ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL 2026
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | GRADED A
Which of the following clients should be placed on airborne precautions?
A. A client with urinary frequency and foul-smelling urine
B. A client with anorexia, low-grade fever, night sweats, and productive cough
C. A client with vomiting and diarrhea
D. A client with shortness of breath and chest pain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: These are classic symptoms of tuberculosis, which requires airborne
precautions.
What should the nurse administer if the next TPN bag is not yet available?
A. Normal saline
B. Lactated Ringer’s solution
C. Dextrose 10% in water
D. 0.45% sodium chloride
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Dextrose 10% in water prevents hypoglycemia when TPN is interrupted.
Which instruction should the nurse give about calcium and levothyroxine?
A. Take calcium and levothyroxine together for better absorption
B. Avoid calcium for 2 hours after levothyroxine
C. Take calcium 4 hours after levothyroxine
D. Do not take calcium while on levothyroxine
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Calcium interferes with levothyroxine absorption and should be
spaced at least 4 hours apart.
How can the nurse help reduce anxiety in a client on mechanical ventilation?
A. Turn off alarms on the ventilator
B. Allow the client to breathe over the ventilator
C. Tell the client to relax and let the machine breathe for them
D. Remove the ventilator temporarily
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Encouraging the client to allow the ventilator to assist can reduce
restlessness and anxiety.
Which is a common adverse effect of enalapril?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Dry skin
D. Visual disturbances
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, often causes orthostatic hypotension.
Which finding may contribute to delayed wound healing?
A. Pulse rate of 90/min
B. Urine output of 25 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Low urine output may indicate poor perfusion, hindering wound healing.
What instruction should be given to a client with hypothyroidism taking opioid
analgesics?
, A. Avoid taking analgesics at night
B. Void every 4 hours
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Take the analgesic with food
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Opioids can cause urinary retention, especially in hypothyroid clients.
What is the priority nursing action for a client with portal hypertension
vomiting blood?
A. Insert a nasogastric tube
B. Obtain vital signs
C. Administer an antacid
D. Encourage oral fluids
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Vital signs should be taken first to assess for hemodynamic instability.
Which instructions should be included for a client after a gastrectomy?
A. Drink fluids with meals
B. Eat large meals to promote healing
C. Avoid high-protein snacks
D. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid fluids with meals
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Small meals and no fluids during meals reduce dumping syndrome risk.
Which is a component of Cushing's triad in increased intracranial pressure?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradypnea
D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Cushing's triad includes bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular
respirations.
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | GRADED A
Which of the following clients should be placed on airborne precautions?
A. A client with urinary frequency and foul-smelling urine
B. A client with anorexia, low-grade fever, night sweats, and productive cough
C. A client with vomiting and diarrhea
D. A client with shortness of breath and chest pain
Correct answer: B
Rationale: These are classic symptoms of tuberculosis, which requires airborne
precautions.
What should the nurse administer if the next TPN bag is not yet available?
A. Normal saline
B. Lactated Ringer’s solution
C. Dextrose 10% in water
D. 0.45% sodium chloride
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Dextrose 10% in water prevents hypoglycemia when TPN is interrupted.
Which instruction should the nurse give about calcium and levothyroxine?
A. Take calcium and levothyroxine together for better absorption
B. Avoid calcium for 2 hours after levothyroxine
C. Take calcium 4 hours after levothyroxine
D. Do not take calcium while on levothyroxine
Correct answer: C
,Rationale: Calcium interferes with levothyroxine absorption and should be
spaced at least 4 hours apart.
How can the nurse help reduce anxiety in a client on mechanical ventilation?
A. Turn off alarms on the ventilator
B. Allow the client to breathe over the ventilator
C. Tell the client to relax and let the machine breathe for them
D. Remove the ventilator temporarily
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Encouraging the client to allow the ventilator to assist can reduce
restlessness and anxiety.
Which is a common adverse effect of enalapril?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Orthostatic hypotension
C. Dry skin
D. Visual disturbances
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, often causes orthostatic hypotension.
Which finding may contribute to delayed wound healing?
A. Pulse rate of 90/min
B. Urine output of 25 mL/hr
C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Low urine output may indicate poor perfusion, hindering wound healing.
What instruction should be given to a client with hypothyroidism taking opioid
analgesics?
, A. Avoid taking analgesics at night
B. Void every 4 hours
C. Limit fluid intake
D. Take the analgesic with food
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Opioids can cause urinary retention, especially in hypothyroid clients.
What is the priority nursing action for a client with portal hypertension
vomiting blood?
A. Insert a nasogastric tube
B. Obtain vital signs
C. Administer an antacid
D. Encourage oral fluids
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Vital signs should be taken first to assess for hemodynamic instability.
Which instructions should be included for a client after a gastrectomy?
A. Drink fluids with meals
B. Eat large meals to promote healing
C. Avoid high-protein snacks
D. Eat small, frequent meals and avoid fluids with meals
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Small meals and no fluids during meals reduce dumping syndrome risk.
Which is a component of Cushing's triad in increased intracranial pressure?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Bradypnea
D. Bradycardia
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Cushing's triad includes bradycardia, hypertension, and irregular
respirations.
