ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Review: 200 Questions on
Immunity, Oncology & Cardiovascular with Detailed
Rationales
Section 1: Immune & Infection (Questions 1-10)
Q1. A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is 2 days postoperative.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse that the client is
developing an infection?
A. Temperature 100°F (37.8°C)
B. Erythema at the incision site
C. WBC count 9,000/mm3
D. Pain reported as a 6 on a 0 to 10 scale
☑ Correct Answer: B. Erythema at the incision site
Rationale: Redness (erythema) at the surgical site is a classic localized sign of
inflammation and infection. A temperature of 100°F is within normal range. A
WBC of 9,000 is normal (5,000-10,000). Pain is expected post-op but does not
specifically indicate infection without other signs .
Q2. A client with a history of severe allergic reactions is taught about reducing
exposure to dust mites. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will vacuum my home once a week."
B. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace."
C. "I will carpet the entire house to trap the dust."
D. "I will install heavy curtains to block the dust."
,☑ Correct Answer: B. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace."
Rationale: Electrostatic filters help trap allergens. Clients should
vacuum daily (not weekly), remove carpeting (as it traps mites), and replace
curtains with blinds/pull shades .
Q3. A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the partner of a client who
has AIDS. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will dispose of soiled tissues in separate plastic bags."
B. "I will clean up blood spills immediately with hot water."
C. "I know that hand washing is important."
D. "I will wash soiled clothes in hot water with bleach."
☑ Correct Answer: B. "I will clean up blood spills immediately with hot
water."
Rationale: Blood spills should be cleaned with a bleach solution (not just hot
water) while wearing gloves. The other options are correct .
Q4. A client has a positive Mantoux (PPD) skin test. The nurse explains that this
indicates:
A. The client has active tuberculosis.
B. The client has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
C. The client is immune to tuberculosis.
D. The client needs a chest x-ray immediately.
☑ Correct Answer: B. The client has been infected with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis.
Rationale: A positive PPD indicates exposure and infection (latent TB),
,but not necessarily active disease. A chest x-ray is needed to rule out active TB,
but the question asks what the test indicates .
Q5. A client with Raynaud's disease is being discharged. Which self-
management strategy is most appropriate?
A. "I will wear layers of clothing to protect from cold."
B. "I will start a rigorous walking program of 2 miles daily."
C. "I will take a hot bath every night."
D. "I will cut back to 1 pack of cigarettes a week."
☑ Correct Answer: A. "I will wear layers of clothing to protect from cold."
Rationale: Cold is the primary trigger for vasospasms in
Raynaud's. Complete smoking cessation is needed (not just reduction). Extreme
heat is not a standard treatment .
Q6. A client with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) asks what triggers
exacerbations. The nurse identifies that further teaching is needed if the client
says:
A. "I need to avoid sunlight and use sunscreen."
B. "Pregnancy might make my symptoms flare."
C. "I should stop exercising to prevent fatigue."
D. "Infections can cause a flare-up."
☑ Correct Answer: C. "I should stop exercising to prevent fatigue."
Rationale: Exercise helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength. Sunlight,
pregnancy, and infection are known triggers for SLE exacerbation .
, Q7. A nurse is preparing to transport a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis
to the radiology department. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Place a surgical mask on the client.
B. Wear an N-95 respirator but do not mask the client.
C. Place a mask on the client and wear an N-95 respirator.
D. Request a portable x-ray in the room.
☑ Correct Answer: C. Place a mask on the client and wear an N-95
respirator.
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for TB. The client must wear a
surgical mask to prevent droplet nuclei from escaping, and the nurse/staff must
wear an N-95 respirator for personal protection .
Q8. A client with genital herpes reports pain during urination. What instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. "Decrease your fluid intake to reduce urine output."
B. "Pour running water over the lesions while urinating."
C. "Apply alcohol-based soap to clean the lesions."
D. "Take a sitz bath once per week."
☑ Correct Answer: B. "Pour running water over the lesions while
urinating."
Rationale: Pouring water dilutes urine and reduces stinging on the lesions. Clients
should increase fluids. Soap should be mild and non-irritating .
Q9. The nurse assesses a client with systemic scleroderma. Besides skin
changes, what is an expected finding?
A. Excessive salivation
Immunity, Oncology & Cardiovascular with Detailed
Rationales
Section 1: Immune & Infection (Questions 1-10)
Q1. A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is 2 days postoperative.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse that the client is
developing an infection?
A. Temperature 100°F (37.8°C)
B. Erythema at the incision site
C. WBC count 9,000/mm3
D. Pain reported as a 6 on a 0 to 10 scale
☑ Correct Answer: B. Erythema at the incision site
Rationale: Redness (erythema) at the surgical site is a classic localized sign of
inflammation and infection. A temperature of 100°F is within normal range. A
WBC of 9,000 is normal (5,000-10,000). Pain is expected post-op but does not
specifically indicate infection without other signs .
Q2. A client with a history of severe allergic reactions is taught about reducing
exposure to dust mites. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will vacuum my home once a week."
B. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace."
C. "I will carpet the entire house to trap the dust."
D. "I will install heavy curtains to block the dust."
,☑ Correct Answer: B. "I will install an electrostatic filter in my furnace."
Rationale: Electrostatic filters help trap allergens. Clients should
vacuum daily (not weekly), remove carpeting (as it traps mites), and replace
curtains with blinds/pull shades .
Q3. A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with the partner of a client who
has AIDS. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will dispose of soiled tissues in separate plastic bags."
B. "I will clean up blood spills immediately with hot water."
C. "I know that hand washing is important."
D. "I will wash soiled clothes in hot water with bleach."
☑ Correct Answer: B. "I will clean up blood spills immediately with hot
water."
Rationale: Blood spills should be cleaned with a bleach solution (not just hot
water) while wearing gloves. The other options are correct .
Q4. A client has a positive Mantoux (PPD) skin test. The nurse explains that this
indicates:
A. The client has active tuberculosis.
B. The client has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
C. The client is immune to tuberculosis.
D. The client needs a chest x-ray immediately.
☑ Correct Answer: B. The client has been infected with Mycobacterium
tuberculosis.
Rationale: A positive PPD indicates exposure and infection (latent TB),
,but not necessarily active disease. A chest x-ray is needed to rule out active TB,
but the question asks what the test indicates .
Q5. A client with Raynaud's disease is being discharged. Which self-
management strategy is most appropriate?
A. "I will wear layers of clothing to protect from cold."
B. "I will start a rigorous walking program of 2 miles daily."
C. "I will take a hot bath every night."
D. "I will cut back to 1 pack of cigarettes a week."
☑ Correct Answer: A. "I will wear layers of clothing to protect from cold."
Rationale: Cold is the primary trigger for vasospasms in
Raynaud's. Complete smoking cessation is needed (not just reduction). Extreme
heat is not a standard treatment .
Q6. A client with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) asks what triggers
exacerbations. The nurse identifies that further teaching is needed if the client
says:
A. "I need to avoid sunlight and use sunscreen."
B. "Pregnancy might make my symptoms flare."
C. "I should stop exercising to prevent fatigue."
D. "Infections can cause a flare-up."
☑ Correct Answer: C. "I should stop exercising to prevent fatigue."
Rationale: Exercise helps maintain joint mobility and muscle strength. Sunlight,
pregnancy, and infection are known triggers for SLE exacerbation .
, Q7. A nurse is preparing to transport a client with active pulmonary tuberculosis
to the radiology department. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Place a surgical mask on the client.
B. Wear an N-95 respirator but do not mask the client.
C. Place a mask on the client and wear an N-95 respirator.
D. Request a portable x-ray in the room.
☑ Correct Answer: C. Place a mask on the client and wear an N-95
respirator.
Rationale: Airborne precautions are required for TB. The client must wear a
surgical mask to prevent droplet nuclei from escaping, and the nurse/staff must
wear an N-95 respirator for personal protection .
Q8. A client with genital herpes reports pain during urination. What instruction
should the nurse provide?
A. "Decrease your fluid intake to reduce urine output."
B. "Pour running water over the lesions while urinating."
C. "Apply alcohol-based soap to clean the lesions."
D. "Take a sitz bath once per week."
☑ Correct Answer: B. "Pour running water over the lesions while
urinating."
Rationale: Pouring water dilutes urine and reduces stinging on the lesions. Clients
should increase fluids. Soap should be mild and non-irritating .
Q9. The nurse assesses a client with systemic scleroderma. Besides skin
changes, what is an expected finding?
A. Excessive salivation
