Med Surg ATI Proctored Exam Complete
Questions with Verified Answers Latest Update
2026
1. Mr. Smith returns from the operating room with a three-way indwelling
catheter following a prostatectomy. He suddenly complains of severe lower
abdominal pain. What is the nurse's best first action?
Assess the patency of the catheter.
Assess the patient for surgical pain and administer the prescribed
analgesic.
Notify the surgeon.
Palpate Mr. Smith's bladder.
2. The client is receiving a 25% dextrose solution of parenteral nutrition. The
infusion machine is beeping, and the nurse determines the intravenous (IV)
bag is empty. The nurse finds there is no available bag to administer. It is most
important for the nurse to
Catch up with the next bag when it arrives.
Request a new bag from the pharmacy department.
Infuse a solution containing 10% dextrose and water.
Flush the line with 10 mL of sterile saline.
3. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale score assigned to a patient who does not
open her eyes, displays decerebrate posturing, and makes incomprehensible
sounds?
5
10
, 13
2
4. Describe how hypokalemia can affect muscle function in patients.
Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness due to impaired
neuromuscular transmission.
Hypokalemia causes increased muscle strength and tone.
Hypokalemia has no effect on muscle function.
Hypokalemia primarily affects cardiac muscle only.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient who has just undergone a left total hip
arthroplasty. The patient expresses concerns about using the bathroom
independently. What should the nurse recommend to ensure the patient's
safety during recovery?
Encourage the patient to avoid using the bathroom until fully healed.
Install a raised toilet seat in the bathroom to facilitate safe use.
Advise the patient to only use the bathroom with assistance.
Suggest the patient use a regular toilet seat to promote
independence.
6. Why is it important for a client recovering from a sickle cell crisis to avoid
extreme temperatures?
Extreme temperatures help in the recovery process.
Extreme temperatures can trigger a sickle cell crisis by causing
blood vessel constriction.
Extreme temperatures have no effect on sickle cell patients.
Extreme temperatures only affect hydration levels.
,7. The nurse is completing discharge teaching with an older adult patient who
underwent right total hip arthroplasty. The nurse identifies a need for further
instruction if the patient states the need to do what?
Notify future caregivers about the prosthesis
Use a toilet elevator on toilet seat
Maintain hip in adduction and internal rotation
Avoid crossing his legs
8. Why is it important for a client with heart failure to limit sodium intake?
Limiting sodium prevents infections.
Limiting sodium helps prevent fluid retention and reduces the
workload on the heart.
Limiting sodium increases energy levels.
Limiting sodium is necessary for protein synthesis.
9. A nurse observes a patient who has just been extubated exhibiting stridor.
What is the most appropriate immediate action for the nurse to take?
Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for reintubation.
Provide reassurance and wait for the stridor to resolve on its own.
Encourage the patient to cough to clear the airway.
Monitor the patient for additional symptoms and document findings.
10. In a scenario where a client with osteoarthritis reports increased pain after
using ice packs, what alternative intervention should the nurse consider for
pain management?
Administer acetaminophen for pain management
Increase the frequency of ice pack application
, Suggest the use of a topical salicylate cream
Encourage the client to rest without any pain relief
11. Why is it important for the nurse to check the client's urine output when they
report abdominal pain after TURP?
To evaluate the effectiveness of pain medication
To assess for potential complications such as obstruction or
bleeding
To check for signs of infection
To determine if the client needs more fluids
12. If a patient on an ACE inhibitor develops a persistent dry cough, what should
the nurse prioritize in their response?
Recommend a follow-up appointment in six months.
Assess the need for medication adjustment or discontinuation.
Suggest increasing physical activity to improve lung function.
Advise the patient to take over-the-counter cough medicine.
13. If a client with heart failure mistakenly consumes a meal high in sodium, what
immediate action should the nurse recommend?
Monitor for signs of fluid retention and report any symptoms.
Increase physical activity to burn off excess sodium.
Skip the next meal to compensate for the sodium intake.
Drink extra water to flush out the sodium.
14. What adverse effect should a nurse instruct a client taking pyrazinamide to
report to their provider?
Questions with Verified Answers Latest Update
2026
1. Mr. Smith returns from the operating room with a three-way indwelling
catheter following a prostatectomy. He suddenly complains of severe lower
abdominal pain. What is the nurse's best first action?
Assess the patency of the catheter.
Assess the patient for surgical pain and administer the prescribed
analgesic.
Notify the surgeon.
Palpate Mr. Smith's bladder.
2. The client is receiving a 25% dextrose solution of parenteral nutrition. The
infusion machine is beeping, and the nurse determines the intravenous (IV)
bag is empty. The nurse finds there is no available bag to administer. It is most
important for the nurse to
Catch up with the next bag when it arrives.
Request a new bag from the pharmacy department.
Infuse a solution containing 10% dextrose and water.
Flush the line with 10 mL of sterile saline.
3. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale score assigned to a patient who does not
open her eyes, displays decerebrate posturing, and makes incomprehensible
sounds?
5
10
, 13
2
4. Describe how hypokalemia can affect muscle function in patients.
Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness due to impaired
neuromuscular transmission.
Hypokalemia causes increased muscle strength and tone.
Hypokalemia has no effect on muscle function.
Hypokalemia primarily affects cardiac muscle only.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient who has just undergone a left total hip
arthroplasty. The patient expresses concerns about using the bathroom
independently. What should the nurse recommend to ensure the patient's
safety during recovery?
Encourage the patient to avoid using the bathroom until fully healed.
Install a raised toilet seat in the bathroom to facilitate safe use.
Advise the patient to only use the bathroom with assistance.
Suggest the patient use a regular toilet seat to promote
independence.
6. Why is it important for a client recovering from a sickle cell crisis to avoid
extreme temperatures?
Extreme temperatures help in the recovery process.
Extreme temperatures can trigger a sickle cell crisis by causing
blood vessel constriction.
Extreme temperatures have no effect on sickle cell patients.
Extreme temperatures only affect hydration levels.
,7. The nurse is completing discharge teaching with an older adult patient who
underwent right total hip arthroplasty. The nurse identifies a need for further
instruction if the patient states the need to do what?
Notify future caregivers about the prosthesis
Use a toilet elevator on toilet seat
Maintain hip in adduction and internal rotation
Avoid crossing his legs
8. Why is it important for a client with heart failure to limit sodium intake?
Limiting sodium prevents infections.
Limiting sodium helps prevent fluid retention and reduces the
workload on the heart.
Limiting sodium increases energy levels.
Limiting sodium is necessary for protein synthesis.
9. A nurse observes a patient who has just been extubated exhibiting stridor.
What is the most appropriate immediate action for the nurse to take?
Administer supplemental oxygen and prepare for reintubation.
Provide reassurance and wait for the stridor to resolve on its own.
Encourage the patient to cough to clear the airway.
Monitor the patient for additional symptoms and document findings.
10. In a scenario where a client with osteoarthritis reports increased pain after
using ice packs, what alternative intervention should the nurse consider for
pain management?
Administer acetaminophen for pain management
Increase the frequency of ice pack application
, Suggest the use of a topical salicylate cream
Encourage the client to rest without any pain relief
11. Why is it important for the nurse to check the client's urine output when they
report abdominal pain after TURP?
To evaluate the effectiveness of pain medication
To assess for potential complications such as obstruction or
bleeding
To check for signs of infection
To determine if the client needs more fluids
12. If a patient on an ACE inhibitor develops a persistent dry cough, what should
the nurse prioritize in their response?
Recommend a follow-up appointment in six months.
Assess the need for medication adjustment or discontinuation.
Suggest increasing physical activity to improve lung function.
Advise the patient to take over-the-counter cough medicine.
13. If a client with heart failure mistakenly consumes a meal high in sodium, what
immediate action should the nurse recommend?
Monitor for signs of fluid retention and report any symptoms.
Increase physical activity to burn off excess sodium.
Skip the next meal to compensate for the sodium intake.
Drink extra water to flush out the sodium.
14. What adverse effect should a nurse instruct a client taking pyrazinamide to
report to their provider?
