ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing (CMS) — Latest
Comprehensive Exam Practice Questions & Answers
2026
Questions 1–25
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding is the priority to
report?
A. Dependent edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hr
C. Crackles throughout the lung fields
D. Jugular vein distention
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A. Oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Monitor oxygen saturation
D. Oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask continuously
3. Which finding is expected in a client experiencing hypokalemia?
A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Bradycardia with widened QRS complexes
,4. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus who is experiencing diaphoresis,
tremors, and confusion. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Obtain a urine ketone level
C. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
D. Administer glucagon IM
5. Which assessment finding is characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Metabolic alkalosis
6. A client with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 86%. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Obtain a sputum culture
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Apply oxygen according to prescription
D. Administer an antipyretic
7. A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle modifications. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should increase my sodium intake."
B. "I should avoid all physical activity."
C. "I will follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables."
D. "I should stop taking my medication when my pressure improves."
,8. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor for a client receiving warfarin?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. Serum potassium
9. A client taking furosemide is at greatest risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
10. Which finding should a nurse expect in a client with hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Bradycardia
D. Heat intolerance
11. A client with hypothyroidism is most likely to report which symptom?
A. Diarrhea
B. Tremors
C. Fatigue and cold intolerance
D. Weight loss
12. Which intervention is appropriate for a client with increased intracranial pressure?
A. Place the client flat
B. Encourage frequent coughing
, C. Elevate the head of the bed about 30°
D. Flex the client's neck
13. A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Restrain the client's extremities
B. Insert an oral airway
C. Protect the client's head and clear nearby objects
D. Give the client oral fluids
14. Which finding is most concerning in a client with a head injury?
A. Mild headache
B. Bruising around the injury
C. Unequal pupils
D. Nausea immediately after injury
15. A client with Parkinson's disease is at greatest risk for which complication?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Falls
C. Severe hypertension
D. Urinary retention only
16. Which assessment finding is associated with Addison's disease?
A. Moon face
B. Truncal obesity
C. Hyperpigmentation
D. Hypertension
17. A client with Cushing's syndrome is likely to exhibit which finding?
A. Weight loss
Comprehensive Exam Practice Questions & Answers
2026
Questions 1–25
1. A nurse is assessing a client with left-sided heart failure. Which finding is the priority to
report?
A. Dependent edema
B. Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hr
C. Crackles throughout the lung fields
D. Jugular vein distention
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen. Which
prescription should the nurse question?
A. Oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Monitor oxygen saturation
D. Oxygen at 10 L/min via nonrebreather mask continuously
3. Which finding is expected in a client experiencing hypokalemia?
A. Hyperactive reflexes
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Bradycardia with widened QRS complexes
,4. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes mellitus who is experiencing diaphoresis,
tremors, and confusion. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer regular insulin
B. Obtain a urine ketone level
C. Give 15 g of rapid-acting carbohydrate
D. Administer glucagon IM
5. Which assessment finding is characteristic of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kussmaul respirations
D. Metabolic alkalosis
6. A client with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 86%. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Obtain a sputum culture
B. Encourage oral fluids
C. Apply oxygen according to prescription
D. Administer an antipyretic
7. A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension about lifestyle modifications. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A. "I should increase my sodium intake."
B. "I should avoid all physical activity."
C. "I will follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables."
D. "I should stop taking my medication when my pressure improves."
,8. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor for a client receiving warfarin?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. Serum potassium
9. A client taking furosemide is at greatest risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
10. Which finding should a nurse expect in a client with hyperthyroidism?
A. Weight gain
B. Cold intolerance
C. Bradycardia
D. Heat intolerance
11. A client with hypothyroidism is most likely to report which symptom?
A. Diarrhea
B. Tremors
C. Fatigue and cold intolerance
D. Weight loss
12. Which intervention is appropriate for a client with increased intracranial pressure?
A. Place the client flat
B. Encourage frequent coughing
, C. Elevate the head of the bed about 30°
D. Flex the client's neck
13. A nurse is caring for a client who has a seizure. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Restrain the client's extremities
B. Insert an oral airway
C. Protect the client's head and clear nearby objects
D. Give the client oral fluids
14. Which finding is most concerning in a client with a head injury?
A. Mild headache
B. Bruising around the injury
C. Unequal pupils
D. Nausea immediately after injury
15. A client with Parkinson's disease is at greatest risk for which complication?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Falls
C. Severe hypertension
D. Urinary retention only
16. Which assessment finding is associated with Addison's disease?
A. Moon face
B. Truncal obesity
C. Hyperpigmentation
D. Hypertension
17. A client with Cushing's syndrome is likely to exhibit which finding?
A. Weight loss
