ATI PN Adult Medical-Surgical (Med-
Surg) Exam 2026–2027 | Complete 250+
Practice Questions with Detailed Answer
Rationales | Comprehensive Practical
Nursing Study Guide
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 2 days postoperative following a colon
restriction. Which of the following indicates the need for nursing intervention?
a) Mild abdominal pain when coughing 30 min after receiving pain medication
b) Dark brown drainage in the NG tube
c) Serosanguineous drainage on the wound dressing
d) Oxygen saturation 95% - Correct Answer - B. Dark brown drainage in the NG tube
Rationale:
Dark brown drainage in the NG tube can be an indication of old blood in the stomach or
upper intestine. This tube will be set to suction and will drain out brownish colored
stomach acid. When it runs from brown to light green to clear, this is an indication that
things are moving through the stomach and feedings may be possible.
pg. 1
,A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about increasing her intake of fiber. Which
of the following foods should the nurse encourage the client to eat? a) Cheese
b) Pears
c) Yogurt
d) Eggs - Correct Answer - B. Pears Rationale:
Only pear has fiber out of 4 choices.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who reports his urine is red-orange.
The nurse should identify which of the following medications can cause this adverse
effect?
a) Isoniazid
b) Metoprolol
c) Furosemide
d) Rifampin - Correct Answer - D. Rifampin Rationale: associated with Red Man
syndrome (bodily fluids like urine appear red-orange in color)
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking metoprolol. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
a) Increased blood pressure
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Decreased Bronchospasm
d) Increased blood glucose level - Correct Answer – b) Decreased heart rate Rationale:
Metoprolol blocks stimulation to beta1-adrenergic receptors without usually affecting
beta2-adrenergic receptors. Decrease effects of the sympathetic nervous system:
decreases speed of conduction which slows heart rate and decreases contraction force
causing less cardiac output and decreased BP.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse report to the provider? a) Glycosylated
hemoglobin 5.2%
pg. 2
,b) Urine positive for ketones
c) Urine negative for bilirubin
d) Fasting blood glucose 70 mg/dL - Correct Answer - b. Urine positive for ketones
Rational:
when there are ketones in your urine, that is the indication of DKA. Diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the
body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat
into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider? a) Urinary output of 1,000
mL in 12 hr
b) Potassium level 4.5 mEq/L
c) PaCO2 55 mm Hg
d) Chest x-ray showing cardiomegaly - Correct Answer - C. PaCO2 55 mm Hg
Rationale:
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide normal range is 35 to 45 mm hg. Patients paCO2
level is 55 mm hg. So this is elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide for this patient.
Increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide indicate alveolar hypoventilation that
causes respiratory acidosis. So there are more chances to develop respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis should be treated immediately. Health care provider should be
reported by nurse for elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
Potassium level 4.5 meq/L is a normal value. Normal value of serum potassium is 3.6 to
5.1 meq/L.
Chest X ray showing cardiomegaly so in heart failure this a general sign.
1000 ml of urine output in 12 hour is low output but this is necessary to report about
elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities and
has a new prescription for a heating pad. The prescription reads, "Apply to the left foot
for 20 min." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Complete Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing following treatment.
pg. 3
, b) Apply the heating pad as prescribed by the provider.
c) Clarify the prescription with the provider.
d) Observe the skin 10 min after the start of treatment. - Correct Answer - C. Clarify the
prescription with the provider.
Rationale:
diabetic neuropathy of lower extremities increasing chances of impaired perceptual
sensation to heat -> increasing risk for burns -> IF test is done, the patient will be
assessed how much they can sense pain from heat -> preventing burns to skin ->
making letter C the correct answer.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I should clean around the stoma with moisturizing soap."
b) "I should avoid broccoli and chewing gum."
c) "I should decrease the amount of fresh fruit in my diet."
d) "I should place an aspirin in the pouch to eliminate odor." - Correct Answer - B. "I
should avoid broccoli and chewing gum."
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a newly placed colostomy. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse the client has accepted their new altered
body image?
a) Denies feelings of sadness about the ostomy
b) Prefers not to look at the stoma site
c) Accepts that seual activity will decrease
d) Participates in performing ostomy care - Correct Answer - D. Participates in
performing ostomy care
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of a client who is scheduled for a liver
biopsy. Which of the following values should the nurse report to the provider? a)
Ammonia 55 mcg/dL
pg. 4
Surg) Exam 2026–2027 | Complete 250+
Practice Questions with Detailed Answer
Rationales | Comprehensive Practical
Nursing Study Guide
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 2 days postoperative following a colon
restriction. Which of the following indicates the need for nursing intervention?
a) Mild abdominal pain when coughing 30 min after receiving pain medication
b) Dark brown drainage in the NG tube
c) Serosanguineous drainage on the wound dressing
d) Oxygen saturation 95% - Correct Answer - B. Dark brown drainage in the NG tube
Rationale:
Dark brown drainage in the NG tube can be an indication of old blood in the stomach or
upper intestine. This tube will be set to suction and will drain out brownish colored
stomach acid. When it runs from brown to light green to clear, this is an indication that
things are moving through the stomach and feedings may be possible.
pg. 1
,A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about increasing her intake of fiber. Which
of the following foods should the nurse encourage the client to eat? a) Cheese
b) Pears
c) Yogurt
d) Eggs - Correct Answer - B. Pears Rationale:
Only pear has fiber out of 4 choices.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who reports his urine is red-orange.
The nurse should identify which of the following medications can cause this adverse
effect?
a) Isoniazid
b) Metoprolol
c) Furosemide
d) Rifampin - Correct Answer - D. Rifampin Rationale: associated with Red Man
syndrome (bodily fluids like urine appear red-orange in color)
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking metoprolol. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect?
a) Increased blood pressure
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Decreased Bronchospasm
d) Increased blood glucose level - Correct Answer – b) Decreased heart rate Rationale:
Metoprolol blocks stimulation to beta1-adrenergic receptors without usually affecting
beta2-adrenergic receptors. Decrease effects of the sympathetic nervous system:
decreases speed of conduction which slows heart rate and decreases contraction force
causing less cardiac output and decreased BP.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus. Which of the following
laboratory results should the nurse report to the provider? a) Glycosylated
hemoglobin 5.2%
pg. 2
,b) Urine positive for ketones
c) Urine negative for bilirubin
d) Fasting blood glucose 70 mg/dL - Correct Answer - b. Urine positive for ketones
Rational:
when there are ketones in your urine, that is the indication of DKA. Diabetic ketoacidosis
(DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the
body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat
into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic.
A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider? a) Urinary output of 1,000
mL in 12 hr
b) Potassium level 4.5 mEq/L
c) PaCO2 55 mm Hg
d) Chest x-ray showing cardiomegaly - Correct Answer - C. PaCO2 55 mm Hg
Rationale:
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide normal range is 35 to 45 mm hg. Patients paCO2
level is 55 mm hg. So this is elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide for this patient.
Increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide indicate alveolar hypoventilation that
causes respiratory acidosis. So there are more chances to develop respiratory acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis should be treated immediately. Health care provider should be
reported by nurse for elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
Potassium level 4.5 meq/L is a normal value. Normal value of serum potassium is 3.6 to
5.1 meq/L.
Chest X ray showing cardiomegaly so in heart failure this a general sign.
1000 ml of urine output in 12 hour is low output but this is necessary to report about
elevated partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities and
has a new prescription for a heating pad. The prescription reads, "Apply to the left foot
for 20 min." Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Complete Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing following treatment.
pg. 3
, b) Apply the heating pad as prescribed by the provider.
c) Clarify the prescription with the provider.
d) Observe the skin 10 min after the start of treatment. - Correct Answer - C. Clarify the
prescription with the provider.
Rationale:
diabetic neuropathy of lower extremities increasing chances of impaired perceptual
sensation to heat -> increasing risk for burns -> IF test is done, the patient will be
assessed how much they can sense pain from heat -> preventing burns to skin ->
making letter C the correct answer.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new colostomy. Which of the
following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I should clean around the stoma with moisturizing soap."
b) "I should avoid broccoli and chewing gum."
c) "I should decrease the amount of fresh fruit in my diet."
d) "I should place an aspirin in the pouch to eliminate odor." - Correct Answer - B. "I
should avoid broccoli and chewing gum."
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a newly placed colostomy. Which of the
following findings should indicate to the nurse the client has accepted their new altered
body image?
a) Denies feelings of sadness about the ostomy
b) Prefers not to look at the stoma site
c) Accepts that seual activity will decrease
d) Participates in performing ostomy care - Correct Answer - D. Participates in
performing ostomy care
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of a client who is scheduled for a liver
biopsy. Which of the following values should the nurse report to the provider? a)
Ammonia 55 mcg/dL
pg. 4
