ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice
Exam – Questions And Correct Verified
Answers for Grade A+
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who reports sudden weight gain
and increasing dyspnea. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. 2+ bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
C. Crackles in both lung bases
D. BNP level of 150 pg/mL
Correct Answer: C. Crackles in both lung bases
Rationale:
Crackles indicate pulmonary fluid accumulation and worsening left-sided heart
failure, which can rapidly progress to pulmonary edema. This is an immediate
airway and oxygenation concern. Mild edema and 1 lb weight gain are expected
findings. A BNP of 150 is elevated but not critical compared to respiratory
compromise.
A client with type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely during insulin
infusion therapy?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
1|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
Rationale:
Insulin drives potassium into cells, which can cause life-threatening hypokalemia.
Continuous monitoring is critical to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias.
A nurse is caring for a client 4 hours post-thyroidectomy. Which finding is the
priority?
A. Hoarse voice
B. Pain rated 6/10
C. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
D. Temperature 99.1°F (37.3°C)
Correct Answer: A. Hoarse voice
Rationale:
Hoarseness may indicate laryngeal nerve damage or airway edema. Airway
compromise is the highest priority following thyroid surgery.
A nurse is administering packed RBCs. Which assessment finding indicates a
transfusion reaction?
A. Hypotension
B. Flushed face
C. Bradycardia
D. Warm skin
Correct Answer: A. Hypotension
Rationale:
Hypotension can indicate a severe hemolytic or anaphylactic transfusion reaction.
The transfusion should be stopped immediately.
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which ECG change is expected?
2|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
A. U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. ST depression
D. Prolonged PR interval
Correct Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale:
Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves and can progress to ventricular
dysrhythmias.
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube for pneumothorax. Continuous
bubbling is noted in the water-seal chamber. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Increase suction
B. Assess for an air leak
C. Clamp the tubing
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B. Assess for an air leak
Rationale:
Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak. The nurse should assess the system
connections first before other interventions.
Which client is at highest risk for developing a pulmonary embolism?
A. Client with pneumonia
B. Client on oral contraceptives
C. Client 1 day post-hip replacement
D. Client with asthma
Correct Answer: C. Client 1 day post-hip replacement
Rationale:
Orthopedic surgery and immobility significantly increase the risk for DVT and PE.
3|Page
, ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
A nurse is caring for a client with SIADH. Which finding is expected?
A. Elevated serum sodium
B. Decreased urine specific gravity
C. Hyponatremia
D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: C. Hyponatremia
Rationale:
SIADH causes excessive water retention, diluting sodium levels and leading to
hyponatremia.
A client with cirrhosis develops hepatic encephalopathy. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Spironolactone
B. Lactulose
C. Propranolol
D. Furosemide
Correct Answer: B. Lactulose
Rationale:
Lactulose reduces ammonia levels by promoting excretion through stool,
improving neurological symptoms.
Which assessment finding indicates compartment syndrome?
A. 2+ pedal pulse
B. Pain unrelieved by opioids
C. Cool skin
D. Capillary refill <2 seconds
4|Page
ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice
Exam – Questions And Correct Verified
Answers for Grade A+
A nurse is assessing a client with heart failure who reports sudden weight gain
and increasing dyspnea. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. 2+ bilateral ankle edema
B. Weight gain of 1 lb in 24 hours
C. Crackles in both lung bases
D. BNP level of 150 pg/mL
Correct Answer: C. Crackles in both lung bases
Rationale:
Crackles indicate pulmonary fluid accumulation and worsening left-sided heart
failure, which can rapidly progress to pulmonary edema. This is an immediate
airway and oxygenation concern. Mild edema and 1 lb weight gain are expected
findings. A BNP of 150 is elevated but not critical compared to respiratory
compromise.
A client with type 1 diabetes is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely during insulin
infusion therapy?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Magnesium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
1|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
Rationale:
Insulin drives potassium into cells, which can cause life-threatening hypokalemia.
Continuous monitoring is critical to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias.
A nurse is caring for a client 4 hours post-thyroidectomy. Which finding is the
priority?
A. Hoarse voice
B. Pain rated 6/10
C. Small amount of serosanguineous drainage
D. Temperature 99.1°F (37.3°C)
Correct Answer: A. Hoarse voice
Rationale:
Hoarseness may indicate laryngeal nerve damage or airway edema. Airway
compromise is the highest priority following thyroid surgery.
A nurse is administering packed RBCs. Which assessment finding indicates a
transfusion reaction?
A. Hypotension
B. Flushed face
C. Bradycardia
D. Warm skin
Correct Answer: A. Hypotension
Rationale:
Hypotension can indicate a severe hemolytic or anaphylactic transfusion reaction.
The transfusion should be stopped immediately.
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L.
Which ECG change is expected?
2|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
A. U waves
B. Peaked T waves
C. ST depression
D. Prolonged PR interval
Correct Answer: B. Peaked T waves
Rationale:
Hyperkalemia causes tall, peaked T waves and can progress to ventricular
dysrhythmias.
A nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube for pneumothorax. Continuous
bubbling is noted in the water-seal chamber. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Increase suction
B. Assess for an air leak
C. Clamp the tubing
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: B. Assess for an air leak
Rationale:
Continuous bubbling indicates an air leak. The nurse should assess the system
connections first before other interventions.
Which client is at highest risk for developing a pulmonary embolism?
A. Client with pneumonia
B. Client on oral contraceptives
C. Client 1 day post-hip replacement
D. Client with asthma
Correct Answer: C. Client 1 day post-hip replacement
Rationale:
Orthopedic surgery and immobility significantly increase the risk for DVT and PE.
3|Page
, ATI RN Medical-Surgical Retake Practice Exam
A nurse is caring for a client with SIADH. Which finding is expected?
A. Elevated serum sodium
B. Decreased urine specific gravity
C. Hyponatremia
D. Polyuria
Correct Answer: C. Hyponatremia
Rationale:
SIADH causes excessive water retention, diluting sodium levels and leading to
hyponatremia.
A client with cirrhosis develops hepatic encephalopathy. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Spironolactone
B. Lactulose
C. Propranolol
D. Furosemide
Correct Answer: B. Lactulose
Rationale:
Lactulose reduces ammonia levels by promoting excretion through stool,
improving neurological symptoms.
Which assessment finding indicates compartment syndrome?
A. 2+ pedal pulse
B. Pain unrelieved by opioids
C. Cool skin
D. Capillary refill <2 seconds
4|Page
