• Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical 2026 Proctored Exam
Most Tested Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales Exam Format: 250 questions | Multiple
Choice, SATA, NGN Case Studies | Answers with detailed
rationales | Level 3 proficiency focus Content
The nurse is caring for a comatose patient who has suffered a closed head injury. Which intervention
should the nurse implement to prevent increases in ICP?
A. Suctioning the airway every hour and as needed
B. Elevating the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees
C. Turning the patient and changing his position every 2 hours
D. Maintaining a well-lit room
- Correct Answer :B. Elevating the head of the bed 30-45 degrees
Rationale: To facilitate venous drainage and avoid jugular compression, the nurse should
P 1
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
elevate the head of the bed 30-45 degrees. Option A is incorrect because patients with increased ICP poorly
tolerate suctioning and shouldn't be suctioned on a regular basis. Option C is incorrect because turning from side
to side increases the risk of jugular compression and rises in ICP. Option D is incorrect because the room should
be kept quiet and dimly lit.
The nurse is teaching the patient with multiple sclerosis. When teaching the patient how to reduce fatigue,
the nurse should tell the patient to:
A. take a hot bath.
B. rest in an air-conditioned room.
C. increase the dose of his muscle relaxant.
D. avoid naps during the day. - Correct Answer :B. rest in an air-conditioned room.
Rationale: Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis. Lowering the body temperature by
resting in an air conditioned room may relieve fatigue; however, extreme cold should be avoided. Option A is
incorrect because a hot bath or shower can increase body temperature and produce fatigue. Option C is
incorrect because muscle relaxants are prescribed to reduce spasticity and can cause
drowsiness and fatigue. Option D is incorrect because taking frequent rest periods and naps can relieve fatigue.
Other measures to reduce fatigue in the patient with multiple sclerosis include treating depression, using
occupational therapy to learn energy conservation techniques, and reducing spasticity.
To encourage adequate nutritional intake for a patient with Alzheimer's disease, the nurse should:
A. stay with the patient, and encourage him to eat.
B. help the patient fi ll out his menu.
C. give the patient privacy during meals.
D. fi ll out the menu for the patient - Correct Answer :A. stay with the patient, and encourage him to eat.
Rationale: Staying with the patient and encouraging him to feed himself will ensure
adequate food intake. A patient with Alzheimer's disease can forget to eat. Filling out the patient's
menu (Option B), allowing privacy during meals (Option C), or fi lling out the menu for the patient
(Option D) don't ensure adequate nutritional intake.
The nurse is teaching a patient and his family about dietary practices related to Parkinson's disease.
P 2
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
A priority for the nurse to address is risk of:
A. fluid overload and drooling.
B. aspiration and anorexia.
C. choking and diarrhea.
D. dysphagia and constipation - Correct Answer :D. dysphagia and constipation
Rationale: Eating problems associated with Parkinson's disease include aspiration, choking,
constipation, and dysphagia. Option A is incorrect since fluid overload isn't specifically related to Parkinson's
disease and, although drooling occurs with Parkinson's disease, it doesn't take priority. Anorexia (Option B) and
diarrhea (Option C) aren't specifically associated with Parkinson's disease.
An elderly patient has just suffered a stroke that has left him with amnesia. Amnesia is a symptom
associated with damage to which vessel?
A. Carotid artery
B. Anterior cerebral arteries
C. Vertebrobasilar artery
D. Middle cerebral artery - Correct Answer :C. Vertebrobasilar artery
Rationale: Damage to the vertebrobasilar artery can produce amnesia. Damage to the other
arteries (Options A, B, and D) doesn't produce amnesia.
Which condition places a patient at risk for an embolic stroke?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Bradycardia
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. A history of MI - Correct Answer :A. Atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Atrial fi brillation results from the irregular and rapid discharge from multiple
P 3
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
ectopic atrial foci that causes quivering of the atria without atrial systole. This asynchronous atrial contraction
predisposes the patient to mural thrombi, which may embolize, leading to a stroke. Bradycardia (Option B), deep
vein thrombosis (Option C), and a history of MI (Option D) don't lead to arterial embolization.
After a patient experiences a brain stem infarction, the nurse should observe for which condition?
A. Aphasia
B. Bradypnea
C. Contralateral hemiplegia
D. Numbness and tingling to the face or arm - Correct Answer :B. Bradypnea
Rationale: The brain stem contains the medulla and the vital cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory
centers. A brain stem infarction leads to vital sign changes such as bradypnea. Aphasia (Option A) is associated
with lobar strokes in the cerebral hemispheres. Although contralateral hemiplegia (Option C) and numbness and
tingling in the face or arm (Option D) may occur with certain types of strokes, they generally don't occur with
brain stem infarction.
A patient with a subdural hematoma becomes restless and confused, with dilation of the ipsilateral pupil.
The physician orders mannitol for which reason?
A. To reduce intraocular pressure
B. To prevent acute tubular necrosis
C. To promote osmotic diuresis to decrease ICP
D. To draw water into the vascular system to increase blood pressure - Correct Answer :C. To promote osmotic
diuresis to decrease ICP
Rationale: Mannitol promotes osmotic diuresis by increasing the pressure gradient, drawing
fluid from intracellular to intravascular spaces. Although mannitol also reduces intraocular pressure (Option A),
helps prevent acute tubular necrosis (Option B), and draws water into the vascular system to increase blood
pressure (Option D), its most pressing use for this patient is to reduce ICP.
In a patient with meningitis, irritation to which CN could cause photophobia?
A. III
B. IV
P 4
ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical 2026 Proctored Exam
Most Tested Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales Exam Format: 250 questions | Multiple
Choice, SATA, NGN Case Studies | Answers with detailed
rationales | Level 3 proficiency focus Content
The nurse is caring for a comatose patient who has suffered a closed head injury. Which intervention
should the nurse implement to prevent increases in ICP?
A. Suctioning the airway every hour and as needed
B. Elevating the head of the bed 30 to 45 degrees
C. Turning the patient and changing his position every 2 hours
D. Maintaining a well-lit room
- Correct Answer :B. Elevating the head of the bed 30-45 degrees
Rationale: To facilitate venous drainage and avoid jugular compression, the nurse should
P 1
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
elevate the head of the bed 30-45 degrees. Option A is incorrect because patients with increased ICP poorly
tolerate suctioning and shouldn't be suctioned on a regular basis. Option C is incorrect because turning from side
to side increases the risk of jugular compression and rises in ICP. Option D is incorrect because the room should
be kept quiet and dimly lit.
The nurse is teaching the patient with multiple sclerosis. When teaching the patient how to reduce fatigue,
the nurse should tell the patient to:
A. take a hot bath.
B. rest in an air-conditioned room.
C. increase the dose of his muscle relaxant.
D. avoid naps during the day. - Correct Answer :B. rest in an air-conditioned room.
Rationale: Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis. Lowering the body temperature by
resting in an air conditioned room may relieve fatigue; however, extreme cold should be avoided. Option A is
incorrect because a hot bath or shower can increase body temperature and produce fatigue. Option C is
incorrect because muscle relaxants are prescribed to reduce spasticity and can cause
drowsiness and fatigue. Option D is incorrect because taking frequent rest periods and naps can relieve fatigue.
Other measures to reduce fatigue in the patient with multiple sclerosis include treating depression, using
occupational therapy to learn energy conservation techniques, and reducing spasticity.
To encourage adequate nutritional intake for a patient with Alzheimer's disease, the nurse should:
A. stay with the patient, and encourage him to eat.
B. help the patient fi ll out his menu.
C. give the patient privacy during meals.
D. fi ll out the menu for the patient - Correct Answer :A. stay with the patient, and encourage him to eat.
Rationale: Staying with the patient and encouraging him to feed himself will ensure
adequate food intake. A patient with Alzheimer's disease can forget to eat. Filling out the patient's
menu (Option B), allowing privacy during meals (Option C), or fi lling out the menu for the patient
(Option D) don't ensure adequate nutritional intake.
The nurse is teaching a patient and his family about dietary practices related to Parkinson's disease.
P 2
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
A priority for the nurse to address is risk of:
A. fluid overload and drooling.
B. aspiration and anorexia.
C. choking and diarrhea.
D. dysphagia and constipation - Correct Answer :D. dysphagia and constipation
Rationale: Eating problems associated with Parkinson's disease include aspiration, choking,
constipation, and dysphagia. Option A is incorrect since fluid overload isn't specifically related to Parkinson's
disease and, although drooling occurs with Parkinson's disease, it doesn't take priority. Anorexia (Option B) and
diarrhea (Option C) aren't specifically associated with Parkinson's disease.
An elderly patient has just suffered a stroke that has left him with amnesia. Amnesia is a symptom
associated with damage to which vessel?
A. Carotid artery
B. Anterior cerebral arteries
C. Vertebrobasilar artery
D. Middle cerebral artery - Correct Answer :C. Vertebrobasilar artery
Rationale: Damage to the vertebrobasilar artery can produce amnesia. Damage to the other
arteries (Options A, B, and D) doesn't produce amnesia.
Which condition places a patient at risk for an embolic stroke?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Bradycardia
C. Deep vein thrombosis
D. A history of MI - Correct Answer :A. Atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Atrial fi brillation results from the irregular and rapid discharge from multiple
P 3
, • Mental Health Care 09/15/2026
ectopic atrial foci that causes quivering of the atria without atrial systole. This asynchronous atrial contraction
predisposes the patient to mural thrombi, which may embolize, leading to a stroke. Bradycardia (Option B), deep
vein thrombosis (Option C), and a history of MI (Option D) don't lead to arterial embolization.
After a patient experiences a brain stem infarction, the nurse should observe for which condition?
A. Aphasia
B. Bradypnea
C. Contralateral hemiplegia
D. Numbness and tingling to the face or arm - Correct Answer :B. Bradypnea
Rationale: The brain stem contains the medulla and the vital cardiac, vasomotor, and respiratory
centers. A brain stem infarction leads to vital sign changes such as bradypnea. Aphasia (Option A) is associated
with lobar strokes in the cerebral hemispheres. Although contralateral hemiplegia (Option C) and numbness and
tingling in the face or arm (Option D) may occur with certain types of strokes, they generally don't occur with
brain stem infarction.
A patient with a subdural hematoma becomes restless and confused, with dilation of the ipsilateral pupil.
The physician orders mannitol for which reason?
A. To reduce intraocular pressure
B. To prevent acute tubular necrosis
C. To promote osmotic diuresis to decrease ICP
D. To draw water into the vascular system to increase blood pressure - Correct Answer :C. To promote osmotic
diuresis to decrease ICP
Rationale: Mannitol promotes osmotic diuresis by increasing the pressure gradient, drawing
fluid from intracellular to intravascular spaces. Although mannitol also reduces intraocular pressure (Option A),
helps prevent acute tubular necrosis (Option B), and draws water into the vascular system to increase blood
pressure (Option D), its most pressing use for this patient is to reduce ICP.
In a patient with meningitis, irritation to which CN could cause photophobia?
A. III
B. IV
P 4
