ATI Med-Surg Masterclass Proctored Exam
Premium Review Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Rationales for Guaranteed Success
Instructions
This practice exam includes 80 unique multiple-choice questions covering ATI Medical-
Surgical Nursing topics, including respiratory, cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal, re-
nal, and endocrine disorders. 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 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical ven-
tilation. Which finding indicates worsening condition?
A. PaO2 of 85 mmHg
B. Increased peak inspiratory pressure
C. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
D. Clear lung sounds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Increased peak inspiratory pressure suggests worsening lung compliance
or obstruction, indicating ARDS progression.
2. A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which electrolyte should
the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing, increasing the risk of hyperkalemia.
3. A patient with a suspected stroke reports sudden vision loss in one eye. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Perform a neurological assessment
C. Check blood glucose
D. Elevate the head of the bed
Correct Answer: B
1
, Rationale: Sudden vision loss suggests a neurological deficit, requiring immediate
assessment to confirm stroke.
4. A patient with peptic ulcer disease reports epigastric pain. Which medication
should the nurse administer?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Omeprazole
C. Aspirin
D. Acetaminophen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, reduces gastric acid, relieving
ulcer pain.
5. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has oliguria. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Monitor fluid balance
C. Administer a diuretic
D. Restrict protein intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring fluid balance prevents fluid overload in AKI patients with
oliguria.
6. A patient with type 1 diabetes reports nausea and abdominal pain. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Addison’s disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea and abdominal pain are symptoms of DKA, a complication of
uncontrolled diabetes.
7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a PaCO2 of 55
mmHg. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Place in a supine position
D. Restrict fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing reduces CO2 retention by prolonging exhalation in
COPD.
8. A patient with atrial flutter reports palpitations. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer?
A. Digoxin
B. Amiodarone
C. Furosemide
D. Nitroglycerin
Correct Answer: B
2
Premium Review Questions with Correct Answers and Expert
Rationales for Guaranteed Success
Instructions
This practice exam includes 80 unique multiple-choice questions covering ATI Medical-
Surgical Nursing topics, including respiratory, cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal, re-
nal, and endocrine disorders. 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 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical ven-
tilation. Which finding indicates worsening condition?
A. PaO2 of 85 mmHg
B. Increased peak inspiratory pressure
C. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
D. Clear lung sounds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Increased peak inspiratory pressure suggests worsening lung compliance
or obstruction, indicating ARDS progression.
2. A patient with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone. Which electrolyte should
the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing, increasing the risk of hyperkalemia.
3. A patient with a suspected stroke reports sudden vision loss in one eye. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer oxygen
B. Perform a neurological assessment
C. Check blood glucose
D. Elevate the head of the bed
Correct Answer: B
1
, Rationale: Sudden vision loss suggests a neurological deficit, requiring immediate
assessment to confirm stroke.
4. A patient with peptic ulcer disease reports epigastric pain. Which medication
should the nurse administer?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Omeprazole
C. Aspirin
D. Acetaminophen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, reduces gastric acid, relieving
ulcer pain.
5. A patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) has oliguria. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Encourage oral fluids
B. Monitor fluid balance
C. Administer a diuretic
D. Restrict protein intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring fluid balance prevents fluid overload in AKI patients with
oliguria.
6. A patient with type 1 diabetes reports nausea and abdominal pain. Which condition
should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Addison’s disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea and abdominal pain are symptoms of DKA, a complication of
uncontrolled diabetes.
7. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a PaCO2 of 55
mmHg. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
C. Place in a supine position
D. Restrict fluid intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing reduces CO2 retention by prolonging exhalation in
COPD.
8. A patient with atrial flutter reports palpitations. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer?
A. Digoxin
B. Amiodarone
C. Furosemide
D. Nitroglycerin
Correct Answer: B
2
