ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL
PROCTORED EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the compensatory stage of shock. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Narrowing pulse pressure
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to
maintain homeostasis. Hyperventilation occurs to compensate for metabolic acidosis,
leading to respiratory alkalosis. Pulse pressure usually widens initially, and heart rate
increases.
2. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55
mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret these results as which of the following?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
,B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH of 7.30 is acidic. A PaCO2 of 55 is high (acidic). The HCO3 is
normal. Because the pH is low and the CO2 is high, it is respiratory acidosis. Since the HCO3
is within the normal range, no compensation has occurred.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. Take anticholinesterase medications 30 to 60 minutes before meals.
B. Restrict fluid intake to 1,500 mL per day.
C. Perform strenuous exercise in the afternoon.
D. Expect increased muscle strength at the end of the day.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Taking medications before meals helps improve muscle strength
for chewing and swallowing, reducing the risk of aspiration. Strength typically decreases as
the day progresses.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a high-level spinal cord injury for autonomic
dysreflexia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pallor below the level of the injury
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Severe headache and flushing of the face
D. Diaphoresis below the level of the injury
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomic dysreflexia is characterized by extreme
hypertension, severe headache, bradycardia, and flushing/diaphoresis above the level of
injury.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Place a pillow under the client’s knees.
B. Massage the client’s calves daily.
C. Maintain the client on strict bed rest for 48 hours.
D. Encourage the client to perform ankle pulses and foot circles.
Answer: D
PROCTORED EXAM PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is in the compensatory stage of shock. Which of the
following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Narrowing pulse pressure
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Increased urinary output
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In the compensatory stage of shock, the body attempts to
maintain homeostasis. Hyperventilation occurs to compensate for metabolic acidosis,
leading to respiratory alkalosis. Pulse pressure usually widens initially, and heart rate
increases.
2. A nurse is reviewing the arterial blood gas (ABG) results for a client: pH 7.30, PaCO2 55
mmHg, HCO3 26 mEq/L. The nurse should interpret these results as which of the following?
A. Uncompensated metabolic acidosis
,B. Fully compensated respiratory acidosis
C. Partially compensated respiratory alkalosis
D. Uncompensated respiratory acidosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A pH of 7.30 is acidic. A PaCO2 of 55 is high (acidic). The HCO3 is
normal. Because the pH is low and the CO2 is high, it is respiratory acidosis. Since the HCO3
is within the normal range, no compensation has occurred.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?
A. Take anticholinesterase medications 30 to 60 minutes before meals.
B. Restrict fluid intake to 1,500 mL per day.
C. Perform strenuous exercise in the afternoon.
D. Expect increased muscle strength at the end of the day.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Taking medications before meals helps improve muscle strength
for chewing and swallowing, reducing the risk of aspiration. Strength typically decreases as
the day progresses.
, 4. A nurse is assessing a client who has a high-level spinal cord injury for autonomic
dysreflexia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Pallor below the level of the injury
B. Tachycardia and hypotension
C. Severe headache and flushing of the face
D. Diaphoresis below the level of the injury
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Autonomic dysreflexia is characterized by extreme
hypertension, severe headache, bradycardia, and flushing/diaphoresis above the level of
injury.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following a total hip
arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent deep vein
thrombosis (DVT)?
A. Place a pillow under the client’s knees.
B. Massage the client’s calves daily.
C. Maintain the client on strict bed rest for 48 hours.
D. Encourage the client to perform ankle pulses and foot circles.
Answer: D
