ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Exam 2 2026 | Questions &
Answers | Study Guide
1. Why is it important for clients with diabetes to wear closed-toed shoes?
Closed-toed shoes protect the feet from injury and reduce the risk
of infection.
Closed-toed shoes help regulate body temperature.
Closed-toed shoes are easier to put on.
Closed-toed shoes are more fashionable.
2. Why is it important for a patient on levothyroxine to have follow-up blood
TSH levels checked?
To evaluate liver enzyme levels
To check for potential drug interactions
To assess kidney function
To monitor the effectiveness of the medication and adjust the
dosage if necessary
3. Why is increasing daily fiber intake considered beneficial in preventing type 2
diabetes mellitus?
Increasing daily fiber intake leads to weight gain and higher blood
sugar levels.
Increasing daily fiber intake helps regulate blood sugar levels and
improves satiety.
Increasing daily fiber intake is only beneficial for digestive health.
Increasing daily fiber intake has no effect on diabetes prevention.
,4. Why is it important for a patient to monitor their blood glucose levels every 4
hours when they are ill?
It is unnecessary to monitor blood glucose when feeling unwell.
Blood glucose levels do not change during illness.
Monitoring blood glucose helps to detect hyperglycemia early and
prevent DKA.
Monitoring is only needed if symptoms of DKA appear.
5. What is the correct method for administering insulin glargine and regular
insulin to a patient?
Administer regular insulin, wait 1 hour, and then administer the glargine
insulin
Draw up the regular insulin and then the glargine in the same syringe
Draw up and administer regular insulin and glargine insulin in
separate syringes
Draw up the glargine insulin and then the regular insulin in the same
syringe
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has Grave's disease about her prescribed
meds. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the use of propranolol in the treatment of Grave's disease?
propranolol helps increase blood flow to my thyroid gland
propranolol promotes a decrease of thyroid hormone in my body
propranolol will decrease my tremors and fast heart beat
propranolol is used to prevent excess glucose in my blood
,7. A patient on levothyroxine presents with increased heart rate and hand
tremors. What should the nurse's immediate action be?
Reassure the patient that these symptoms are normal.
Administer a beta-blocker to manage the heart rate.
Increase the patient's levothyroxine dosage.
Assess the patient's medication dosage and consult the healthcare
provider.
8. A nurse is conducting a water deprivation test on a patient. If the patient
begins to show signs of orthostatic hypotension, what immediate action
should the nurse take?
Continue the test without interruption
Administer a diuretic to manage symptoms
Rehydrate the patient with fluids
Increase the patient's physical activity
9. Describe the significance of a blood pH level of 7.2 in a patient with diabetic
ketoacidosis.
A blood pH level of 7.2 shows that the patient is in a state of
hyperglycemia.
A blood pH level of 7.2 suggests alkalosis, which is common in
diabetic patients.
A blood pH level of 7.2 indicates acidosis, which is a critical
condition in diabetic ketoacidosis.
A blood pH level of 7.2 is normal and indicates stable metabolic
function.
, 10. Which diabetic patient is most at risk for developing HHNS (Hyperglycemic,
Hyperosmolar, Non-ketotic Syndrome)?
54 y/o female on insulin who gets pneumonia.
78 y/o female bedridden in a nursing home.
80 y/o male who runs 2 miles a day.
18 y/o male who takes his insulin when he thinks he needs it.
11. A patient with hyperthyroidism presents with palpitations and weight loss.
What nursing intervention should be prioritized to address these symptoms?
Encourage the patient to increase caloric intake.
Administer a sedative to reduce anxiety.
Monitor the patient's heart rate and rhythm closely.
Advise the patient to avoid physical activity.
12. A nurse is reviewing the lab findings for a client who might have
hyperthyroidism. The nurse should identify an elevation of which of the
following substances as an indication that the client has this disorder?
Urine osmolarity
Triiodothyronine
Urine cortisol
Plasma-free metanephrine
13. A nurse is preparing for the arrival of a patient who has just undergone a
thyroidectomy. If the patient begins to exhibit signs of respiratory distress,
which equipment should the nurse prioritize using?
Telemetry monitor
Answers | Study Guide
1. Why is it important for clients with diabetes to wear closed-toed shoes?
Closed-toed shoes protect the feet from injury and reduce the risk
of infection.
Closed-toed shoes help regulate body temperature.
Closed-toed shoes are easier to put on.
Closed-toed shoes are more fashionable.
2. Why is it important for a patient on levothyroxine to have follow-up blood
TSH levels checked?
To evaluate liver enzyme levels
To check for potential drug interactions
To assess kidney function
To monitor the effectiveness of the medication and adjust the
dosage if necessary
3. Why is increasing daily fiber intake considered beneficial in preventing type 2
diabetes mellitus?
Increasing daily fiber intake leads to weight gain and higher blood
sugar levels.
Increasing daily fiber intake helps regulate blood sugar levels and
improves satiety.
Increasing daily fiber intake is only beneficial for digestive health.
Increasing daily fiber intake has no effect on diabetes prevention.
,4. Why is it important for a patient to monitor their blood glucose levels every 4
hours when they are ill?
It is unnecessary to monitor blood glucose when feeling unwell.
Blood glucose levels do not change during illness.
Monitoring blood glucose helps to detect hyperglycemia early and
prevent DKA.
Monitoring is only needed if symptoms of DKA appear.
5. What is the correct method for administering insulin glargine and regular
insulin to a patient?
Administer regular insulin, wait 1 hour, and then administer the glargine
insulin
Draw up the regular insulin and then the glargine in the same syringe
Draw up and administer regular insulin and glargine insulin in
separate syringes
Draw up the glargine insulin and then the regular insulin in the same
syringe
6. A nurse is teaching a client who has Grave's disease about her prescribed
meds. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the use of propranolol in the treatment of Grave's disease?
propranolol helps increase blood flow to my thyroid gland
propranolol promotes a decrease of thyroid hormone in my body
propranolol will decrease my tremors and fast heart beat
propranolol is used to prevent excess glucose in my blood
,7. A patient on levothyroxine presents with increased heart rate and hand
tremors. What should the nurse's immediate action be?
Reassure the patient that these symptoms are normal.
Administer a beta-blocker to manage the heart rate.
Increase the patient's levothyroxine dosage.
Assess the patient's medication dosage and consult the healthcare
provider.
8. A nurse is conducting a water deprivation test on a patient. If the patient
begins to show signs of orthostatic hypotension, what immediate action
should the nurse take?
Continue the test without interruption
Administer a diuretic to manage symptoms
Rehydrate the patient with fluids
Increase the patient's physical activity
9. Describe the significance of a blood pH level of 7.2 in a patient with diabetic
ketoacidosis.
A blood pH level of 7.2 shows that the patient is in a state of
hyperglycemia.
A blood pH level of 7.2 suggests alkalosis, which is common in
diabetic patients.
A blood pH level of 7.2 indicates acidosis, which is a critical
condition in diabetic ketoacidosis.
A blood pH level of 7.2 is normal and indicates stable metabolic
function.
, 10. Which diabetic patient is most at risk for developing HHNS (Hyperglycemic,
Hyperosmolar, Non-ketotic Syndrome)?
54 y/o female on insulin who gets pneumonia.
78 y/o female bedridden in a nursing home.
80 y/o male who runs 2 miles a day.
18 y/o male who takes his insulin when he thinks he needs it.
11. A patient with hyperthyroidism presents with palpitations and weight loss.
What nursing intervention should be prioritized to address these symptoms?
Encourage the patient to increase caloric intake.
Administer a sedative to reduce anxiety.
Monitor the patient's heart rate and rhythm closely.
Advise the patient to avoid physical activity.
12. A nurse is reviewing the lab findings for a client who might have
hyperthyroidism. The nurse should identify an elevation of which of the
following substances as an indication that the client has this disorder?
Urine osmolarity
Triiodothyronine
Urine cortisol
Plasma-free metanephrine
13. A nurse is preparing for the arrival of a patient who has just undergone a
thyroidectomy. If the patient begins to exhibit signs of respiratory distress,
which equipment should the nurse prioritize using?
Telemetry monitor
