ATI Med-Surg Proctored Exam 2025 Edition:
Complete Questions with Clinical Reasoning and
Verified Answers
1 Cardiovascular (12 Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected myocardial infarction. Which
symptom is most indicative of this condition?
A. Chest pain radiating to the left arm B. Fever and chills C. Productive
cough D. Lower leg edema
Correct Answer: A. Chest pain radiating to the left arm
Rationale: Chest pain radiating to the left arm is a classic symptom of my-
ocardial infarction due to cardiac ischemia, often described as crushing or
pressure-like. Other options are less specific to this condition.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What should the nurse
monitor to prevent complications?
A. Serum potassium levels B. Blood glucose levels C. Serum albumin
levels D. Thyroid function tests
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium levels
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause hypokalemia, which
may lead to arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium is critical. Other options
are not directly affected by furosemide.
3. A client with atrial fibrillation is started on warfarin. What is the priority
teaching point?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables B. Increase fluid intake C. Limit physi-
cal activity D. Take medication in the morning
Correct Answer: A. Avoid green leafy vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which can inter-
fere with warfarin’s anticoagulant effect. Consistency in vitamin K intake
is key.
4. A nurse is caring for a client post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pulse oximetry of 95% B. Chest tube output of 200 mL/hr C. Temper-
ature of 99°F D. Mild incisional pain
Correct Answer: B. Chest tube output of 200 mL/hr
Rationale: Excessive chest tube drainage (>100–150 mL/hr) may indicate
bleeding, requiring urgent intervention. Other findings are within normal
post-op expectations.
5. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should
the nurse educate the client about?
A. Persistent dry cough B. Weight gain C. Constipation D. Increased
appetite
Correct Answer: A. Persistent dry cough
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly causes a dry cough due
to bradykinin accumulation. Other options are not typical side effects.
1
, 6. A client with peripheral artery disease reports leg pain during walking.
What is the nurse’s best recommendation?
A. Elevate legs above heart level B. Apply heating pads to legs C. En-
gage in a supervised walking program D. Avoid all physical activity
Correct Answer: C. Engage in a supervised walking program
Rationale: Supervised walking improves collateral circulation in periph-
eral artery disease, reducing claudication. Elevation or heat may worsen
symptoms, and inactivity is not beneficial.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerin for angina. What is the
priority assessment before administration?
A. Blood pressure B. Respiratory rate C. Temperature D. Blood glu-
cose
Correct Answer: A. Blood pressure
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension. Checking blood pressure
ensures safe administration. Other parameters are less critical.
8. A client with a pacemaker reports dizziness and palpitations. What should
the nurse assess first?
A. Pacemaker site infection B. Heart rate and rhythm C. Blood glucose
levels D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate and rhythm
Rationale: Dizziness and palpitations suggest pacemaker malfunction or
arrhythmia. Assessing heart rate and rhythm is the priority.
9. A client with endocarditis is receiving antibiotics. Which finding indicates
a complication?
A. Heart murmur B. Petechiae on the conjunctiva C. Stable blood pres-
sure D. Normal white blood cell count
Correct Answer: B. Petechiae on the conjunctiva
Rationale: Petechiae may indicate emboli or septic complications in endo-
carditis, requiring immediate attention. A murmur is expected, and other
options are not complications.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about digoxin toxicity. Which symptom should
the client report?
A. Increased energy B. Yellow-tinted vision C. Weight gain D. Im-
proved appetite
Correct Answer: B. Yellow-tinted vision
Rationale: Yellow-tinted vision (xanthopsia) is a classic sign of digoxin tox-
icity due to its effect on the optic nerve. Other options are not specific to
toxicity.
11. A client with deep vein thrombosis is on heparin. Which lab value should
the nurse monitor?
A. INR B. aPTT C. Platelet count D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin’s anticoagulant effect is monitored via aPTT to ensure
therapeutic levels. INR is used for warfarin, and other labs are less specific.
12. A client post-angioplasty reports severe chest pain. What is the nurse’s pri-
2
Complete Questions with Clinical Reasoning and
Verified Answers
1 Cardiovascular (12 Questions)
1. A nurse is assessing a client with suspected myocardial infarction. Which
symptom is most indicative of this condition?
A. Chest pain radiating to the left arm B. Fever and chills C. Productive
cough D. Lower leg edema
Correct Answer: A. Chest pain radiating to the left arm
Rationale: Chest pain radiating to the left arm is a classic symptom of my-
ocardial infarction due to cardiac ischemia, often described as crushing or
pressure-like. Other options are less specific to this condition.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What should the nurse
monitor to prevent complications?
A. Serum potassium levels B. Blood glucose levels C. Serum albumin
levels D. Thyroid function tests
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium levels
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause hypokalemia, which
may lead to arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium is critical. Other options
are not directly affected by furosemide.
3. A client with atrial fibrillation is started on warfarin. What is the priority
teaching point?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables B. Increase fluid intake C. Limit physi-
cal activity D. Take medication in the morning
Correct Answer: A. Avoid green leafy vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which can inter-
fere with warfarin’s anticoagulant effect. Consistency in vitamin K intake
is key.
4. A nurse is caring for a client post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).
Which finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Pulse oximetry of 95% B. Chest tube output of 200 mL/hr C. Temper-
ature of 99°F D. Mild incisional pain
Correct Answer: B. Chest tube output of 200 mL/hr
Rationale: Excessive chest tube drainage (>100–150 mL/hr) may indicate
bleeding, requiring urgent intervention. Other findings are within normal
post-op expectations.
5. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should
the nurse educate the client about?
A. Persistent dry cough B. Weight gain C. Constipation D. Increased
appetite
Correct Answer: A. Persistent dry cough
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly causes a dry cough due
to bradykinin accumulation. Other options are not typical side effects.
1
, 6. A client with peripheral artery disease reports leg pain during walking.
What is the nurse’s best recommendation?
A. Elevate legs above heart level B. Apply heating pads to legs C. En-
gage in a supervised walking program D. Avoid all physical activity
Correct Answer: C. Engage in a supervised walking program
Rationale: Supervised walking improves collateral circulation in periph-
eral artery disease, reducing claudication. Elevation or heat may worsen
symptoms, and inactivity is not beneficial.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer nitroglycerin for angina. What is the
priority assessment before administration?
A. Blood pressure B. Respiratory rate C. Temperature D. Blood glu-
cose
Correct Answer: A. Blood pressure
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension. Checking blood pressure
ensures safe administration. Other parameters are less critical.
8. A client with a pacemaker reports dizziness and palpitations. What should
the nurse assess first?
A. Pacemaker site infection B. Heart rate and rhythm C. Blood glucose
levels D. Oxygen saturation
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate and rhythm
Rationale: Dizziness and palpitations suggest pacemaker malfunction or
arrhythmia. Assessing heart rate and rhythm is the priority.
9. A client with endocarditis is receiving antibiotics. Which finding indicates
a complication?
A. Heart murmur B. Petechiae on the conjunctiva C. Stable blood pres-
sure D. Normal white blood cell count
Correct Answer: B. Petechiae on the conjunctiva
Rationale: Petechiae may indicate emboli or septic complications in endo-
carditis, requiring immediate attention. A murmur is expected, and other
options are not complications.
10. A nurse is teaching a client about digoxin toxicity. Which symptom should
the client report?
A. Increased energy B. Yellow-tinted vision C. Weight gain D. Im-
proved appetite
Correct Answer: B. Yellow-tinted vision
Rationale: Yellow-tinted vision (xanthopsia) is a classic sign of digoxin tox-
icity due to its effect on the optic nerve. Other options are not specific to
toxicity.
11. A client with deep vein thrombosis is on heparin. Which lab value should
the nurse monitor?
A. INR B. aPTT C. Platelet count D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin’s anticoagulant effect is monitored via aPTT to ensure
therapeutic levels. INR is used for warfarin, and other labs are less specific.
12. A client post-angioplasty reports severe chest pain. What is the nurse’s pri-
2
