Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam 2026/2027 NEWEST
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
• A nurse in a provider's office is reinforcing teaching with a client who has anemia and
has been taking ferrous gluconate for several weeks. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include? -✓✓ Take this medication between meals.
• A nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client who is postoperative following
a modified radical mastectomy. Which of the following invasive devices should the
nurse expect this client to have? -✓✓ jackson-pratt drain
• A nurse is caring for a client who had a left lower lobectomy to treat lung cancer.
Which of the following factors will have a significant impact on the plan of care for this
client? -✓✓ lung cancer usually has metastasized before the client presents with
symptoms
• A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has cellulitis of the leg. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse recommend? -✓✓ Wash daily with an
antibacterial soap.
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is postoperative after having an
ileostomy established. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in
the teaching? -✓✓ Avoid medications in capsule or enteric form.
• A nurse is caring for a client with severe burns to both lower extremities. The client is
scheduled for an escharotomy and wants to know what the procedure involves. Which
of the following statements is appropriate for the nurse to make? -✓✓ "Large incisions
will be made in the burned tissue to improve circulation."
• A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a possible cataract. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect the client to report? -✓✓ Decreased
color perception
• A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has an intestinal obstruction
and is receiving continuous gastrointestinal decompression using a nasogastric tube.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? -✓✓
Maintain the client in Fowler's position.
• A nurse is caring for a client who has Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.) -✓✓
1) Buffalo hump 2) Purple striations 3) Moon face
• A nurse is caring for a client who is in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take? -✓✓ Monitor intake and output hourly
,• A nurse is reinforcing teaching about an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with a client
who has upper gastric pain. Which of the following statements should the nurse include
in the teaching? -✓✓ "You will remain NPO for 8 hours before the procedure."
• A nurse is caring for a client who is difficult to arouse and very sleepy for several hours
following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following descriptions should
the nurse use when documenting this finding in the medical record? -✓✓ Postictal
phase
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who reports right shoulder pain following a
laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which of the following statements should the nurse
make? -✓✓ "The pain will dissipate if you ambulate frequently."
• A nurse is checking the suction control chamber of a client's chest tube and notes that
there is no bubbling in the suction control chamber. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? -✓✓ Verify that the suction regulator is on.
• A nurse is assisting with the care of a client immediately following a lumbar puncture.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) -✓✓
Encourage fluid intake. 2) Monitor the puncture site for hematoma.
• A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is postoperative following surgical
repair of a fractured mandible. The client's jaw is wired shut to repair and stabilize the
fracture. The nurse should recognize which of the following is the priority action? -✓✓
Prevent aspiration.
• A nurse is collecting data from a client who has scleroderma. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? -✓✓ Hardened skin
• A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dysphagia and left-sided weakness
following a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? -✓✓ Add
thickener to fluids.
• A nurse is caring for a client who has partial-thickness and full-thickness burns of his
head, neck, and chest. The nurse should recognize which of the following is the priority
risk to the client? -✓✓ Airway obstruction
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is newly diagnosed with myasthenia
gravis and is to start taking neostigmine. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓ 1) Take the medication 45 minutes before eating.
• A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a transurethral
resection of the prostate (TURP) and has a 3-way urinary catheter with continuous
irrigation. The nurse notes there has not been any urinary output in the last hour. Which
,of the following actions should the nurse perform first? -✓✓ Notify the provider..
Determine the patency of the tubing.
• A nurse is caring for a client scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy. The client
expresses fear about the procedure and asks the nurse if the biopsy will hurt. Which of
the following responses should the nurse make? -✓✓ "The biopsy can be
uncomfortable, but we will try to keep you as comfortable as possible."
• A nurse is assisting with planning care for a client who is recovering from a left-
hemispheric stroke. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the
plan? -✓✓ Re-establish communication.
• A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has diabetes insipidus. The nurse
should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations? -✓✓ Hypotension
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has HIV and is being discharged to
home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓
Take temperature once a day
• A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a tracheostomy, and has
copious and tenacious secretions. Which of the following is an acceptable method for
the nurse to use to thin this client's secretions? -✓✓ Provide humidified oxygen.
• Following admission, a client with a vascular occlusion of the right lower extremity calls
the nurse and reports difficulty sleeping because of cold feet. Which of the following
nursing actions should the nurse take to promote the client's comfort? -✓✓ Obtain a pair
of slipper socks for the client.
• A nurse is caring for a client is who is 4 hr postoperative following a transurethral
resection of the prostate (TURP). Which of the following is the priority finding for the
nurse report to the provider? -✓✓ Thick, red-colored urine
• A nurse is caring for a client who has a temperature of 39.7° C (103.5° F) and has a
prescription for a hypothermia blanket. The nurse should monitor the client for which of
the following adverse effects of the hypothermia blanket? -✓✓ Shivering
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching about exercise with a client who has type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching? -✓✓ "I will not exercise if my urine is positive for ketones."
• A nurse notes a small section of bowel protruding from the abdominal incision of a
client who is postoperative. After calling for assistance, which of the following actions
should the nurse take first? -✓✓ Cover the client's wound with a moist, sterile dressing.
, • A nurse is collecting data from a client who has alcohol use disorder and is
experiencing metabolic acidosis. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse
expect? -✓✓ Hyperventilation
• A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client following a cataract extraction.
Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓ Avoid bending at
the waist
• A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and has been taking digoxin 0.25
mg daily. The client refuses breakfast and reports nausea. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first? -✓✓ Check the client's vital signs.
• A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 days postoperative following a cholecystectomy.
The nurse suspects the client's wound is infected because the drainage from the
dressing is yellow and thick. Which of the following findings should the nurse report as
the type of drainage found? -✓✓ Purulent
• A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client following arthroscopic surgery. To
prevent postoperative complications which of the following actions should be reinforced
during the teaching? -✓✓ Administer an opioid analgesic to the client 30 min prior to
initiating CPM exercises.
• A nurse is collecting data from a client who has emphysema. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.) -✓✓ 1) Dyspnea 2) Barrel
chest 3) Clubbing of the fingers 4) Shallow respirations
• A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a basal skull fracture. When performing
morning hygiene care, the nurse notices a thin stream of clear drainage coming from
out of the client's right nostril. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
-✓✓ Test the drainage for glucose.
• A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury at T-4. The nurse should
recognize that the client is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse take to prevent autonomic dysreflexia? -✓✓ Prevent
bladder distention.
• A nurse is caring for a client who is being evaluated for endometrial cancer. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect the client to report? -✓✓ Abnormal
vaginal bleeding
• A nurse is caring for a client following an open reduction and internal fixation of a
fractured femur. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority? -✓✓ Altered level
of consciousness
VERIFIED QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
• A nurse in a provider's office is reinforcing teaching with a client who has anemia and
has been taking ferrous gluconate for several weeks. Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include? -✓✓ Take this medication between meals.
• A nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client who is postoperative following
a modified radical mastectomy. Which of the following invasive devices should the
nurse expect this client to have? -✓✓ jackson-pratt drain
• A nurse is caring for a client who had a left lower lobectomy to treat lung cancer.
Which of the following factors will have a significant impact on the plan of care for this
client? -✓✓ lung cancer usually has metastasized before the client presents with
symptoms
• A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client who has cellulitis of the leg. Which of
the following interventions should the nurse recommend? -✓✓ Wash daily with an
antibacterial soap.
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is postoperative after having an
ileostomy established. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in
the teaching? -✓✓ Avoid medications in capsule or enteric form.
• A nurse is caring for a client with severe burns to both lower extremities. The client is
scheduled for an escharotomy and wants to know what the procedure involves. Which
of the following statements is appropriate for the nurse to make? -✓✓ "Large incisions
will be made in the burned tissue to improve circulation."
• A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a possible cataract. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect the client to report? -✓✓ Decreased
color perception
• A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has an intestinal obstruction
and is receiving continuous gastrointestinal decompression using a nasogastric tube.
Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care? -✓✓
Maintain the client in Fowler's position.
• A nurse is caring for a client who has Cushing's syndrome. Which of the following
clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to observe? (Select all that apply.) -✓✓
1) Buffalo hump 2) Purple striations 3) Moon face
• A nurse is caring for a client who is in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take? -✓✓ Monitor intake and output hourly
,• A nurse is reinforcing teaching about an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with a client
who has upper gastric pain. Which of the following statements should the nurse include
in the teaching? -✓✓ "You will remain NPO for 8 hours before the procedure."
• A nurse is caring for a client who is difficult to arouse and very sleepy for several hours
following a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following descriptions should
the nurse use when documenting this finding in the medical record? -✓✓ Postictal
phase
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who reports right shoulder pain following a
laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which of the following statements should the nurse
make? -✓✓ "The pain will dissipate if you ambulate frequently."
• A nurse is checking the suction control chamber of a client's chest tube and notes that
there is no bubbling in the suction control chamber. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take? -✓✓ Verify that the suction regulator is on.
• A nurse is assisting with the care of a client immediately following a lumbar puncture.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (Select all that apply.) -✓✓
Encourage fluid intake. 2) Monitor the puncture site for hematoma.
• A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is postoperative following surgical
repair of a fractured mandible. The client's jaw is wired shut to repair and stabilize the
fracture. The nurse should recognize which of the following is the priority action? -✓✓
Prevent aspiration.
• A nurse is collecting data from a client who has scleroderma. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? -✓✓ Hardened skin
• A nurse is caring for an older adult client who has dysphagia and left-sided weakness
following a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? -✓✓ Add
thickener to fluids.
• A nurse is caring for a client who has partial-thickness and full-thickness burns of his
head, neck, and chest. The nurse should recognize which of the following is the priority
risk to the client? -✓✓ Airway obstruction
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who is newly diagnosed with myasthenia
gravis and is to start taking neostigmine. Which of the following instructions should the
nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓ 1) Take the medication 45 minutes before eating.
• A nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a transurethral
resection of the prostate (TURP) and has a 3-way urinary catheter with continuous
irrigation. The nurse notes there has not been any urinary output in the last hour. Which
,of the following actions should the nurse perform first? -✓✓ Notify the provider..
Determine the patency of the tubing.
• A nurse is caring for a client scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy. The client
expresses fear about the procedure and asks the nurse if the biopsy will hurt. Which of
the following responses should the nurse make? -✓✓ "The biopsy can be
uncomfortable, but we will try to keep you as comfortable as possible."
• A nurse is assisting with planning care for a client who is recovering from a left-
hemispheric stroke. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the
plan? -✓✓ Re-establish communication.
• A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has diabetes insipidus. The nurse
should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations? -✓✓ Hypotension
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has HIV and is being discharged to
home. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓
Take temperature once a day
• A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a tracheostomy, and has
copious and tenacious secretions. Which of the following is an acceptable method for
the nurse to use to thin this client's secretions? -✓✓ Provide humidified oxygen.
• Following admission, a client with a vascular occlusion of the right lower extremity calls
the nurse and reports difficulty sleeping because of cold feet. Which of the following
nursing actions should the nurse take to promote the client's comfort? -✓✓ Obtain a pair
of slipper socks for the client.
• A nurse is caring for a client is who is 4 hr postoperative following a transurethral
resection of the prostate (TURP). Which of the following is the priority finding for the
nurse report to the provider? -✓✓ Thick, red-colored urine
• A nurse is caring for a client who has a temperature of 39.7° C (103.5° F) and has a
prescription for a hypothermia blanket. The nurse should monitor the client for which of
the following adverse effects of the hypothermia blanket? -✓✓ Shivering
• A nurse is reinforcing teaching about exercise with a client who has type 1 diabetes
mellitus. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of
the teaching? -✓✓ "I will not exercise if my urine is positive for ketones."
• A nurse notes a small section of bowel protruding from the abdominal incision of a
client who is postoperative. After calling for assistance, which of the following actions
should the nurse take first? -✓✓ Cover the client's wound with a moist, sterile dressing.
, • A nurse is collecting data from a client who has alcohol use disorder and is
experiencing metabolic acidosis. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse
expect? -✓✓ Hyperventilation
• A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client following a cataract extraction.
Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching? -✓✓ Avoid bending at
the waist
• A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and has been taking digoxin 0.25
mg daily. The client refuses breakfast and reports nausea. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first? -✓✓ Check the client's vital signs.
• A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 days postoperative following a cholecystectomy.
The nurse suspects the client's wound is infected because the drainage from the
dressing is yellow and thick. Which of the following findings should the nurse report as
the type of drainage found? -✓✓ Purulent
• A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching to a client following arthroscopic surgery. To
prevent postoperative complications which of the following actions should be reinforced
during the teaching? -✓✓ Administer an opioid analgesic to the client 30 min prior to
initiating CPM exercises.
• A nurse is collecting data from a client who has emphysema. Which of the following
findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.) -✓✓ 1) Dyspnea 2) Barrel
chest 3) Clubbing of the fingers 4) Shallow respirations
• A nurse is caring for a client who sustained a basal skull fracture. When performing
morning hygiene care, the nurse notices a thin stream of clear drainage coming from
out of the client's right nostril. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
-✓✓ Test the drainage for glucose.
• A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury at T-4. The nurse should
recognize that the client is at risk for autonomic dysreflexia. Which of the following
interventions should the nurse take to prevent autonomic dysreflexia? -✓✓ Prevent
bladder distention.
• A nurse is caring for a client who is being evaluated for endometrial cancer. Which of
the following findings should the nurse expect the client to report? -✓✓ Abnormal
vaginal bleeding
• A nurse is caring for a client following an open reduction and internal fixation of a
fractured femur. Which of the following findings is the nurse's priority? -✓✓ Altered level
of consciousness
