ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
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1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding indicates
worsening fluid retention?
A. Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hr
B. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
C. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
D. Urine output of 1,500 mL/day
Answer: Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
Rationale: A rapid increase in weight is an early indicator of fluid retention and
worsening heart failure. Daily weights are useful for monitoring fluid status.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has COPD. Which intervention should the
nurse implement?
A. Encourage rapid, shallow breathing
B. Administer oxygen at the highest possible flow rate
C. Teach the client pursed-lip breathing
D. Encourage prolonged periods of bed rest
Answer: Teach the client pursed-lip breathing
,Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing promotes prolonged exhalation, decreases air
trapping, and improves ventilation in clients with COPD.
3. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Deep, rapid respirations
D. Diaphoresis and tremors
Answer: Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing
sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a myocardial infarction. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to reduce platelet
aggregation?
A. Furosemide
B. Aspirin
C. Digoxin
D. Atorvastatin
Answer: Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and is commonly administered
promptly during an acute myocardial infarction unless contraindicated.
5. A client is receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
,A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium
loss, increasing the risk for hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a pulmonary embolism. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
C. Increased appetite
D. Productive cough with thick sputum only
Answer: Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism commonly presents suddenly with dyspnea,
pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, anxiety, and hypoxemia.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has asthma. Which finding indicates an
acute exacerbation?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Clear breath sounds
C. Expiratory wheezing
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Answer: Expiratory wheezing
, Rationale: Wheezing, particularly during expiration, is a common manifestation
of airway narrowing associated with asthma.
8. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about lifestyle
modifications. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Avoid physical activity
C. Limit dietary sodium
D. Increase saturated fat consumption
Answer: Limit dietary sodium
Rationale: Limiting sodium can reduce fluid retention and help lower blood
pressure.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease. Which dietary
modification is commonly prescribed?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Increase phosphorus intake
C. Limit foods high in phosphorus
D. Increase potassium-rich foods regardless of laboratory results
Answer: Limit foods high in phosphorus
Rationale: Chronic kidney disease decreases phosphorus excretion, which can
result in hyperphosphatemia and secondary complications.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute kidney injury. Which finding
requires immediate attention?
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a client who has heart failure. Which finding indicates
worsening fluid retention?
A. Weight loss of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in 24 hr
B. Blood pressure of 118/72 mm Hg
C. Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
D. Urine output of 1,500 mL/day
Answer: Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lb) in 2 days
Rationale: A rapid increase in weight is an early indicator of fluid retention and
worsening heart failure. Daily weights are useful for monitoring fluid status.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has COPD. Which intervention should the
nurse implement?
A. Encourage rapid, shallow breathing
B. Administer oxygen at the highest possible flow rate
C. Teach the client pursed-lip breathing
D. Encourage prolonged periods of bed rest
Answer: Teach the client pursed-lip breathing
,Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing promotes prolonged exhalation, decreases air
trapping, and improves ventilation in clients with COPD.
3. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Warm, dry skin
B. Fruity breath odor
C. Deep, rapid respirations
D. Diaphoresis and tremors
Answer: Diaphoresis and tremors
Rationale: Hypoglycemia activates the sympathetic nervous system, causing
sweating, tremors, palpitations, anxiety, and hunger.
4. A nurse is caring for a client who has a myocardial infarction. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to reduce platelet
aggregation?
A. Furosemide
B. Aspirin
C. Digoxin
D. Atorvastatin
Answer: Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and is commonly administered
promptly during an acute myocardial infarction unless contraindicated.
5. A client is receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
,A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium
loss, increasing the risk for hypokalemia and dysrhythmias.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a pulmonary embolism. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
C. Increased appetite
D. Productive cough with thick sputum only
Answer: Sudden dyspnea and chest pain
Rationale: Pulmonary embolism commonly presents suddenly with dyspnea,
pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia, anxiety, and hypoxemia.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has asthma. Which finding indicates an
acute exacerbation?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Clear breath sounds
C. Expiratory wheezing
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Answer: Expiratory wheezing
, Rationale: Wheezing, particularly during expiration, is a common manifestation
of airway narrowing associated with asthma.
8. A nurse is teaching a client who has hypertension about lifestyle
modifications. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Avoid physical activity
C. Limit dietary sodium
D. Increase saturated fat consumption
Answer: Limit dietary sodium
Rationale: Limiting sodium can reduce fluid retention and help lower blood
pressure.
9. A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic kidney disease. Which dietary
modification is commonly prescribed?
A. Increase sodium intake
B. Increase phosphorus intake
C. Limit foods high in phosphorus
D. Increase potassium-rich foods regardless of laboratory results
Answer: Limit foods high in phosphorus
Rationale: Chronic kidney disease decreases phosphorus excretion, which can
result in hyperphosphatemia and secondary complications.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who has acute kidney injury. Which finding
requires immediate attention?
