UPDATED 2026-2027 ATI Maternal Newborn
Proctored Exam Prep Complete Practice Question
Bank VERSIONS
QUESTION 1
A patient with myocardial infarction develops sudden dyspnea, hypotension, and jugular
venous distension. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer IV morphine
B) Assess for cardiac tamponade
C) Place in Trendelenburg position
D) Encourage ambulation
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assess for cardiac tamponade
Rationale: Classic signs of cardiac tamponade include hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart
sounds (Beck's triad). Immediate assessment and intervention are critical, as cardiac
tamponade is a life-threatening complication of MI .
QUESTION 2
A patient taking amiodarone requires monitoring of which lab values?
A) Liver function tests and thyroid function
B) Renal function only
C) CBC only
D) Electrolytes only
,CORRECT ANSWER: A) Liver function tests and thyroid function
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause hepatotoxicity and thyroid dysfunction (both hypo- and
hyperthyroidism). Baseline and periodic monitoring of LFTs and thyroid function tests are
essential for safe amiodarone therapy .
QUESTION 3
A patient develops sudden chest pain and hypotension 2 days after an MI. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Re-infarction
B) Cardiac rupture
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Stroke
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cardiac rupture
Rationale: Cardiac rupture is a life-threatening complication that typically occurs 3-7 days
post-MI. It presents with sudden chest pain, hypotension, and signs of pericardial
tamponade, often leading to rapid deterioration .
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most important to monitor?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypophosphatemia
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide cause potassium loss through increased urinary
excretion. Hypokalemia increases the risk for cardiac arrhythmias, especially in heart
failure patients who may also be on digoxin .
QUESTION 5
A patient is admitted with acute MI. Which laboratory value is most specific for
myocardial injury?
A) Troponin I
B) CK-MB
C) Myoglobin
D) LDH
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for myocardial necrosis. It remains
elevated for up to 10-14 days, making it the preferred cardiac biomarker for diagnosing MI
.
QUESTION 6
A patient with heart failure is receiving IV furosemide and reports tinnitus. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Continue the infusion and document the finding
B) Slow the infusion rate and notify the provider
C) Administer an antihistamine
D) Discontinue the infusion immediately
, CORRECT ANSWER: B) Slow the infusion rate and notify the provider
Rationale: Tinnitus is a sign of ototoxicity, a potential adverse effect of rapid IV furosemide
administration. The infusion rate should be slowed and the provider notified for further
instructions. Rapid IV push of furosemide increases the risk of ototoxicity .
QUESTION 7
A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) reports leg pain when walking that resolves
with rest. Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
A) Bed rest with leg elevation
B) Supervised exercise program
C) Application of heat to the legs
D) Tight compression stockings
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Supervised exercise program
Rationale: A supervised exercise program (walking until pain, then resting) promotes
collateral circulation and improves walking distance in clients with PAD. Leg elevation and
heat can worsen ischemia. Compression stockings are contraindicated in PAD .
QUESTION 8
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic venous insufficiency. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) Cool, pale extremities
B) Brownish discoloration around the ankles
C) Hair loss on the lower legs
D) Diminished pedal pulses
Proctored Exam Prep Complete Practice Question
Bank VERSIONS
QUESTION 1
A patient with myocardial infarction develops sudden dyspnea, hypotension, and jugular
venous distension. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer IV morphine
B) Assess for cardiac tamponade
C) Place in Trendelenburg position
D) Encourage ambulation
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Assess for cardiac tamponade
Rationale: Classic signs of cardiac tamponade include hypotension, JVD, and muffled heart
sounds (Beck's triad). Immediate assessment and intervention are critical, as cardiac
tamponade is a life-threatening complication of MI .
QUESTION 2
A patient taking amiodarone requires monitoring of which lab values?
A) Liver function tests and thyroid function
B) Renal function only
C) CBC only
D) Electrolytes only
,CORRECT ANSWER: A) Liver function tests and thyroid function
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause hepatotoxicity and thyroid dysfunction (both hypo- and
hyperthyroidism). Baseline and periodic monitoring of LFTs and thyroid function tests are
essential for safe amiodarone therapy .
QUESTION 3
A patient develops sudden chest pain and hypotension 2 days after an MI. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A) Re-infarction
B) Cardiac rupture
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Stroke
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Cardiac rupture
Rationale: Cardiac rupture is a life-threatening complication that typically occurs 3-7 days
post-MI. It presents with sudden chest pain, hypotension, and signs of pericardial
tamponade, often leading to rapid deterioration .
QUESTION 4
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide. Which
electrolyte imbalance is most important to monitor?
A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypophosphatemia
,CORRECT ANSWER: B) Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide cause potassium loss through increased urinary
excretion. Hypokalemia increases the risk for cardiac arrhythmias, especially in heart
failure patients who may also be on digoxin .
QUESTION 5
A patient is admitted with acute MI. Which laboratory value is most specific for
myocardial injury?
A) Troponin I
B) CK-MB
C) Myoglobin
D) LDH
CORRECT ANSWER: A) Troponin I
Rationale: Troponin I is highly specific and sensitive for myocardial necrosis. It remains
elevated for up to 10-14 days, making it the preferred cardiac biomarker for diagnosing MI
.
QUESTION 6
A patient with heart failure is receiving IV furosemide and reports tinnitus. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Continue the infusion and document the finding
B) Slow the infusion rate and notify the provider
C) Administer an antihistamine
D) Discontinue the infusion immediately
, CORRECT ANSWER: B) Slow the infusion rate and notify the provider
Rationale: Tinnitus is a sign of ototoxicity, a potential adverse effect of rapid IV furosemide
administration. The infusion rate should be slowed and the provider notified for further
instructions. Rapid IV push of furosemide increases the risk of ototoxicity .
QUESTION 7
A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD) reports leg pain when walking that resolves
with rest. Which intervention should the nurse recommend?
A) Bed rest with leg elevation
B) Supervised exercise program
C) Application of heat to the legs
D) Tight compression stockings
CORRECT ANSWER: B) Supervised exercise program
Rationale: A supervised exercise program (walking until pain, then resting) promotes
collateral circulation and improves walking distance in clients with PAD. Leg elevation and
heat can worsen ischemia. Compression stockings are contraindicated in PAD .
QUESTION 8
A nurse is assessing a client with chronic venous insufficiency. Which finding should the
nurse expect?
A) Cool, pale extremities
B) Brownish discoloration around the ankles
C) Hair loss on the lower legs
D) Diminished pedal pulses
