ATI Medical Surgical Content Mastery Exam
Questions With correct Answers Latest Update
2026 Exam Prep
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has just undergone a craniotomy for a brain
tumor and has a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Which of the
following postoperative prescriptions should the nurse clarify with the
provider?
Dexamethasone 30mg IV Push BID
Phenytoin 100mg IV Push TID
Morphine 2mg IV Push q2 hours PRN Pain
Ondansetron 4mg IV Push q4 hours PRN Nausea
2. If a client continues to report severe headaches after being assisted to a
supine position post-lumbar puncture, what should the nurse consider as the
next step in management?
Administer a sedative to help the client rest.
Increase the client's fluid intake further without consulting the
provider.
Encourage the client to sit up and move around to relieve discomfort.
Notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible
intervention.
3. In a scenario where a client with meningitis exhibits signs of increased
intracranial pressure, which nursing intervention would be most appropriate
to implement immediately?
Perform a lumbar puncture.
, Monitor for impaired extraocular movements.
Administer pain medication.
Encourage the client to cough frequently.
4. A health care provider asks a nurse to assess a patient being evaluated for
aseptic meningitis for a positive Brudzinski sign. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
Assess the patient's sensitivity to light.
Support the patient's neck through normal range of motion and
evaluate stiffness.
Help the patient flex his neck and observe for flexion of the hips
and knees.
Flex the patient's thigh on his abdomen and assess the extension of
the leg.
5. Discuss how previous head injuries may contribute to the development of
Alzheimer's disease.
Previous head injuries have no effect on Alzheimer's disease.
Previous head injuries improve cognitive function.
Previous head injuries can lead to changes in brain structure that
increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Previous head injuries are the only cause of Alzheimer's disease.
6. An older adult client with Alzheimer disease is prescribed donepezil. After
providing education for the primary caregiver, which statement by the
caregiver indicates that the education provided is effective?
"The drug won't improve the client's symptoms but it will make the
client much more compliant and easier to manage."
, "It's important to closely follow the administration schedule for this
drug if it is to help the client recover."
"The drug won't cure the client's Alzheimer, but it has the potential
to slow down the progression of the disease."
"This drug will help the client sleep much better at night and stay
awake during the day."
7. The nurse is caring for an unconscious patient who was just pulled from a
freezing lake. What is the priority action of the nurse?
Bathe the patient to promote shivering.
Wrap the patient in warmed blankets.
Have the patient drink hot liquids.
Remove restrictive items of clothing.
8. What is the primary purpose of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device?
To administer medication automatically at set intervals.
To prevent patients from using pain medication.
To provide continuous pain relief without patient input.
To allow patients to manage their own pain medication.
9. In a scenario where a patient reports severe pain but shows no physical signs
of distress, how should the nurse respond based on the principles of pain
assessment?
The nurse should assume the patient is exaggerating their pain.
The nurse should consult a physician before addressing the patient's
pain.
The nurse should only rely on physical signs to assess pain.
The nurse should take the patient's report seriously and assess pain
, using appropriate tools.
10. In a scenario where a patient is found unresponsive after a fall, what initial
action should the nurse take to ensure the patient's airway is clear?
Perform a head tilt, chin lift
Begin chest compressions
Administer oxygen immediately
Check for a pulse
11. In a scenario where a nurse is caring for multiple clients, including one with
Alzheimer's disease who has a history of falls, what strategy should the nurse
implement to ensure safety while managing time effectively?
Instruct all clients to use call lights for assistance.
Prioritize placing the client with Alzheimer's disease in a room near
the nurses station.
Assign the client to a less busy area to promote independence.
Schedule regular checks on the client every hour.
12. A nurse is collecting data on a client for manifestations of Parkinson's
disease. Which of the following are expected findings?
Decreased vision
Shuffling gait
Drooling
Pill-rolling tremor of the fingers
Lack of facial expression
Bilateral ankle edema
13. Why is it important for the nurse to report the client's statement about being
Questions With correct Answers Latest Update
2026 Exam Prep
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has just undergone a craniotomy for a brain
tumor and has a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Which of the
following postoperative prescriptions should the nurse clarify with the
provider?
Dexamethasone 30mg IV Push BID
Phenytoin 100mg IV Push TID
Morphine 2mg IV Push q2 hours PRN Pain
Ondansetron 4mg IV Push q4 hours PRN Nausea
2. If a client continues to report severe headaches after being assisted to a
supine position post-lumbar puncture, what should the nurse consider as the
next step in management?
Administer a sedative to help the client rest.
Increase the client's fluid intake further without consulting the
provider.
Encourage the client to sit up and move around to relieve discomfort.
Notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible
intervention.
3. In a scenario where a client with meningitis exhibits signs of increased
intracranial pressure, which nursing intervention would be most appropriate
to implement immediately?
Perform a lumbar puncture.
, Monitor for impaired extraocular movements.
Administer pain medication.
Encourage the client to cough frequently.
4. A health care provider asks a nurse to assess a patient being evaluated for
aseptic meningitis for a positive Brudzinski sign. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
Assess the patient's sensitivity to light.
Support the patient's neck through normal range of motion and
evaluate stiffness.
Help the patient flex his neck and observe for flexion of the hips
and knees.
Flex the patient's thigh on his abdomen and assess the extension of
the leg.
5. Discuss how previous head injuries may contribute to the development of
Alzheimer's disease.
Previous head injuries have no effect on Alzheimer's disease.
Previous head injuries improve cognitive function.
Previous head injuries can lead to changes in brain structure that
increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Previous head injuries are the only cause of Alzheimer's disease.
6. An older adult client with Alzheimer disease is prescribed donepezil. After
providing education for the primary caregiver, which statement by the
caregiver indicates that the education provided is effective?
"The drug won't improve the client's symptoms but it will make the
client much more compliant and easier to manage."
, "It's important to closely follow the administration schedule for this
drug if it is to help the client recover."
"The drug won't cure the client's Alzheimer, but it has the potential
to slow down the progression of the disease."
"This drug will help the client sleep much better at night and stay
awake during the day."
7. The nurse is caring for an unconscious patient who was just pulled from a
freezing lake. What is the priority action of the nurse?
Bathe the patient to promote shivering.
Wrap the patient in warmed blankets.
Have the patient drink hot liquids.
Remove restrictive items of clothing.
8. What is the primary purpose of a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device?
To administer medication automatically at set intervals.
To prevent patients from using pain medication.
To provide continuous pain relief without patient input.
To allow patients to manage their own pain medication.
9. In a scenario where a patient reports severe pain but shows no physical signs
of distress, how should the nurse respond based on the principles of pain
assessment?
The nurse should assume the patient is exaggerating their pain.
The nurse should consult a physician before addressing the patient's
pain.
The nurse should only rely on physical signs to assess pain.
The nurse should take the patient's report seriously and assess pain
, using appropriate tools.
10. In a scenario where a patient is found unresponsive after a fall, what initial
action should the nurse take to ensure the patient's airway is clear?
Perform a head tilt, chin lift
Begin chest compressions
Administer oxygen immediately
Check for a pulse
11. In a scenario where a nurse is caring for multiple clients, including one with
Alzheimer's disease who has a history of falls, what strategy should the nurse
implement to ensure safety while managing time effectively?
Instruct all clients to use call lights for assistance.
Prioritize placing the client with Alzheimer's disease in a room near
the nurses station.
Assign the client to a less busy area to promote independence.
Schedule regular checks on the client every hour.
12. A nurse is collecting data on a client for manifestations of Parkinson's
disease. Which of the following are expected findings?
Decreased vision
Shuffling gait
Drooling
Pill-rolling tremor of the fingers
Lack of facial expression
Bilateral ankle edema
13. Why is it important for the nurse to report the client's statement about being
