ACTUAL 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
EXAM OVERVIEW
Element Details
Exam ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026
Format Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Style
Question Multiple Choice, Select All That Apply (SATA), Bow-Tie, Matrix/Grid, Unfolding C
Types Studies
Content Cardiovascular, Respiratory, GI, Renal, Neurological, Endocrine, Musculoskelet
Areas Hematological, Immunological, Perioperative
Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM): Recognize Cues → Analyze Cue
Focus
Prioritize Hypotheses → Generate Solutions → Take Action → Evaluate Outcomes
,SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1-20)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which client statement indicates an understanding
of the teaching?
A) "I can keep my medication for 1 year before replacing it."
B) "I should lie down when I take this medication."
C) "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache."
D) "I can take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical attention."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client should lie down when taking sublingual nitroglycerin to
prevent dizziness and hypotension from vasodilation. Nitroglycerin should be
replaced every 6 months (not 1 year). Headache is a common side effect and not a
reason to discontinue. The correct dosing is one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3
doses (not 5 tablets in 15 minutes).
QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect? (Select All That Apply)
A) Crackles in the lung bases
B) Jugular vein distension
,C) Orthopnea
D) Peripheral edema
E) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, leading to
crackles (rales) in the lung bases, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Jugular vein distension (B) and peripheral edema (D) are signs of right-sided heart
failure.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has hypervolemia (fluid volume excess).
Which of the following is an expected assessment finding?
A) Weight loss
B) Increased urine output
C) Weight gain
D) Decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypervolemia results in weight gain, edema, distended neck veins,
crackles in the lungs, and elevated blood pressure. Weight loss and decreased
urine output are associated with hypovolemia.
QUESTION 4
, A nurse is preparing to administer a unit of packed RBCs to a client. Which
action should the nurse plan to take?
A) Administer the unit over 1 hour
B) Obtain the client's first set of vital signs 1 hour after initiating the transfusion
C) Initiate venous access with a 21-gauge needle
D) Use Y tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride when administering the transfusion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Packed RBCs should be administered using Y tubing with 0.9% normal
saline. The transfusion should be given over 2-4 hours (not 1 hour), vital signs are
taken at 15 minutes and then hourly, and an 18-20 gauge needle is recommended
for adults.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following cardiac
catheterization. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B) Limit fluid intake to 1 L per day
C) Maintain the affected extremity in extension
D) Change the dressing every 8 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Following cardiac catheterization, the affected extremity should be kept
in extension to prevent bleeding and hematoma formation at the insertion site. The
client is typically on bed rest for 4-8 hours (not 24), fluid intake is encouraged, and
the dressing is changed per facility protocol.
Test Bank 2026 | Medical-Surgical
Nursing, NCLEX Preparation | Multiple
Choice Questions and Answers with
Verified Rationales | Get HighScore |
Instant Download
EXAM OVERVIEW
Element Details
Exam ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2026
Format Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) Style
Question Multiple Choice, Select All That Apply (SATA), Bow-Tie, Matrix/Grid, Unfolding C
Types Studies
Content Cardiovascular, Respiratory, GI, Renal, Neurological, Endocrine, Musculoskelet
Areas Hematological, Immunological, Perioperative
Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM): Recognize Cues → Analyze Cue
Focus
Prioritize Hypotheses → Generate Solutions → Take Action → Evaluate Outcomes
,SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1-20)
QUESTION 1
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for sublingual nitroglycerin. Which client statement indicates an understanding
of the teaching?
A) "I can keep my medication for 1 year before replacing it."
B) "I should lie down when I take this medication."
C) "I should discontinue this medication if I develop a headache."
D) "I can take up to five tablets in 15 minutes before seeking medical attention."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client should lie down when taking sublingual nitroglycerin to
prevent dizziness and hypotension from vasodilation. Nitroglycerin should be
replaced every 6 months (not 1 year). Headache is a common side effect and not a
reason to discontinue. The correct dosing is one tablet every 5 minutes for up to 3
doses (not 5 tablets in 15 minutes).
QUESTION 2
A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect? (Select All That Apply)
A) Crackles in the lung bases
B) Jugular vein distension
,C) Orthopnea
D) Peripheral edema
E) Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Correct Answers: A, C, E
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion, leading to
crackles (rales) in the lung bases, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.
Jugular vein distension (B) and peripheral edema (D) are signs of right-sided heart
failure.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has hypervolemia (fluid volume excess).
Which of the following is an expected assessment finding?
A) Weight loss
B) Increased urine output
C) Weight gain
D) Decreased blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hypervolemia results in weight gain, edema, distended neck veins,
crackles in the lungs, and elevated blood pressure. Weight loss and decreased
urine output are associated with hypovolemia.
QUESTION 4
, A nurse is preparing to administer a unit of packed RBCs to a client. Which
action should the nurse plan to take?
A) Administer the unit over 1 hour
B) Obtain the client's first set of vital signs 1 hour after initiating the transfusion
C) Initiate venous access with a 21-gauge needle
D) Use Y tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride when administering the transfusion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Packed RBCs should be administered using Y tubing with 0.9% normal
saline. The transfusion should be given over 2-4 hours (not 1 hour), vital signs are
taken at 15 minutes and then hourly, and an 18-20 gauge needle is recommended
for adults.
QUESTION 5
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following cardiac
catheterization. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) Keep the client on bed rest for 24 hours
B) Limit fluid intake to 1 L per day
C) Maintain the affected extremity in extension
D) Change the dressing every 8 hours
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Following cardiac catheterization, the affected extremity should be kept
in extension to prevent bleeding and hematoma formation at the insertion site. The
client is typically on bed rest for 4-8 hours (not 24), fluid intake is encouraged, and
the dressing is changed per facility protocol.
