ATI PN Medical-Surgical Proctored Exam 2023
What's inside
- 94 original practice questions aligned to the 2023 Medical-Surgical content outline, scoped to PN/VN practice responsibilities.
- Predominantly classic four-option multiple choice, with a smaller number of select-all-that-apply items.
- A full rationale for every answer, in a separate answer key so you can self-test first.
- Coverage of major adult health conditions at the PN/VN scope: cardiovascular & respiratory care, endocrine & metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal & renal care, musculoskeletal & neurological care, and perioperative & wound care.
- Printable PDF — keep it forever, study offline.
Who it's for
PN or VN students whose program has assigned the 2023 version of the ATI Medical-Surgical content mastery exam, or anyone who wants a timed, exam-length practice run before test day. Taking the 2026 version instead? Use the 2026 exam.
Content note
Trademark disclaimer. This site operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC (ATI). Any reference to ATI or ATI proctored exams is used only to identify the subject matter our original study guides are intended to help students review — these are not reproductions of ATI's proprietary exam content.
What the 2023 ATI PN/VN Medical-Surgical proctored exam covers
ATI organizes Medical-Surgical around major adult health conditions, scoped to what a PN/VN performs and reports. Our 94-question practice exam distributes questions across them in a similar proportion to what you'll see on test day. The 2023 series is predominantly classic four-option multiple choice with a smaller number of select-all-that-apply items, and our 2023 exam matches that mix.
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Care
Expect questions on heart failure, MI, dysrhythmia recognition, oxygen therapy, and COPD/asthma management at the PN/VN scope. A PN/VN monitors vital signs and oxygen saturation, reports significant changes, and performs routine interventions like positioning and oxygen delivery — but titrating vasoactive drips or interpreting new dysrhythmias for treatment decisions is RN- or provider-level judgment. Know which cardiac and respiratory findings require an immediate report versus routine documentation.
Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders
Diabetes management (insulin administration, hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia recognition, foot care teaching) and thyroid disorders are common here. PN/VN items focus heavily on recognizing signs of hypoglycemia versus hyperglycemia and knowing the immediate action (usually a fast-acting carbohydrate) rather than adjusting insulin regimens, which stays with the RN or provider.
Gastrointestinal & Renal Care
This domain covers GI bleeding, bowel obstruction, ostomy care, and renal failure/dialysis basics. Expect intake-and-output tracking, NPO status, and routine ostomy or catheter care questions — tasks well within PN/VN scope — alongside items that test when an abnormal finding (like sudden decreased urine output) needs to be reported up rather than managed independently.
Musculoskeletal & Neurological Care
Fractures, joint replacements, stroke, and neuro checks show up frequently. PN/VN questions often test proper positioning, cast/traction care, and basic neuro assessment (LOC, pupil checks, grip strength) as data collection — with escalation to the RN when findings suggest a new or worsening neurological deficit.
Perioperative & Wound Care
Pre- and post-operative teaching, dressing changes, wound assessment, and infection signs make up a large share of Medical-Surgical content. These are hands-on, procedural items with a clear correct sequence or precaution level, making them efficient points to lock in with focused review of aseptic technique and post-op complication recognition (e.g., signs of DVT, atelectasis, or wound dehiscence).
Sample questions from the 2023 PN/VN Medical-Surgical exam
Rationale: A blood glucose of 58 mg/dL with symptoms indicates hypoglycemia, which requires immediate treatment with a fast-acting carbohydrate. Giving insulin would worsen the hypoglycemia. Rechecking without treating first delays needed care, and adjusting insulin orders is outside PN/VN scope.
Rationale: Calf pain, warmth, and redness suggest a possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious post-operative complication that requires prompt RN notification. Applying heat or encouraging ambulation could dislodge a clot, and delaying reassessment risks missing a time-sensitive complication.
Rationale: Absent bowel sounds with distention suggests postoperative ileus, which requires RN and provider notification along with keeping the client NPO to prevent aspiration and further bowel distention. Giving food, delaying reassessment, or adjusting IV rates independently are not within PN/VN scope for this finding.
ATI PN/VN Medical-Surgical 2023 exam FAQ
How is the 2023 exam different from the 2026 exam?
The 2023 series uses the earlier Medical-Surgical blueprint and is mostly classic multiple choice plus select-all-that-apply. Programs that moved to the newer series should use the 2026 exam, which adds NGN-style case studies and extended multiple response items.
How many questions are on the ATI PN/VN Medical-Surgical 2023 proctored exam?
ATI's official exam length varies by program, so a 94-question practice exam gives you a realistic full-length run covering the major adult health content areas. Your program sets the exact count and time limit — check your syllabus.
Which version does my school use?
Ask your instructor or check the assessment name inside your ATI account — the series year is shown on the assessment card. Not sure yet? Compare it against the 2026 exam details on this site.
Is this the actual ATI 2023 exam?
No. This is an independent, original practice exam written to cover the same content areas and question style as ATI's 2023 PN/VN Medical-Surgical content-mastery exam. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a reproduction of Assessment Technologies Institute's proprietary exam content.
Should I also get the Medical-Surgical Study Guide?
The ATI PN Medical-Surgical Study Guide is the broad content review; this 94-question exam is the timed dress rehearsal. Most students do the study guide first, then sit the exam a few days before test day.
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