ATI Content Mastery RN Adult Medical Surgical
Nursing Unit 5 Exam Questions and Answers
2026/2027
ABOUT UNIT 5: HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS
According to the official ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module, Unit 5
focuses on Hematologic Disorders. Key content areas include:
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures – Hematologic diagnostic procedures, blood
and blood product transfusions
Hematologic Disorders – Anemias (iron deficiency, pernicious, aplastic, sickle cell),
Coagulation disorders (DIC, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia)
Clinical Judgment Functions – Recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing
hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, evaluating outcomes
SECTION 1: HEMATOLOGIC ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES
Question 1
,A nurse is assessing a client who has anemia. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Pallor
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperthermia
Answer: B) Pallor
Rationale: Anemia results in decreased red blood cells and hemoglobin, leading to pallor
(pale skin and mucous membranes), fatigue, tachycardia, and hypotension. Bradycardia,
hypertension, and hyperthermia are not expected findings in uncomplicated anemia.
Question 2
The nurse is reviewing the complete blood count (CBC) results for a client who has
anemia. Which laboratory value is most indicative of iron deficiency anemia?
A) Low hematocrit
B) Low ferritin
C) High mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
D) High white blood cell count
Answer: B) Low ferritin
, Rationale: Ferritin reflects iron stores. Low ferritin is a hallmark of iron deficiency anemia.
High MCV is seen in megaloblastic anemias (B12/folate deficiency). High WBC suggests
infection or inflammation, not anemia.
SECTION 2: ANEMIAS
Question 3
A client with sickle cell anemia is admitted with severe abdominal pain, fever, and
jaundice. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Administer antibiotics as prescribed
B) Apply cold compresses to painful joints
C) Administer IV fluids to maintain hydration
D) Provide high-protein, high-calorie meals
Answer: C) Administer IV fluids to maintain hydration
Rationale: Hydration reduces blood viscosity and sickling during a vaso-occlusive crisis.
Antibiotics treat infection but are not the priority without confirmation. Cold compresses
may cause vasoconstriction, worsening pain and sickling.
Question 4
Nursing Unit 5 Exam Questions and Answers
2026/2027
ABOUT UNIT 5: HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS
According to the official ATI RN Adult Medical Surgical Nursing Review Module, Unit 5
focuses on Hematologic Disorders. Key content areas include:
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures – Hematologic diagnostic procedures, blood
and blood product transfusions
Hematologic Disorders – Anemias (iron deficiency, pernicious, aplastic, sickle cell),
Coagulation disorders (DIC, hemophilia, thrombocytopenia)
Clinical Judgment Functions – Recognizing cues, analyzing cues, prioritizing
hypotheses, generating solutions, taking action, evaluating outcomes
SECTION 1: HEMATOLOGIC ASSESSMENT & DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES
Question 1
,A nurse is assessing a client who has anemia. Which of the following findings should the
nurse expect?
A) Bradycardia
B) Pallor
C) Hypertension
D) Hyperthermia
Answer: B) Pallor
Rationale: Anemia results in decreased red blood cells and hemoglobin, leading to pallor
(pale skin and mucous membranes), fatigue, tachycardia, and hypotension. Bradycardia,
hypertension, and hyperthermia are not expected findings in uncomplicated anemia.
Question 2
The nurse is reviewing the complete blood count (CBC) results for a client who has
anemia. Which laboratory value is most indicative of iron deficiency anemia?
A) Low hematocrit
B) Low ferritin
C) High mean corpuscular volume (MCV)
D) High white blood cell count
Answer: B) Low ferritin
, Rationale: Ferritin reflects iron stores. Low ferritin is a hallmark of iron deficiency anemia.
High MCV is seen in megaloblastic anemias (B12/folate deficiency). High WBC suggests
infection or inflammation, not anemia.
SECTION 2: ANEMIAS
Question 3
A client with sickle cell anemia is admitted with severe abdominal pain, fever, and
jaundice. Which nursing intervention is the priority?
A) Administer antibiotics as prescribed
B) Apply cold compresses to painful joints
C) Administer IV fluids to maintain hydration
D) Provide high-protein, high-calorie meals
Answer: C) Administer IV fluids to maintain hydration
Rationale: Hydration reduces blood viscosity and sickling during a vaso-occlusive crisis.
Antibiotics treat infection but are not the priority without confirmation. Cold compresses
may cause vasoconstriction, worsening pain and sickling.
Question 4
