1|Page
ATI CRITICAL CARE PROCTORED EXAM
V2 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
1. A client is in cardiogenic shock. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Furosemide
B. Nitroprusside
C. Dobutamine
D. Lisinopril
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dobutamine is an inotropic agent that improves cardiac output by
increasing myocardial contractility, which is beneficial in cardiogenic shock where
the heart's pump function is impaired. Furosemide reduces preload, nitroprusside
reduces afterload, and lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor not used acutely in shock .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Which action should the nurse take?
,2|Page
A. Keep the client in a supine position
B. Maintain the head of the bed at 30 degrees
C. Encourage frequent coughing
D. Suction the airway every 1 hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees promotes venous drainage
from the head and decreases ICP. Supine positioning, coughing, and unnecessary
suctioning can all increase ICP .
3. A patient presents with substernal chest pain. The 12-lead ECG shows ST-
segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which coronary artery is most likely
occluded, and which complication should the nurse anticipate?
A. Left Anterior Descending (LAD); Cardiogenic Shock
B. Right Coronary Artery (RCA); Bradycardia and Heart Blocks
C. Circumflex Artery; Lateral wall rupture
D. Left Main Coronary Artery; Pulmonary Embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leads II, III, and aVF view the inferior wall of the heart, which is
supplied by the Right Coronary Artery (RCA). The RCA also supplies blood to the
, 3|Page
SA and AV nodes, so inferior MIs are associated with bradycardia and AV heart
blocks. Avoid nitroglycerin if the patient is preload-dependent .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-op following a thoracotomy and has a
chest tube. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. 100 mL of sanguineous drainage in the first hour
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Tidaling with respirations
D. Chest tube secured with tape
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in
the system, which requires immediate assessment and intervention. Tidaling
(fluctuation) with respirations is expected .
5. A client with severe hyperkalemia has peaked T waves on the ECG. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering first to stabilize the cardiac
membrane?
A. Insulin with glucose
B. Calcium gluconate
ATI CRITICAL CARE PROCTORED EXAM
V2 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS
1. A client is in cardiogenic shock. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Furosemide
B. Nitroprusside
C. Dobutamine
D. Lisinopril
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dobutamine is an inotropic agent that improves cardiac output by
increasing myocardial contractility, which is beneficial in cardiogenic shock where
the heart's pump function is impaired. Furosemide reduces preload, nitroprusside
reduces afterload, and lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor not used acutely in shock .
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Which action should the nurse take?
,2|Page
A. Keep the client in a supine position
B. Maintain the head of the bed at 30 degrees
C. Encourage frequent coughing
D. Suction the airway every 1 hour
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees promotes venous drainage
from the head and decreases ICP. Supine positioning, coughing, and unnecessary
suctioning can all increase ICP .
3. A patient presents with substernal chest pain. The 12-lead ECG shows ST-
segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which coronary artery is most likely
occluded, and which complication should the nurse anticipate?
A. Left Anterior Descending (LAD); Cardiogenic Shock
B. Right Coronary Artery (RCA); Bradycardia and Heart Blocks
C. Circumflex Artery; Lateral wall rupture
D. Left Main Coronary Artery; Pulmonary Embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Leads II, III, and aVF view the inferior wall of the heart, which is
supplied by the Right Coronary Artery (RCA). The RCA also supplies blood to the
, 3|Page
SA and AV nodes, so inferior MIs are associated with bradycardia and AV heart
blocks. Avoid nitroglycerin if the patient is preload-dependent .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is post-op following a thoracotomy and has a
chest tube. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. 100 mL of sanguineous drainage in the first hour
B. Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber
C. Tidaling with respirations
D. Chest tube secured with tape
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber indicates an air leak in
the system, which requires immediate assessment and intervention. Tidaling
(fluctuation) with respirations is expected .
5. A client with severe hyperkalemia has peaked T waves on the ECG. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate administering first to stabilize the cardiac
membrane?
A. Insulin with glucose
B. Calcium gluconate
