RN Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing – Edition
12.0
ATI Nursing Education
Your essential guide to core medical-surgical nursing content, aligned with
current NCLEX-RN® test plans.
This resource includes:
Comprehensive coverage of adult medical-surgical conditions
Evidence-based nursing interventions and clinical reasoning
Charts, illustrations, and care priorities for quick reference
NCLEX-style practice questions with answers and rationales
Content assessments to track understanding and retention
,1 Introduction
The RN Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing – Edition 12.0 by ATI Nursing Education is a com-
prehensive resource designed to prepare nursing students and professionals for the NCLEX-
RN® exam and clinical practice. This guide provides in-depth coverage of adult medical-
surgical conditions, emphasizing evidence-based nursing interventions, clinical reasoning,
and patient-centered care. It includes quick-reference tools such as charts and care prior-
ities, NCLEX-style practice questions with detailed rationales, and content assessments to
reinforce learning and identify areas for improvement. Aligned with the current NCLEX-RN
test plan, this resource supports the development of critical thinking and clinical judgment
skills essential for managing complex medical-surgical conditions.
2 Quick-Reference Charts and Care Priorities
2.1 Cardiovascular Disorders: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Key Assessment Find- Nursing Interventions
ings
Chest pain (crushing, Administer MONA (Morphine, Oxygen, Ni-
radiating) troglycerin, Aspirin) per protocol
ST elevation on ECG Obtain 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes
Diaphoresis, nausea, Monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation ev-
dyspnea ery 15 minutes
Care Priority: Ensure timely reperfusion therapy (e.g., percutaneous coronary intervention)
within 90 minutes to restore coronary blood flow.
2.2 Respiratory Disorders: Pneumonia
Key Assessment Find- Nursing Interventions
ings
Fever, productive Administer antibiotics within 4 hours of di-
cough agnosis
Crackles, tachypnea Encourage incentive spirometry every 2
hours
1
, Hypoxemia (SpO2 < Apply oxygen to maintain SpO2 � 95%
95%)
Care Priority: Promote airway clearance and oxygenation to prevent respiratory failure.
2.3 Gastrointestinal Disorders: Acute Pancreatitis
Key Assessment Find- Nursing Interventions
ings
Epigastric pain radi- Maintain NPO status to rest the pancreas
ating to back
Elevated amy- Administer IV fluids to correct hypovolemia
lase/lipase
Nausea, vomiting Monitor for signs of hypocalcemia
(Chvostek’s sign)
Care Priority: Manage pain and prevent complications like hypovolemic shock.
3 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions and Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute myocardial infarction. Which finding requires im-
mediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
B. ST elevation on ECG
C. Chest pain rated 4/10
D. Heart rate 88 bpm
Correct Answer:
B. ST elevation on ECG
Rationale:
ST elevation (B) indicates acute myocardial ischemia, requiring immediate reperfusion ther-
apy (e.g., PCI). Hypertension (A) and moderate pain (C) are managed secondarily, and a
heart rate of 88 bpm (D) is within normal limits.
2
12.0
ATI Nursing Education
Your essential guide to core medical-surgical nursing content, aligned with
current NCLEX-RN® test plans.
This resource includes:
Comprehensive coverage of adult medical-surgical conditions
Evidence-based nursing interventions and clinical reasoning
Charts, illustrations, and care priorities for quick reference
NCLEX-style practice questions with answers and rationales
Content assessments to track understanding and retention
,1 Introduction
The RN Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing – Edition 12.0 by ATI Nursing Education is a com-
prehensive resource designed to prepare nursing students and professionals for the NCLEX-
RN® exam and clinical practice. This guide provides in-depth coverage of adult medical-
surgical conditions, emphasizing evidence-based nursing interventions, clinical reasoning,
and patient-centered care. It includes quick-reference tools such as charts and care prior-
ities, NCLEX-style practice questions with detailed rationales, and content assessments to
reinforce learning and identify areas for improvement. Aligned with the current NCLEX-RN
test plan, this resource supports the development of critical thinking and clinical judgment
skills essential for managing complex medical-surgical conditions.
2 Quick-Reference Charts and Care Priorities
2.1 Cardiovascular Disorders: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Key Assessment Find- Nursing Interventions
ings
Chest pain (crushing, Administer MONA (Morphine, Oxygen, Ni-
radiating) troglycerin, Aspirin) per protocol
ST elevation on ECG Obtain 12-lead ECG within 10 minutes
Diaphoresis, nausea, Monitor vital signs and oxygen saturation ev-
dyspnea ery 15 minutes
Care Priority: Ensure timely reperfusion therapy (e.g., percutaneous coronary intervention)
within 90 minutes to restore coronary blood flow.
2.2 Respiratory Disorders: Pneumonia
Key Assessment Find- Nursing Interventions
ings
Fever, productive Administer antibiotics within 4 hours of di-
cough agnosis
Crackles, tachypnea Encourage incentive spirometry every 2
hours
1
, Hypoxemia (SpO2 < Apply oxygen to maintain SpO2 � 95%
95%)
Care Priority: Promote airway clearance and oxygenation to prevent respiratory failure.
2.3 Gastrointestinal Disorders: Acute Pancreatitis
Key Assessment Find- Nursing Interventions
ings
Epigastric pain radi- Maintain NPO status to rest the pancreas
ating to back
Elevated amy- Administer IV fluids to correct hypovolemia
lase/lipase
Nausea, vomiting Monitor for signs of hypocalcemia
(Chvostek’s sign)
Care Priority: Manage pain and prevent complications like hypovolemic shock.
3 NCLEX-Style Practice Questions and Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with acute myocardial infarction. Which finding requires im-
mediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg
B. ST elevation on ECG
C. Chest pain rated 4/10
D. Heart rate 88 bpm
Correct Answer:
B. ST elevation on ECG
Rationale:
ST elevation (B) indicates acute myocardial ischemia, requiring immediate reperfusion ther-
apy (e.g., PCI). Hypertension (A) and moderate pain (C) are managed secondarily, and a
heart rate of 88 bpm (D) is within normal limits.
2
