ATI RN Medical-Surgical Nursing – Complete Exam Review: Exam Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales UPDATED 2026/2027

ATI RN Medical-Surgical Nursing 2026/2027 –
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= Complete Exam Review = = =




200+ Exam Questions with Correct Answers &
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Detailed Rationales = =




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SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions 1-35)
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Question 1: = =




A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which finding i
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ndicates the medication is effective?
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A) Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
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B) Decreased urine output = = =




C) Decreased dyspnea = =




D) Increased jugular venous distention = = = =




Answer: C) Decreased dyspnea
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Rationale: Furosemide is a diuretic that reduces fluid volume in clients
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with heart failure. Decreased dyspnea indicates that the medication
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is effectively reducing pulmonary congestion . Weight gain and decr
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,eased urine output would indicate the medication is not effective. The
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goal is to decrease fluid volume.
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Question 2: = =




A patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. The nurse sho
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uld monitor which laboratory value to evaluate therapeutic effective
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ness? =




A) aPTT =




B) Platelet count = =




C) INR =




D) Hemoglobin =




Answer: C) INR = = =




Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting vita
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min K-
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dependent clotting factors. The International Normalized Ratio (INR)
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is the primary laboratory test used to monitor warfarin therapy . The t
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herapeutic INR range is typically 2.0-3.0 for most indications.
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Question 3: = =

,A patient receiving a blood transfusion reports chills and low back p
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ain. What is the priority nursing action?
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A) Slow the transfusion rate
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B) Stop the transfusion
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C) Administer diphenhydramine = =




D) Notify the healthcare provider
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Answer: B) Stop the transfusion
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Rationale: Chills and back pain indicate a possible hemolytic transfu
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sion reaction . The immediate priority is to stop the transfusion to prev
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ent further complications, then maintain IV access with normal saline, n
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otify the provider, and send blood and urine samples to the lab .
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Question 4: = =




A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding would indi
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cate digoxin toxicity?
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A) Heart rate of 72 beats/min
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B) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
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C) Yellow-green halos around lights = = = =




D) Increased urine output = = =

, Answer: C) Yellow-green halos around lights
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Rationale: Yellow- =




green halos (xanthopsia) are a classic sign of digoxin toxicity . Other
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signs include nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, and cardiac dysr
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hythmias. A heart rate of 72 is normal; digoxin toxicity often presents
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with bradycardia.
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Question 5: = =




A patient with heart failure has crackles in the lung bases, distended
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neck veins, and edema. Which medication is most appropriate?
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A) Metoprolol =




B) Digoxin =




C) Furosemide =




D) Lisinopril =




Answer: C) Furosemide
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Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that rapidly reduces preloa
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d by promoting diuresis, relieving pulmonary congestion (crackles) a
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nd reducing edema . This addresses the client's acute fluid overload
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symptoms first. = =




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