ATI RN Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam |
2025/2026 Nursing Test Bank | 200+ Verified
Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Comprehensive ATI Med-Surg Study Guide for RN
Students & NCLEX Exam Preparation
1. A patient with heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath and crackles in
the lungs. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a diuretic
B) Assess oxygen saturation (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Administer a bronchodilator
RATIONALE: Assessing oxygen saturation provides immediate information about the
patient’s respiratory status and need for oxygen therapy.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient post-operative day 1 after a total hip replacement.
Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A) Mild pain at the incision site
B) Capillary refill less than 2 seconds
C) Sudden onset of shortness of breath (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Slight swelling in the affected leg
RATIONALE: Sudden onset of shortness of breath may indicate a pulmonary embolism,
a serious complication that requires immediate attention.
3. A patient with diabetes mellitus is admitted with a blood glucose level of 450
mg/dL. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer oral hypoglycemic medication
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Administer insulin as prescribed (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Monitor vital signs every hour
RATIONALE: Administering insulin is critical to lower the dangerously high blood
glucose level and prevent complications such as ketoacidosis.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is using a
nebulizer. What should the nurse monitor for during treatment?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased respiratory rate
,C) Improvement in breath sounds (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Increased blood pressure
RATIONALE: Monitoring for improvement in breath sounds indicates the effectiveness
of the nebulizer treatment in relieving bronchospasm.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. What is the best method for
the nurse to assess the stoma?
A) Check the stoma for dryness
B) Observe the stoma for color and swelling (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Measure the size of the stoma
D) Apply a barrier cream to the stoma
RATIONALE: Observing the stoma for color (should be pink or red) and swelling helps
identify any complications such as ischemia or necrosis.
6. A patient is receiving chemotherapy and reports nausea. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A) Encourage the patient to eat small meals
B) Administer antiemetic medication
C) Assess the timing of the nausea (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Offer ginger ale
RATIONALE: Assessing the timing of nausea helps determine if it is related to the
chemotherapy cycle, guiding the effectiveness of antiemetic therapy.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure who
reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in one day. What should the nurse do?
A) Encourage fluid intake
B) Schedule a follow-up appointment
C) Assess for signs of fluid overload (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Document the finding as normal
RATIONALE: A sudden weight gain may indicate fluid retention, requiring an
assessment for signs of fluid overload, such as edema and shortness of breath.
8. After administering a blood transfusion, the patient begins to feel chills and has
a fever. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the findings
B) Stop the transfusion immediately (CORRECT OPTION)
,C) Administer acetaminophen
D) Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes
RATIONALE: Stopping the transfusion immediately prevents further complications and
allows for the management of a possible transfusion reaction.
9. A nurse is monitoring a patient with liver cirrhosis for signs of hepatic
encephalopathy. Which finding is most indicative?
A) Increased appetite
B) Confusion or altered mental status (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Jaundice
D) Ascites
RATIONALE: Confusion or altered mental status is a key sign of hepatic
encephalopathy, indicating a need for immediate evaluation and intervention.
10. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed a low-protein diet.
What is the rationale for this dietary restriction?
A) To promote weight loss
B) To increase energy levels
C) To reduce nitrogenous waste buildup (CORRECT OPTION)
D) To prevent muscle wasting
RATIONALE: A low-protein diet helps minimize the production of nitrogenous waste,
which the kidneys cannot effectively excrete.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. What is the most important
nursing action?
A) Encourage deep breathing exercises (CORRECT OPTION)
B) Administer antibiotics
C) Monitor temperature
D) Provide high-calorie snacks
RATIONALE: Encouraging deep breathing exercises helps improve lung expansion and
oxygenation, which is crucial in pneumonia management.
12. A patient with a history of heart failure presents with dyspnea and peripheral
edema. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a diuretic
B) Assess lung sounds (CORRECT OPTION)
, C) Elevate the legs
D) Encourage fluid intake
RATIONALE: Assessing lung sounds helps determine the extent of fluid overload in the
lungs, guiding appropriate interventions.
13. A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient after a total knee replacement. What
should be included in the discharge teaching?
A) Importance of physical therapy (CORRECT OPTION)
B) Encouragement to avoid all activity
C) Instructions to rest for 2 weeks
D) Recommendations for high-protein diet only
RATIONALE: Emphasizing the importance of physical therapy is crucial for recovery and
regaining function after knee replacement surgery.
14. A patient with diabetes is being discharged with a glycemic control plan. What
is the most important teaching point?
A) Eat a diet high in carbohydrates
B) Monitor blood glucose levels regularly (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Avoid all sugars
D) Increase physical activity only
RATIONALE: Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is vital for effective
management of diabetes and preventing complications.
15. A nurse is caring for a patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Apply heat to the affected area
D) Provide patient education on diet
RATIONALE: Administering anticoagulants is critical to prevent the clot from growing
and reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism.
16. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?
A) Respiratory rate
B) Temperature
2025/2026 Nursing Test Bank | 200+ Verified
Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales |
Comprehensive ATI Med-Surg Study Guide for RN
Students & NCLEX Exam Preparation
1. A patient with heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath and crackles in
the lungs. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a diuretic
B) Assess oxygen saturation (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Increase fluid intake
D) Administer a bronchodilator
RATIONALE: Assessing oxygen saturation provides immediate information about the
patient’s respiratory status and need for oxygen therapy.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient post-operative day 1 after a total hip replacement.
Which finding should the nurse report immediately?
A) Mild pain at the incision site
B) Capillary refill less than 2 seconds
C) Sudden onset of shortness of breath (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Slight swelling in the affected leg
RATIONALE: Sudden onset of shortness of breath may indicate a pulmonary embolism,
a serious complication that requires immediate attention.
3. A patient with diabetes mellitus is admitted with a blood glucose level of 450
mg/dL. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Administer oral hypoglycemic medication
B) Encourage increased fluid intake
C) Administer insulin as prescribed (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Monitor vital signs every hour
RATIONALE: Administering insulin is critical to lower the dangerously high blood
glucose level and prevent complications such as ketoacidosis.
4. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is using a
nebulizer. What should the nurse monitor for during treatment?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased respiratory rate
,C) Improvement in breath sounds (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Increased blood pressure
RATIONALE: Monitoring for improvement in breath sounds indicates the effectiveness
of the nebulizer treatment in relieving bronchospasm.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient with a new colostomy. What is the best method for
the nurse to assess the stoma?
A) Check the stoma for dryness
B) Observe the stoma for color and swelling (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Measure the size of the stoma
D) Apply a barrier cream to the stoma
RATIONALE: Observing the stoma for color (should be pink or red) and swelling helps
identify any complications such as ischemia or necrosis.
6. A patient is receiving chemotherapy and reports nausea. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A) Encourage the patient to eat small meals
B) Administer antiemetic medication
C) Assess the timing of the nausea (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Offer ginger ale
RATIONALE: Assessing the timing of nausea helps determine if it is related to the
chemotherapy cycle, guiding the effectiveness of antiemetic therapy.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of congestive heart failure who
reports sudden weight gain of 3 pounds in one day. What should the nurse do?
A) Encourage fluid intake
B) Schedule a follow-up appointment
C) Assess for signs of fluid overload (CORRECT OPTION)
D) Document the finding as normal
RATIONALE: A sudden weight gain may indicate fluid retention, requiring an
assessment for signs of fluid overload, such as edema and shortness of breath.
8. After administering a blood transfusion, the patient begins to feel chills and has
a fever. What is the priority nursing action?
A) Document the findings
B) Stop the transfusion immediately (CORRECT OPTION)
,C) Administer acetaminophen
D) Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes
RATIONALE: Stopping the transfusion immediately prevents further complications and
allows for the management of a possible transfusion reaction.
9. A nurse is monitoring a patient with liver cirrhosis for signs of hepatic
encephalopathy. Which finding is most indicative?
A) Increased appetite
B) Confusion or altered mental status (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Jaundice
D) Ascites
RATIONALE: Confusion or altered mental status is a key sign of hepatic
encephalopathy, indicating a need for immediate evaluation and intervention.
10. A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is prescribed a low-protein diet.
What is the rationale for this dietary restriction?
A) To promote weight loss
B) To increase energy levels
C) To reduce nitrogenous waste buildup (CORRECT OPTION)
D) To prevent muscle wasting
RATIONALE: A low-protein diet helps minimize the production of nitrogenous waste,
which the kidneys cannot effectively excrete.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient with pneumonia. What is the most important
nursing action?
A) Encourage deep breathing exercises (CORRECT OPTION)
B) Administer antibiotics
C) Monitor temperature
D) Provide high-calorie snacks
RATIONALE: Encouraging deep breathing exercises helps improve lung expansion and
oxygenation, which is crucial in pneumonia management.
12. A patient with a history of heart failure presents with dyspnea and peripheral
edema. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A) Administer a diuretic
B) Assess lung sounds (CORRECT OPTION)
, C) Elevate the legs
D) Encourage fluid intake
RATIONALE: Assessing lung sounds helps determine the extent of fluid overload in the
lungs, guiding appropriate interventions.
13. A nurse is preparing to discharge a patient after a total knee replacement. What
should be included in the discharge teaching?
A) Importance of physical therapy (CORRECT OPTION)
B) Encouragement to avoid all activity
C) Instructions to rest for 2 weeks
D) Recommendations for high-protein diet only
RATIONALE: Emphasizing the importance of physical therapy is crucial for recovery and
regaining function after knee replacement surgery.
14. A patient with diabetes is being discharged with a glycemic control plan. What
is the most important teaching point?
A) Eat a diet high in carbohydrates
B) Monitor blood glucose levels regularly (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Avoid all sugars
D) Increase physical activity only
RATIONALE: Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is vital for effective
management of diabetes and preventing complications.
15. A nurse is caring for a patient with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Encourage ambulation
B) Administer anticoagulants as prescribed (CORRECT OPTION)
C) Apply heat to the affected area
D) Provide patient education on diet
RATIONALE: Administering anticoagulants is critical to prevent the clot from growing
and reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism.
16. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving
oxygen therapy. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?
A) Respiratory rate
B) Temperature
