ATI RN MEDICAL SURGICAL WITH NGN 2025-2026
COMPLETE 180 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
A nurse is caring for a client who has a leg cast and is returning to demonstrate on the proper use of
crutches while climbing stairs. Identify the sequence the client should follow when demonstrating crutch
use.
- Brings the crutches and the affected leg up to the stair
- Places body weight on the crutches
- Shifts weight from the crutches to the unaffected leg
- Advances the unaffected leg onto the stair - ANS-- Places body weight on the crutches
- Advances the unaffected leg onto the stair
- Shifts weight from the crutches to the unaffected leg
- Brings the crutches and the affected leg up to the stair
A nurse is caring for a client who has hypothyroidism. Which of the following manifestations should the
nurse expect?
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Tachycardia
- Diaphoresis - ANS-- Constipation
RATIONALE: A client who has hypothyroidism can experience constipation due to the decrease in the
client's metabolism, resulting in slow motility of the GI tract. The nurse should instruct the client to
increase fiber and fluid intake to reduce the risk for constipation.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following
nonpharmacological interventions should the nurse suggest to the client to reduce pain?
- Increase intake of foods containing calcium
- Alternate application of heat and cold to the affected joints
- Keep the affected extremities elevated
- Limit movement of the affected joints - ANS-- Alternate application of heat and cold to the affected
joints
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client to alternate heat and cold applications to decrease joint
inflammation and pain. The application of cold can relieve joint swelling and the application of heat can
decrease joint stiffness and pain.
,A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client becomes restless, dyspneic,
and has crackles noted to the lung bases. Which of the following actions should the nurse anticipate
taking?
- Administer an antihistamine
- Slow the infusion rate
- Give the client a corticosteroid
- Elevate the client's lower extremities - ANS-- Slow the infusion rate
RATIONALE: Dyspnea, restlessness, and the onset of crackles during a blood transfusion are
manifestations of circulatory overload. The nurse should slow or stop the infusion to improve the client's
ability to breath, place the client in an upright position, and notify the provider. The provider might
prescribe a diuretic to alleviate the fluid overload.
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who has a detached retina. Which of the
following should the nurse expect the client to report?
- "It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
- "This sharp pain in my eye started 2 hours ago."
- "I've been having more and more difficulty seeing over the last few weeks."
- "I seem to have more problems seeing different colors." - ANS-- "It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
RATIONALE: A retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from the epithelium. It can occur
because of trauma, cataract surgery, retinopathy, or uveitis. Clients who have retinal detachment
typically report the sensation of a curtain being pulled over part of the visual field.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a family history of colorectal cancer. To help mitigate this risk, which
of the following dietary alterations should the nurse recommend?
- Add full-fat yogurt to the diet
- Add cabbage to the diet
- Replace butter with coconut oil
- Replace shellfish with red meat - ANS-- Add cabbage to the diet
RATIONALE: To help reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, the client should consume a diet that is high in
fiber, low in fat, and low in refined carbohydrates. Brassica vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and
broccoli, are high in fiber.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
(Select all that apply.)
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
- Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
- Apply oxygen via a face mask
- Report urinary output to the provider - ANS-- Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for
coughing
, RATIONALE: It is important for the client to turn, cough, and deep breathe to reduce the risk for
respiratory complications. The nurse should instruct the client to splint the incision while performing
these actions to reduce the risk of complications to the surgical incision.
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
RATIONALE: The nurse should plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible to promote ventilation and
decrease the risk of thrombosis..
- Report urinary output to the provider
RATIONALE: The client should produce at least 30 mL of urine per hour. Therefore, the nurse should
report this finding to the provider.
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
RATIONALE: The nurse should have the client rate their pain prior to and following the administration of
pain medication to evaluate its effectiveness.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following findings indicates that the client is experiencing a complication?
- The client reports that the sequential compression devices (SCDs) are uncomfortable
- The client reports pain at the surgical site as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
- The client's surgical site dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to drainage
- The client needs assistance with a walker when ambulating in the room - ANS-- The client's surgical site
dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to drainage
RATIONALE: Frequent dressing changing after surgery may indicate poor clotting and increased
bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has portal HTN. The client is vomiting blood mixed with food after a
meal. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- Check laboratory values for recent hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
- Establish a peripheral IV line for possible transfusion
- Call the laboratory to obtain a stat platelet count
- Obtain vital signs - ANS-- Obtain vital signs
RATIONALE: The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client's vital
signs. A client who has portal HTN can develop esophageal varices, which are fragile and can rupture,
resulting in large amounts of blood loss and shock. Obtaining vital signs provides information about the
client's condition that can contribute to decision making.
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has stress incontinence and a BMI of 32. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- "Taking my daily progesterone should improve my symptoms."
- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
- "I should limit my daily fluid intake."
- "I will switch my morning cup of coffee to hot tea." - ANS-- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
COMPLETE 180 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
A nurse is caring for a client who has a leg cast and is returning to demonstrate on the proper use of
crutches while climbing stairs. Identify the sequence the client should follow when demonstrating crutch
use.
- Brings the crutches and the affected leg up to the stair
- Places body weight on the crutches
- Shifts weight from the crutches to the unaffected leg
- Advances the unaffected leg onto the stair - ANS-- Places body weight on the crutches
- Advances the unaffected leg onto the stair
- Shifts weight from the crutches to the unaffected leg
- Brings the crutches and the affected leg up to the stair
A nurse is caring for a client who has hypothyroidism. Which of the following manifestations should the
nurse expect?
- Constipation
- Insomnia
- Tachycardia
- Diaphoresis - ANS-- Constipation
RATIONALE: A client who has hypothyroidism can experience constipation due to the decrease in the
client's metabolism, resulting in slow motility of the GI tract. The nurse should instruct the client to
increase fiber and fluid intake to reduce the risk for constipation.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Which of the following
nonpharmacological interventions should the nurse suggest to the client to reduce pain?
- Increase intake of foods containing calcium
- Alternate application of heat and cold to the affected joints
- Keep the affected extremities elevated
- Limit movement of the affected joints - ANS-- Alternate application of heat and cold to the affected
joints
RATIONALE: The nurse should instruct the client to alternate heat and cold applications to decrease joint
inflammation and pain. The application of cold can relieve joint swelling and the application of heat can
decrease joint stiffness and pain.
,A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client becomes restless, dyspneic,
and has crackles noted to the lung bases. Which of the following actions should the nurse anticipate
taking?
- Administer an antihistamine
- Slow the infusion rate
- Give the client a corticosteroid
- Elevate the client's lower extremities - ANS-- Slow the infusion rate
RATIONALE: Dyspnea, restlessness, and the onset of crackles during a blood transfusion are
manifestations of circulatory overload. The nurse should slow or stop the infusion to improve the client's
ability to breath, place the client in an upright position, and notify the provider. The provider might
prescribe a diuretic to alleviate the fluid overload.
A nurse in the emergency department is assessing a client who has a detached retina. Which of the
following should the nurse expect the client to report?
- "It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
- "This sharp pain in my eye started 2 hours ago."
- "I've been having more and more difficulty seeing over the last few weeks."
- "I seem to have more problems seeing different colors." - ANS-- "It's like a curtain closed over my eye."
RATIONALE: A retinal detachment is the separation of the retina from the epithelium. It can occur
because of trauma, cataract surgery, retinopathy, or uveitis. Clients who have retinal detachment
typically report the sensation of a curtain being pulled over part of the visual field.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a family history of colorectal cancer. To help mitigate this risk, which
of the following dietary alterations should the nurse recommend?
- Add full-fat yogurt to the diet
- Add cabbage to the diet
- Replace butter with coconut oil
- Replace shellfish with red meat - ANS-- Add cabbage to the diet
RATIONALE: To help reduce the risk for colorectal cancer, the client should consume a diet that is high in
fiber, low in fat, and low in refined carbohydrates. Brassica vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and
broccoli, are high in fiber.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
(Select all that apply.)
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
- Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for coughing
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
- Apply oxygen via a face mask
- Report urinary output to the provider - ANS-- Instruct the client to splint the abdomen with a pillow for
coughing
, RATIONALE: It is important for the client to turn, cough, and deep breathe to reduce the risk for
respiratory complications. The nurse should instruct the client to splint the incision while performing
these actions to reduce the risk of complications to the surgical incision.
- Plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible
RATIONALE: The nurse should plan to ambulate the client as soon as possible to promote ventilation and
decrease the risk of thrombosis..
- Report urinary output to the provider
RATIONALE: The client should produce at least 30 mL of urine per hour. Therefore, the nurse should
report this finding to the provider.
- Ask the client to rate their pain on a 0 to 10 pain scale
RATIONALE: The nurse should have the client rate their pain prior to and following the administration of
pain medication to evaluate its effectiveness.
A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the
following findings indicates that the client is experiencing a complication?
- The client reports that the sequential compression devices (SCDs) are uncomfortable
- The client reports pain at the surgical site as 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
- The client's surgical site dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to drainage
- The client needs assistance with a walker when ambulating in the room - ANS-- The client's surgical site
dressing has required changing twice in 2 hr due to drainage
RATIONALE: Frequent dressing changing after surgery may indicate poor clotting and increased
bleeding.
A nurse is caring for a client who has portal HTN. The client is vomiting blood mixed with food after a
meal. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- Check laboratory values for recent hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
- Establish a peripheral IV line for possible transfusion
- Call the laboratory to obtain a stat platelet count
- Obtain vital signs - ANS-- Obtain vital signs
RATIONALE: The first action the nurse should take using the nursing process is to assess the client's vital
signs. A client who has portal HTN can develop esophageal varices, which are fragile and can rupture,
resulting in large amounts of blood loss and shock. Obtaining vital signs provides information about the
client's condition that can contribute to decision making.
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has stress incontinence and a BMI of 32. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
- "Taking my daily progesterone should improve my symptoms."
- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
- "I should limit my daily fluid intake."
- "I will switch my morning cup of coffee to hot tea." - ANS-- "A risk factor for my condition is obesity."
