ATI RN Medical-Surgical Proctored Practice Test
2026 | Verified Answers | Exam Prep
1. Why does the nurse prioritize frequent abdominal assessments for a patient
with a small bowel obstruction?
to be able to alert the surgical team as soon as signs of
complications occur
to know when the diet can be advanced and nutrition can be restored
to be prepared to teach the patient when to expect their enema
to predict what will be removed via the NGT
2. Describe how abdominal distension can be indicative of an obstruction in a
patient.
Abdominal distension can indicate an obstruction as it suggests
accumulation of gas or fluid due to blocked passage.
Abdominal distension indicates normal digestion.
Abdominal distension is unrelated to bowel function.
Abdominal distension is always a sign of overeating.
3. Describe the importance of limiting exposure to radiation in the context of
internal radiation therapy.
Limiting exposure to radiation prevents the spread of infection.
Limiting exposure to radiation is crucial to protect healthcare
workers and family members from potential harm.
Limiting exposure to radiation reduces the need for medication.
Limiting exposure to radiation helps the patient recover faster.
,4. Describe the proper procedure for the use of dry powder inhalers.
Dry powder inhalers must be activated or loaded with the dose of
medication. Patients must seal their lips around the mouthpiece and
inhale quickly and deeply. Patients should hold their breath 15-30
seconds and exhale through pursed lips
None of these are correct
Dry powder inhalers must be activated or loaded with the dose of
medication. Patients must attach a spacer and seal their lips around
the mouthpiece and inhale quickly and deeply. Patients should hold
their breath 5-10 seconds and exhale through pursed lips
Dry powder inhalers must be activated or loaded with the dose of
medication. Patients must seal their lips around the mouthpiece and
inhale quickly and deeply. Patients should hold their breath 5-10
seconds and exhale through pursed lips
5. What electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with an increased risk of
digoxin toxicity?
Hypercalcemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
6. What is one key precaution that must be taken when administering internal
radiation therapy?
Administer medication orally.
Increase patient mobility.
Limit exposure to radiation.
, Encourage fluid intake.
7. Describe the physiological effect of vasopressin on urine production.
Vasopressin causes the kidneys to reabsorb more water, leading to
lesser urine output.
Vasopressin increases the filtration rate in the kidneys, resulting in
more urine output.
Vasopressin has no effect on urine production.
Vasopressin decreases water reabsorption, causing increased urine
output.
8. What is a key consideration for patients with diabetes when engaging in
exercise?
Monitoring blood sugar levels
Increasing carbohydrate intake before exercise
Exercising only in the morning
Avoiding all physical activity
9. A client with diabetes mellitus reports to the clinic for determination of the
glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Which value on this laboratory test
indicates client compliance with the prescribed diabetic regimen?
2.8%
6%
10%
15%
, 10. Discuss the physiological reasons behind the increase in hematocrit levels in
burn patients after 24 hours.
In burn patients, increased blood flow to the skin decreases
hematocrit levels.
In burn patients, the kidneys retain more water, diluting the blood and
lowering hematocrit levels.
In burn patients, fluid loss leads to hemoconcentration, which
increases hematocrit levels.
In burn patients, the body produces more red blood cells to
compensate for fluid loss.
11. What is a common nursing action for patients receiving enteral feedings to
prevent aspiration pneumonia?
Administer antibiotics immediately.
Increase the feeding rate.
Elevate the head of the bed.
Discontinue all medications.
12. What symptom might indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) following a
kidney biopsy?
Dark brown urine
Frequent urination without urgency
Clear and odorless urine
Cloudy and smelly urine
2026 | Verified Answers | Exam Prep
1. Why does the nurse prioritize frequent abdominal assessments for a patient
with a small bowel obstruction?
to be able to alert the surgical team as soon as signs of
complications occur
to know when the diet can be advanced and nutrition can be restored
to be prepared to teach the patient when to expect their enema
to predict what will be removed via the NGT
2. Describe how abdominal distension can be indicative of an obstruction in a
patient.
Abdominal distension can indicate an obstruction as it suggests
accumulation of gas or fluid due to blocked passage.
Abdominal distension indicates normal digestion.
Abdominal distension is unrelated to bowel function.
Abdominal distension is always a sign of overeating.
3. Describe the importance of limiting exposure to radiation in the context of
internal radiation therapy.
Limiting exposure to radiation prevents the spread of infection.
Limiting exposure to radiation is crucial to protect healthcare
workers and family members from potential harm.
Limiting exposure to radiation reduces the need for medication.
Limiting exposure to radiation helps the patient recover faster.
,4. Describe the proper procedure for the use of dry powder inhalers.
Dry powder inhalers must be activated or loaded with the dose of
medication. Patients must seal their lips around the mouthpiece and
inhale quickly and deeply. Patients should hold their breath 15-30
seconds and exhale through pursed lips
None of these are correct
Dry powder inhalers must be activated or loaded with the dose of
medication. Patients must attach a spacer and seal their lips around
the mouthpiece and inhale quickly and deeply. Patients should hold
their breath 5-10 seconds and exhale through pursed lips
Dry powder inhalers must be activated or loaded with the dose of
medication. Patients must seal their lips around the mouthpiece and
inhale quickly and deeply. Patients should hold their breath 5-10
seconds and exhale through pursed lips
5. What electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with an increased risk of
digoxin toxicity?
Hypercalcemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
6. What is one key precaution that must be taken when administering internal
radiation therapy?
Administer medication orally.
Increase patient mobility.
Limit exposure to radiation.
, Encourage fluid intake.
7. Describe the physiological effect of vasopressin on urine production.
Vasopressin causes the kidneys to reabsorb more water, leading to
lesser urine output.
Vasopressin increases the filtration rate in the kidneys, resulting in
more urine output.
Vasopressin has no effect on urine production.
Vasopressin decreases water reabsorption, causing increased urine
output.
8. What is a key consideration for patients with diabetes when engaging in
exercise?
Monitoring blood sugar levels
Increasing carbohydrate intake before exercise
Exercising only in the morning
Avoiding all physical activity
9. A client with diabetes mellitus reports to the clinic for determination of the
glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level. Which value on this laboratory test
indicates client compliance with the prescribed diabetic regimen?
2.8%
6%
10%
15%
, 10. Discuss the physiological reasons behind the increase in hematocrit levels in
burn patients after 24 hours.
In burn patients, increased blood flow to the skin decreases
hematocrit levels.
In burn patients, the kidneys retain more water, diluting the blood and
lowering hematocrit levels.
In burn patients, fluid loss leads to hemoconcentration, which
increases hematocrit levels.
In burn patients, the body produces more red blood cells to
compensate for fluid loss.
11. What is a common nursing action for patients receiving enteral feedings to
prevent aspiration pneumonia?
Administer antibiotics immediately.
Increase the feeding rate.
Elevate the head of the bed.
Discontinue all medications.
12. What symptom might indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) following a
kidney biopsy?
Dark brown urine
Frequent urination without urgency
Clear and odorless urine
Cloudy and smelly urine
