Spring Semester February 2026 ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Proctored
Exam Review & Practice Pack | Comprehensive Med-Surg Disorders,
Priority Nursing Interventions, Clinical Decision-Making, Patient Safety,
NGN-Style Questions, Rationales & ATI Testing Success Guide
Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the
following findings would the nurse expect to find?
• A) Bradycardia
• B) Chest pain
• C) Hypertension
• D) Peripheral cyanosis
Correct Answer: B) Chest pain
Rationale:
Chest pain is a common symptom associated with pulmonary embolism, often
described as a sudden onset and can be pleuritic in nature. Other signs of PE might
include dyspnea, tachypnea, and hypoxemia. Bradycardia and hypertension are less
typical findings in this scenario.
Question 2:
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a total hip replacement. Which
position should the nurse place the patient in to prevent dislocation of the hip?
• A) Supine with legs extended
• B) Side-lying on the affected side
• C) Semi-Fowler's position
• D) Prone position
Correct Answer: A) Supine with legs extended
Rationale:
After a total hip replacement, patients should be positioned supine with legs extended
to avoid internal and external rotation of the hip joint, which can lead to dislocation.
Side-lying on the affected side and prone positions are contraindicated during the early
post-operative period.
Question 3:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is given a prescription for
a bronchodilator. The nurse explains that the purpose of this medication is to:
• A) Increase oxygen supply to the lungs
, • B) Decrease the work of breathing
• C) Improve lung capacity
• D) Prevent respiratory infections
Correct Answer: B) Decrease the work of breathing
Rationale:
Bronchodilators help relax the muscles of the airways, decreasing airway resistance
and making it easier for the patient to breathe. While they may improve oxygen supply
and lung capacity indirectly, their primary function is to reduce the work of breathing.
Question 4:
A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving a blood transfusion. Which of the following
assessment findings would indicate a possible transfusion reaction?
• A) Elevated blood pressure
• B) Fever and chills
• C) Increased urination
• D) Decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: B) Fever and chills
Rationale:
Fever and chills are common symptoms of a transfusion reaction, typically indicating an
immune response to the transfused blood. Other signs may include rash, dyspnea, and
hypotension. The other options do not specifically denote a transfusion reaction.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which dietary change should the nurse
recommend to help manage the patient’s condition?
• A) Increase sodium intake
• B) Decrease potassium intake
• C) Restrict fluid intake
• D) Increase saturated fat intake
Correct Answer: C) Restrict fluid intake
Rationale:
Fluid restriction is essential for managing heart failure, as it helps prevent volume
overload, which can exacerbate symptoms. Patients often experience edema and
pulmonary congestion; by limiting fluid intake, the nurse can help alleviate these
symptoms and improve overall hemodynamic stability. Increasing sodium or saturated
Exam Review & Practice Pack | Comprehensive Med-Surg Disorders,
Priority Nursing Interventions, Clinical Decision-Making, Patient Safety,
NGN-Style Questions, Rationales & ATI Testing Success Guide
Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the
following findings would the nurse expect to find?
• A) Bradycardia
• B) Chest pain
• C) Hypertension
• D) Peripheral cyanosis
Correct Answer: B) Chest pain
Rationale:
Chest pain is a common symptom associated with pulmonary embolism, often
described as a sudden onset and can be pleuritic in nature. Other signs of PE might
include dyspnea, tachypnea, and hypoxemia. Bradycardia and hypertension are less
typical findings in this scenario.
Question 2:
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a total hip replacement. Which
position should the nurse place the patient in to prevent dislocation of the hip?
• A) Supine with legs extended
• B) Side-lying on the affected side
• C) Semi-Fowler's position
• D) Prone position
Correct Answer: A) Supine with legs extended
Rationale:
After a total hip replacement, patients should be positioned supine with legs extended
to avoid internal and external rotation of the hip joint, which can lead to dislocation.
Side-lying on the affected side and prone positions are contraindicated during the early
post-operative period.
Question 3:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is given a prescription for
a bronchodilator. The nurse explains that the purpose of this medication is to:
• A) Increase oxygen supply to the lungs
, • B) Decrease the work of breathing
• C) Improve lung capacity
• D) Prevent respiratory infections
Correct Answer: B) Decrease the work of breathing
Rationale:
Bronchodilators help relax the muscles of the airways, decreasing airway resistance
and making it easier for the patient to breathe. While they may improve oxygen supply
and lung capacity indirectly, their primary function is to reduce the work of breathing.
Question 4:
A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving a blood transfusion. Which of the following
assessment findings would indicate a possible transfusion reaction?
• A) Elevated blood pressure
• B) Fever and chills
• C) Increased urination
• D) Decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: B) Fever and chills
Rationale:
Fever and chills are common symptoms of a transfusion reaction, typically indicating an
immune response to the transfused blood. Other signs may include rash, dyspnea, and
hypotension. The other options do not specifically denote a transfusion reaction.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which dietary change should the nurse
recommend to help manage the patient’s condition?
• A) Increase sodium intake
• B) Decrease potassium intake
• C) Restrict fluid intake
• D) Increase saturated fat intake
Correct Answer: C) Restrict fluid intake
Rationale:
Fluid restriction is essential for managing heart failure, as it helps prevent volume
overload, which can exacerbate symptoms. Patients often experience edema and
pulmonary congestion; by limiting fluid intake, the nurse can help alleviate these
symptoms and improve overall hemodynamic stability. Increasing sodium or saturated
