• ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
ATI PN Adult Medical Surgical 2026 Bundle
(Medsurg) Proctored Exam Comprising NGN
and All Questions and Answers| Detailed
Rationales
68. During assessment of a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which finding should the nurse
identify when planning care for this client?
a. Muscle weakness.
b. Urinary frequency.
c. Abnormal involuntary movements.
d. A decline in cognitive function. - Correct Answer :A
P 1
, • ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
Rationale
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a degeneration of motor neurons in the brainstem and
spinal cord and are manifested by muscle weakness and wasting.
69. The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who is at high risk for development of
coronary heart disease (CHD). Which information should the nurse include?
a. Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day.
b. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.
c. Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day.
d. Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake. - Correct Answer :B
Rationale
To reduce risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, the daily intake of soluble fiber should be
increased to between 10 and 25 gm. According to the American Heart Association, soluble fibers helps reduce
the LDL cholesterol levels.
70. A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the nurse
provides the most accurate explanation for use of the splints?
a. Prevention of deformities.
b. Avoidance of joint trauma.
c. Relief of joint inflammation.
d. Improvement in joint strength. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
P 2
, • ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
Splints may be used at night by clients with rheumatoid arthritis to prevent deformities caused by muscle spasms
and contractures.
71. A 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day and is 30 pounds overweight is
diagnosed with having a gastric ulcer. What content is most important for the nurse to include in the discharge
teaching for this client?
a. Information about smoking cessation.
b. Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
c. Instructions on a weight-loss program.
d. The importance of increasing milk in the diet. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
Smoking has been associated with ulcer formation, and stopping or decreasing the number of cigarettes
smoked per day is an important aspect of ulcer management.
72. A client has been taking oral corticosteroids for the past five days because of seasonal allergies. Which
assessment finding is of most concern to the nurse?
a. White blood count of 10,000 mm3.
b. Serum glucose of 115 mg/dl.
c. Purulent sputum.
d. Excessive hunger. - Correct Answer :C
Rationale
Steroids cause immunosuppression, and a purulent sputum is an indication of infection, so this symptom is of
greatest concern.
P 3
, • ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
73. A client is placed on a mechanical ventilator following a cerebral hemorrhage, and vecuronium bromide
(Norcuron) 0.04 mg/kg q12 hours IV is prescribed. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
a. Impaired communication related to paralysis of skeletal muscles.
b. High risk for infection related to increased intracranial pressure.
c. Potential for injury related to impaired lung expansion.
d. Social isolation related to inability to communicate. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
To increase the client's tolerance of endotracheal intubation and/or mechanical ventilation, a skeletal-muscle
relaxant, such as vecuronium, is usually prescribed. Impaired communication is a serious outcome because the
client cannot communicate his/her needs due to intubation and diaphragmatic paralysis caused by the drug.
74. An adult client is admitted to the hospital burn unit with partial-thickness and full-thickness burns over 40% of
the body surface area. In assessing the potential for skin regeneration, what should the nurse remember about
full-thickness burns?
a. Regenerative function of the skin is absent because the dermal layer has been destroyed.
b. Tissue regeneration will begin several days following return of normal circulation.
c. Debridement of eschar will delay the body's ability to regenerate normal tissue.
d. Normal tissue formation will be preceded by scar formation for the first year. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
Full-thickness burns destroy the entire dermal layer. Included in this destruction is the regenerative tissue. For
this reason, tissue regeneration does not occur, and skin grafting is necessary.
P 4
Medical Exam
ATI PN Adult Medical Surgical 2026 Bundle
(Medsurg) Proctored Exam Comprising NGN
and All Questions and Answers| Detailed
Rationales
68. During assessment of a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which finding should the nurse
identify when planning care for this client?
a. Muscle weakness.
b. Urinary frequency.
c. Abnormal involuntary movements.
d. A decline in cognitive function. - Correct Answer :A
P 1
, • ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
Rationale
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a degeneration of motor neurons in the brainstem and
spinal cord and are manifested by muscle weakness and wasting.
69. The nurse is providing dietary instructions to a 68-year-old client who is at high risk for development of
coronary heart disease (CHD). Which information should the nurse include?
a. Limit dietary selection of cholesterol to 300 mg per day.
b. Increase intake of soluble fiber to 10 to 25 grams per day.
c. Decrease plant stanols and sterols to less than 2 grams/day.
d. Ensure saturated fat is less than 30% of total caloric intake. - Correct Answer :B
Rationale
To reduce risk factors associated with coronary heart disease, the daily intake of soluble fiber should be
increased to between 10 and 25 gm. According to the American Heart Association, soluble fibers helps reduce
the LDL cholesterol levels.
70. A splint is prescribed for nighttime use by a client with rheumatoid arthritis. Which statement by the nurse
provides the most accurate explanation for use of the splints?
a. Prevention of deformities.
b. Avoidance of joint trauma.
c. Relief of joint inflammation.
d. Improvement in joint strength. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
P 2
, • ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
Splints may be used at night by clients with rheumatoid arthritis to prevent deformities caused by muscle spasms
and contractures.
71. A 51-year-old truck driver who smokes two packs of cigarettes a day and is 30 pounds overweight is
diagnosed with having a gastric ulcer. What content is most important for the nurse to include in the discharge
teaching for this client?
a. Information about smoking cessation.
b. Diet instructions for a low-residue diet.
c. Instructions on a weight-loss program.
d. The importance of increasing milk in the diet. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
Smoking has been associated with ulcer formation, and stopping or decreasing the number of cigarettes
smoked per day is an important aspect of ulcer management.
72. A client has been taking oral corticosteroids for the past five days because of seasonal allergies. Which
assessment finding is of most concern to the nurse?
a. White blood count of 10,000 mm3.
b. Serum glucose of 115 mg/dl.
c. Purulent sputum.
d. Excessive hunger. - Correct Answer :C
Rationale
Steroids cause immunosuppression, and a purulent sputum is an indication of infection, so this symptom is of
greatest concern.
P 3
, • ATI PN Adult 09/18/2026
Medical Exam
73. A client is placed on a mechanical ventilator following a cerebral hemorrhage, and vecuronium bromide
(Norcuron) 0.04 mg/kg q12 hours IV is prescribed. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for this client?
a. Impaired communication related to paralysis of skeletal muscles.
b. High risk for infection related to increased intracranial pressure.
c. Potential for injury related to impaired lung expansion.
d. Social isolation related to inability to communicate. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
To increase the client's tolerance of endotracheal intubation and/or mechanical ventilation, a skeletal-muscle
relaxant, such as vecuronium, is usually prescribed. Impaired communication is a serious outcome because the
client cannot communicate his/her needs due to intubation and diaphragmatic paralysis caused by the drug.
74. An adult client is admitted to the hospital burn unit with partial-thickness and full-thickness burns over 40% of
the body surface area. In assessing the potential for skin regeneration, what should the nurse remember about
full-thickness burns?
a. Regenerative function of the skin is absent because the dermal layer has been destroyed.
b. Tissue regeneration will begin several days following return of normal circulation.
c. Debridement of eschar will delay the body's ability to regenerate normal tissue.
d. Normal tissue formation will be preceded by scar formation for the first year. - Correct Answer :A
Rationale
Full-thickness burns destroy the entire dermal layer. Included in this destruction is the regenerative tissue. For
this reason, tissue regeneration does not occur, and skin grafting is necessary.
P 4
