
and kidney function. Decreased urine output may suggest complications such as dehydration,
renal impairment, or blood loss. While pain levels, lung sounds, and nutritional status are also
important assessments, urine output provides immediate insight into the patient's physiological
stability.
Question 2: A client with heart failure is prescribed a low-sodium diet. Which food choice
indicates that the client understands the dietary instructions?
A) Canned soup
B) Fresh fruits
C) Bacon
D) Pickles
Correct Option: B) Fresh fruits
Rationale:
Fresh fruits are naturally low in sodium and support a heart-healthy diet, making them an ideal
choice for a client with heart failure. In contrast, canned soups, bacon, and pickles are often high
in sodium and should be avoided to prevent fluid retention and worsening heart failure
symptoms. Educating clients about reading food labels for sodium content is also essential in
managing their condition effectively.
, Question 3: A nurse is teaching a patient about the importance of incentive spirometry
after surgery. What should the nurse emphasize?
A) It prevents nausea.
B) It reduces the need for pain medication.
C) It helps expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis.
D) It improves appetite.
Correct Option: C) It helps expand the lungs and prevent atelectasis.
Rationale:
Incentive spirometry is a device used to encourage deep breathing and lung expansion, which is
vital post-operatively to prevent atelectasis (collapse of sections of the lung). By using the
incentive spirometer regularly, patients can maintain lung volume and improve oxygenation,
which contributes to faster recovery. Emphasizing the importance of lung health post-surgery can
motivate patients to adhere to the prescribed use of the device.
Question 4: A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus who is experiencing
hypoglycemia. What is the expected priority intervention?
A) Administer insulin
B) Provide oral glucose
C) Offer a protein snack
D) Wait for symptoms to resolve
Correct Option: B) Provide oral glucose
Rationale:
In cases of hypoglycemia, the priority intervention is to quickly administer oral glucose or fast-
acting carbohydrates to raise the blood sugar level. Insulin should not be administered, as it
would worsen hypoglycemia. Offering a protein snack is not effective for rapid treatment.
Prompt action is crucial to prevent severe complications, such as loss of consciousness or
seizures.
Question 5: A patient diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is
receiving oxygen therapy. Which is the most appropriate nursing action?
A) Set the flow rate to 6 L/min
B) Monitor oxygen saturation levels
C) Instruct the patient to breathe rapidly
D) Restrict fluid intake
