, RN VATI ADULT MEDICAL SURGICAL
ASSESSMENT EXAM
COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
EXAM OVERVIEW
The RN VATI Adult Medical Surgical Assessment evaluates competency in:
• Cardiovascular Disorders – Heart failure, MI, hypertension, dysrhythmias
• Respiratory Disorders – COPD, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary embolism
• Gastrointestinal Disorders – GI bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, cholecystitis
• Renal/Urinary Disorders – AKI, CKD, dialysis, pyelonephritis
• Endocrine Disorders – Diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders
• Neurological Disorders – Stroke, seizures, head injury, Parkinson's
• Musculoskeletal Disorders – Fractures, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis
• Hematological/Immune Disorders – Anemia, sickle cell, HIV/AIDS
• Perioperative Care – Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative
• Fluid/Electrolytes & Acid-Base – Imbalances and management
• Infectious Diseases – Prevention and treatment
• Pain Management & Palliative Care
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions
1–40)
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has crackles in the lung bases,
jugular venous distention, and 3+ pitting edema in the lower extremities. Which of
the following dietary restrictions should the nurse reinforce?
A. Low-potassium diet
B. Low-sodium diet
C. Low-calcium diet
D. Low-phosphorus diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with heart failure require a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention
and decrease the workload on the heart. Sodium causes fluid retention, which
exacerbates heart failure symptoms such as crackles, JVD, and edema. Potassium,
calcium, and phosphorus restrictions are not typically indicated for heart failure.
Question 2
A client is 2 days postoperative following a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
The nurse notes new-onset atrial fibrillation on the cardiac monitor. Which of the
following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Digoxin
B. Amiodarone
C. Epinephrine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amiodarone is a first-line antiarrhythmic for new-onset postoperative atrial
fibrillation. It helps convert the rhythm to sinus and controls the ventricular rate. Digoxin
may be used for rate control but is not first-line for acute conversion. Epinephrine and
norepinephrine are used for hemodynamic support, not for atrial fibrillation
management.
, Question 3
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has an implantable
cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Which of the following statements by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I can resume driving in about one week."
B. "I should avoid strong electromagnetic fields."
C. "I should inform all my healthcare providers about my ICD."
D. "I will carry my ICD identification card with me at all times."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with an ICD should not drive for at least 6 months or until cleared by
their cardiologist due to the risk of syncope or dysrhythmia. The other statements are
correct: avoiding electromagnetic fields, informing providers, and carrying identification
are all appropriate.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which of the following findings is
most characteristic of this condition?
A. Pleuritic chest pain that worsens when lying flat
B. Substernal chest pain that radiates to the left arm
C. Chest pain that improves with deep inspiration
D. Chest pain that is unrelieved by rest
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pericarditis is characterized by sharp, pleuritic chest pain that worsens when
lying flat and improves when sitting up and leaning forward. The pain is due to
inflammation of the pericardial sac. Substernal pain radiating to the left arm is more
characteristic of myocardial ischemia.
ASSESSMENT EXAM
COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
EXAM OVERVIEW
The RN VATI Adult Medical Surgical Assessment evaluates competency in:
• Cardiovascular Disorders – Heart failure, MI, hypertension, dysrhythmias
• Respiratory Disorders – COPD, pneumonia, asthma, pulmonary embolism
• Gastrointestinal Disorders – GI bleeding, pancreatitis, liver disease, cholecystitis
• Renal/Urinary Disorders – AKI, CKD, dialysis, pyelonephritis
• Endocrine Disorders – Diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders
• Neurological Disorders – Stroke, seizures, head injury, Parkinson's
• Musculoskeletal Disorders – Fractures, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis
• Hematological/Immune Disorders – Anemia, sickle cell, HIV/AIDS
• Perioperative Care – Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative
• Fluid/Electrolytes & Acid-Base – Imbalances and management
• Infectious Diseases – Prevention and treatment
• Pain Management & Palliative Care
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS (Questions
1–40)
,Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client with heart failure who has crackles in the lung bases,
jugular venous distention, and 3+ pitting edema in the lower extremities. Which of
the following dietary restrictions should the nurse reinforce?
A. Low-potassium diet
B. Low-sodium diet
C. Low-calcium diet
D. Low-phosphorus diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with heart failure require a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention
and decrease the workload on the heart. Sodium causes fluid retention, which
exacerbates heart failure symptoms such as crackles, JVD, and edema. Potassium,
calcium, and phosphorus restrictions are not typically indicated for heart failure.
Question 2
A client is 2 days postoperative following a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
The nurse notes new-onset atrial fibrillation on the cardiac monitor. Which of the
following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Digoxin
B. Amiodarone
C. Epinephrine
D. Norepinephrine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Amiodarone is a first-line antiarrhythmic for new-onset postoperative atrial
fibrillation. It helps convert the rhythm to sinus and controls the ventricular rate. Digoxin
may be used for rate control but is not first-line for acute conversion. Epinephrine and
norepinephrine are used for hemodynamic support, not for atrial fibrillation
management.
, Question 3
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has an implantable
cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Which of the following statements by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I can resume driving in about one week."
B. "I should avoid strong electromagnetic fields."
C. "I should inform all my healthcare providers about my ICD."
D. "I will carry my ICD identification card with me at all times."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with an ICD should not drive for at least 6 months or until cleared by
their cardiologist due to the risk of syncope or dysrhythmia. The other statements are
correct: avoiding electromagnetic fields, informing providers, and carrying identification
are all appropriate.
Question 4
A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which of the following findings is
most characteristic of this condition?
A. Pleuritic chest pain that worsens when lying flat
B. Substernal chest pain that radiates to the left arm
C. Chest pain that improves with deep inspiration
D. Chest pain that is unrelieved by rest
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pericarditis is characterized by sharp, pleuritic chest pain that worsens when
lying flat and improves when sitting up and leaning forward. The pain is due to
inflammation of the pericardial sac. Substernal pain radiating to the left arm is more
characteristic of myocardial ischemia.
