Med-Surg Final Exam 2026 | ATI Questions &
Module Practice Questions | Verified Answers &
Nursing Review
1. If a patient with diverticulitis is experiencing severe abdominal pain and
fever, what dietary recommendation should the nurse reinforce during
their care?
Introduce solid foods immediately to restore nutrition.
Continue with a low fiber diet until symptoms improve.
Encourage a high protein diet to support recovery.
Switch to a high fiber diet to promote healing.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient with a spinal cord injury that reports a
severe headache with a rapid onset. The nurse knows that this could be
a symptom of which complication of a spinal cord injury?
Autonomic dysreflexia
Spinal shock
Myocardial infarction
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
3. A patient with myasthenia gravis is experiencing increased difficulty in
swallowing and slurred speech. What nursing intervention should be
prioritized?
Encourage the patient to engage in vigorous physical therapy.
Assess the patient's ability to swallow safely and consider
dietary modifications.
Administer a high-protein diet to strengthen muscles.
, Provide the patient with sedatives to reduce anxiety.
4. Why is 'ineffective airway clearance' considered the highest priority
, nursing diagnosis for a patient with a C5 spinal cord injury?
Because high cervical spinal cord injuries can impair
respiratory function and airway management.
Because urinary elimination patterns are altered in all spinal cord
injuries.
Because patients with this injury are at risk for skin breakdown
due to immobility.
Because family coping mechanisms are less critical than
immediate physical health concerns.
5. What is a common sign of autonomic dysreflexia in a patient with a
spinal cord injury?
Pallor of the face and neck
Sudden tachycardia
Severe, throbbing headache
Severe and sudden hypotension
6. A nurse is teaching a client about gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). Which statement made by the client indicates correct
understanding of GERD management?
"I can reduce my GERD symptoms through a high-carbohydrate,
low-fat diet."
"A snack at bedtime will help reduce the acidity of my stomach
during the night."
"Three meals per day is the best regimen to avoid GERD
symptoms."
"I will place a 6-inch (15 cm) block under the head of my bed to
help with digestion."
, 7. A nurse is assessing a client who has Parkinson's disease. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect?
Xerostomia
Bradykinesia
Pruritus
Hypertension
8. In a scenario where a patient with a perforated duodenal ulcer is
showing signs of shock, what immediate nursing action should be taken?
Perform a guaiac test on the stool.
Administer oral medications for pain relief.
Initiate IV fluid resuscitation.
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
9. In a scenario where a patient with a C5 spinal cord injury develops
respiratory distress, which nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Initiate a bowel regimen to prevent constipation.
Educate the family about coping strategies.
Assess and maintain airway patency.
Monitor skin integrity for pressure ulcers.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who experienced a stroke. Which of the
following manifestations should indicate to the nurse that the client
experienced a left hemispheric stroke?
Tonal hearing loss.
Loss of depth perception.
Impulsiveness.
Module Practice Questions | Verified Answers &
Nursing Review
1. If a patient with diverticulitis is experiencing severe abdominal pain and
fever, what dietary recommendation should the nurse reinforce during
their care?
Introduce solid foods immediately to restore nutrition.
Continue with a low fiber diet until symptoms improve.
Encourage a high protein diet to support recovery.
Switch to a high fiber diet to promote healing.
2. The nurse is assessing a patient with a spinal cord injury that reports a
severe headache with a rapid onset. The nurse knows that this could be
a symptom of which complication of a spinal cord injury?
Autonomic dysreflexia
Spinal shock
Myocardial infarction
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
3. A patient with myasthenia gravis is experiencing increased difficulty in
swallowing and slurred speech. What nursing intervention should be
prioritized?
Encourage the patient to engage in vigorous physical therapy.
Assess the patient's ability to swallow safely and consider
dietary modifications.
Administer a high-protein diet to strengthen muscles.
, Provide the patient with sedatives to reduce anxiety.
4. Why is 'ineffective airway clearance' considered the highest priority
, nursing diagnosis for a patient with a C5 spinal cord injury?
Because high cervical spinal cord injuries can impair
respiratory function and airway management.
Because urinary elimination patterns are altered in all spinal cord
injuries.
Because patients with this injury are at risk for skin breakdown
due to immobility.
Because family coping mechanisms are less critical than
immediate physical health concerns.
5. What is a common sign of autonomic dysreflexia in a patient with a
spinal cord injury?
Pallor of the face and neck
Sudden tachycardia
Severe, throbbing headache
Severe and sudden hypotension
6. A nurse is teaching a client about gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD). Which statement made by the client indicates correct
understanding of GERD management?
"I can reduce my GERD symptoms through a high-carbohydrate,
low-fat diet."
"A snack at bedtime will help reduce the acidity of my stomach
during the night."
"Three meals per day is the best regimen to avoid GERD
symptoms."
"I will place a 6-inch (15 cm) block under the head of my bed to
help with digestion."
, 7. A nurse is assessing a client who has Parkinson's disease. Which of the
following manifestations should the nurse expect?
Xerostomia
Bradykinesia
Pruritus
Hypertension
8. In a scenario where a patient with a perforated duodenal ulcer is
showing signs of shock, what immediate nursing action should be taken?
Perform a guaiac test on the stool.
Administer oral medications for pain relief.
Initiate IV fluid resuscitation.
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
9. In a scenario where a patient with a C5 spinal cord injury develops
respiratory distress, which nursing intervention should be prioritized?
Initiate a bowel regimen to prevent constipation.
Educate the family about coping strategies.
Assess and maintain airway patency.
Monitor skin integrity for pressure ulcers.
10. A nurse is assessing a client who experienced a stroke. Which of the
following manifestations should indicate to the nurse that the client
experienced a left hemispheric stroke?
Tonal hearing loss.
Loss of depth perception.
Impulsiveness.
