ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam With
Verified Questions And Correct Answers | Grade
A+ | Guaranteed Scores!
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports sudden weight
gain of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in 3 days. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage increased physical activity
B. Assess for peripheral edema
C. Restrict sodium intake immediately
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: D. Notify the provider
Rationale:
A weight gain of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in 3 days indicates acute fluid retention in a client
with heart failure. This suggests worsening heart failure and possible fluid
overload requiring medication adjustment (e.g., diuretics). While assessing edema
is appropriate, the rapid weight gain signals decompensation, requiring provider
notification first.
A client with COPD is receiving 4 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. The client
becomes drowsy and difficult to arouse. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase oxygen flow rate
B. Obtain arterial blood gases
C. Lower the oxygen flow rate
D. Place the client in high Fowler’s position
Correct Answer: C. Lower the oxygen flow rate
Rationale:
Clients with COPD may rely on hypoxic drive. Excess oxygen can suppress
1|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
respiratory drive, leading to CO₂ retention (hypercapnia) and decreased LOC. The
priority is to reduce oxygen to prescribed low-flow levels (usually 1–2 L/min)
while monitoring.
A client with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 54 mg/dL. The client is
conscious. What should the nurse administer first?
A. 1 mg glucagon IM
B. 15 g oral glucose
C. IV dextrose 50%
D. Regular insulin
Correct Answer: B. 15 g oral glucose
Rationale:
For conscious hypoglycemic clients (<70 mg/dL), the “15-15 rule” applies: give 15
g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15 minutes. Glucagon and IV
dextrose are reserved for unconscious clients.
Which finding requires immediate intervention in a client 4 hours post-
thyroidectomy?
A. Hoarse voice
B. Neck swelling
C. Pain rated 6/10
D. Small amount of drainage on dressing
Correct Answer: B. Neck swelling
Rationale:
Neck swelling may indicate hemorrhage or hematoma, which can obstruct the
airway. This is a life-threatening complication requiring immediate action.
2|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
A client with cirrhosis has a distended abdomen and bulging flanks. Which
medication is commonly prescribed to manage this condition?
A. Lactulose
B. Furosemide
C. Propranolol
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: B. Furosemide
Rationale:
Ascites in cirrhosis is due to fluid accumulation. Loop diuretics such as furosemide
(often combined with spironolactone) are used to reduce fluid retention.
A client receiving heparin infusion has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Maintain current rate
C. Stop the infusion
D. Administer vitamin K
Correct Answer: C. Stop the infusion
Rationale:
Therapeutic aPTT is typically 1.5–2.5 times control (~60–80 seconds). 120 seconds
indicates excessive anticoagulation and high bleeding risk. Stop infusion and
notify provider.
Which assessment finding indicates worsening pneumonia?
A. Productive cough
B. Oxygen saturation 88%
C. Temperature 100.4°F
D. Crackles at lung bases
3|Page
, ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation 88%
Rationale:
SpO₂ of 88% indicates hypoxemia and impaired gas exchange. This requires
immediate intervention.
A client with DKA is receiving IV insulin. Which finding indicates treatment is
effective?
A. Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
B. Urine positive for ketones
C. Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L
D. pH 7.25
Correct Answer: C. Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L
Rationale:
Improving metabolic acidosis (bicarbonate rising toward normal 22–26 mEq/L)
indicates DKA resolution.
Which client is at greatest risk for developing a pressure injury?
A. Ambulates twice daily
B. BMI 32
C. Albumin 2.5 g/dL
D. Drinks 2 L fluid daily
Correct Answer: C. Albumin 2.5 g/dL
Rationale:
Low albumin indicates poor nutritional status and impaired tissue healing,
increasing pressure injury risk.
4|Page
ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam With
Verified Questions And Correct Answers | Grade
A+ | Guaranteed Scores!
The nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who reports sudden weight
gain of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in 3 days. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Encourage increased physical activity
B. Assess for peripheral edema
C. Restrict sodium intake immediately
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: D. Notify the provider
Rationale:
A weight gain of 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) in 3 days indicates acute fluid retention in a client
with heart failure. This suggests worsening heart failure and possible fluid
overload requiring medication adjustment (e.g., diuretics). While assessing edema
is appropriate, the rapid weight gain signals decompensation, requiring provider
notification first.
A client with COPD is receiving 4 L/min oxygen via nasal cannula. The client
becomes drowsy and difficult to arouse. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Increase oxygen flow rate
B. Obtain arterial blood gases
C. Lower the oxygen flow rate
D. Place the client in high Fowler’s position
Correct Answer: C. Lower the oxygen flow rate
Rationale:
Clients with COPD may rely on hypoxic drive. Excess oxygen can suppress
1|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
respiratory drive, leading to CO₂ retention (hypercapnia) and decreased LOC. The
priority is to reduce oxygen to prescribed low-flow levels (usually 1–2 L/min)
while monitoring.
A client with type 1 diabetes has a blood glucose of 54 mg/dL. The client is
conscious. What should the nurse administer first?
A. 1 mg glucagon IM
B. 15 g oral glucose
C. IV dextrose 50%
D. Regular insulin
Correct Answer: B. 15 g oral glucose
Rationale:
For conscious hypoglycemic clients (<70 mg/dL), the “15-15 rule” applies: give 15
g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck in 15 minutes. Glucagon and IV
dextrose are reserved for unconscious clients.
Which finding requires immediate intervention in a client 4 hours post-
thyroidectomy?
A. Hoarse voice
B. Neck swelling
C. Pain rated 6/10
D. Small amount of drainage on dressing
Correct Answer: B. Neck swelling
Rationale:
Neck swelling may indicate hemorrhage or hematoma, which can obstruct the
airway. This is a life-threatening complication requiring immediate action.
2|Page
,ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
A client with cirrhosis has a distended abdomen and bulging flanks. Which
medication is commonly prescribed to manage this condition?
A. Lactulose
B. Furosemide
C. Propranolol
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: B. Furosemide
Rationale:
Ascites in cirrhosis is due to fluid accumulation. Loop diuretics such as furosemide
(often combined with spironolactone) are used to reduce fluid retention.
A client receiving heparin infusion has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Maintain current rate
C. Stop the infusion
D. Administer vitamin K
Correct Answer: C. Stop the infusion
Rationale:
Therapeutic aPTT is typically 1.5–2.5 times control (~60–80 seconds). 120 seconds
indicates excessive anticoagulation and high bleeding risk. Stop infusion and
notify provider.
Which assessment finding indicates worsening pneumonia?
A. Productive cough
B. Oxygen saturation 88%
C. Temperature 100.4°F
D. Crackles at lung bases
3|Page
, ATI RN Medical-Surgical Practice Exam
Correct Answer: B. Oxygen saturation 88%
Rationale:
SpO₂ of 88% indicates hypoxemia and impaired gas exchange. This requires
immediate intervention.
A client with DKA is receiving IV insulin. Which finding indicates treatment is
effective?
A. Blood glucose 350 mg/dL
B. Urine positive for ketones
C. Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L
D. pH 7.25
Correct Answer: C. Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L
Rationale:
Improving metabolic acidosis (bicarbonate rising toward normal 22–26 mEq/L)
indicates DKA resolution.
Which client is at greatest risk for developing a pressure injury?
A. Ambulates twice daily
B. BMI 32
C. Albumin 2.5 g/dL
D. Drinks 2 L fluid daily
Correct Answer: C. Albumin 2.5 g/dL
Rationale:
Low albumin indicates poor nutritional status and impaired tissue healing,
increasing pressure injury risk.
4|Page
