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Comprehensive ATI Medical-Surgical (Adult Health) Proctored Exam
Forms A, B, C & Retake (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) |
GUARANTEED PASS A+ [2026-2027]
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has COPD with chronic
hypercapnia. Which oxygen prescription should the nurse
question?
A. 1 L/min via nasal cannula
B. 2 L/min via nasal cannula
C. 6 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Venturi mask at 24%
Answer: C
Rationale: High-flow oxygen (e.g., 6 L/min) can suppress the hypoxic drive in COPD, causing
CO₂ retention and respiratory depression. Low-flow or precise FiO₂ delivery is safest.
2. A client with heart failure is taking furosemide. Which lab
value should the nurse report immediately?
A. K⁺ 2.9 mEq/L
B. Na⁺ 140 mEq/L
C. BUN 18 mg/dL
D. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia is a dangerous adverse effect of loop diuretics and increases the risk of
dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse assesses a client with pneumonia who has
crackles, productive cough, and fever. Which is the priority?
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Check oxygen saturation
C. Provide oral hygiene
D. Administer acetaminophen
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation take priority in pneumonia.
4. A client with a new AV fistula for hemodialysis asks how
to protect it. Which instruction is correct?
A. “Use this arm for blood pressure checks only.”
B. “Report absence of a thrill immediately.”
C. “You may lift up to 20 lb with this arm.”
D. “Sleep on the arm with the fistula.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of thrill or bruit indicates loss of patency—an emergency.
5. A nurse gives 2 units PRBCs. The client develops chills
and low back pain. First action?
A. Stop the infusion
B. Notify provider
C. Administer diphenhydramine
D. Flush line with NS
Answer: A
Rationale: Stop the transfusion immediately for suspected hemolytic reaction.
6. Which finding indicates improvement in a client receiving
treatment for DKA?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Blood glucose 550 mg/dL
C. Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L
D. Fruity breath odor
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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Answer: C
Rationale: Normalizing bicarbonate indicates resolving metabolic acidosis.
7. A nurse provides teaching for a client on warfarin. Which
food should the client limit?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Grapefruit
D. Cheese
Answer: B
Rationale: Foods high in vitamin K can reduce warfarin effectiveness.
8. A client with pancreatitis has severe abdominal pain.
Which intervention has priority?
A. Insert NG tube
B. Offer clear liquids
C. Place the client NPO
D. Administer laxatives
Answer: C
Rationale: NPO decreases pancreatic stimulation, reducing pain and inflammation.
9. A nurse cares for a client post-thyroidectomy. Which
finding is priority?
A. Hoarse voice
B. Tachycardia
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Chvostek sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing may indicate airway obstruction from edema or hemorrhage.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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10. A client with iron-deficiency anemia is prescribed
ferrous sulfate. Best teaching?
A. “Take with milk to prevent stomach upset.”
B. “Take with orange juice.”
C. “You may crush the tablet.”
D. “Expect dark tarry stools and report immediately.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
11. Which indicates fluid overload?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Crackles in lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles indicate excess fluid.
12. Client with cirrhosis—priority finding?
A. Spider angiomas
B. Elevated AST
C. Confusion
D. Ascites
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion can indicate hepatic encephalopathy from rising ammonia—life-
threatening.
13. Nurse teaching for alendronate. Which statement shows
understanding?
A. “I will take it before bed.”
B. “I should sit upright for 30 minutes after taking it.”
2026 2027 GRADED A+
Comprehensive ATI Medical-Surgical (Adult Health) Proctored Exam
Forms A, B, C & Retake (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS) |
GUARANTEED PASS A+ [2026-2027]
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has COPD with chronic
hypercapnia. Which oxygen prescription should the nurse
question?
A. 1 L/min via nasal cannula
B. 2 L/min via nasal cannula
C. 6 L/min via nasal cannula
D. Venturi mask at 24%
Answer: C
Rationale: High-flow oxygen (e.g., 6 L/min) can suppress the hypoxic drive in COPD, causing
CO₂ retention and respiratory depression. Low-flow or precise FiO₂ delivery is safest.
2. A client with heart failure is taking furosemide. Which lab
value should the nurse report immediately?
A. K⁺ 2.9 mEq/L
B. Na⁺ 140 mEq/L
C. BUN 18 mg/dL
D. Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia is a dangerous adverse effect of loop diuretics and increases the risk of
dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse assesses a client with pneumonia who has
crackles, productive cough, and fever. Which is the priority?
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
A. Encourage fluid intake
B. Check oxygen saturation
C. Provide oral hygiene
D. Administer acetaminophen
Answer: B
Rationale: Airway and oxygenation take priority in pneumonia.
4. A client with a new AV fistula for hemodialysis asks how
to protect it. Which instruction is correct?
A. “Use this arm for blood pressure checks only.”
B. “Report absence of a thrill immediately.”
C. “You may lift up to 20 lb with this arm.”
D. “Sleep on the arm with the fistula.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of thrill or bruit indicates loss of patency—an emergency.
5. A nurse gives 2 units PRBCs. The client develops chills
and low back pain. First action?
A. Stop the infusion
B. Notify provider
C. Administer diphenhydramine
D. Flush line with NS
Answer: A
Rationale: Stop the transfusion immediately for suspected hemolytic reaction.
6. Which finding indicates improvement in a client receiving
treatment for DKA?
A. Kussmaul respirations
B. Blood glucose 550 mg/dL
C. Serum bicarbonate 20 mEq/L
D. Fruity breath odor
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
Answer: C
Rationale: Normalizing bicarbonate indicates resolving metabolic acidosis.
7. A nurse provides teaching for a client on warfarin. Which
food should the client limit?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Grapefruit
D. Cheese
Answer: B
Rationale: Foods high in vitamin K can reduce warfarin effectiveness.
8. A client with pancreatitis has severe abdominal pain.
Which intervention has priority?
A. Insert NG tube
B. Offer clear liquids
C. Place the client NPO
D. Administer laxatives
Answer: C
Rationale: NPO decreases pancreatic stimulation, reducing pain and inflammation.
9. A nurse cares for a client post-thyroidectomy. Which
finding is priority?
A. Hoarse voice
B. Tachycardia
C. Difficulty swallowing
D. Chvostek sign
Answer: C
Rationale: Difficulty swallowing may indicate airway obstruction from edema or hemorrhage.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
10. A client with iron-deficiency anemia is prescribed
ferrous sulfate. Best teaching?
A. “Take with milk to prevent stomach upset.”
B. “Take with orange juice.”
C. “You may crush the tablet.”
D. “Expect dark tarry stools and report immediately.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Vitamin C increases iron absorption.
11. Which indicates fluid overload?
A. Flat neck veins
B. Hypotension
C. Weight loss
D. Crackles in lungs
Answer: D
Rationale: Pulmonary crackles indicate excess fluid.
12. Client with cirrhosis—priority finding?
A. Spider angiomas
B. Elevated AST
C. Confusion
D. Ascites
Answer: C
Rationale: Confusion can indicate hepatic encephalopathy from rising ammonia—life-
threatening.
13. Nurse teaching for alendronate. Which statement shows
understanding?
A. “I will take it before bed.”
B. “I should sit upright for 30 minutes after taking it.”
2026 2027 GRADED A+
