ATI Comprehensive Predictor: Med-Surg Critical Conditions (MI,
Stroke, Sepsis) 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a patient suspected of having sepsis. Which finding is part
of the qSOFA (Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score?
A. Heart rate greater than 100 bpm
B. WBC count greater than 12,000
C. Temperature greater than 102.2 F (39 C)
D. Altered mental status
Answer: D
Rationale: The qSOFA score includes altered mental status (GCS < 15), systolic blood
pressure <= 100 mmHg, and respiratory rate >= 22 breaths/min.
2. In the management of sepsis, which intervention should be completed within
the first hour of recognition?
A. Administering a vasopressor to maintain MAP > 60
B. Measuring lactate level and obtaining blood cultures
C. Initiating parenteral nutrition
D. Administering a 500 mL bolus of 5% Albumin
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1-hour bundle for sepsis includes measuring lactate levels, obtaining blood
cultures before antibiotics, and administering broad-spectrum antibiotics.
,3. What is the recommended initial fluid bolus for a patient with sepsis-induced
hypotension or lactate >= 4 mmol/L?
A. 30 mL/kg of crystalloids
B. 20 mL/kg of colloids
C. 10 mL/kg of crystalloids
D. 50 mL/kg of isotonic saline
Answer: A
Rationale: Evidence-based guidelines recommend an initial fluid resuscitation of 30
mL/kg of intravenous crystalloid fluid for sepsis-induced hypoperfusion.
4. A nurse identifies that a patient in septic shock has not responded to fluid
resuscitation. Which vasopressor is the first-choice agent?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Epinephrine
D. Vasopressin
Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor recommended to maintain a Mean
Arterial Pressure (MAP) of at least 65 mmHg in septic shock.
5. Which laboratory value is a primary indicator of tissue hypoxia and
hypoperfusion in sepsis?
A. Serum Creatinine
B. Serum Lactate
C. Prothrombin Time
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated serum lactate levels (typically > 2 mmol/L) indicate anaerobic
metabolism due to tissue hypoxia and hypoperfusion.
, 6. A patient with sepsis develops petechiae and bleeding from IV sites. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
B. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
C. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
D. Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Answer: B
Rationale: DIC is a common complication of sepsis characterized by simultaneous
excessive clotting and bleeding due to the depletion of clotting factors.
7. What is the goal Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) for a patient being treated for
septic shock?
A. >= 50 mmHg
B. >= 65 mmHg
C. >= 60 mmHg
D. >= 80 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Guidelines recommend targeting a MAP of at least 65 mmHg to ensure adequate
organ perfusion in patients with septic shock.
8. When administering antibiotics for sepsis, which action is a priority?
A. Obtain blood cultures first
B. Wait for the sensitivity report before administration
C. Administer the first dose over 2 hours to prevent reaction
D. Check a trough level immediately after the first dose
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood cultures must be obtained before starting antibiotics to ensure the
accuracy of the culture results, provided it does not significantly delay antibiotic
administration.
Stroke, Sepsis) 2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is assessing a patient suspected of having sepsis. Which finding is part
of the qSOFA (Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) score?
A. Heart rate greater than 100 bpm
B. WBC count greater than 12,000
C. Temperature greater than 102.2 F (39 C)
D. Altered mental status
Answer: D
Rationale: The qSOFA score includes altered mental status (GCS < 15), systolic blood
pressure <= 100 mmHg, and respiratory rate >= 22 breaths/min.
2. In the management of sepsis, which intervention should be completed within
the first hour of recognition?
A. Administering a vasopressor to maintain MAP > 60
B. Measuring lactate level and obtaining blood cultures
C. Initiating parenteral nutrition
D. Administering a 500 mL bolus of 5% Albumin
Answer: B
Rationale: The 1-hour bundle for sepsis includes measuring lactate levels, obtaining blood
cultures before antibiotics, and administering broad-spectrum antibiotics.
,3. What is the recommended initial fluid bolus for a patient with sepsis-induced
hypotension or lactate >= 4 mmol/L?
A. 30 mL/kg of crystalloids
B. 20 mL/kg of colloids
C. 10 mL/kg of crystalloids
D. 50 mL/kg of isotonic saline
Answer: A
Rationale: Evidence-based guidelines recommend an initial fluid resuscitation of 30
mL/kg of intravenous crystalloid fluid for sepsis-induced hypoperfusion.
4. A nurse identifies that a patient in septic shock has not responded to fluid
resuscitation. Which vasopressor is the first-choice agent?
A. Dopamine
B. Norepinephrine
C. Epinephrine
D. Vasopressin
Answer: B
Rationale: Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor recommended to maintain a Mean
Arterial Pressure (MAP) of at least 65 mmHg in septic shock.
5. Which laboratory value is a primary indicator of tissue hypoxia and
hypoperfusion in sepsis?
A. Serum Creatinine
B. Serum Lactate
C. Prothrombin Time
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevated serum lactate levels (typically > 2 mmol/L) indicate anaerobic
metabolism due to tissue hypoxia and hypoperfusion.
, 6. A patient with sepsis develops petechiae and bleeding from IV sites. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
B. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
C. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
D. Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Answer: B
Rationale: DIC is a common complication of sepsis characterized by simultaneous
excessive clotting and bleeding due to the depletion of clotting factors.
7. What is the goal Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) for a patient being treated for
septic shock?
A. >= 50 mmHg
B. >= 65 mmHg
C. >= 60 mmHg
D. >= 80 mmHg
Answer: B
Rationale: Guidelines recommend targeting a MAP of at least 65 mmHg to ensure adequate
organ perfusion in patients with septic shock.
8. When administering antibiotics for sepsis, which action is a priority?
A. Obtain blood cultures first
B. Wait for the sensitivity report before administration
C. Administer the first dose over 2 hours to prevent reaction
D. Check a trough level immediately after the first dose
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood cultures must be obtained before starting antibiotics to ensure the
accuracy of the culture results, provided it does not significantly delay antibiotic
administration.
