ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Test
Fully Solved Questions with Trusted Answers, Most Accurate
A+ Review Edition for 2025
Instructions
This practice exam includes 80 unique multiple-choice questions covering ATI Medical-
Surgical Nursing topics, focusing on respiratory, cardiac, neurological, renal, and muscu-
loskeletal systems. Each question provides four answer options (A–D), with the correct
answer and a brief rationale. Review the questions carefully and refer to the answer key
at the end.
Questions
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dys-
pnea. Which position should the nurse recommend?
A. Supine with head flat
B. High Fowler’s position
C. Prone position
D. Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s position maximizes lung expansion, easing breathing in
COPD patients.
2. A patient with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 4 pounds in 2 days.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Assess for signs of fluid overload
C. Administer a laxative
D. Schedule a dietary consult
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in heart failure indicates fluid retention, requiring
assessment for edema and respiratory distress.
3. A patient with a suspected stroke presents with slurred speech. Which assessment
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Blood glucose level
B. Pupillary response
C. Glasgow Coma Scale
D. NIH Stroke Scale
1
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The NIH Stroke Scale assesses stroke severity, guiding urgent treatment
decisions.
4. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer oral potassium supplements
B. Prepare for cardiac monitoring
C. Encourage high-potassium foods
D. Increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (6.2 mEq/L) risks cardiac arrhythmias, necessitating im-
mediate cardiac monitoring.
5. A patient with a fractured femur is at risk for fat embolism syndrome. Which
symptom should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypotension
B. Petechiae on the chest
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae on the chest are a hallmark sign of fat embolism syndrome.
6. A patient with asthma is wheezing and has an oxygen saturation of 88%. What is
the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Place in a supine position
D. Provide a high-flow nasal cannula
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A bronchodilator rapidly relieves bronchospasm, improving oxygenation.
7. A patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: INR monitors warfarin’s anticoagulant effect, ensuring therapeutic lev-
els.
8. A patient with a seizure disorder experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Restrain the patient’s limbs
B. Ensure airway patency
C. Administer oral diazepam
D. Insert a tongue depressor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining airway patency prevents hypoxia during a seizure.
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Fully Solved Questions with Trusted Answers, Most Accurate
A+ Review Edition for 2025
Instructions
This practice exam includes 80 unique multiple-choice questions covering ATI Medical-
Surgical Nursing topics, focusing on respiratory, cardiac, neurological, renal, and muscu-
loskeletal systems. Each question provides four answer options (A–D), with the correct
answer and a brief rationale. Review the questions carefully and refer to the answer key
at the end.
Questions
1. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is experiencing dys-
pnea. Which position should the nurse recommend?
A. Supine with head flat
B. High Fowler’s position
C. Prone position
D. Trendelenburg position
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High Fowler’s position maximizes lung expansion, easing breathing in
COPD patients.
2. A patient with heart failure reports sudden weight gain of 4 pounds in 2 days.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage increased fluid intake
B. Assess for signs of fluid overload
C. Administer a laxative
D. Schedule a dietary consult
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain in heart failure indicates fluid retention, requiring
assessment for edema and respiratory distress.
3. A patient with a suspected stroke presents with slurred speech. Which assessment
should the nurse prioritize?
A. Blood glucose level
B. Pupillary response
C. Glasgow Coma Scale
D. NIH Stroke Scale
1
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The NIH Stroke Scale assesses stroke severity, guiding urgent treatment
decisions.
4. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer oral potassium supplements
B. Prepare for cardiac monitoring
C. Encourage high-potassium foods
D. Increase fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (6.2 mEq/L) risks cardiac arrhythmias, necessitating im-
mediate cardiac monitoring.
5. A patient with a fractured femur is at risk for fat embolism syndrome. Which
symptom should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypotension
B. Petechiae on the chest
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Petechiae on the chest are a hallmark sign of fat embolism syndrome.
6. A patient with asthma is wheezing and has an oxygen saturation of 88%. What is
the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Administer a bronchodilator
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
C. Place in a supine position
D. Provide a high-flow nasal cannula
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A bronchodilator rapidly relieves bronchospasm, improving oxygenation.
7. A patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Serum creatinine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: INR monitors warfarin’s anticoagulant effect, ensuring therapeutic lev-
els.
8. A patient with a seizure disorder experiences a tonic-clonic seizure. What is the
nurse’s first action?
A. Restrain the patient’s limbs
B. Ensure airway patency
C. Administer oral diazepam
D. Insert a tongue depressor
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Maintaining airway patency prevents hypoxia during a seizure.
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