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# ATI ADULT MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
2026-2027
## PREMIUM PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
# Table Of Contents
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| **I** | **Perioperative Nursing** | 1-30 |
| **Ii** | **Cardiovascular Disorders** | 31-70 |
| **Iii** | **Respiratory Disorders** | 71-100 |
| **Iv** | **Gastrointestinal Disorders** | 101-135 |
| **V** | **Renal And Urinary Disorders** | 136-160 |
| **Vi** | **Neurological Disorders** | 161-195 |
| **Vii** | **Musculoskeletal Disorders** | 196-220 |
| **Viii** | **Endocrine Disorders** | 221-255 |
| **Ix** | **Hematologic And Immunologic Disorders** | 256-285 |
| **X** | **Integumentary Disorders** | 286-305 |
| **Xi** | **Shock And Multisystem Disorders** | 306-335 |
| **Xii** | **Next Generation Nclex (Ngn) Clinical Judgment Cases** | 336-355 |
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# SECTION I: PERIOPERATIVE NURSING (Questions 1-30)
**Question 1**
*Bloom's Level: Application*
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled for surgery.
The client asks why they must remain NPO (nothing by mouth) for 8 hours before
surgery. Which of the following responses is appropriate?
A. "This will prevent aspiration during surgery."
B. "This will help you lose weight before surgery."
C. "This will prevent you from needing to use the bathroom during surgery."
D. "This is just a standard hospital policy."
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The primary reason for NPO status before surgery is to prevent
aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia . Aspiration pneumonitis is a
serious complication that can occur if gastric contents enter the lungs during
induction or emergence from anesthesia.
**Incorrect Answer Explanations:**
- **B:** Weight loss is not the purpose of NPO status. The purpose is safety
related to anesthesia.
- **C:** While an empty bladder may be desirable, the primary purpose is to
prevent aspiration.
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- **D:** This is not a matter of policy but a evidence-based safety measure.
---
**Question 2**
*Bloom's Level: Analysis*
A nurse is reviewing a client's preoperative laboratory results. Which of the
following laboratory values should be reported to the provider before surgery?
A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C. Blood glucose 100 mg/dL
D. Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which
increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias during surgery . This finding must be
corrected before proceeding with the procedure.
**Incorrect Answer Explanations:**
- **A:** Hemoglobin 12 g/dL is within normal limits for females and acceptable
for males.
- **C:** Blood glucose of 100 mg/dL is within normal limits and acceptable for
surgery.
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- **D:** Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL is within normal limits and indicates adequate renal
function.
---
**Question 3**
*Bloom's Level: Application*
A nurse is preparing a client for a surgical procedure. The client states, "I'm really
nervous about this surgery." Which of the following responses by the nurse is
appropriate?
A. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling anxious. Would you like to talk about it?"
C. "You should try to calm down. There's nothing to worry about."
D. "Many people are nervous before surgery."
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** This response validates the client's feelings and opens the door for
therapeutic communication . Acknowledging the client's anxiety is an important
nursing intervention.
**Incorrect Answer Explanations:**
- **A:** This response dismisses the client's feelings and provides false
reassurance.
# ATI ADULT MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
2026-2027
## PREMIUM PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
# Table Of Contents
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| **I** | **Perioperative Nursing** | 1-30 |
| **Ii** | **Cardiovascular Disorders** | 31-70 |
| **Iii** | **Respiratory Disorders** | 71-100 |
| **Iv** | **Gastrointestinal Disorders** | 101-135 |
| **V** | **Renal And Urinary Disorders** | 136-160 |
| **Vi** | **Neurological Disorders** | 161-195 |
| **Vii** | **Musculoskeletal Disorders** | 196-220 |
| **Viii** | **Endocrine Disorders** | 221-255 |
| **Ix** | **Hematologic And Immunologic Disorders** | 256-285 |
| **X** | **Integumentary Disorders** | 286-305 |
| **Xi** | **Shock And Multisystem Disorders** | 306-335 |
| **Xii** | **Next Generation Nclex (Ngn) Clinical Judgment Cases** | 336-355 |
,2|Page
# SECTION I: PERIOPERATIVE NURSING (Questions 1-30)
**Question 1**
*Bloom's Level: Application*
A nurse is providing preoperative teaching to a client who is scheduled for surgery.
The client asks why they must remain NPO (nothing by mouth) for 8 hours before
surgery. Which of the following responses is appropriate?
A. "This will prevent aspiration during surgery."
B. "This will help you lose weight before surgery."
C. "This will prevent you from needing to use the bathroom during surgery."
D. "This is just a standard hospital policy."
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The primary reason for NPO status before surgery is to prevent
aspiration of gastric contents during anesthesia . Aspiration pneumonitis is a
serious complication that can occur if gastric contents enter the lungs during
induction or emergence from anesthesia.
**Incorrect Answer Explanations:**
- **B:** Weight loss is not the purpose of NPO status. The purpose is safety
related to anesthesia.
- **C:** While an empty bladder may be desirable, the primary purpose is to
prevent aspiration.
,3|Page
- **D:** This is not a matter of policy but a evidence-based safety measure.
---
**Question 2**
*Bloom's Level: Analysis*
A nurse is reviewing a client's preoperative laboratory results. Which of the
following laboratory values should be reported to the provider before surgery?
A. Hemoglobin 12 g/dL
B. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
C. Blood glucose 100 mg/dL
D. Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** A potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which
increases the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias during surgery . This finding must be
corrected before proceeding with the procedure.
**Incorrect Answer Explanations:**
- **A:** Hemoglobin 12 g/dL is within normal limits for females and acceptable
for males.
- **C:** Blood glucose of 100 mg/dL is within normal limits and acceptable for
surgery.
, 4|Page
- **D:** Creatinine 0.8 mg/dL is within normal limits and indicates adequate renal
function.
---
**Question 3**
*Bloom's Level: Application*
A nurse is preparing a client for a surgical procedure. The client states, "I'm really
nervous about this surgery." Which of the following responses by the nurse is
appropriate?
A. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."
B. "It sounds like you're feeling anxious. Would you like to talk about it?"
C. "You should try to calm down. There's nothing to worry about."
D. "Many people are nervous before surgery."
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** This response validates the client's feelings and opens the door for
therapeutic communication . Acknowledging the client's anxiety is an important
nursing intervention.
**Incorrect Answer Explanations:**
- **A:** This response dismisses the client's feelings and provides false
reassurance.
