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ATI Medical-Surgical Review 2026 – Musculoskeletal,
Gastrointestinal, Immune & Infectious Exam Questions and
Study Guide
A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client who has systemic lupus
erythematous (SLE). Which of the following instructions should the nurse plan to
include?
A. "Avoid the use of NSAIDs."
B. "Stop taking the corticosteroids when your symptoms resolve."
C. "Exposure to ultraviolet light will help control the skin rashes."
D. "Monitor your body temperature and report any elevations promptly." - ANSWER-
Monitor your body temperature and report any elevations promptly."
SLE is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect any organ of the body. With SLE,
the body's immune system becomes hyperactive, forming antibodies that attack
tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, and blood.
SLE is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remissions. The nurse should
teach the client to monitor body temperature and report any elevations promptly, as
fever can suggest either an exacerbation or a potentially life-threatening infection.
A nurse is caring for a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is
concerned about skin lesions on the face and neck. The client asks the nurse, "what
should I do about these spots?" which of the following nursing responses should the
nurse give?
A. "Keep the lesions covered with a light sterile dressing when going outdoors"
B. "There is not much you can do. The lesions will go away when your disease is in
remission"
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C. "Apply moisturizer after bathing the lesions with warm water"
D. "Apply antibiotic cream twice a day until scabs form on the lesions" - ANSWER-
"Apply moisturizer after bathing the lesions with warm water."
The nurse should instruct the client to clean, dry, and moisturize the skin using
warm (not hot) water, along with an unscented lotion.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 days postoperative following a right total hip
arthroplasty. While transferring to a chair, the client cries out in pain. The nurse
should assess the client for which of the following manifestations of dislocation of
the hip prosthesis?
A. Bulging in the area over the surgical incision
B. Shortening of the right leg
C. Sensation of warmth over the surgical incision
D. Pallor following elevation of the right leg - ANSWER-Shortening of the right leg
-----
The nurse should monitor the client for shortening of the affected leg as an
indication of dislocation of the prosthesis. Other findings include increased hip pain,
inability to move the extremity, and rotation of the hip internally or externally.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pelvic fracture. The client reports sudden
shortness of breath, stabbing chest pain, and feelings of doom. The nurse should
identify that the client is experiencing which of the following complications?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolus
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Tuberculosis - ANSWER-Pulmonary embolus
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-----
Immobility following musculoskeletal trauma places the client at an increased risk
for pulmonary embolus. The client might also exhibit tachycardia, chest petechiae,
and have a decreased SaO2. The nurse should notify the rapid response team
immediately.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in skeletal traction following a femur fracture.
The nurse finds the client has slid down toward the foot of the bed and the traction
weight is resting on the floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Remove the weight temporarily to reposition the client to the correct alignment in
bed.
B. Have the client use a trapeze to pull himself up while ensuring the weight hangs
freely.
C. Lift the rope off the pulley while the client rocks back and forth to reposition.
D. Lift the weight manually while another staff member moves the client up in bed. -
ANSWER-Have the client use a trapeze to pull himself up while ensuring the weight
hangs freely.
-----
The nurse should ensure that traction weight is hanging freely. The client can use an
overhead trapeze bar to move up in bed, or the nurse can assist the client up, making
sure to maintain proper alignment of the extremity.
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who is scheduled for total
knee arthroplasty. Which of the following statements by the client should the nurse
identify as understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will wear a continuous movement machine on my knee for 24 hours a day."
B. "I should avoid taking NSAID medications for pain after surgery."
C. "I should wear elastic stockings on both of my legs."
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D. "I will begin exercising my legs the day after surgery." - ANSWER-"I should wear
elastic stockings on both of my legs."
------
The purpose of elastic stockings is to prevent venous thromboembolism, which is a
common complication following orthopedic surgery. Therefore, the nurse should
identify this statement as understanding of the teaching.
A nurse is discussing the difference between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and
osteoarthritis with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following information
should the nurse include about osteoarthritis?
A. "Osteoarthritis is caused by autoimmune processes."
B. "Osteoarthritis leads to a decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate."
C. "Osteoarthritis affects other organ systems."
D. "Osteoarthritis can impair a joint on a single side of the body." - ANSWER-
"Osteoarthritis can impair a joint on a single side of the body."
------
The nurse should identify unilateral joint involvement as a finding of osteoarthritis.
A client who has RA experiences symmetrical joint impairment.
A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hr postoperative following an above-the-elbow
amputation. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the
priority?
A. Report of muscle spasms
B. Inability to get dressed without assistance
C. Report of feelings of anger
D. Refusal to look at the affected limb - ANSWER-Report of muscle spasms
-----
ATI Medical-Surgical Review 2026 – Musculoskeletal,
Gastrointestinal, Immune & Infectious Exam Questions and
Study Guide
A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client who has systemic lupus
erythematous (SLE). Which of the following instructions should the nurse plan to
include?
A. "Avoid the use of NSAIDs."
B. "Stop taking the corticosteroids when your symptoms resolve."
C. "Exposure to ultraviolet light will help control the skin rashes."
D. "Monitor your body temperature and report any elevations promptly." - ANSWER-
Monitor your body temperature and report any elevations promptly."
SLE is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect any organ of the body. With SLE,
the body's immune system becomes hyperactive, forming antibodies that attack
tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, and blood.
SLE is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remissions. The nurse should
teach the client to monitor body temperature and report any elevations promptly, as
fever can suggest either an exacerbation or a potentially life-threatening infection.
A nurse is caring for a client who has systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is
concerned about skin lesions on the face and neck. The client asks the nurse, "what
should I do about these spots?" which of the following nursing responses should the
nurse give?
A. "Keep the lesions covered with a light sterile dressing when going outdoors"
B. "There is not much you can do. The lesions will go away when your disease is in
remission"
, Page 2 of 43
C. "Apply moisturizer after bathing the lesions with warm water"
D. "Apply antibiotic cream twice a day until scabs form on the lesions" - ANSWER-
"Apply moisturizer after bathing the lesions with warm water."
The nurse should instruct the client to clean, dry, and moisturize the skin using
warm (not hot) water, along with an unscented lotion.
A nurse is caring for a client who is 3 days postoperative following a right total hip
arthroplasty. While transferring to a chair, the client cries out in pain. The nurse
should assess the client for which of the following manifestations of dislocation of
the hip prosthesis?
A. Bulging in the area over the surgical incision
B. Shortening of the right leg
C. Sensation of warmth over the surgical incision
D. Pallor following elevation of the right leg - ANSWER-Shortening of the right leg
-----
The nurse should monitor the client for shortening of the affected leg as an
indication of dislocation of the prosthesis. Other findings include increased hip pain,
inability to move the extremity, and rotation of the hip internally or externally.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a pelvic fracture. The client reports sudden
shortness of breath, stabbing chest pain, and feelings of doom. The nurse should
identify that the client is experiencing which of the following complications?
A. Pneumonia
B. Pulmonary embolus
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Tuberculosis - ANSWER-Pulmonary embolus
, Page 3 of 43
-----
Immobility following musculoskeletal trauma places the client at an increased risk
for pulmonary embolus. The client might also exhibit tachycardia, chest petechiae,
and have a decreased SaO2. The nurse should notify the rapid response team
immediately.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in skeletal traction following a femur fracture.
The nurse finds the client has slid down toward the foot of the bed and the traction
weight is resting on the floor. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Remove the weight temporarily to reposition the client to the correct alignment in
bed.
B. Have the client use a trapeze to pull himself up while ensuring the weight hangs
freely.
C. Lift the rope off the pulley while the client rocks back and forth to reposition.
D. Lift the weight manually while another staff member moves the client up in bed. -
ANSWER-Have the client use a trapeze to pull himself up while ensuring the weight
hangs freely.
-----
The nurse should ensure that traction weight is hanging freely. The client can use an
overhead trapeze bar to move up in bed, or the nurse can assist the client up, making
sure to maintain proper alignment of the extremity.
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching for a client who is scheduled for total
knee arthroplasty. Which of the following statements by the client should the nurse
identify as understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will wear a continuous movement machine on my knee for 24 hours a day."
B. "I should avoid taking NSAID medications for pain after surgery."
C. "I should wear elastic stockings on both of my legs."
, Page 4 of 43
D. "I will begin exercising my legs the day after surgery." - ANSWER-"I should wear
elastic stockings on both of my legs."
------
The purpose of elastic stockings is to prevent venous thromboembolism, which is a
common complication following orthopedic surgery. Therefore, the nurse should
identify this statement as understanding of the teaching.
A nurse is discussing the difference between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and
osteoarthritis with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following information
should the nurse include about osteoarthritis?
A. "Osteoarthritis is caused by autoimmune processes."
B. "Osteoarthritis leads to a decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate."
C. "Osteoarthritis affects other organ systems."
D. "Osteoarthritis can impair a joint on a single side of the body." - ANSWER-
"Osteoarthritis can impair a joint on a single side of the body."
------
The nurse should identify unilateral joint involvement as a finding of osteoarthritis.
A client who has RA experiences symmetrical joint impairment.
A nurse is assessing a client who is 24 hr postoperative following an above-the-elbow
amputation. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the
priority?
A. Report of muscle spasms
B. Inability to get dressed without assistance
C. Report of feelings of anger
D. Refusal to look at the affected limb - ANSWER-Report of muscle spasms
-----
