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2025 ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam Test
Bank – Updated Nursing Study Guide, Real Practice
Questions, and Comprehensive Respiratory Review
Ace your ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam 2025 with this updated nursing test bank
and study guide. Includes ATI-style respiratory practice questions, medical-surgical rationales,
and expert review tips to help you master respiratory disorders and pass your ATI exam
confidently.
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam Test Bank 2025
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory test bank with answers
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory practice questions and rationales
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory proctored exam review
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory study guide PDF
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assessing a client who recently transferred from the ICU
following endotracheal extubation. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify
as a possible manifestation of tracheal stenosis and report to the provider?
A. - Increased coughing
B. - Diaphragmatic breathing
C. - Hemoptysis
D. - Kussmaul respirations - ANSWER-A. - Increased coughing
The nurse should identify increased coughing as a manifestation of tracheal stenosis. Other
manifestations include an inability to cough up secretions and difficulty talking or breathing.
Incorrect Answers:
,2|Page
B. - Diaphragmatic breathing is the act of inhaling deeply by flexing the diaphragm. It is not a
manifestation of tracheal stenosis.
C. - Coughing up blood, otherwise known as hemoptysis, is an abnormal finding following
endotracheal extubation that should be reported to the provider. However, it is not a
manifestation of tracheal stenosis.
D. - Kussmaul respirations are a deep and labored breathing pattern that is most often seen in
clients who have metabolic acidosis. It is not a manifestation of tracheal stenosis.
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who states he was recently exposed to
tuberculosis. Which of the following findings is a clinical manifestation of pulmonary
tuberculosis?
A. - Pericardial friction rub
B. - Weight gain
C. - Night sweats
D. - Cyanosis of the fingertips - ANSWER-C. - Night sweats
Night sweats and fevers are clinical manifestations of tuberculosis.
Incorrect Answers:
A. - A pericardial friction rub is a clinical manifestation of rheumatic carditis.
B. - Anorexia and weight loss are clinical manifestations of tuberculosis.
D. - Cyanosis of the fingertips is a clinical manifestation of Raynaud's disease.
,3|Page
A nurse is caring for a client who is extremely anxious and is hyperventilating. The client's ABG
results are pH 7.50, PaCO2 27 mmHg, and HCO3- 25 mEq/L. The nurse should identify that the
client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. - Respiratory acidosis
B. - Metabolic acidosis
C. - Respiratory alkalosis
D. - Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER-C. - Respiratory alkalosis
Because of rapid breathing, the client is exhaling excessive amounts of carbon dioxide. This loss
of carbon dioxide decreases the hydrogen ion level of the blood, which causes the pH to
increase and results in respiratory alkalosis.
Incorrect Answers:
A. - Respiratory acidosis reflects an increase in carbon dioxide resulting from inadequate
excretion and an increase in the hydrogen ion level (i.e. decreased pH) of the blood. Common
causes of this acid-base imbalance are airway obstruction and respiratory depression.</p>
B. - Metabolic acidosis results from a metabolic disturbance such as diabetic ketoacidosis or
excessive ingestion of alcohol or salicylates, not a respiratory problem.
D. - Metabolic alkalosis results from a metabolic disturbance such as prolonged vomiting or
excessive nasogastric suctioning, not a respiratory problem.
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is
experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
A. - Monitor the client's arterial blood gas results
B. - Instruct the client to perform controlled coughing
, 4|Page
C. - Teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing
D. - Place the client in an upright position - ANSWER-D. - Place the client in an upright position
Using the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) approach to client care, the nurse should
place the client in an upright position to facilitate chest expansion and proper diaphragmatic
contraction. Positioning the client upright will also assist with mobilizing secretions that might
be impeding airflow.
Incorrect Answers:
A. - The nurse should monitor the client's arterial blood gas results to determine oxygenation
levels; however, there is another action the nurse should take first.
B. - The nurse should instruct the client to perform controlled coughing when not experiencing
shortness of breath; however, there is another action the nurse should take first.
C. - The nurse should teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing when not experiencing
shortness of breath; however, there is another action the nurse should take first.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a chronic cough and is scheduled for a
bronchoscopy. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. - "I can keep my dentures in during the procedure."
B. - "I am allowed only clear liquids prior to the procedure."
C. - "A tissue sample might be obtained during the procedure."
D. - "A signed consent form is not required for this procedure." - ANSWER-C. - "A tissue sample
might be obtained during the procedure."
The nurse should inform the client that a tissue sample might be obtained during the procedure
for biopsy testing.
2025 ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam Test
Bank – Updated Nursing Study Guide, Real Practice
Questions, and Comprehensive Respiratory Review
Ace your ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam 2025 with this updated nursing test bank
and study guide. Includes ATI-style respiratory practice questions, medical-surgical rationales,
and expert review tips to help you master respiratory disorders and pass your ATI exam
confidently.
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory Proctored Exam Test Bank 2025
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory test bank with answers
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory practice questions and rationales
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory proctored exam review
• ATI Med Surg Respiratory study guide PDF
A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is assessing a client who recently transferred from the ICU
following endotracheal extubation. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify
as a possible manifestation of tracheal stenosis and report to the provider?
A. - Increased coughing
B. - Diaphragmatic breathing
C. - Hemoptysis
D. - Kussmaul respirations - ANSWER-A. - Increased coughing
The nurse should identify increased coughing as a manifestation of tracheal stenosis. Other
manifestations include an inability to cough up secretions and difficulty talking or breathing.
Incorrect Answers:
,2|Page
B. - Diaphragmatic breathing is the act of inhaling deeply by flexing the diaphragm. It is not a
manifestation of tracheal stenosis.
C. - Coughing up blood, otherwise known as hemoptysis, is an abnormal finding following
endotracheal extubation that should be reported to the provider. However, it is not a
manifestation of tracheal stenosis.
D. - Kussmaul respirations are a deep and labored breathing pattern that is most often seen in
clients who have metabolic acidosis. It is not a manifestation of tracheal stenosis.
A nurse in a provider's office is assessing a client who states he was recently exposed to
tuberculosis. Which of the following findings is a clinical manifestation of pulmonary
tuberculosis?
A. - Pericardial friction rub
B. - Weight gain
C. - Night sweats
D. - Cyanosis of the fingertips - ANSWER-C. - Night sweats
Night sweats and fevers are clinical manifestations of tuberculosis.
Incorrect Answers:
A. - A pericardial friction rub is a clinical manifestation of rheumatic carditis.
B. - Anorexia and weight loss are clinical manifestations of tuberculosis.
D. - Cyanosis of the fingertips is a clinical manifestation of Raynaud's disease.
,3|Page
A nurse is caring for a client who is extremely anxious and is hyperventilating. The client's ABG
results are pH 7.50, PaCO2 27 mmHg, and HCO3- 25 mEq/L. The nurse should identify that the
client has which of the following acid-base imbalances?
A. - Respiratory acidosis
B. - Metabolic acidosis
C. - Respiratory alkalosis
D. - Metabolic alkalosis - ANSWER-C. - Respiratory alkalosis
Because of rapid breathing, the client is exhaling excessive amounts of carbon dioxide. This loss
of carbon dioxide decreases the hydrogen ion level of the blood, which causes the pH to
increase and results in respiratory alkalosis.
Incorrect Answers:
A. - Respiratory acidosis reflects an increase in carbon dioxide resulting from inadequate
excretion and an increase in the hydrogen ion level (i.e. decreased pH) of the blood. Common
causes of this acid-base imbalance are airway obstruction and respiratory depression.</p>
B. - Metabolic acidosis results from a metabolic disturbance such as diabetic ketoacidosis or
excessive ingestion of alcohol or salicylates, not a respiratory problem.
D. - Metabolic alkalosis results from a metabolic disturbance such as prolonged vomiting or
excessive nasogastric suctioning, not a respiratory problem.
A nurse is caring for a client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is
experiencing shortness of breath. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?
A. - Monitor the client's arterial blood gas results
B. - Instruct the client to perform controlled coughing
, 4|Page
C. - Teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing
D. - Place the client in an upright position - ANSWER-D. - Place the client in an upright position
Using the airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC) approach to client care, the nurse should
place the client in an upright position to facilitate chest expansion and proper diaphragmatic
contraction. Positioning the client upright will also assist with mobilizing secretions that might
be impeding airflow.
Incorrect Answers:
A. - The nurse should monitor the client's arterial blood gas results to determine oxygenation
levels; however, there is another action the nurse should take first.
B. - The nurse should instruct the client to perform controlled coughing when not experiencing
shortness of breath; however, there is another action the nurse should take first.
C. - The nurse should teach the client how to use pursed-lip breathing when not experiencing
shortness of breath; however, there is another action the nurse should take first.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a chronic cough and is scheduled for a
bronchoscopy. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the
teaching?
A. - "I can keep my dentures in during the procedure."
B. - "I am allowed only clear liquids prior to the procedure."
C. - "A tissue sample might be obtained during the procedure."
D. - "A signed consent form is not required for this procedure." - ANSWER-C. - "A tissue sample
might be obtained during the procedure."
The nurse should inform the client that a tissue sample might be obtained during the procedure
for biopsy testing.
