ATI RN ADULT MEDICAL-
SURGICAL CMS EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders
Respiratory and Infectious Disease Management
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Renal, Gastrointestinal, and Endocrine Disorders
Perioperative Nursing and Emergency Care
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Oncologic Nursing and End-of-Life Care
Prioritization, Delegation, and Clinical Judgment
Safety, Infection Control, and Professional Standards
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess
the candidate's knowledge and clinical judgment in adult
medical-surgical nursing, preparing them for the ATI RN
,Adult Medical-Surgical CMS proctored assessment. The
assessment covers foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory and legal compliance,
ethics and professional standards, and real-world clinical
scenarios. Through multiple-choice and scenario-based
items, candidates will demonstrate mastery of
prioritization, delegation, safety, infection control,
medication administration, and evidence-based nursing
practice. This test bank emphasizes the application of
clinical judgment required for safe, patient-centered
medical-surgical nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure
who reports sudden onset of dyspnea and coughing
up pink, frothy sputum. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer furosemide IV
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
C. Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Notify the provider
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
RATIONALE: The client is experiencing acute
pulmonary edema. The priority is to reduce venous
return and improve breathing by positioning the client
upright (high-Fowler's) with legs dangling if possible.
Oxygen, diuretics, and provider notification follow.
,2. A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD)
reports leg pain when walking that resolves with
rest. The nurse documents this finding as:
A. Rest pain
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Venous stasis pain
D. Neuropathic pain
B. Intermittent claudication
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication is muscle pain
or cramping in the lower extremities induced by exercise
and relieved by rest, caused by inadequate blood flow in
PAD. Rest pain occurs at rest in severe disease.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with deep vein
thrombosis (DVT) who is receiving heparin. Which
finding indicates a possible complication?
A. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) 65 seconds (control
30 seconds)
B. Platelet count 80,000/mm³
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
B. Platelet count 80,000/mm³
RATIONALE: Heparin can cause heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a drop in platelets. A platelet
count <150,000 or a 50% drop from baseline should
raise suspicion. The PTT of 65 seconds is therapeutic
(1.5–2.5x control).
, 4. A client with hypertension is prescribed
hydrochlorothiazide. Which laboratory values
should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
RATIONALE: Thiazide diuretics can cause
hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypercalcemia.
Electrolytes and renal function should be monitored
regularly.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a
client after a myocardial infarction (MI). Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should take nitroglycerin before any physical
activity."
B. "I should stop taking my beta-blocker if my heart rate
drops below 60."
C. "I should avoid all physical activity for at least 6
weeks."
D. "I should take my aspirin with food to prevent
stomach upset."
A. "I should take nitroglycerin before any physical
activity."
SURGICAL CMS EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders
Respiratory and Infectious Disease Management
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Renal, Gastrointestinal, and Endocrine Disorders
Perioperative Nursing and Emergency Care
Pharmacology and Parenteral Therapies
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Oncologic Nursing and End-of-Life Care
Prioritization, Delegation, and Clinical Judgment
Safety, Infection Control, and Professional Standards
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess
the candidate's knowledge and clinical judgment in adult
medical-surgical nursing, preparing them for the ATI RN
,Adult Medical-Surgical CMS proctored assessment. The
assessment covers foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory and legal compliance,
ethics and professional standards, and real-world clinical
scenarios. Through multiple-choice and scenario-based
items, candidates will demonstrate mastery of
prioritization, delegation, safety, infection control,
medication administration, and evidence-based nursing
practice. This test bank emphasizes the application of
clinical judgment required for safe, patient-centered
medical-surgical nursing care.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure
who reports sudden onset of dyspnea and coughing
up pink, frothy sputum. Which action should the
nurse take first?
A. Administer furosemide IV
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
C. Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
D. Notify the provider
B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position
RATIONALE: The client is experiencing acute
pulmonary edema. The priority is to reduce venous
return and improve breathing by positioning the client
upright (high-Fowler's) with legs dangling if possible.
Oxygen, diuretics, and provider notification follow.
,2. A client with peripheral artery disease (PAD)
reports leg pain when walking that resolves with
rest. The nurse documents this finding as:
A. Rest pain
B. Intermittent claudication
C. Venous stasis pain
D. Neuropathic pain
B. Intermittent claudication
RATIONALE: Intermittent claudication is muscle pain
or cramping in the lower extremities induced by exercise
and relieved by rest, caused by inadequate blood flow in
PAD. Rest pain occurs at rest in severe disease.
3. A nurse is assessing a client with deep vein
thrombosis (DVT) who is receiving heparin. Which
finding indicates a possible complication?
A. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) 65 seconds (control
30 seconds)
B. Platelet count 80,000/mm³
C. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
D. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
B. Platelet count 80,000/mm³
RATIONALE: Heparin can cause heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a drop in platelets. A platelet
count <150,000 or a 50% drop from baseline should
raise suspicion. The PTT of 65 seconds is therapeutic
(1.5–2.5x control).
, 4. A client with hypertension is prescribed
hydrochlorothiazide. Which laboratory values
should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum calcium
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
RATIONALE: Thiazide diuretics can cause
hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypercalcemia.
Electrolytes and renal function should be monitored
regularly.
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a
client after a myocardial infarction (MI). Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I should take nitroglycerin before any physical
activity."
B. "I should stop taking my beta-blocker if my heart rate
drops below 60."
C. "I should avoid all physical activity for at least 6
weeks."
D. "I should take my aspirin with food to prevent
stomach upset."
A. "I should take nitroglycerin before any physical
activity."
