Page 1 of 91
ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING EXAM LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PRACTICE EXAM
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1-50)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with left-sided heart
failure. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?
• A. Jugular venous distention.
• B. Peripheral edema.
• C. Crackles in the lungs.
• D. Hepatomegaly.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in pulmonary congestion because the left
ventricle cannot effectively pump blood out to the body, causing blood to back up into
the lungs. This leads to crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Jugular venous distention
(A), peripheral edema (B), and hepatomegaly (D) are signs of right-sided heart failure.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours post-operative following abdominal
surgery. The client reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the
following complications should the nurse suspect?
• A. Atelectasis.
• B. Pneumonia.
• C. Pulmonary embolism.
• D. Wound dehiscence.
, Page 2 of 91
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath in a post-operative client are
classic signs of a pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors include immobility, surgery,
and hypercoagulability. Atelectasis (A) and pneumonia (B) typically present more
gradually. Wound dehiscence (D) would present with wound-related symptoms.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client's electrocardiogram (ECG) and notes ST-segment
elevation. Which of the following conditions is most likely indicated by this finding?
• A. Myocardial infarction.
• B. Pericarditis.
• C. Ventricular hypertrophy.
• D. Electrolyte imbalance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ST-segment elevation is a classic ECG finding indicative of a myocardial
infarction (MI). It represents acute injury to the heart muscle. Pericarditis (B) typically
causes diffuse ST-segment elevation. Ventricular hypertrophy (C) causes tall R waves.
Electrolyte imbalances (D) cause various changes but not typically ST elevation.
4. A nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed warfarin.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
• A. "I will use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent bleeding."
• B. "I will report any unusual bruising or bleeding to my provider."
• C. "I will need to have my blood checked regularly while on this medication."
• D. "I can take ibuprofen for pain since it won't interact with my medication."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase the risk of bleeding and should be
avoided while taking warfarin. The other statements are correct and indicate
understanding of the medication's risks and monitoring requirements.
, Page 3 of 91
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of hypertension. Which of the
following lifestyle modifications should the nurse recommend to help lower blood
pressure?
• A. Increase sodium intake.
• B. Decrease physical activity.
• C. Maintain a healthy weight.
• D. Increase alcohol consumption.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining a healthy weight is a key lifestyle modification for managing
hypertension. Other recommendations include reducing sodium intake (A), increasing
physical activity (B), and limiting alcohol consumption (D).
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease
(PAD). Which of the following findings is most consistent with this condition?
• A. Bilateral lower extremity edema.
• B. Diminished peripheral pulses.
• C. Warm, pink extremities.
• D. Visible varicose veins.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diminished or absent peripheral pulses are a classic sign of peripheral
arterial disease due to reduced blood flow to the extremities. Bilateral edema (A) is
more consistent with venous insufficiency or heart failure. Warm, pink extremities (C)
indicate adequate perfusion. Varicose veins (D) are associated with venous
insufficiency.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The nurse checks the
client's apical pulse and notes it is 52 beats per minute. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
• A. Administer the medication as prescribed.
• B. Hold the medication and reassess the pulse in 30 minutes.
• C. Administer a lower dose of the medication.
, Page 4 of 91
• D. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The normal parameter for withholding digoxin is an apical pulse below 60
beats per minute in adults. A rate of 52 is below this threshold, so the nurse should hold
the medication and notify the provider.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor
most closely?
• A. Serum sodium.
• B. Serum potassium.
• C. Serum calcium.
• D. Serum glucose.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium. The
nurse must monitor for hypokalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of angina pectoris. Which of the
following is a characteristic of stable angina?
• A. Pain that occurs at rest.
• B. Pain that is relieved by rest and nitroglycerin.
• C. Pain that lasts longer than 30 minutes.
• D. Pain that is not relieved by nitroglycerin.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that is predictable, occurs with
exertion, and is relieved by rest and nitroglycerin. Pain at rest (A) or pain lasting longer
than 30 minutes (C, D) is more characteristic of unstable angina or myocardial
infarction.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention?
ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING EXAM LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
ATI MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING PRACTICE EXAM
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1-50)
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been diagnosed with left-sided heart
failure. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect?
• A. Jugular venous distention.
• B. Peripheral edema.
• C. Crackles in the lungs.
• D. Hepatomegaly.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Left-sided heart failure results in pulmonary congestion because the left
ventricle cannot effectively pump blood out to the body, causing blood to back up into
the lungs. This leads to crackles, dyspnea, and orthopnea. Jugular venous distention
(A), peripheral edema (B), and hepatomegaly (D) are signs of right-sided heart failure.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hours post-operative following abdominal
surgery. The client reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the
following complications should the nurse suspect?
• A. Atelectasis.
• B. Pneumonia.
• C. Pulmonary embolism.
• D. Wound dehiscence.
, Page 2 of 91
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath in a post-operative client are
classic signs of a pulmonary embolism (PE). Risk factors include immobility, surgery,
and hypercoagulability. Atelectasis (A) and pneumonia (B) typically present more
gradually. Wound dehiscence (D) would present with wound-related symptoms.
3. A nurse is monitoring a client's electrocardiogram (ECG) and notes ST-segment
elevation. Which of the following conditions is most likely indicated by this finding?
• A. Myocardial infarction.
• B. Pericarditis.
• C. Ventricular hypertrophy.
• D. Electrolyte imbalance.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ST-segment elevation is a classic ECG finding indicative of a myocardial
infarction (MI). It represents acute injury to the heart muscle. Pericarditis (B) typically
causes diffuse ST-segment elevation. Ventricular hypertrophy (C) causes tall R waves.
Electrolyte imbalances (D) cause various changes but not typically ST elevation.
4. A nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed warfarin.
Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
• A. "I will use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent bleeding."
• B. "I will report any unusual bruising or bleeding to my provider."
• C. "I will need to have my blood checked regularly while on this medication."
• D. "I can take ibuprofen for pain since it won't interact with my medication."
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase the risk of bleeding and should be
avoided while taking warfarin. The other statements are correct and indicate
understanding of the medication's risks and monitoring requirements.
, Page 3 of 91
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of hypertension. Which of the
following lifestyle modifications should the nurse recommend to help lower blood
pressure?
• A. Increase sodium intake.
• B. Decrease physical activity.
• C. Maintain a healthy weight.
• D. Increase alcohol consumption.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Maintaining a healthy weight is a key lifestyle modification for managing
hypertension. Other recommendations include reducing sodium intake (A), increasing
physical activity (B), and limiting alcohol consumption (D).
6. A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease
(PAD). Which of the following findings is most consistent with this condition?
• A. Bilateral lower extremity edema.
• B. Diminished peripheral pulses.
• C. Warm, pink extremities.
• D. Visible varicose veins.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diminished or absent peripheral pulses are a classic sign of peripheral
arterial disease due to reduced blood flow to the extremities. Bilateral edema (A) is
more consistent with venous insufficiency or heart failure. Warm, pink extremities (C)
indicate adequate perfusion. Varicose veins (D) are associated with venous
insufficiency.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The nurse checks the
client's apical pulse and notes it is 52 beats per minute. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
• A. Administer the medication as prescribed.
• B. Hold the medication and reassess the pulse in 30 minutes.
• C. Administer a lower dose of the medication.
, Page 4 of 91
• D. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The normal parameter for withholding digoxin is an apical pulse below 60
beats per minute in adults. A rate of 52 is below this threshold, so the nurse should hold
the medication and notify the provider.
8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of heart failure and is receiving
furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor
most closely?
• A. Serum sodium.
• B. Serum potassium.
• C. Serum calcium.
• D. Serum glucose.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium. The
nurse must monitor for hypokalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac arrhythmias.
9. A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of angina pectoris. Which of the
following is a characteristic of stable angina?
• A. Pain that occurs at rest.
• B. Pain that is relieved by rest and nitroglycerin.
• C. Pain that lasts longer than 30 minutes.
• D. Pain that is not relieved by nitroglycerin.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that is predictable, occurs with
exertion, and is relieved by rest and nitroglycerin. Pain at rest (A) or pain lasting longer
than 30 minutes (C, D) is more characteristic of unstable angina or myocardial
infarction.
10. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which of the following is a priority nursing intervention?
