ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Assessment Questions
Below are 80 original multiple-choice questions designed for the ATI Medical-
Surgical Nursing assessment, covering respiratory, cardiac, neurological, renal,
gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as chronic and
acute conditions, nursing interventions, and clinical judgment. Each question
includes four answer choices (A–D) with one correct answer.
Question 1: A 62-year-old patient with COPD is admitted with increased dyspnea and
wheezing. The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and oxy-
gen saturation of 88% on room air. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Administer a high-dose corticosteroid IV.
B. Place the patient in a supine position.
C. Initiate oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
D. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe every 4 hours.
Question 2: A patient with pneumonia reports chest pain during inspiration. The nurse
auscultates crackles in the right lower lobe. Which finding indicates a wors-
ening condition?
A. Oxygen saturation of 95% on 2 L/min oxygen.
B. Increased sputum production that is clear.
C. Respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min with accessory muscle use.
D. Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C).
Question 3: A 55-year-old patient with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation.
The nurse administers albuterol via nebulizer. What should the nurse mon-
itor for as a potential side effect?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Bradypnea
Question 4: A patient with a pulmonary embolism is started on heparin therapy. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
B. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin level
Question 5: A 70-year-old patient with chronic bronchitis reports a productive cough
with yellow sputum. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
1
, A. Restrict fluid intake to reduce sputum production.
B. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing techniques.
C. Administer a loop diuretic.
D. Encourage the patient to lie flat to rest.
Question 6: A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical
ventilation. The nurse notes a peak airway pressure of 45 cm H2 O. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the tidal volume.
B. Suction the endotracheal tube.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Administer a bronchodilator.
Question 7: A patient with a history of tuberculosis is admitted with hemoptysis. Which
precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Question 8: A 45-year-old patient with a tracheostomy is at risk for airway obstruction.
Which action should the nurse take to prevent this complication?
A. Keep the tracheostomy tube uncapped at all times.
B. Suction the tracheostomy as needed.
C. Change the tracheostomy tube daily.
D. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via tracheostomy collar.
Question 9: A patient with a chest tube for a pneumothorax reports sudden shortness
of breath. The nurse notes no bubbling in the water seal chamber. What
should the nurse suspect?
A. Chest tube occlusion
B. Normal chest tube function
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Pleural effusion
Question 10: A patient with sleep apnea is prescribed continuous positive airway pres-
sure (CPAP). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. “I will use the CPAP machine every night.”
B. “The CPAP helps keep my airway open during sleep.”
2
, C. “I can stop using the CPAP if I lose weight.”
D. “I should clean the CPAP mask regularly.”
Question 11: A 58-year-old patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI) reports chest
pain radiating to the left arm. Which initial action should the nurse take?
A. Administer morphine IV.
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
C. Start an IV nitroglycerin drip.
D. Place the patient on a defibrillator.
Question 12: A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Question 13: A 65-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation is on warfarin. The nurse notes
an INR of 4.5. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer vitamin K.
B. Continue the current dose of warfarin.
C. Hold the warfarin dose and notify the provider.
D. Increase the warfarin dose.
Question 14: A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should
the nurse teach the patient to report?
A. Dry cough
B. Increased appetite
C. Weight gain
D. Constipation
Question 15: A 50-year-old patient with angina is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual
tablets. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. “Take one tablet every 15 minutes until pain resolves.”
B. “Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses.”
C. “Swallow the tablet with water.”
D. “Take the tablet only at bedtime.”
Question 16: A patient with a pacemaker reports dizziness and a heart rate of 50 bpm.
What should the nurse do first?
3
Below are 80 original multiple-choice questions designed for the ATI Medical-
Surgical Nursing assessment, covering respiratory, cardiac, neurological, renal,
gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems, as well as chronic and
acute conditions, nursing interventions, and clinical judgment. Each question
includes four answer choices (A–D) with one correct answer.
Question 1: A 62-year-old patient with COPD is admitted with increased dyspnea and
wheezing. The nurse notes a respiratory rate of 28 breaths/min and oxy-
gen saturation of 88% on room air. Which intervention should the nurse
prioritize?
A. Administer a high-dose corticosteroid IV.
B. Place the patient in a supine position.
C. Initiate oxygen therapy at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
D. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe every 4 hours.
Question 2: A patient with pneumonia reports chest pain during inspiration. The nurse
auscultates crackles in the right lower lobe. Which finding indicates a wors-
ening condition?
A. Oxygen saturation of 95% on 2 L/min oxygen.
B. Increased sputum production that is clear.
C. Respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min with accessory muscle use.
D. Temperature of 99.2°F (37.3°C).
Question 3: A 55-year-old patient with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation.
The nurse administers albuterol via nebulizer. What should the nurse mon-
itor for as a potential side effect?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Bradypnea
Question 4: A patient with a pulmonary embolism is started on heparin therapy. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
B. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin level
Question 5: A 70-year-old patient with chronic bronchitis reports a productive cough
with yellow sputum. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
1
, A. Restrict fluid intake to reduce sputum production.
B. Teach the patient pursed-lip breathing techniques.
C. Administer a loop diuretic.
D. Encourage the patient to lie flat to rest.
Question 6: A patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical
ventilation. The nurse notes a peak airway pressure of 45 cm H2 O. What
should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the tidal volume.
B. Suction the endotracheal tube.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Administer a bronchodilator.
Question 7: A patient with a history of tuberculosis is admitted with hemoptysis. Which
precaution should the nurse implement?
A. Contact precautions
B. Droplet precautions
C. Airborne precautions
D. Standard precautions
Question 8: A 45-year-old patient with a tracheostomy is at risk for airway obstruction.
Which action should the nurse take to prevent this complication?
A. Keep the tracheostomy tube uncapped at all times.
B. Suction the tracheostomy as needed.
C. Change the tracheostomy tube daily.
D. Administer oxygen at 10 L/min via tracheostomy collar.
Question 9: A patient with a chest tube for a pneumothorax reports sudden shortness
of breath. The nurse notes no bubbling in the water seal chamber. What
should the nurse suspect?
A. Chest tube occlusion
B. Normal chest tube function
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Pleural effusion
Question 10: A patient with sleep apnea is prescribed continuous positive airway pres-
sure (CPAP). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. “I will use the CPAP machine every night.”
B. “The CPAP helps keep my airway open during sleep.”
2
, C. “I can stop using the CPAP if I lose weight.”
D. “I should clean the CPAP mask regularly.”
Question 11: A 58-year-old patient with acute myocardial infarction (MI) reports chest
pain radiating to the left arm. Which initial action should the nurse take?
A. Administer morphine IV.
B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
C. Start an IV nitroglycerin drip.
D. Place the patient on a defibrillator.
Question 12: A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Question 13: A 65-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation is on warfarin. The nurse notes
an INR of 4.5. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer vitamin K.
B. Continue the current dose of warfarin.
C. Hold the warfarin dose and notify the provider.
D. Increase the warfarin dose.
Question 14: A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should
the nurse teach the patient to report?
A. Dry cough
B. Increased appetite
C. Weight gain
D. Constipation
Question 15: A 50-year-old patient with angina is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual
tablets. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. “Take one tablet every 15 minutes until pain resolves.”
B. “Take one tablet every 5 minutes for up to three doses.”
C. “Swallow the tablet with water.”
D. “Take the tablet only at bedtime.”
Question 16: A patient with a pacemaker reports dizziness and a heart rate of 50 bpm.
What should the nurse do first?
3
