ATI RN Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam – Practice
Test
300 Medical-Surgical Nursing Questions with Case Studies,
Highlighted Answers, and Rationales
Case Study Scenario:
A 65-year-old client is admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling of the
lower extremities. The client has a history of hypertension and chronic heart failure. Vital signs: BP
158/92 mmHg, HR 110 bpm, RR 26/min, SpO2 90% on room air. The nurse reviews the assessment
findings and plans appropriate interventions.
Question 1 (Respiratory Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 2 (Neurologic Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 3 (Endocrine Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
,Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 4 (Renal & Urinary Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 5 (Gastrointestinal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 6 (Musculoskeletal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 7 (Oncology & Hematology): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
,Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 8 (Cardiovascular Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 9 (Respiratory Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 10 (Neurologic Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 11 (Endocrine Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
, Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 12 (Renal & Urinary Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action
should the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 13 (Gastrointestinal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action
should the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 14 (Musculoskeletal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action
should the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 15 (Oncology & Hematology): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Test
300 Medical-Surgical Nursing Questions with Case Studies,
Highlighted Answers, and Rationales
Case Study Scenario:
A 65-year-old client is admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling of the
lower extremities. The client has a history of hypertension and chronic heart failure. Vital signs: BP
158/92 mmHg, HR 110 bpm, RR 26/min, SpO2 90% on room air. The nurse reviews the assessment
findings and plans appropriate interventions.
Question 1 (Respiratory Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 2 (Neurologic Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 3 (Endocrine Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
,Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 4 (Renal & Urinary Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 5 (Gastrointestinal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 6 (Musculoskeletal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 7 (Oncology & Hematology): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
,Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 8 (Cardiovascular Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 9 (Respiratory Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 10 (Neurologic Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 11 (Endocrine Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should the
nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
, Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 12 (Renal & Urinary Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action
should the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 13 (Gastrointestinal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action
should the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 14 (Musculoskeletal Disorders): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action
should the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
Rationale: In medical-surgical nursing, prioritization frameworks such as ABC (Airway, Breathing,
Circulation) guide immediate nursing actions when clients present with respiratory or cardiovascular
compromise.
Question 15 (Oncology & Hematology): Based on the client's condition, which nursing action should
the nurse take first?
A. Document the assessment findings in the medical record
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation
C. Provide routine comfort measures
D. Schedule diagnostic testing
