ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing Assessment: 100% Graded
A+ Multiple-Choice Questions for Proctored Exam Suc-
cess
Below are 80 original, non-repeating, NCLEX-style multiple-choice questions for
the ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing proctored exam, covering body systems, pa-
tient care plans, clinical safety, laboratory values, and post-operative care. Each
question includes four answer choices (A–D) with one correct answer.
Question 1: A 68-year-old patient with acute myocardial infarction reports chest pain
radiating to the left arm. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
B. Encourage the patient to ambulate.
C. Provide a high-fat meal.
D. Restrict all fluid intake.
Question 2: A patient with heart failure has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which med-
ication should the nurse anticipate?
A. Spironolactone
B. Kayexalate
C. Lisinopril
D. Metoprolol
Question 3: A 55-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which
teaching should the nurse provide?
A. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake.
B. Increase green leafy vegetable consumption.
C. Avoid all physical activity.
D. Take the medication at bedtime only.
Question 4: A patient post-percutaneous coronary intervention reports groin pain at
the catheter site. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress.
B. Assess for hematoma formation.
C. Encourage early ambulation.
D. Administer an analgesic.
Question 5: A 62-year-old patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide.
Which electrolyte should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum sodium
1
, B. Serum calcium
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum magnesium
Question 6: A patient with cardiogenic shock has a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg. Which
intervention should the nurse expect?
A. Administer dopamine IV.
B. Increase oral fluid intake.
C. Apply anti-embolic stockings.
D. Encourage deep breathing.
Question 7: A 70-year-old patient post-aortic valve replacement reports dyspnea. Which
finding requires immediate action?
A. Heart rate of 88 bpm
B. Crackles in bilateral lung bases
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D. Clear lung sounds
Question 8: A patient with peripheral artery disease reports claudication. Which inter-
vention should the nurse recommend?
A. Elevate legs above heart level.
B. Initiate a walking program.
C. Apply cold packs to legs.
D. Restrict all activity.
Question 9: A 58-year-old patient with endocarditis has a temperature of 101.2°F. Which
diagnostic test should the nurse prepare for?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Blood cultures
C. Serum creatinine
D. Electrocardiogram
Question 10: A patient with heart failure reports a dry cough. Which medication is likely
responsible?
A. Furosemide
B. Lisinopril
C. Digoxin
D. Carvedilol
2
, Question 11: A 65-year-old patient with angina is prescribed nitroglycerin. Which side
effect should the nurse teach the patient to expect?
A. Hypertension
B. Headache
C. Bradycardia
D. Weight gain
Question 12: A patient post-cardiac catheterization has a weak pedal pulse. Which ac-
tion should the nurse take first?
A. Elevate the affected leg.
B. Notify the healthcare provider.
C. Apply a heating pad.
D. Encourage ambulation.
Question 13: A 60-year-old patient with COPD reports increased sputum production. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer a loop diuretic.
B. Teach pursed-lip breathing.
C. Restrict fluid intake.
D. Encourage supine positioning.
Question 14: A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 88
A. Encourage coughing.
B. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
C. Restrict all fluids.
D. Administer an antipyretic.
Question 15: A 50-year-old patient with asthma reports wheezing. Which medication
should the nurse prepare?
A. Albuterol
B. Prednisone
C. Montelukast
D. Ipratropium
Question 16: A patient with pulmonary embolism is prescribed heparin. Which labora-
tory value should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
3
A+ Multiple-Choice Questions for Proctored Exam Suc-
cess
Below are 80 original, non-repeating, NCLEX-style multiple-choice questions for
the ATI Medical-Surgical Nursing proctored exam, covering body systems, pa-
tient care plans, clinical safety, laboratory values, and post-operative care. Each
question includes four answer choices (A–D) with one correct answer.
Question 1: A 68-year-old patient with acute myocardial infarction reports chest pain
radiating to the left arm. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula.
B. Encourage the patient to ambulate.
C. Provide a high-fat meal.
D. Restrict all fluid intake.
Question 2: A patient with heart failure has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which med-
ication should the nurse anticipate?
A. Spironolactone
B. Kayexalate
C. Lisinopril
D. Metoprolol
Question 3: A 55-year-old patient with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which
teaching should the nurse provide?
A. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake.
B. Increase green leafy vegetable consumption.
C. Avoid all physical activity.
D. Take the medication at bedtime only.
Question 4: A patient post-percutaneous coronary intervention reports groin pain at
the catheter site. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Apply a warm compress.
B. Assess for hematoma formation.
C. Encourage early ambulation.
D. Administer an analgesic.
Question 5: A 62-year-old patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide.
Which electrolyte should the nurse monitor?
A. Serum sodium
1
, B. Serum calcium
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum magnesium
Question 6: A patient with cardiogenic shock has a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg. Which
intervention should the nurse expect?
A. Administer dopamine IV.
B. Increase oral fluid intake.
C. Apply anti-embolic stockings.
D. Encourage deep breathing.
Question 7: A 70-year-old patient post-aortic valve replacement reports dyspnea. Which
finding requires immediate action?
A. Heart rate of 88 bpm
B. Crackles in bilateral lung bases
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
D. Clear lung sounds
Question 8: A patient with peripheral artery disease reports claudication. Which inter-
vention should the nurse recommend?
A. Elevate legs above heart level.
B. Initiate a walking program.
C. Apply cold packs to legs.
D. Restrict all activity.
Question 9: A 58-year-old patient with endocarditis has a temperature of 101.2°F. Which
diagnostic test should the nurse prepare for?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Blood cultures
C. Serum creatinine
D. Electrocardiogram
Question 10: A patient with heart failure reports a dry cough. Which medication is likely
responsible?
A. Furosemide
B. Lisinopril
C. Digoxin
D. Carvedilol
2
, Question 11: A 65-year-old patient with angina is prescribed nitroglycerin. Which side
effect should the nurse teach the patient to expect?
A. Hypertension
B. Headache
C. Bradycardia
D. Weight gain
Question 12: A patient post-cardiac catheterization has a weak pedal pulse. Which ac-
tion should the nurse take first?
A. Elevate the affected leg.
B. Notify the healthcare provider.
C. Apply a heating pad.
D. Encourage ambulation.
Question 13: A 60-year-old patient with COPD reports increased sputum production. Which
intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A. Administer a loop diuretic.
B. Teach pursed-lip breathing.
C. Restrict fluid intake.
D. Encourage supine positioning.
Question 14: A patient with pneumonia has an oxygen saturation of 88
A. Encourage coughing.
B. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
C. Restrict all fluids.
D. Administer an antipyretic.
Question 15: A 50-year-old patient with asthma reports wheezing. Which medication
should the nurse prepare?
A. Albuterol
B. Prednisone
C. Montelukast
D. Ipratropium
Question 16: A patient with pulmonary embolism is prescribed heparin. Which labora-
tory value should the nurse monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
3
