ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Practice Exam

Free ATI Adult Medical-Surgical Sample Questions with Rationales

Try these 3 practice questions written by NursingPlex. The correct answer and rationale are shown under each one.

1. 1. A client with heart failure gained 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) overnight. What should the nurse do first?

   1. A. Encourage oral fluids
   2. B. Assess lung sounds and edema ✓
   3. C. Ambulate the client in the hall
   4. D. Document as an expected finding

   Rationale: Rapid weight gain suggests fluid retention. The nurse first assesses for crackles, dyspnea and edema, then notifies the provider. Encouraging fluids would worsen overload.

2. 2. A client's potassium is 6.2 mEq/L. Which ECG change should the nurse expect?

   1. A. Tall, peaked T waves ✓
   2. B. Prominent U waves
   3. C. Flattened T waves
   4. D. Prolonged QT from low calcium

   Rationale: Hyperkalemia (normal 3.5–5.0 mEq/L) causes tall, peaked T waves and can progress to dangerous dysrhythmias. U waves and flattened T waves point to hypokalemia.

3. 3. A client with type 1 diabetes is sweaty, shaky and has a glucose of 58 mg/dL. The client is alert. What should the nurse give?

   1. A. Regular insulin
   2. B. 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate ✓
   3. C. A high-protein snack only
   4. D. IV dextrose 50% right away

   Rationale: For an alert client who can swallow, give 15 g of simple carbohydrate and recheck glucose in 15 minutes. IV dextrose is for clients who cannot take food by mouth.