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ATI PN Med Surg Proctored Exam (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS)- GUARANTEED PASS A+
1. A patient with heart failure reports swelling in the legs and weight gain of 3 lbs in 2 days.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage walking
B. Assess edema and lung sounds
C. Document the findings
D. Offer high-sodium foods
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain and edema indicate fluid retention. Assessing lungs and
extremities helps identify worsening heart failure.
2. A patient is taking furosemide. Which electrolyte is most important to monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide can cause hypokalemia, which can lead to arrhythmias.
3. Which symptom may indicate digoxin toxicity?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Headache
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, and visual changes are signs of digoxin toxicity.
4. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse
monitor?
A. Persistent cough
B. Diarrhea
C. Constipation
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors commonly cause a dry, persistent cough.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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5. A patient is prescribed nitroglycerin for angina. Which instruction is most important?
A. Take every 2 hours
B. Sit or lie down when taking the medication
C. Take only with meals
D. Avoid water
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and dizziness; sitting or lying down prevents
falls.
Respiratory
6. A patient with COPD is short of breath and uses accessory muscles. Which oxygen
delivery device is appropriate?
A. Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. CPAP
Answer: B
Rationale: Venturi masks provide precise oxygen levels, reducing risk of CO₂ retention in
COPD patients.
7. Which breathing technique should a COPD patient use to decrease dyspnea?
A. Pursed-lip breathing
B. Shallow rapid breathing
C. Breath-holding
D. Forceful coughing only
Answer: A
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing slows exhalation, prevents airway collapse, and improves
oxygenation.
8. A patient with pneumonia has O₂ saturation of 88% and confusion. Priority nursing
action?
A. Start IV antibiotics
B. Administer oxygen
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen is required immediately to treat hypoxia; antibiotics follow.
9. Albuterol is prescribed for a patient with asthma. Which is a common side effect?
A. Constipation
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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B. Tremors and tachycardia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-agonist inhalers can cause tremors and increased heart rate.
10. Which lab value indicates improvement after pneumonia treatment?
A. WBC 18,000 → 9,000
B. WBC 9,000 → 18,000
C. Hemoglobin 12 → 10
D. Sodium 140 → 145
Answer: A
Rationale: WBC returning to normal shows the infection is resolving.
Endocrine
11. A type 1 diabetic reports shakiness, sweating, and dizziness. First action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Give high-protein snack
D. Call provider
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia should be confirmed before treatment.
12. Blood glucose is 48 mg/dL. What is the priority intervention?
A. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Give insulin
C. Provide water only
D. Give a protein snack
Answer: A
Rationale: Fast-acting carbohydrates rapidly raise blood sugar during hypoglycemia.
13. Hyperthyroidism lab values include:
A. Low TSH, high T4
B. High TSH, low T4
C. Low TSH, low T4
D. High TSH, high T4
Answer: A
Rationale: Suppressed TSH and elevated T4 confirm hyperthyroidism.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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14. How should levothyroxine be taken?
A. With meals
B. In the morning on an empty stomach
C. Only as needed
D. Before bedtime
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is best on an empty stomach in the morning.
15. Why rotate insulin injection sites?
A. Prevent lipodystrophy
B. Increase absorption
C. Reduce cost
D. Reduce pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Site rotation prevents fat atrophy and ensures consistent insulin absorption.
Renal / GI
16. CKD patient has BUN 68 mg/dL, creatinine 5.2 mg/dL. Priority action?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Monitor for fluid overload and hyperkalemia
C. Encourage high-protein diet
D. Apply compression stockings
Answer: B
Rationale: CKD patients are at high risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
17. Which foods should CKD patients limit? (SATA)
A. Potassium-rich foods
B. Phosphorus-rich foods
C. Sodium
D. Leafy greens
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Electrolytes must be controlled to prevent complications; leafy greens are usually
safe.
18. CKD patient with fatigue and pallor likely has:
A. Anemia (Hgb 7 g/dL)
B. Leukopenia
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Normal labs
2026 2027 GRADED A+
ATI PN Med Surg Proctored Exam (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS)- GUARANTEED PASS A+
1. A patient with heart failure reports swelling in the legs and weight gain of 3 lbs in 2 days.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage walking
B. Assess edema and lung sounds
C. Document the findings
D. Offer high-sodium foods
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid weight gain and edema indicate fluid retention. Assessing lungs and
extremities helps identify worsening heart failure.
2. A patient is taking furosemide. Which electrolyte is most important to monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide can cause hypokalemia, which can lead to arrhythmias.
3. Which symptom may indicate digoxin toxicity?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypertension
D. Headache
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, and visual changes are signs of digoxin toxicity.
4. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse
monitor?
A. Persistent cough
B. Diarrhea
C. Constipation
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors commonly cause a dry, persistent cough.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
5. A patient is prescribed nitroglycerin for angina. Which instruction is most important?
A. Take every 2 hours
B. Sit or lie down when taking the medication
C. Take only with meals
D. Avoid water
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and dizziness; sitting or lying down prevents
falls.
Respiratory
6. A patient with COPD is short of breath and uses accessory muscles. Which oxygen
delivery device is appropriate?
A. Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. CPAP
Answer: B
Rationale: Venturi masks provide precise oxygen levels, reducing risk of CO₂ retention in
COPD patients.
7. Which breathing technique should a COPD patient use to decrease dyspnea?
A. Pursed-lip breathing
B. Shallow rapid breathing
C. Breath-holding
D. Forceful coughing only
Answer: A
Rationale: Pursed-lip breathing slows exhalation, prevents airway collapse, and improves
oxygenation.
8. A patient with pneumonia has O₂ saturation of 88% and confusion. Priority nursing
action?
A. Start IV antibiotics
B. Administer oxygen
C. Encourage ambulation
D. Provide fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: Oxygen is required immediately to treat hypoxia; antibiotics follow.
9. Albuterol is prescribed for a patient with asthma. Which is a common side effect?
A. Constipation
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
B. Tremors and tachycardia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-agonist inhalers can cause tremors and increased heart rate.
10. Which lab value indicates improvement after pneumonia treatment?
A. WBC 18,000 → 9,000
B. WBC 9,000 → 18,000
C. Hemoglobin 12 → 10
D. Sodium 140 → 145
Answer: A
Rationale: WBC returning to normal shows the infection is resolving.
Endocrine
11. A type 1 diabetic reports shakiness, sweating, and dizziness. First action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Give high-protein snack
D. Call provider
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypoglycemia should be confirmed before treatment.
12. Blood glucose is 48 mg/dL. What is the priority intervention?
A. Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate
B. Give insulin
C. Provide water only
D. Give a protein snack
Answer: A
Rationale: Fast-acting carbohydrates rapidly raise blood sugar during hypoglycemia.
13. Hyperthyroidism lab values include:
A. Low TSH, high T4
B. High TSH, low T4
C. Low TSH, low T4
D. High TSH, high T4
Answer: A
Rationale: Suppressed TSH and elevated T4 confirm hyperthyroidism.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
14. How should levothyroxine be taken?
A. With meals
B. In the morning on an empty stomach
C. Only as needed
D. Before bedtime
Answer: B
Rationale: Absorption is best on an empty stomach in the morning.
15. Why rotate insulin injection sites?
A. Prevent lipodystrophy
B. Increase absorption
C. Reduce cost
D. Reduce pain
Answer: A
Rationale: Site rotation prevents fat atrophy and ensures consistent insulin absorption.
Renal / GI
16. CKD patient has BUN 68 mg/dL, creatinine 5.2 mg/dL. Priority action?
A. Administer IV fluids
B. Monitor for fluid overload and hyperkalemia
C. Encourage high-protein diet
D. Apply compression stockings
Answer: B
Rationale: CKD patients are at high risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
17. Which foods should CKD patients limit? (SATA)
A. Potassium-rich foods
B. Phosphorus-rich foods
C. Sodium
D. Leafy greens
Answer: A, B, C
Rationale: Electrolytes must be controlled to prevent complications; leafy greens are usually
safe.
18. CKD patient with fatigue and pallor likely has:
A. Anemia (Hgb 7 g/dL)
B. Leukopenia
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Normal labs
2026 2027 GRADED A+
