ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
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Exam Structure:
• Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / ATI Proctored Exam / NCLEX Preparation
• Source: ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam – Test Bank – 2026
• Format: Multiple-choice questions with Correct Answers and rationales
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a colon resection.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A. Heart rate 90/min
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Hgb 8.2 g/dL
D. Gastric pH of 3.0
Correct Answer: C. Hgb 8.2 g/dL
Rationale:
1. Normal hemoglobin level for an adult is approximately 12–16 g/dL (female) or 14–18
g/dL (male).
2. A level of 8.2 g/dL indicates significant postoperative bleeding requiring immediate
intervention.
3. Heart rate of 90 is within normal range; absent bowel sounds are expected immediately
post-op.
Question 2 (Partial Header in Image)
Correct Answer: A. Desmopressin
Rationale:
1. Diabetes insipidus results from deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), causing
polyuria and polydipsia.
2. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic ADH analog that reduces urine output by
increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys.
3. Regular insulin treats diabetes mellitus; furosemide is a diuretic; lithium carbonate can
cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Question 3
,ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking ibuprofen several
times daily for 3 years. Which of the following tests should the nurse monitor?
A. Fasting blood glucose
B. Stool for occult blood
C. Urine for white blood cells
D. Serum calcium
Correct Answer: B. Stool for occult blood
Rationale:
1. Long-term NSAID use (ibuprofen) increases risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
2. Occult blood testing detects hidden blood in stool, indicating GI mucosal injury.
3. Other tests are not specifically indicated for chronic NSAID use.
Question 4
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first? (Exhibit data indicates suspected tuberculosis.)
A. Obtain a sputum sample for culture
(Incomplete in image—Rationale notes: Airway and isolation take precedence over diagnostic
tests and symptom management.)
Question 5
A nurse is contacting the provider for a client who has cancer and is experiencing
breakthrough pain. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse anticipate?
A. Transmucosal fentanyl
B. Intramuscular meperidine
C. Oral acetaminophen
D. Intravenous dexamethasone
Correct Answer: A. Transmucosal fentanyl
,ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
Rationale:
1. Breakthrough pain in cancer patients is often treated with rapid-onset opioids.
2. Transmucosal fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora) provides quick relief for breakthrough pain.
3. Meperidine is not recommended for chronic pain due to neurotoxicity; acetaminophen is
too weak; dexamethasone treats inflammation, not acute breakthrough pain.
Question 6
A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a telemetry
monitor. Which of the following should the nurse analyze to determine whether the client is
experiencing a myocardial infarction?
A. PR interval
B. QRS duration
C. T wave
D. ST segment
Correct Answer: D. ST segment
Question 7
A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following radiation
treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
B. Apply OTC moisturizer to the radiation site
C. Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
D. Use a soft washcloth to clean the area around the radiation site
Correct Answer: A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
Rationale:
1. Patting dry prevents friction and trauma to irradiated skin.
2. Only lotions prescribed by the radiation oncologist should be used.
3. Soft washcloths and gentle cleaning are appropriate, but patting dry is the key instruction
from the answer choices.
, ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The nurse observes that
the client has bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended jugular veins. The
nurse should anticipate administering which of the following prescribed medications?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Pantoprazole
D. Furosemide
Correct Answer: D. Furosemide
Rationale:
1. These findings indicate transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO).
2. Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid volume and relieves pulmonary
congestion.
Question 9
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a central venous access device (CVAD) for
intermittent infusions. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A. Flush the catheter using a 10 mL syringe
B. Use clean technique when changing the dressing
C. Change the needleless connector every 14 days
D. Use a 3 mL syringe to assess catheter patency
Correct Answer: A. Flush the catheter using a 10 mL syringe
Rationale:
1. Syringe Size & Pressure: A 10 mL syringe (or larger) should always be used to flush
central venous lines because smaller syringes exert excessive injection pressure that can
rupture the catheter.
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
Exam Structure:
• Subject: Medical-Surgical Nursing / ATI Proctored Exam / NCLEX Preparation
• Source: ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam – Test Bank – 2026
• Format: Multiple-choice questions with Correct Answers and rationales
Question 1
A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a colon resection.
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A. Heart rate 90/min
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Hgb 8.2 g/dL
D. Gastric pH of 3.0
Correct Answer: C. Hgb 8.2 g/dL
Rationale:
1. Normal hemoglobin level for an adult is approximately 12–16 g/dL (female) or 14–18
g/dL (male).
2. A level of 8.2 g/dL indicates significant postoperative bleeding requiring immediate
intervention.
3. Heart rate of 90 is within normal range; absent bowel sounds are expected immediately
post-op.
Question 2 (Partial Header in Image)
Correct Answer: A. Desmopressin
Rationale:
1. Diabetes insipidus results from deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), causing
polyuria and polydipsia.
2. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic ADH analog that reduces urine output by
increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys.
3. Regular insulin treats diabetes mellitus; furosemide is a diuretic; lithium carbonate can
cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.
Question 3
,ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
A nurse is admitting a client who has arthritic pain and reports taking ibuprofen several
times daily for 3 years. Which of the following tests should the nurse monitor?
A. Fasting blood glucose
B. Stool for occult blood
C. Urine for white blood cells
D. Serum calcium
Correct Answer: B. Stool for occult blood
Rationale:
1. Long-term NSAID use (ibuprofen) increases risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
2. Occult blood testing detects hidden blood in stool, indicating GI mucosal injury.
3. Other tests are not specifically indicated for chronic NSAID use.
Question 4
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first? (Exhibit data indicates suspected tuberculosis.)
A. Obtain a sputum sample for culture
(Incomplete in image—Rationale notes: Airway and isolation take precedence over diagnostic
tests and symptom management.)
Question 5
A nurse is contacting the provider for a client who has cancer and is experiencing
breakthrough pain. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse anticipate?
A. Transmucosal fentanyl
B. Intramuscular meperidine
C. Oral acetaminophen
D. Intravenous dexamethasone
Correct Answer: A. Transmucosal fentanyl
,ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
Rationale:
1. Breakthrough pain in cancer patients is often treated with rapid-onset opioids.
2. Transmucosal fentanyl (Actiq, Fentora) provides quick relief for breakthrough pain.
3. Meperidine is not recommended for chronic pain due to neurotoxicity; acetaminophen is
too weak; dexamethasone treats inflammation, not acute breakthrough pain.
Question 6
A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a telemetry
monitor. Which of the following should the nurse analyze to determine whether the client is
experiencing a myocardial infarction?
A. PR interval
B. QRS duration
C. T wave
D. ST segment
Correct Answer: D. ST segment
Question 7
A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following radiation
treatment. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
B. Apply OTC moisturizer to the radiation site
C. Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
D. Use a soft washcloth to clean the area around the radiation site
Correct Answer: A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
Rationale:
1. Patting dry prevents friction and trauma to irradiated skin.
2. Only lotions prescribed by the radiation oncologist should be used.
3. Soft washcloths and gentle cleaning are appropriate, but patting dry is the key instruction
from the answer choices.
, ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical Nursing, NCLEX Preparation |
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant
Download
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The nurse observes that
the client has bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended jugular veins. The
nurse should anticipate administering which of the following prescribed medications?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Pantoprazole
D. Furosemide
Correct Answer: D. Furosemide
Rationale:
1. These findings indicate transfusion-associated circulatory overload (TACO).
2. Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid volume and relieves pulmonary
congestion.
Question 9
A nurse is planning care for a client who has a central venous access device (CVAD) for
intermittent infusions. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan
of care?
A. Flush the catheter using a 10 mL syringe
B. Use clean technique when changing the dressing
C. Change the needleless connector every 14 days
D. Use a 3 mL syringe to assess catheter patency
Correct Answer: A. Flush the catheter using a 10 mL syringe
Rationale:
1. Syringe Size & Pressure: A 10 mL syringe (or larger) should always be used to flush
central venous lines because smaller syringes exert excessive injection pressure that can
rupture the catheter.
