ATI RN MED SURG PROCTORED RETAKE EXAM
2026 Edition: Versions 1, 2, & 3
200 Practice Questions with Answers & Explanations
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure (HF) who has been prescribed furosemide (Lasix)
40 mg IV push. Which of the following laboratory values is most important for the nurse to review
before administering the medication?
a) Serum Potassium (3.8 mEq/L)
b) Serum Sodium (135 mEq/L)
c) Serum Creatinine (1.0 mg/dL)
d) BUN (18 mg/dL)
Answer: a) Serum Potassium (3.8 mEq/L)
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium wasting. Hypokalemia
(normal range 3.5-5.0) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and cardiac arrhythmias .
2. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following prescriptions
should the nurse anticipate first?
a) IV sodium bicarbonate
b) IV regular insulin bolus followed by continuous infusion
c) IV potassium chloride
d) Oral metformin
Answer: b) IV regular insulin bolus followed by continuous infusion
,Explanation: The priority in DKA is to reverse hyperglycemia and stop ketogenesis. Regular
insulin IV is the standard of care. IV fluids are given first to expand volume, but insulin is the
critical next step .
3. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following
findings are consistent with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply)
a) Bradypnea
b) Pleuritic chest pain
c) Hemoptysis
d) Tachycardia
e) Hypotension
Answer: b, c, d, e
Explanation: PE causes hypoxemia leading to tachypnea (not bradypnea), tachycardia, and often
hypotension if massive. Pleuritic chest pain occurs due to pleural irritation. Hemoptysis may occur
if pulmonary infarction occurs .
4. A client is post-operative day 1 following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
interventions is most important to prevent dislocation?
a) Keep an abduction pillow between the legs
b) Encourage the client to cross legs at the ankles
c) Place the client in a low Fowler's position
d) Ensure the head of the bed is >90 degrees when sitting
Answer: a) Keep an abduction pillow between the legs
,Explanation: The abduction pillow maintains the hip in neutral abduction, preventing adduction
and internal rotation which are the primary mechanisms for dislocation. Crossing legs is strictly
prohibited .
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of cirrhosis. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for my occasional headaches."
b) "I should eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet."
c) "I will monitor my weight daily and report a sudden increase."
d) "I can continue to have one glass of wine with dinner."
Answer: c) "I will monitor my weight daily and report a sudden increase."
Explanation: Sudden weight gain (2-3 lbs/day or 5 lbs/week) indicates fluid retention
(ascites/edema), a common complication of cirrhosis. Acetaminophen is hepatotoxic. Alcohol is
contraindicated .
6. A nurse is caring for a 68-year-old client admitted with pneumonia. The client has a history of
hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3. The nurse notes the client is confused,
lethargic, and has a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
a) Obtain a serum creatinine level
b) Administer IV antibiotics
c) Administer IV fluids
d) Notify the provider
Answer: c) Administer IV fluids
, Explanation: The client is hypotensive and confused, indicating possible sepsis. IV fluid
resuscitation is the priority to restore perfusion before antibiotics are administered .
7. A nurse is planning care for a client with a sealed radiation implant. Which of the following
actions should the nurse include?
a) Limit family member visits to 30 minutes per day
b) Allow children to visit if they stay 6 feet away
c) Place the client in a semiprivate room
d) Wear a dosimeter badge at all times
Answer: a) Limit family member visits to 30 minutes per day
Explanation: For clients with sealed radiation implants, time, distance, and shielding principles
apply. Visitors should be limited to 30 minutes per day and maintain a 6-foot distance. Pregnant
women and children should not visit .
8. A Nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours post-craniotomy. Which assessment finding is the
earliest sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
a) Widening pulse pressure
b) Ipsilateral pupil dilation
c) Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
d) Decorticate posturing
Answer: c) Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
Explanation: LOC is the most sensitive and earliest indicator of increased ICP. Pupil changes,
posturing, and Cushing's triad occur later .
2026 Edition: Versions 1, 2, & 3
200 Practice Questions with Answers & Explanations
1. A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure (HF) who has been prescribed furosemide (Lasix)
40 mg IV push. Which of the following laboratory values is most important for the nurse to review
before administering the medication?
a) Serum Potassium (3.8 mEq/L)
b) Serum Sodium (135 mEq/L)
c) Serum Creatinine (1.0 mg/dL)
d) BUN (18 mg/dL)
Answer: a) Serum Potassium (3.8 mEq/L)
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium wasting. Hypokalemia
(normal range 3.5-5.0) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and cardiac arrhythmias .
2. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which of the following prescriptions
should the nurse anticipate first?
a) IV sodium bicarbonate
b) IV regular insulin bolus followed by continuous infusion
c) IV potassium chloride
d) Oral metformin
Answer: b) IV regular insulin bolus followed by continuous infusion
,Explanation: The priority in DKA is to reverse hyperglycemia and stop ketogenesis. Regular
insulin IV is the standard of care. IV fluids are given first to expand volume, but insulin is the
critical next step .
3. A nurse is assessing a client with a suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following
findings are consistent with this diagnosis? (Select all that apply)
a) Bradypnea
b) Pleuritic chest pain
c) Hemoptysis
d) Tachycardia
e) Hypotension
Answer: b, c, d, e
Explanation: PE causes hypoxemia leading to tachypnea (not bradypnea), tachycardia, and often
hypotension if massive. Pleuritic chest pain occurs due to pleural irritation. Hemoptysis may occur
if pulmonary infarction occurs .
4. A client is post-operative day 1 following a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following
interventions is most important to prevent dislocation?
a) Keep an abduction pillow between the legs
b) Encourage the client to cross legs at the ankles
c) Place the client in a low Fowler's position
d) Ensure the head of the bed is >90 degrees when sitting
Answer: a) Keep an abduction pillow between the legs
,Explanation: The abduction pillow maintains the hip in neutral abduction, preventing adduction
and internal rotation which are the primary mechanisms for dislocation. Crossing legs is strictly
prohibited .
5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new diagnosis of cirrhosis. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for my occasional headaches."
b) "I should eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet."
c) "I will monitor my weight daily and report a sudden increase."
d) "I can continue to have one glass of wine with dinner."
Answer: c) "I will monitor my weight daily and report a sudden increase."
Explanation: Sudden weight gain (2-3 lbs/day or 5 lbs/week) indicates fluid retention
(ascites/edema), a common complication of cirrhosis. Acetaminophen is hepatotoxic. Alcohol is
contraindicated .
6. A nurse is caring for a 68-year-old client admitted with pneumonia. The client has a history of
hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3. The nurse notes the client is confused,
lethargic, and has a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg. Which of the following actions should the
nurse take first?
a) Obtain a serum creatinine level
b) Administer IV antibiotics
c) Administer IV fluids
d) Notify the provider
Answer: c) Administer IV fluids
, Explanation: The client is hypotensive and confused, indicating possible sepsis. IV fluid
resuscitation is the priority to restore perfusion before antibiotics are administered .
7. A nurse is planning care for a client with a sealed radiation implant. Which of the following
actions should the nurse include?
a) Limit family member visits to 30 minutes per day
b) Allow children to visit if they stay 6 feet away
c) Place the client in a semiprivate room
d) Wear a dosimeter badge at all times
Answer: a) Limit family member visits to 30 minutes per day
Explanation: For clients with sealed radiation implants, time, distance, and shielding principles
apply. Visitors should be limited to 30 minutes per day and maintain a 6-foot distance. Pregnant
women and children should not visit .
8. A Nurse is caring for a client who is 12 hours post-craniotomy. Which assessment finding is the
earliest sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
a) Widening pulse pressure
b) Ipsilateral pupil dilation
c) Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
d) Decorticate posturing
Answer: c) Change in level of consciousness (LOC)
Explanation: LOC is the most sensitive and earliest indicator of increased ICP. Pupil changes,
posturing, and Cushing's triad occur later .
