ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice
Exam 150 Questions with Answers and
Rationales EXAM REVIEWS WITH
COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM2025-2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which assessment
finding indicates worsening left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Crackles in both lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Crackles in both lung bases
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion,
leading to crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral edema and
JVD are more common with right-sided heart failure.
2. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which oxygen flow rate is
most appropriate?
A. 8 L/min via simple mask
B. 10 L/min via nonrebreather
,C. 2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. 15 L/min via face tent
Answer: C. 2 L/min via nasal cannula
Rationale: Clients with COPD generally receive low-flow oxygen to
prevent suppression of respiratory drive while maintaining adequate
oxygenation.
3. Which laboratory value requires immediate intervention?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
D. Potassium 6.3 mEq/L
Answer: D. Potassium 6.3 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and requires immediate treatment.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in a client with
hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: C. Diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
causing sweating, tremors, and tachycardia.
,5. A client is experiencing chest pain. Which medication should the
nurse administer first if prescribed PRN?
A. Morphine
B. Aspirin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Metoprolol
Answer: C. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries and decreases
myocardial oxygen demand, making it the first-line medication for
angina if prescribed.
6. Which finding suggests fluid volume overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Hypotension
C. Flat neck veins
D. Bounding pulses
Answer: D. Bounding pulses
Rationale: Fluid overload commonly presents with bounding pulses,
hypertension, edema, and jugular vein distention.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely with prolonged
vomiting?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
, Rationale: Gastric fluid loss results in potassium depletion, increasing
the risk of hypokalemia.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis pain
B. Client requesting pain medication
C. Client reporting sudden shortness of breath
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: C. Client reporting sudden shortness of breath
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority according to ABCs.
9. A client has atrial fibrillation. Which complication is the highest
priority?
A. Hypertension
B. Stroke
C. Pneumonia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B. Stroke
Rationale: Blood pooling in the atria increases thrombus formation,
significantly raising stroke risk.
10. Which food is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. Bread
Answer: C. Bananas
Exam 150 Questions with Answers and
Rationales EXAM REVIEWS WITH
COMPLETE ACTUAL EXAM2025-2026
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED
ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+
(MOST RECENT!!)
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure. Which assessment
finding indicates worsening left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Jugular vein distention
C. Crackles in both lung bases
D. Hepatomegaly
Answer: C. Crackles in both lung bases
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure causes pulmonary congestion,
leading to crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Peripheral edema and
JVD are more common with right-sided heart failure.
2. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen. Which oxygen flow rate is
most appropriate?
A. 8 L/min via simple mask
B. 10 L/min via nonrebreather
,C. 2 L/min via nasal cannula
D. 15 L/min via face tent
Answer: C. 2 L/min via nasal cannula
Rationale: Clients with COPD generally receive low-flow oxygen to
prevent suppression of respiratory drive while maintaining adequate
oxygenation.
3. Which laboratory value requires immediate intervention?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
D. Potassium 6.3 mEq/L
Answer: D. Potassium 6.3 mEq/L
Rationale: Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and requires immediate treatment.
4. Which assessment finding is expected in a client with
hypoglycemia?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Diaphoresis
D. Fruity breath odor
Answer: C. Diaphoresis
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system,
causing sweating, tremors, and tachycardia.
,5. A client is experiencing chest pain. Which medication should the
nurse administer first if prescribed PRN?
A. Morphine
B. Aspirin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Metoprolol
Answer: C. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin dilates coronary arteries and decreases
myocardial oxygen demand, making it the first-line medication for
angina if prescribed.
6. Which finding suggests fluid volume overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Hypotension
C. Flat neck veins
D. Bounding pulses
Answer: D. Bounding pulses
Rationale: Fluid overload commonly presents with bounding pulses,
hypertension, edema, and jugular vein distention.
7. Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely with prolonged
vomiting?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
, Rationale: Gastric fluid loss results in potassium depletion, increasing
the risk of hypokalemia.
8. Which client should the nurse assess first?
A. Client with chronic arthritis pain
B. Client requesting pain medication
C. Client reporting sudden shortness of breath
D. Client awaiting discharge instructions
Answer: C. Client reporting sudden shortness of breath
Rationale: Airway and breathing take priority according to ABCs.
9. A client has atrial fibrillation. Which complication is the highest
priority?
A. Hypertension
B. Stroke
C. Pneumonia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B. Stroke
Rationale: Blood pooling in the atria increases thrombus formation,
significantly raising stroke risk.
10. Which food is highest in potassium?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. Bread
Answer: C. Bananas
