ATI Medical-Surgical CMS Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Verified Questions
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) | Verified Q&A | Professional Nursing Students
This comprehensive actual exam set contains exactly 60 original questions designed to reinforce official
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS objectives. The questions cover Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders,
Gastrointestinal and Renal Disorders, Neurological and Musculoskeletal Alterations, and Endocrine,
Hematological, and Oncological Nursing Care. Content is original and constructed to promote clinical
proficiency and accurate application of medical-surgical nursing principles for Professional Nursing
Students preparing for the actual examination in the 2026/2027 cycle. Rationales draw upon ATI
Medical-Surgical Nursing materials, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and current nursing standards of
care.
Domain: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders
1. A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide. Which assessment finding indicates
that the medication is having the desired effect?
A. Increased peripheral edema
B. Decreased dyspnea and reduced weight
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Decreased urine output
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce fluid overload, which decreases pulmonary congestion and body
weight, improving respiratory status in heart failure.
2. A client is admitted with an acute myocardial infarction. Which laboratory value is most
specific for myocardial injury?
A. Elevated troponin
B. Elevated amylase
C. Decreased hemoglobin
D. Elevated bilirubin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac troponins are highly specific biomarkers for myocardial injury and are the
preferred markers for diagnosing acute coronary syndromes.
3. The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. Which medication is commonly
prescribed to prevent thromboembolic complications?
A. An anticoagulant such as warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant
B. A high-dose corticosteroid
C. An osmotic diuretic
D. A topical antibiotic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk for embolic stroke; anticoagulation is a
cornerstone of stroke prevention.
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, 4. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. The nurse should monitor for which
complication related to oxygen administration?
A. Oxygen-induced hypoventilation in susceptible clients who retain CO2
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Acute kidney injury exclusively
D. Immediate resolution of all symptoms without monitoring
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Some clients with chronic hypercapnia rely on hypoxic drive; excessive oxygen can reduce
ventilatory drive and worsen CO2 retention.
5. Which nursing action is the priority for a client experiencing acute pulmonary edema?
A. Encouraging oral fluids
B. Positioning the client upright and administering oxygen as ordered while preparing for further
interventions
C. Placing the client in Trendelenburg position
D. Restricting all oxygen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Upright positioning and oxygen support reduce work of breathing and improve oxygenation
while definitive therapies are initiated.
6. A client is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the
provider if the apical pulse is:
A. Above 100 beats/min
B. Below 60 beats/min in an adult (or as specified by parameters)
C. Exactly 80 beats/min
D. Irregular but within normal rate limits without other concerns
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; an apical rate below the prescribed parameter requires
holding the dose and provider notification.
7. The nurse is assessing a client with a chest tube. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber most likely indicates:
A. Normal fluctuations with respiration
B. An air leak in the system
C. The need to increase suction dramatically
D. Complete resolution of the pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber suggests an air leak; intermittent bubbling
with respiration can be expected with an unresolved pneumothorax.
8. A client with hypertension is started on an ACE inhibitor. The nurse should monitor for
which common adverse effect?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Profound hypoglycemia in all clients
C. Immediate severe hypertension
D. Complete absence of side effects
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A dry cough is a well-known adverse effect of ACE inhibitors related to bradykinin
accumulation.
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
2026/2027 | Verified Questions
Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) | Verified Q&A | Professional Nursing Students
This comprehensive actual exam set contains exactly 60 original questions designed to reinforce official
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS objectives. The questions cover Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders,
Gastrointestinal and Renal Disorders, Neurological and Musculoskeletal Alterations, and Endocrine,
Hematological, and Oncological Nursing Care. Content is original and constructed to promote clinical
proficiency and accurate application of medical-surgical nursing principles for Professional Nursing
Students preparing for the actual examination in the 2026/2027 cycle. Rationales draw upon ATI
Medical-Surgical Nursing materials, evidence-based clinical guidelines, and current nursing standards of
care.
Domain: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders
1. A client with heart failure is receiving furosemide. Which assessment finding indicates
that the medication is having the desired effect?
A. Increased peripheral edema
B. Decreased dyspnea and reduced weight
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Decreased urine output
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics reduce fluid overload, which decreases pulmonary congestion and body
weight, improving respiratory status in heart failure.
2. A client is admitted with an acute myocardial infarction. Which laboratory value is most
specific for myocardial injury?
A. Elevated troponin
B. Elevated amylase
C. Decreased hemoglobin
D. Elevated bilirubin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cardiac troponins are highly specific biomarkers for myocardial injury and are the
preferred markers for diagnosing acute coronary syndromes.
3. The nurse is caring for a client with atrial fibrillation. Which medication is commonly
prescribed to prevent thromboembolic complications?
A. An anticoagulant such as warfarin or a direct oral anticoagulant
B. A high-dose corticosteroid
C. An osmotic diuretic
D. A topical antibiotic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk for embolic stroke; anticoagulation is a
cornerstone of stroke prevention.
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, 4. A client with COPD is receiving oxygen therapy. The nurse should monitor for which
complication related to oxygen administration?
A. Oxygen-induced hypoventilation in susceptible clients who retain CO2
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Acute kidney injury exclusively
D. Immediate resolution of all symptoms without monitoring
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Some clients with chronic hypercapnia rely on hypoxic drive; excessive oxygen can reduce
ventilatory drive and worsen CO2 retention.
5. Which nursing action is the priority for a client experiencing acute pulmonary edema?
A. Encouraging oral fluids
B. Positioning the client upright and administering oxygen as ordered while preparing for further
interventions
C. Placing the client in Trendelenburg position
D. Restricting all oxygen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Upright positioning and oxygen support reduce work of breathing and improve oxygenation
while definitive therapies are initiated.
6. A client is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the
provider if the apical pulse is:
A. Above 100 beats/min
B. Below 60 beats/min in an adult (or as specified by parameters)
C. Exactly 80 beats/min
D. Irregular but within normal rate limits without other concerns
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; an apical rate below the prescribed parameter requires
holding the dose and provider notification.
7. The nurse is assessing a client with a chest tube. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal
chamber most likely indicates:
A. Normal fluctuations with respiration
B. An air leak in the system
C. The need to increase suction dramatically
D. Complete resolution of the pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber suggests an air leak; intermittent bubbling
with respiration can be expected with an unresolved pneumothorax.
8. A client with hypertension is started on an ACE inhibitor. The nurse should monitor for
which common adverse effect?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Profound hypoglycemia in all clients
C. Immediate severe hypertension
D. Complete absence of side effects
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A dry cough is a well-known adverse effect of ACE inhibitors related to bradykinin
accumulation.
ATI Medical-Surgical CMS Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
