ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Assessment: 100%
Graded A+ Multiple-Choice Questions & Study
Guide for Proctored Exam Success
80 Unique Multiple-Choice Questions for ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing
Assessment Designed to align with core topics: Common Disorders by System,
Surgical Prep and Recovery, Complications and Nursing Interventions, Lab Values and
Prioritization of Care
Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Questions
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client with suspected angina pectoris. Which symptom is
most characteristic of this condition?
A Chest pressure relieved by rest
B Sharp pain in the epigastric region
C Persistent cough with frothy sputum
D Swelling in the lower extremities
Question 2: A nurse is preparing a client for a total hip arthroplasty. Which preoperative
instruction is most important?
A Teach use of assistive devices
B Encourage high-protein meals
C Instruct to remain NPO post-surgery
D Demonstrate wound care techniques
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client post-laparotomy who develops signs of peritonitis.
Which intervention is the priority?
A Administer IV antibiotics
B Encourage oral fluids
C Apply warm compresses
D Restrict ambulation
1
,Question 4: A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client with suspected hypokalemia. Which
potassium level requires immediate intervention?
A 2.8 mEq/L
B 3.5 mEq/L
C 4.0 mEq/L
D 5.0 mEq/L
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Which finding is expected?
A Refractory hypoxemia
B Clear lung sounds
C Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
D Oxygen saturation of 95
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client 48 hours post-thoracotomy. Which action promotes
respiratory function?
A Encourage splinted coughing
B Restrict fluid intake
C Position the client supine
D Limit pain medication
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter who develops signs of
air embolism. Which action is the priority?
A Place the client in left Trendelenburg position
B Administer IV fluids rapidly
C Apply warm compresses
D Encourage deep breathing
Question 8: A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A Client with a sodium level of 128 mEq/L
B Client with a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C Client with a hemoglobin of 12 g/dL
D Client with a potassium of 4.2 mEq/L
2
, Question 9: A nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease. Which symptom is most
likely related to fluid overload?
A Peripheral edema
B Dry mucous membranes
C Increased urine output
D Weight loss
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client post-mastectomy. Which intervention prevents com-
plications?
A Perform arm exercises
B Keep the arm dependent
C Apply heat to the incision
D Restrict fluid intake
Question 11: A nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who develops respiratory distress.
Which intervention is the priority?
A Suction the airway
B Change the tracheostomy tube
C Administer a bronchodilator
D Reposition the client
Question 12: A nurse is reviewing a client’s arterial blood gas results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg,
HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which condition is indicated?
A Respiratory acidosis
B Metabolic acidosis
C Respiratory alkalosis
D Metabolic alkalosis
Question 13: A nurse is caring for a client with Crohn’s disease. Which symptom is expected?
A Chronic diarrhea
B Epigastric burning
C Constipation
D Weight gain
Question 14: A nurse is preparing a client for a bowel resection. Which preoperative action is
most important?
3
Graded A+ Multiple-Choice Questions & Study
Guide for Proctored Exam Success
80 Unique Multiple-Choice Questions for ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing
Assessment Designed to align with core topics: Common Disorders by System,
Surgical Prep and Recovery, Complications and Nursing Interventions, Lab Values and
Prioritization of Care
Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice Questions
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a client with suspected angina pectoris. Which symptom is
most characteristic of this condition?
A Chest pressure relieved by rest
B Sharp pain in the epigastric region
C Persistent cough with frothy sputum
D Swelling in the lower extremities
Question 2: A nurse is preparing a client for a total hip arthroplasty. Which preoperative
instruction is most important?
A Teach use of assistive devices
B Encourage high-protein meals
C Instruct to remain NPO post-surgery
D Demonstrate wound care techniques
Question 3: A nurse is caring for a client post-laparotomy who develops signs of peritonitis.
Which intervention is the priority?
A Administer IV antibiotics
B Encourage oral fluids
C Apply warm compresses
D Restrict ambulation
1
,Question 4: A nurse is reviewing lab results for a client with suspected hypokalemia. Which
potassium level requires immediate intervention?
A 2.8 mEq/L
B 3.5 mEq/L
C 4.0 mEq/L
D 5.0 mEq/L
Question 5: A nurse is caring for a client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Which finding is expected?
A Refractory hypoxemia
B Clear lung sounds
C Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
D Oxygen saturation of 95
Question 6: A nurse is caring for a client 48 hours post-thoracotomy. Which action promotes
respiratory function?
A Encourage splinted coughing
B Restrict fluid intake
C Position the client supine
D Limit pain medication
Question 7: A nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter who develops signs of
air embolism. Which action is the priority?
A Place the client in left Trendelenburg position
B Administer IV fluids rapidly
C Apply warm compresses
D Encourage deep breathing
Question 8: A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess
first?
A Client with a sodium level of 128 mEq/L
B Client with a blood glucose of 180 mg/dL
C Client with a hemoglobin of 12 g/dL
D Client with a potassium of 4.2 mEq/L
2
, Question 9: A nurse is assessing a client with chronic kidney disease. Which symptom is most
likely related to fluid overload?
A Peripheral edema
B Dry mucous membranes
C Increased urine output
D Weight loss
Question 10: A nurse is caring for a client post-mastectomy. Which intervention prevents com-
plications?
A Perform arm exercises
B Keep the arm dependent
C Apply heat to the incision
D Restrict fluid intake
Question 11: A nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who develops respiratory distress.
Which intervention is the priority?
A Suction the airway
B Change the tracheostomy tube
C Administer a bronchodilator
D Reposition the client
Question 12: A nurse is reviewing a client’s arterial blood gas results: pH 7.30, PaCO2 50 mmHg,
HCO3 24 mEq/L. Which condition is indicated?
A Respiratory acidosis
B Metabolic acidosis
C Respiratory alkalosis
D Metabolic alkalosis
Question 13: A nurse is caring for a client with Crohn’s disease. Which symptom is expected?
A Chronic diarrhea
B Epigastric burning
C Constipation
D Weight gain
Question 14: A nurse is preparing a client for a bowel resection. Which preoperative action is
most important?
3