ATI MED SURG PROCTORED EXAM 2025 UPDATED EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiovascular Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Endocrine Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Renal Disorders
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Oncology and Immunological Disorders
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Perioperative and Emergency Nursing Care
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical judgment of nursing
professionals preparing for the ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam. It evaluates foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, and ethical standards essential for safe and effective patient care.
The assessment includes multiple-choice questions and real-world scenarios that emphasize critical thinking and
decision-making. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce learning and ensure a
thorough understanding of the material. This guide serves as a crucial tool for exam readiness and professional
development in diverse medical-surgical settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who died approximately one hour ago. The nurse notes that the client's
temperature has decreased in the last hour since death. Which of the following processes explains this
phenomenon?
A. Rigor mortis
B. Postmortem decomposition
C. Algor mortis
D. Livor mortis
🟢 C. Algor mortis
🔴 RATIONALE: Algor mortis is the cooling of the body after death as it equilibrates with the ambient
temperature. Rigor mortis is stiffening of the body, livor mortis is skin discoloration due to blood pooling, and
postmortem decomposition is the breakdown of tissues.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a colon resection. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A. Heart rate of 90/min
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL
D. Gastric pH of 3.0
🟢 C. Hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL
🔴 RATIONALE: A hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL is below the expected reference range and may indicate
,postoperative hemorrhage. Absent bowel sounds and a heart rate of 90/min are common findings after bowel
surgery, and a gastric pH of 3.0 is not an immediate concern related to hemorrhage.
3. A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a telemetry monitor. Which of
the following should the nurse analyze to determine whether the client is experiencing a myocardial
infarction?
A. PR interval
B. QRS duration
C. T wave
D. ST segment
🟢 D. ST segment
🔴 RATIONALE: ST-segment elevation is a key indicator of an acute myocardial infarction. ST depression
indicates myocardial ischemia. The PR interval and QRS duration are more indicative of conduction
abnormalities, while T-wave changes can suggest ischemia or electrolyte imbalances.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following radiation treatment. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
B. Apply over-the-counter moisturizer to the radiation site
C. Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
D. Use a soft washcloth to clean the area around the radiation site
🟢 A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
🔴 RATIONALE: Patting the skin dry is recommended to prevent trauma and irritation to the radiation site.
Clients should avoid applying lotions or ointments to the treatment area before radiation and should wear
loose clothing over the area to avoid friction.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The nurse observes that the client has
bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended jugular veins. The nurse should anticipate
administering which of the following prescribed medications?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Pantoprazole
D. Furosemide
🟢 D. Furosemide
🔴 RATIONALE: These signs indicate fluid overload. Furosemide is a diuretic that will help reduce fluid volume.
Diphenhydramine is for allergic reactions, acetaminophen for fever, and pantoprazole is a proton pump
inhibitor for gastric protection.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for the treatment of hypomagnesemia.
Which of the following findings indicates effectiveness of the medication?
A. Lungs clear
B. Apical pulse 82/min
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
🟢 C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
🔴 RATIONALE: Signs of hypomagnesemia include hypoactive bowel sounds, constipation, and paralytic ileus.
The return of hyperactive bowel sounds indicates that the magnesium level is returning to normal and the
medication is effective.
7. A nurse is reviewing a client's ABG results: pH 7.42, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, and HCO3 21 mEq/L. The nurse
should recognize these findings as an indication of which of the following conditions?
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
CORE DOMAINS
Cardiovascular Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Endocrine Disorders
Gastrointestinal and Renal Disorders
Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Oncology and Immunological Disorders
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
Perioperative and Emergency Nursing Care
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards
INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination is designed to assess the knowledge and clinical judgment of nursing
professionals preparing for the ATI Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam. It evaluates foundational theory, applied
professional knowledge, regulatory compliance, and ethical standards essential for safe and effective patient care.
The assessment includes multiple-choice questions and real-world scenarios that emphasize critical thinking and
decision-making. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce learning and ensure a
thorough understanding of the material. This guide serves as a crucial tool for exam readiness and professional
development in diverse medical-surgical settings.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
1. A nurse is caring for a client who died approximately one hour ago. The nurse notes that the client's
temperature has decreased in the last hour since death. Which of the following processes explains this
phenomenon?
A. Rigor mortis
B. Postmortem decomposition
C. Algor mortis
D. Livor mortis
🟢 C. Algor mortis
🔴 RATIONALE: Algor mortis is the cooling of the body after death as it equilibrates with the ambient
temperature. Rigor mortis is stiffening of the body, livor mortis is skin discoloration due to blood pooling, and
postmortem decomposition is the breakdown of tissues.
2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 12 hours postoperative following a colon resection. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the surgeon?
A. Heart rate of 90/min
B. Absent bowel sounds
C. Hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL
D. Gastric pH of 3.0
🟢 C. Hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL
🔴 RATIONALE: A hemoglobin of 8.2 g/dL is below the expected reference range and may indicate
,postoperative hemorrhage. Absent bowel sounds and a heart rate of 90/min are common findings after bowel
surgery, and a gastric pH of 3.0 is not an immediate concern related to hemorrhage.
3. A nurse is admitting a client who reports chest pain and has been placed on a telemetry monitor. Which of
the following should the nurse analyze to determine whether the client is experiencing a myocardial
infarction?
A. PR interval
B. QRS duration
C. T wave
D. ST segment
🟢 D. ST segment
🔴 RATIONALE: ST-segment elevation is a key indicator of an acute myocardial infarction. ST depression
indicates myocardial ischemia. The PR interval and QRS duration are more indicative of conduction
abnormalities, while T-wave changes can suggest ischemia or electrolyte imbalances.
4. A nurse is teaching a client who has ovarian cancer about skin care following radiation treatment. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
B. Apply over-the-counter moisturizer to the radiation site
C. Cover the radiation site loosely with a gauze wrap before dressing
D. Use a soft washcloth to clean the area around the radiation site
🟢 A. Pat the skin on the radiation site to dry it
🔴 RATIONALE: Patting the skin dry is recommended to prevent trauma and irritation to the radiation site.
Clients should avoid applying lotions or ointments to the treatment area before radiation and should wear
loose clothing over the area to avoid friction.
, 5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The nurse observes that the client has
bounding peripheral pulses, hypertension, and distended jugular veins. The nurse should anticipate
administering which of the following prescribed medications?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Pantoprazole
D. Furosemide
🟢 D. Furosemide
🔴 RATIONALE: These signs indicate fluid overload. Furosemide is a diuretic that will help reduce fluid volume.
Diphenhydramine is for allergic reactions, acetaminophen for fever, and pantoprazole is a proton pump
inhibitor for gastric protection.
6. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate IV for the treatment of hypomagnesemia.
Which of the following findings indicates effectiveness of the medication?
A. Lungs clear
B. Apical pulse 82/min
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Blood pressure 90/50 mm Hg
🟢 C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
🔴 RATIONALE: Signs of hypomagnesemia include hypoactive bowel sounds, constipation, and paralytic ileus.
The return of hyperactive bowel sounds indicates that the magnesium level is returning to normal and the
medication is effective.
7. A nurse is reviewing a client's ABG results: pH 7.42, PaCO2 30 mm Hg, and HCO3 21 mEq/L. The nurse
should recognize these findings as an indication of which of the following conditions?
