ATI Testing: Engage Adult Medical-Surgical RN - Critical
Alterations in Perfusion Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers 2025
1. A nurse is caring for a client with shock. The nurse understands that in the early
stages of shock, which of the following compensatory mechanisms is most likely
to occur?
A) Vasodilation and hypotension
B) Increased heart rate and vasoconstriction
C) Decreased respiratory rate and bradycardia
D) Increased urinary output and bradycardia
Answer: B) Increased heart rate and vasocriction
Rationale: In the early stages of shock, the body compensates by increasing
heart rate and vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to
vital organs.
2. A client with a history of hypertension presents with sudden onset of chest pain
and shortness of breath. Which of the following is the priority action for the
nurse?
A) Administer a nitroglycerin tablet
B) Assess for signs of hypoxia
,C) Perform a 12-lead ECG
D) Administer morphine for pain relief
Answer: C) Perform a 12-lead ECG
Rationale: A 12-lead ECG is crucial to assess for any signs of myocardial ischemia
or infarction, especially in a client with hypertension and chest pain.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with peripheral artery
disease (PAD). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) "Wear tight-fitting shoes to prevent swelling."
B) "Elevate your legs above the level of your heart when resting."
C) "Apply cold compresses to your legs to reduce pain."
D) "Avoid smoking, as it can worsen your condition."
Answer: D) "Avoid smoking, as it can worsen your condition."
Rationale: Smoking is a major risk factor for PAD and exacerbates the condition
by further restricting blood flow to the extremities.
4. A nurse is caring for a client after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
surgery. The nurse notes that the client’s blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg and
heart rate is 110 bpm. What should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administering prescribed pain medication
B) Increasing the rate of intravenous fluids
C) Notifying the healthcare provider of the vital signs
D) Monitoring the client’s urine output for signs of renal failure
,Answer: B) Increasing the rate of intravenous fluids
Rationale: In the early postoperative period, hypotension and tachycardia can
be signs of hypovolemia. Increasing intravenous fluids helps to restore
circulation and perfusion.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the
following interventions is the priority for the nurse to implement?
A) Encourage early ambulation
B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
C) Elevate the affected leg
D) Apply compression stockings
Answer: B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client with DVT is to administer
anticoagulants to prevent the clot from growing or dislodging, which could lead
to a pulmonary embolism.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of aortic aneurysm. The client
reports sudden, severe back pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer prescribed pain medication
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Measure the client’s blood pressure
D) Position the client in a supine position with legs elevated
Answer: B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
, Rationale: Sudden severe back pain in a client with an aortic aneurysm may
indicate that the aneurysm has ruptured. Immediate notification of the
healthcare provider is critical for prompt intervention.
7. The nurse is assessing a client with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the healthcare provider
immediately?
A) Bilateral pedal edema
B) Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lbs) in 24 hours
C) Mild shortness of breath with activity
D) Jugular vein distension when the client is lying flat
Answer: B) Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lbs) in 24 hours
Rationale: A sudden weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours is indicative of fluid
retention, which could signal worsening heart failure. This requires immediate
medical attention.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving a diuretic. The
client reports muscle cramps and weakness. Which laboratory value should the
nurse check first?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Creatinine
Answer: B) Potassium
Alterations in Perfusion Practice Exam Questions And
Correct Answers 2025
1. A nurse is caring for a client with shock. The nurse understands that in the early
stages of shock, which of the following compensatory mechanisms is most likely
to occur?
A) Vasodilation and hypotension
B) Increased heart rate and vasoconstriction
C) Decreased respiratory rate and bradycardia
D) Increased urinary output and bradycardia
Answer: B) Increased heart rate and vasocriction
Rationale: In the early stages of shock, the body compensates by increasing
heart rate and vasoconstriction to maintain blood pressure and perfusion to
vital organs.
2. A client with a history of hypertension presents with sudden onset of chest pain
and shortness of breath. Which of the following is the priority action for the
nurse?
A) Administer a nitroglycerin tablet
B) Assess for signs of hypoxia
,C) Perform a 12-lead ECG
D) Administer morphine for pain relief
Answer: C) Perform a 12-lead ECG
Rationale: A 12-lead ECG is crucial to assess for any signs of myocardial ischemia
or infarction, especially in a client with hypertension and chest pain.
3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client with peripheral artery
disease (PAD). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A) "Wear tight-fitting shoes to prevent swelling."
B) "Elevate your legs above the level of your heart when resting."
C) "Apply cold compresses to your legs to reduce pain."
D) "Avoid smoking, as it can worsen your condition."
Answer: D) "Avoid smoking, as it can worsen your condition."
Rationale: Smoking is a major risk factor for PAD and exacerbates the condition
by further restricting blood flow to the extremities.
4. A nurse is caring for a client after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
surgery. The nurse notes that the client’s blood pressure is 90/60 mmHg and
heart rate is 110 bpm. What should the nurse prioritize?
A) Administering prescribed pain medication
B) Increasing the rate of intravenous fluids
C) Notifying the healthcare provider of the vital signs
D) Monitoring the client’s urine output for signs of renal failure
,Answer: B) Increasing the rate of intravenous fluids
Rationale: In the early postoperative period, hypotension and tachycardia can
be signs of hypovolemia. Increasing intravenous fluids helps to restore
circulation and perfusion.
5. A nurse is caring for a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the
following interventions is the priority for the nurse to implement?
A) Encourage early ambulation
B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
C) Elevate the affected leg
D) Apply compression stockings
Answer: B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed
Rationale: The priority intervention for a client with DVT is to administer
anticoagulants to prevent the clot from growing or dislodging, which could lead
to a pulmonary embolism.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a diagnosis of aortic aneurysm. The client
reports sudden, severe back pain. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer prescribed pain medication
B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
C) Measure the client’s blood pressure
D) Position the client in a supine position with legs elevated
Answer: B) Notify the healthcare provider immediately
, Rationale: Sudden severe back pain in a client with an aortic aneurysm may
indicate that the aneurysm has ruptured. Immediate notification of the
healthcare provider is critical for prompt intervention.
7. The nurse is assessing a client with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the healthcare provider
immediately?
A) Bilateral pedal edema
B) Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lbs) in 24 hours
C) Mild shortness of breath with activity
D) Jugular vein distension when the client is lying flat
Answer: B) Weight gain of 2 kg (4.4 lbs) in 24 hours
Rationale: A sudden weight gain of 2 kg in 24 hours is indicative of fluid
retention, which could signal worsening heart failure. This requires immediate
medical attention.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who is receiving a diuretic. The
client reports muscle cramps and weakness. Which laboratory value should the
nurse check first?
A) Sodium
B) Potassium
C) Calcium
D) Creatinine
Answer: B) Potassium
