ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Part A, ATI Med-Surg Exam
2026/2027, ATI Medical-Surgical Practice Exam, ATI Med Surg
Questions and Answers, ATI Nursing Exam Prep.
Instructions: Select the one best answer for each question. Correct answers are italicized.
Questions 1–25
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
receiving oxygen. Which oxygen-delivery method is most appropriate when a precise
oxygen concentration is required?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
2. A client with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and has crackles throughout
both lung fields. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's daily weight
B. Restrict the client's oral fluids
C. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Increased deep-tendon reflexes
4. A client receiving digoxin has an apical pulse of 54/min. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Recheck the pulse after ambulation
C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
D. Administer an additional dose
5. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which finding indicates improvement?
A. Respiratory rate 30/min
B. Oxygen saturation 88%
C. Increasing crackles
D. Oxygen saturation 95% on prescribed oxygen
6. A client with diabetes mellitus is diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Check the client's blood glucose level
C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict carbohydrates
,7. A client taking warfarin should be instructed to report which finding immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Increased appetite
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Occasional thirst
8. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What does
this finding most likely indicate?
A. Normal lung expansion
B. Tube obstruction
C. An air leak
D. Adequate suction
9. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client who has a head injury?
A. Mild headache
B. Bruising around the forehead
C. Unequal pupils
D. Nausea after eating
10. A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a diet low in potassium. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. White bread
, 11. A client with peripheral arterial disease reports severe leg pain when walking. Which
intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Elevating the legs above the heart
B. Applying cold packs
C. Encouraging a prescribed walking program
D. Wearing tight elastic stockings
12. A client receiving furosemide is at greatest risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
13. Which finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema only
B. Enlarged liver
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Pulmonary crackles
14. A client with an acute myocardial infarction reports crushing chest pain. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to reduce platelet aggregation?
A. Furosemide
B. Aspirin
C. Digoxin
D. Lactulose
2026/2027, ATI Medical-Surgical Practice Exam, ATI Med Surg
Questions and Answers, ATI Nursing Exam Prep.
Instructions: Select the one best answer for each question. Correct answers are italicized.
Questions 1–25
1. A nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is
receiving oxygen. Which oxygen-delivery method is most appropriate when a precise
oxygen concentration is required?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
2. A client with heart failure reports sudden shortness of breath and has crackles throughout
both lung fields. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Obtain the client's daily weight
B. Restrict the client's oral fluids
C. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
D. Encourage the client to ambulate
,3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which finding
should the nurse expect?
A. Hyperactive bowel sounds
B. Muscle weakness
C. Peaked T waves
D. Increased deep-tendon reflexes
4. A client receiving digoxin has an apical pulse of 54/min. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Recheck the pulse after ambulation
C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
D. Administer an additional dose
5. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia. Which finding indicates improvement?
A. Respiratory rate 30/min
B. Oxygen saturation 88%
C. Increasing crackles
D. Oxygen saturation 95% on prescribed oxygen
6. A client with diabetes mellitus is diaphoretic, shaky, and confused. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Administer long-acting insulin
B. Check the client's blood glucose level
C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict carbohydrates
,7. A client taking warfarin should be instructed to report which finding immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Increased appetite
C. Black, tarry stools
D. Occasional thirst
8. A client with a chest tube has continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber. What does
this finding most likely indicate?
A. Normal lung expansion
B. Tube obstruction
C. An air leak
D. Adequate suction
9. Which assessment finding is most concerning in a client who has a head injury?
A. Mild headache
B. Bruising around the forehead
C. Unequal pupils
D. Nausea after eating
10. A client with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a diet low in potassium. Which food
should the nurse instruct the client to avoid?
A. White rice
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. White bread
, 11. A client with peripheral arterial disease reports severe leg pain when walking. Which
intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Elevating the legs above the heart
B. Applying cold packs
C. Encouraging a prescribed walking program
D. Wearing tight elastic stockings
12. A client receiving furosemide is at greatest risk for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
13. Which finding is characteristic of left-sided heart failure?
A. Peripheral edema only
B. Enlarged liver
C. Jugular venous distention
D. Pulmonary crackles
14. A client with an acute myocardial infarction reports crushing chest pain. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering to reduce platelet aggregation?
A. Furosemide
B. Aspirin
C. Digoxin
D. Lactulose
