ATI RN MED SURG MEDICAL SURGICAL
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ How can you determine respiratory/metabolic acidosis/alkalosis?
Answer: First look at the pH. <7.35 = acidosis; >7.45=alkalosis.
Then look at CO2. If abnormal = respiratory. If CO2 normal and HCO3
abnormal = metabolic.
⩥ isoniazid for TB
-how long is it usually prescribed for?
-monitor what organ?
-take with or without food? Answer: -usually 6 months to 2 years
-monitor liver function
-empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal)
⩥ The nurse should recognize that bladder spasms are an expected
manifestation after a TURP and are usually controlled by a smooth
muscle relaxant such as ______. Answer: oxybutynin
⩥ Is a strong urge to urinate normal after a TURP? Answer: yes
,⩥ Post-TURP, the nurse should report urine output that is bright
red/viscous with clots or urine that resembles ketchup to the provider
because this is an indication of _________. Answer: arterial bleeding
⩥ brachytherapy
-what position during treatment?
-avoid contact with people between treatments?
-treatment how often?
-is blood in urine expected? Answer: -bed rest with limited movement
(lie still in bed)
-no need to avoid contact with people between treatments
-treatment usually 1-2 times per week
-blood in urine not expected - report to the provider
⩥ EEG special instructions Answer: -eat regular meals beforehand
-shampoo hair thoroughly, no sprays or oils
-wake up at 2 or 3 am the morning of
⩥ post sigmoid colon resection with colostomy
-how will the stoma change in size?
-diet?
-what will the stools be like?
,-when will colostomy begin to function? Answer: -it will be large and
edematous and shrink over 6-8 weeks
-quickly return to regular diet after surgery, unless patient wants to
restrict foods that cause gas or odor. no need to do soft foods
-the colostomy will begin to function 2-6 days after surgery. the first 2-6
days there may only be mucus drainage
⩥ patient with encephalitis from West Nile virus
-what level of precautions?
-vital signs how often?
-neuro status how often?
-risk of what?
-bed position?
-surroundings? Answer: -standard precautions
-vital signs q 2 hrs
-neuro status at least q 4 hrs
-risk of increased ICP:
-head of bed elevated 30-45 degrees
-dark room, low-stimulation environment to promote comfort and
decrease agitation
⩥ patient with epistaxis
-what position
, -apply what
-blow nose?
-when to try something else? Answer: -sitting leaning forward
-apply ice pack or cold compress
-apply direct lateral pressure for 10 minutes. if that doesn't work, try
nasal packing or other interventions
-avoid blowing nose for 24 hrs afterward
⩥ patient on TPN
-if TPN is not available, give what fluid?
-change tubing how often?
-blood glucose checks how often?
-weights how often? Answer: -give 10% dextrose in water or 20%
dextrose in water
-change tubing every 24 hrs
-check blood glucose every 4 hrs
-daily weights
⩥ s/sx of increased intracranial pressure:
-BP
-HR
-other Answer: widened pulse pressure/increased systolic BP
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ How can you determine respiratory/metabolic acidosis/alkalosis?
Answer: First look at the pH. <7.35 = acidosis; >7.45=alkalosis.
Then look at CO2. If abnormal = respiratory. If CO2 normal and HCO3
abnormal = metabolic.
⩥ isoniazid for TB
-how long is it usually prescribed for?
-monitor what organ?
-take with or without food? Answer: -usually 6 months to 2 years
-monitor liver function
-empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal)
⩥ The nurse should recognize that bladder spasms are an expected
manifestation after a TURP and are usually controlled by a smooth
muscle relaxant such as ______. Answer: oxybutynin
⩥ Is a strong urge to urinate normal after a TURP? Answer: yes
,⩥ Post-TURP, the nurse should report urine output that is bright
red/viscous with clots or urine that resembles ketchup to the provider
because this is an indication of _________. Answer: arterial bleeding
⩥ brachytherapy
-what position during treatment?
-avoid contact with people between treatments?
-treatment how often?
-is blood in urine expected? Answer: -bed rest with limited movement
(lie still in bed)
-no need to avoid contact with people between treatments
-treatment usually 1-2 times per week
-blood in urine not expected - report to the provider
⩥ EEG special instructions Answer: -eat regular meals beforehand
-shampoo hair thoroughly, no sprays or oils
-wake up at 2 or 3 am the morning of
⩥ post sigmoid colon resection with colostomy
-how will the stoma change in size?
-diet?
-what will the stools be like?
,-when will colostomy begin to function? Answer: -it will be large and
edematous and shrink over 6-8 weeks
-quickly return to regular diet after surgery, unless patient wants to
restrict foods that cause gas or odor. no need to do soft foods
-the colostomy will begin to function 2-6 days after surgery. the first 2-6
days there may only be mucus drainage
⩥ patient with encephalitis from West Nile virus
-what level of precautions?
-vital signs how often?
-neuro status how often?
-risk of what?
-bed position?
-surroundings? Answer: -standard precautions
-vital signs q 2 hrs
-neuro status at least q 4 hrs
-risk of increased ICP:
-head of bed elevated 30-45 degrees
-dark room, low-stimulation environment to promote comfort and
decrease agitation
⩥ patient with epistaxis
-what position
, -apply what
-blow nose?
-when to try something else? Answer: -sitting leaning forward
-apply ice pack or cold compress
-apply direct lateral pressure for 10 minutes. if that doesn't work, try
nasal packing or other interventions
-avoid blowing nose for 24 hrs afterward
⩥ patient on TPN
-if TPN is not available, give what fluid?
-change tubing how often?
-blood glucose checks how often?
-weights how often? Answer: -give 10% dextrose in water or 20%
dextrose in water
-change tubing every 24 hrs
-check blood glucose every 4 hrs
-daily weights
⩥ s/sx of increased intracranial pressure:
-BP
-HR
-other Answer: widened pulse pressure/increased systolic BP
