ATI - ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL NGN B PRACTICE
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALE
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is perimenopausal and has a
prescription for hormone replacement therapy. For which of the following
adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to notify the provider?
A) Weight gain
B) Breast tenderness
C) Calf pain
D) Hot flashes
Correct Answer: C) Calf pain
Explanation: Calf pain may indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious adverse
effect of hormone replacement therapy. The client should notify the provider
immediately if this occurs. Breast tenderness, hot flashes, and weight gain are
common side effects but are not emergent.
2. A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a
laparotomy and has a closed-suction drain. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to manage the drain?
A) Empty the drain when it is full
B) Compress the drain reservoir after emptying
C) Keep the drain below the level of the wound
D) Strip the drain tubing every 2 hours
Correct Answer: B) Compress the drain reservoir after emptying
,Explanation: Compressing the reservoir after emptying creates the suction needed
for the closed-suction drain to function properly. The drain should be emptied
when it is half full, not when full, to maintain effective suction.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has DKA. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client's condition is improving?
A) Glucose 272 mg/dL
B) Potassium 5.5 mEq/L
C) pH 7.20
D) Bicarbonate 12 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) Glucose 272 mg/dL
Explanation: A decreasing blood glucose level from the hyperglycemic range
indicates improvement in DKA. Glucose of 272 mg/dL is an improvement from the
typical DKA range of >250 mg/dL. The other options indicate ongoing metabolic
acidosis or electrolyte imbalance.
4. A nurse is planning a health promotional presentation for a group of African
American clients at a community center. Which of the following disorders
presents the greatest risk to this group of clients?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
C) Asthma
D) Osteoporosis
Correct Answer: B) Hypertension
Explanation: African Americans have a higher prevalence and earlier onset of
hypertension compared to other populations. This population also experiences
greater morbidity and mortality from hypertension-related complications.
,5. A nurse is providing education to a client who is at risk for osteoporosis.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Walk for 30 min four times per week
B) Swim for 45 min three times per week
C) Run for 20 min five times per week
D) Cycle for 60 min two times per week
Correct Answer: A) Walk for 30 min four times per week
Explanation: Weight-bearing exercises like walking help maintain bone density and
reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The recommendation of 30 minutes four times
per week is appropriate for weight-bearing activity.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Flush the line with heparin every 4 hours
B) Place a pressure bag around the flush solution
C) Zero the transducer at the level of the phlebostatic axis
D) Maintain the client in a supine position
Correct Answer: B) Place a pressure bag around the flush solution
Explanation: A pressure bag is used to maintain continuous pressure on the flush
solution (usually 300 mmHg) to ensure the arterial line remains patent and
prevents backflow of blood.
7. A nurse is reviewing the ABG results of a client who has advanced COPD.
Which of the following results should the nurse expect?
A) PaCO2 56 mmHg
B) PaO2 80 mmHg
C) pH 7.45
D) HCO3 22 mEq/L
, Correct Answer: A) PaCO2 56 mmHg
Explanation: Clients with advanced COPD typically have chronic hypercapnia
(elevated PaCO2 >45 mmHg) due to alveolar hypoventilation and ventilation-
perfusion mismatch. The elevated CO2 reflects the client's chronic respiratory
acidosis.
8. A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a
parathyroidectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse identify as
the priority?
A) Monitor calcium levels
B) Assess for signs of hypocalcemia
C) Place a tracheostomy tray at the bedside
D) Administer calcium supplements as prescribed
Correct Answer: C) Place a tracheostomy tray at the bedside
Explanation: Airway compromise from laryngeal edema or hematoma formation is
the greatest risk following parathyroidectomy. Having a tracheostomy tray at the
bedside is a priority safety measure to address potential respiratory emergencies.
9. A nurse is evaluating the plan of care for four clients after 2 days of
hospitalization. The nurse should identify the need to revise the plan for which
of the following clients?
A) A client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and reports feeling
that something "popped" when they coughed
B) A client with pneumonia who has a decreased fever and improved breath
sounds
C) A client with heart failure who has decreased peripheral edema
D) A client with diabetes who has blood glucose levels within target range
QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS
AND RATIONALE
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is perimenopausal and has a
prescription for hormone replacement therapy. For which of the following
adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to notify the provider?
A) Weight gain
B) Breast tenderness
C) Calf pain
D) Hot flashes
Correct Answer: C) Calf pain
Explanation: Calf pain may indicate deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious adverse
effect of hormone replacement therapy. The client should notify the provider
immediately if this occurs. Breast tenderness, hot flashes, and weight gain are
common side effects but are not emergent.
2. A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a
laparotomy and has a closed-suction drain. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take to manage the drain?
A) Empty the drain when it is full
B) Compress the drain reservoir after emptying
C) Keep the drain below the level of the wound
D) Strip the drain tubing every 2 hours
Correct Answer: B) Compress the drain reservoir after emptying
,Explanation: Compressing the reservoir after emptying creates the suction needed
for the closed-suction drain to function properly. The drain should be emptied
when it is half full, not when full, to maintain effective suction.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has DKA. Which of the following findings
should indicate to the nurse that the client's condition is improving?
A) Glucose 272 mg/dL
B) Potassium 5.5 mEq/L
C) pH 7.20
D) Bicarbonate 12 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A) Glucose 272 mg/dL
Explanation: A decreasing blood glucose level from the hyperglycemic range
indicates improvement in DKA. Glucose of 272 mg/dL is an improvement from the
typical DKA range of >250 mg/dL. The other options indicate ongoing metabolic
acidosis or electrolyte imbalance.
4. A nurse is planning a health promotional presentation for a group of African
American clients at a community center. Which of the following disorders
presents the greatest risk to this group of clients?
A) Diabetes mellitus
B) Hypertension
C) Asthma
D) Osteoporosis
Correct Answer: B) Hypertension
Explanation: African Americans have a higher prevalence and earlier onset of
hypertension compared to other populations. This population also experiences
greater morbidity and mortality from hypertension-related complications.
,5. A nurse is providing education to a client who is at risk for osteoporosis.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) Walk for 30 min four times per week
B) Swim for 45 min three times per week
C) Run for 20 min five times per week
D) Cycle for 60 min two times per week
Correct Answer: A) Walk for 30 min four times per week
Explanation: Weight-bearing exercises like walking help maintain bone density and
reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The recommendation of 30 minutes four times
per week is appropriate for weight-bearing activity.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A) Flush the line with heparin every 4 hours
B) Place a pressure bag around the flush solution
C) Zero the transducer at the level of the phlebostatic axis
D) Maintain the client in a supine position
Correct Answer: B) Place a pressure bag around the flush solution
Explanation: A pressure bag is used to maintain continuous pressure on the flush
solution (usually 300 mmHg) to ensure the arterial line remains patent and
prevents backflow of blood.
7. A nurse is reviewing the ABG results of a client who has advanced COPD.
Which of the following results should the nurse expect?
A) PaCO2 56 mmHg
B) PaO2 80 mmHg
C) pH 7.45
D) HCO3 22 mEq/L
, Correct Answer: A) PaCO2 56 mmHg
Explanation: Clients with advanced COPD typically have chronic hypercapnia
(elevated PaCO2 >45 mmHg) due to alveolar hypoventilation and ventilation-
perfusion mismatch. The elevated CO2 reflects the client's chronic respiratory
acidosis.
8. A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a
parathyroidectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse identify as
the priority?
A) Monitor calcium levels
B) Assess for signs of hypocalcemia
C) Place a tracheostomy tray at the bedside
D) Administer calcium supplements as prescribed
Correct Answer: C) Place a tracheostomy tray at the bedside
Explanation: Airway compromise from laryngeal edema or hematoma formation is
the greatest risk following parathyroidectomy. Having a tracheostomy tray at the
bedside is a priority safety measure to address potential respiratory emergencies.
9. A nurse is evaluating the plan of care for four clients after 2 days of
hospitalization. The nurse should identify the need to revise the plan for which
of the following clients?
A) A client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery and reports feeling
that something "popped" when they coughed
B) A client with pneumonia who has a decreased fever and improved breath
sounds
C) A client with heart failure who has decreased peripheral edema
D) A client with diabetes who has blood glucose levels within target range
