ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice
Questions
Respiratory System
1. A client with acute asthma exacerbation is wheezing and has a respiratory
rate of 28 breaths/min. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen.
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises.
C. Position the client supine.
D. Administer a loop diuretic.
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports in-
creased dyspnea. The oxygen saturation is 88
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min via nasal cannula.
B. Assess lung sounds and respiratory effort.
C. Administer a rescue inhaler.
D. Prepare for intubation.
3. A client with pneumonia has a fever of 101.8°F and productive cough. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Crackles in the right lower lobe.
B. Heart rate of 92 beats/min.
C. Confusion and disorientation.
D. White blood cell count of 12,000/mm³.
4. A client post-thoracentesis reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What
should the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumothorax.
B. Pulmonary edema.
C. Bronchospasm.
D. Pleural effusion recurrence.
5. A client with tuberculosis is started on isoniazid and rifampin. What should
the nurse include in teaching?
A. Take medications on an empty stomach.
B. Expect blue-tinted urine.
C. Avoid sunlight exposure.
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, D. Limit fluid intake.
6. A client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical
ventilation. Which ventilator setting should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Tidal volume.
B. Respiratory rate.
C. Inspiratory flow rate.
D. Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2).
7. A client with a tracheostomy is coughing up thick secretions. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Suction the tracheostomy tube.
B. Change the tracheostomy dressing.
C. Administer a bronchodilator.
D. Increase humidification.
8. A client with pulmonary embolism reports sudden shortness of breath.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Heparin.
B. Furosemide.
C. Albuterol.
D. Prednisone.
9. A client with COPD is prescribed pursed-lip breathing. What is the purpose
of this technique?
A. Increase oxygen saturation.
B. Prolong exhalation to reduce air trapping.
C. Strengthen diaphragmatic muscles.
D. Clear mucus from airways.
10. A client post-lobectomy has a chest tube with continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber. What should the nurse do?
A. Check for an air leak.
B. Clamp the chest tube.
C. Increase suction pressure.
D. Notify the respiratory therapist.
2
, Cardiac System
1. A client with myocardial infarction reports chest pain. The ECG shows ST
elevation. What should the nurse prepare for?
A. Percutaneous coronary intervention.
B. Administration of digoxin.
C. Fluid bolus infusion.
D. Defibrillation.
2. A client with heart failure has bilateral crackles and 2+ pedal edema. Which
medication should the nurse administer?
A. Furosemide.
B. Metoprolol.
C. Nitroglycerin.
D. Aspirin.
3. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. What should the
nurse monitor?
A. International normalized ratio (INR).
B. Platelet count.
C. Blood glucose.
D. Serum potassium.
4. A client post-cardiac catheterization reports pain at the insertion site and
a cool foot. What should the nurse do first?
A. Assess pedal pulses.
B. Apply a warm compress.
C. Elevate the leg.
D. Administer pain medication.
5. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What should the nurse
teach the client?
A. Report a persistent dry cough.
B. Take the medication at bedtime.
C. Increase sodium intake.
D. Expect weight gain.
6. A client with chest pain is given nitroglycerin sublingually. When should
the nurse administer a second dose?
A. If pain persists after 5 minutes.
3
Questions
Respiratory System
1. A client with acute asthma exacerbation is wheezing and has a respiratory
rate of 28 breaths/min. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer supplemental oxygen.
B. Encourage deep breathing exercises.
C. Position the client supine.
D. Administer a loop diuretic.
2. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports in-
creased dyspnea. The oxygen saturation is 88
A. Increase oxygen to 4 L/min via nasal cannula.
B. Assess lung sounds and respiratory effort.
C. Administer a rescue inhaler.
D. Prepare for intubation.
3. A client with pneumonia has a fever of 101.8°F and productive cough. Which
finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Crackles in the right lower lobe.
B. Heart rate of 92 beats/min.
C. Confusion and disorientation.
D. White blood cell count of 12,000/mm³.
4. A client post-thoracentesis reports sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What
should the nurse suspect?
A. Pneumothorax.
B. Pulmonary edema.
C. Bronchospasm.
D. Pleural effusion recurrence.
5. A client with tuberculosis is started on isoniazid and rifampin. What should
the nurse include in teaching?
A. Take medications on an empty stomach.
B. Expect blue-tinted urine.
C. Avoid sunlight exposure.
1
, D. Limit fluid intake.
6. A client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is on mechanical
ventilation. Which ventilator setting should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Tidal volume.
B. Respiratory rate.
C. Inspiratory flow rate.
D. Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2).
7. A client with a tracheostomy is coughing up thick secretions. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Suction the tracheostomy tube.
B. Change the tracheostomy dressing.
C. Administer a bronchodilator.
D. Increase humidification.
8. A client with pulmonary embolism reports sudden shortness of breath.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Heparin.
B. Furosemide.
C. Albuterol.
D. Prednisone.
9. A client with COPD is prescribed pursed-lip breathing. What is the purpose
of this technique?
A. Increase oxygen saturation.
B. Prolong exhalation to reduce air trapping.
C. Strengthen diaphragmatic muscles.
D. Clear mucus from airways.
10. A client post-lobectomy has a chest tube with continuous bubbling in the
water seal chamber. What should the nurse do?
A. Check for an air leak.
B. Clamp the chest tube.
C. Increase suction pressure.
D. Notify the respiratory therapist.
2
, Cardiac System
1. A client with myocardial infarction reports chest pain. The ECG shows ST
elevation. What should the nurse prepare for?
A. Percutaneous coronary intervention.
B. Administration of digoxin.
C. Fluid bolus infusion.
D. Defibrillation.
2. A client with heart failure has bilateral crackles and 2+ pedal edema. Which
medication should the nurse administer?
A. Furosemide.
B. Metoprolol.
C. Nitroglycerin.
D. Aspirin.
3. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. What should the
nurse monitor?
A. International normalized ratio (INR).
B. Platelet count.
C. Blood glucose.
D. Serum potassium.
4. A client post-cardiac catheterization reports pain at the insertion site and
a cool foot. What should the nurse do first?
A. Assess pedal pulses.
B. Apply a warm compress.
C. Elevate the leg.
D. Administer pain medication.
5. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. What should the nurse
teach the client?
A. Report a persistent dry cough.
B. Take the medication at bedtime.
C. Increase sodium intake.
D. Expect weight gain.
6. A client with chest pain is given nitroglycerin sublingually. When should
the nurse administer a second dose?
A. If pain persists after 5 minutes.
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