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ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING CONTENT
MASTERY SERIES (CMS) EXAMS STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM 2026-27 JUST RELEASED VERSION
In an uncompensated acid-base imbalance, the pH and one other value will be abnormal. In this
analysis, the increased pH determines this client is alkalotic, and the increased HCO3 and
normal PaCO2 show this is a metabolic issue.
A client in the emergency department develops the following cardiac rhythm. The nurse
performs an immediate assessment and finds the client unresponsive and pulseless. Which of
the following actions is considered the priority of care? (v-tach)
A. Defibrillation
B. Chest compressions
C. Assess breath sounds
D. Administration of amiodarone - CORRECT ANSWER A
A client experiencing ventricular tachycardia who does not have a pulse should receive
immediate defibrillation. Client s who are defibrillated within one minute of onset of VT have a
90% chance of being converted to a more stable rhythm.
A nurse assesses a client who has acute pyelonephritis. Which of the following findings would
be expected? (Select all that apply.)
A. Fever
B. Flank pain
C. Tachycardia
D. Cough and dyspnea
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E. Nausea and vomiting - CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, E
Fever and chills are manifestations of pyelonephritis related to inflammatory responses. Flank
and back pain are manifestations related to inflammation and and infection. Tachycardia and
tachypnea are manifestations related to fever and/or pain. Nausea and vomiting are
manifestations related to the infectious process.
A nurse provides care to a client who has a fractured femur after falling from a ladder. Which of
the following actions may reduce the incidence of fat emboli?
A. Immobilize the extremity.
B. Provide supplemental oxygen.
C. Maintain a semi-Fowler's position.
D. Administer subcutaneous heparin. - CORRECT ANSWER A
Immediate immobilization of the fracture in addition to early surgical fixation may reduce the
incidence of fat embolism.
A client who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus states, "I feel really dizzy and
shaky." Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
A. Administer glucagon.
B. Give 10 units of lispro.
C. Check urine for ketones.
D. Provide 8 oz of milk. - CORRECT ANSWER D
The nurse should recognize signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and administer 15 g of
carbohydrate (e.g., 8 oz of milk; 4 oz of orange juice).
A nurse explains what to expect during a thoracentesis. Which client statement validates
teaching was effective?
A. "I need to be still during the procedure."
B. "It will be difficult to swallow for a few hours."
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C. "A cough may develop during aspiration of fluid."
D. "My breathing may be labored for several minutes." - CORRECT ANSWER A
The nurse should instruct the client to remain still and refrain from talking unless instructed by
the provider.
A client's wound eviscerates following bariatric surgery. Which of the following actions should
the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
A. Call for help.
B. Obtain vital signs.
C. Reinsert protruding organs.
D. Place in high-Fowlers position.
E. Cover wound with moist sterile dressing. - CORRECT ANSWER A,
B, E
The nurse should call for help and the person who responds should notify the rapid response
team and surgeon. One nurse should provide care to the client while another nurse notifies
needed personnel.
Abdominal wound evisceration is considered a surgical emergency. The nurse should stay with
the client, obtaining vital signs every 5 to 10 min and closely monitoring for signs of shock. The
wound should be covered with a sterile dressing moistened with warm saline. The dressing
must be kept sterile and moist at all times.
A client had a modified radical mastectomy yesterday. Which of the following actions should
the nurse implement to prevent transient edema of the affected arm? (Select all that apply.)
A. Elevate arm on pillow.
B. Administer furosemide.
C. Apply heating pad to site.
D. Milk drainage device tubing.
E. Encourage gentle arm exercises. - CORRECT ANSWER A, E
The arm on the affected side should be elevated above the level of the heart. A modified radical
mastectomy involves removal of a portion of
ATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NURSING CONTENT
MASTERY SERIES (CMS) EXAMS STUDY GUIDE
ACTUAL EXAM 2026-27 JUST RELEASED VERSION
In an uncompensated acid-base imbalance, the pH and one other value will be abnormal. In this
analysis, the increased pH determines this client is alkalotic, and the increased HCO3 and
normal PaCO2 show this is a metabolic issue.
A client in the emergency department develops the following cardiac rhythm. The nurse
performs an immediate assessment and finds the client unresponsive and pulseless. Which of
the following actions is considered the priority of care? (v-tach)
A. Defibrillation
B. Chest compressions
C. Assess breath sounds
D. Administration of amiodarone - CORRECT ANSWER A
A client experiencing ventricular tachycardia who does not have a pulse should receive
immediate defibrillation. Client s who are defibrillated within one minute of onset of VT have a
90% chance of being converted to a more stable rhythm.
A nurse assesses a client who has acute pyelonephritis. Which of the following findings would
be expected? (Select all that apply.)
A. Fever
B. Flank pain
C. Tachycardia
D. Cough and dyspnea
,2
E. Nausea and vomiting - CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, E
Fever and chills are manifestations of pyelonephritis related to inflammatory responses. Flank
and back pain are manifestations related to inflammation and and infection. Tachycardia and
tachypnea are manifestations related to fever and/or pain. Nausea and vomiting are
manifestations related to the infectious process.
A nurse provides care to a client who has a fractured femur after falling from a ladder. Which of
the following actions may reduce the incidence of fat emboli?
A. Immobilize the extremity.
B. Provide supplemental oxygen.
C. Maintain a semi-Fowler's position.
D. Administer subcutaneous heparin. - CORRECT ANSWER A
Immediate immobilization of the fracture in addition to early surgical fixation may reduce the
incidence of fat embolism.
A client who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus states, "I feel really dizzy and
shaky." Which of the following actions should the nurse perform?
A. Administer glucagon.
B. Give 10 units of lispro.
C. Check urine for ketones.
D. Provide 8 oz of milk. - CORRECT ANSWER D
The nurse should recognize signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia and administer 15 g of
carbohydrate (e.g., 8 oz of milk; 4 oz of orange juice).
A nurse explains what to expect during a thoracentesis. Which client statement validates
teaching was effective?
A. "I need to be still during the procedure."
B. "It will be difficult to swallow for a few hours."
, 3
C. "A cough may develop during aspiration of fluid."
D. "My breathing may be labored for several minutes." - CORRECT ANSWER A
The nurse should instruct the client to remain still and refrain from talking unless instructed by
the provider.
A client's wound eviscerates following bariatric surgery. Which of the following actions should
the nurse implement? (Select all that apply.)
A. Call for help.
B. Obtain vital signs.
C. Reinsert protruding organs.
D. Place in high-Fowlers position.
E. Cover wound with moist sterile dressing. - CORRECT ANSWER A,
B, E
The nurse should call for help and the person who responds should notify the rapid response
team and surgeon. One nurse should provide care to the client while another nurse notifies
needed personnel.
Abdominal wound evisceration is considered a surgical emergency. The nurse should stay with
the client, obtaining vital signs every 5 to 10 min and closely monitoring for signs of shock. The
wound should be covered with a sterile dressing moistened with warm saline. The dressing
must be kept sterile and moist at all times.
A client had a modified radical mastectomy yesterday. Which of the following actions should
the nurse implement to prevent transient edema of the affected arm? (Select all that apply.)
A. Elevate arm on pillow.
B. Administer furosemide.
C. Apply heating pad to site.
D. Milk drainage device tubing.
E. Encourage gentle arm exercises. - CORRECT ANSWER A, E
The arm on the affected side should be elevated above the level of the heart. A modified radical
mastectomy involves removal of a portion of
