ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Exam 2026/2027
– Complete Practice Questions & Rationales
Question 1
A client with varicose veins is being assessed. Which finding is consistent with venous
insufficiency?
A. An ulcer at the tip of a toe
B. Hair loss distal to the client's calves
C. Leg pain at rest
D. Edema of the ankle and varicose veins
*Correct Answer: D. *
Rationale: Edema of the ankle and varicose veins are findings consistent with venous
insufficiency. Ulcers at the tips of toes, hair loss, and leg pain at rest are indicative of
arterial insufficiency.
Question 2
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of scabies. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer oral antibiotics
B. Apply prescribed scabicide to the entire body from the neck down
C. Place the client in a private room with negative pressure
D. Wear an N95 respirator
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Scabies treatment involves applying a scabicide (such as permethrin) to the
entire body from the neck down. It should be left on for 8-14 hours before washing off.
Contact precautions are required, not airborne precautions. Oral antibiotics are not used
for scabies.
,Question 3
A client with a history of alcohol use disorder is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which
finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Right upper quadrant pain
B. Epigastric pain radiating to the back
C. Right lower quadrant pain
D. Left lower quadrant pain
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis typically presents with severe epigastric pain that radiates to
the back. Gallstones and alcohol use are the two most common causes. Right upper
quadrant pain is associated with gallbladder disease, and right lower quadrant pain
suggests appendicitis.
Question 4
A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which finding indicates the client should
hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Heart rate of 72/min
B. Heart rate of 52/min with nausea and vomiting
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia. A heart rate
below 60/min with gastrointestinal symptoms suggests digoxin toxicity. The medication
should be held and the provider notified. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity.
,Question 5
A client with cirrhosis is being assessed for complications. Which finding indicates portal
hypertension?
A. Jaundice
B. Esophageal varices
C. Spider angiomas
D. Palmar erythema
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Esophageal varices are a direct result of portal hypertension, which causes
blood to back up into the portal circulation and collateral vessels. Jaundice, spider
angiomas, and palmar erythema are signs of liver dysfunction but not specifically portal
hypertension.
Question 6
A client with an ileostomy is being discharged. Which food should the nurse
recommend to thicken the stool?
A. Fresh fruits
B. Applesauce and bananas
C. Whole grains
D. Carbonated beverages
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Applesauce and bananas are binding foods that can help thicken stool in clients
with ileostomies. Fresh fruits, whole grains, and carbonated beverages can increase stool
output and should be consumed in moderation.
Question 7
, A client with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed a statin. Which teaching is
most important?
A. "Take this medication with food."
B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness."
C. "Avoid foods high in potassium."
D. "This medication will lower your blood pressure."
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, weakness) and
rhabdomyolysis. Patients should be advised to report any muscle symptoms. Statins are
taken at bedtime and are not used to lower blood pressure.
Question 8
A client with a pressure ulcer is being assessed. The wound bed is covered with yellow,
stringy tissue. Which term best describes this tissue?
A. Eschar
B. Slough
C. Granulation tissue
D. Epithelial tissue
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Slough is yellow, stringy, or mucinous tissue that covers a wound. It is
devitalized tissue that should be removed to promote healing. Eschar is black and dry,
granulation is red/beefy, and epithelial tissue is pink tissue that forms over healing
wounds.
Question 9
A client is prescribed warfarin and is being discharged. Which herbal supplement should
the client avoid?
– Complete Practice Questions & Rationales
Question 1
A client with varicose veins is being assessed. Which finding is consistent with venous
insufficiency?
A. An ulcer at the tip of a toe
B. Hair loss distal to the client's calves
C. Leg pain at rest
D. Edema of the ankle and varicose veins
*Correct Answer: D. *
Rationale: Edema of the ankle and varicose veins are findings consistent with venous
insufficiency. Ulcers at the tips of toes, hair loss, and leg pain at rest are indicative of
arterial insufficiency.
Question 2
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of scabies. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Administer oral antibiotics
B. Apply prescribed scabicide to the entire body from the neck down
C. Place the client in a private room with negative pressure
D. Wear an N95 respirator
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Scabies treatment involves applying a scabicide (such as permethrin) to the
entire body from the neck down. It should be left on for 8-14 hours before washing off.
Contact precautions are required, not airborne precautions. Oral antibiotics are not used
for scabies.
,Question 3
A client with a history of alcohol use disorder is admitted with acute pancreatitis. Which
finding is most consistent with this diagnosis?
A. Right upper quadrant pain
B. Epigastric pain radiating to the back
C. Right lower quadrant pain
D. Left lower quadrant pain
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Acute pancreatitis typically presents with severe epigastric pain that radiates to
the back. Gallstones and alcohol use are the two most common causes. Right upper
quadrant pain is associated with gallbladder disease, and right lower quadrant pain
suggests appendicitis.
Question 4
A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which finding indicates the client should
hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Heart rate of 72/min
B. Heart rate of 52/min with nausea and vomiting
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia. A heart rate
below 60/min with gastrointestinal symptoms suggests digoxin toxicity. The medication
should be held and the provider notified. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity.
,Question 5
A client with cirrhosis is being assessed for complications. Which finding indicates portal
hypertension?
A. Jaundice
B. Esophageal varices
C. Spider angiomas
D. Palmar erythema
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Esophageal varices are a direct result of portal hypertension, which causes
blood to back up into the portal circulation and collateral vessels. Jaundice, spider
angiomas, and palmar erythema are signs of liver dysfunction but not specifically portal
hypertension.
Question 6
A client with an ileostomy is being discharged. Which food should the nurse
recommend to thicken the stool?
A. Fresh fruits
B. Applesauce and bananas
C. Whole grains
D. Carbonated beverages
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Applesauce and bananas are binding foods that can help thicken stool in clients
with ileostomies. Fresh fruits, whole grains, and carbonated beverages can increase stool
output and should be consumed in moderation.
Question 7
, A client with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed a statin. Which teaching is
most important?
A. "Take this medication with food."
B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness."
C. "Avoid foods high in potassium."
D. "This medication will lower your blood pressure."
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy (muscle pain, tenderness, weakness) and
rhabdomyolysis. Patients should be advised to report any muscle symptoms. Statins are
taken at bedtime and are not used to lower blood pressure.
Question 8
A client with a pressure ulcer is being assessed. The wound bed is covered with yellow,
stringy tissue. Which term best describes this tissue?
A. Eschar
B. Slough
C. Granulation tissue
D. Epithelial tissue
*Correct Answer: B. *
Rationale: Slough is yellow, stringy, or mucinous tissue that covers a wound. It is
devitalized tissue that should be removed to promote healing. Eschar is black and dry,
granulation is red/beefy, and epithelial tissue is pink tissue that forms over healing
wounds.
Question 9
A client is prescribed warfarin and is being discharged. Which herbal supplement should
the client avoid?
