ATI RN
health assessment practice questions nursing Questions
Question 1 of 5
When a light is directed across the iris of the eye from the temporal side, the examiner is assessing for:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: the presence of shadows, which may indicate glaucoma. When a light is directed across the iris from the temporal side, it helps in evaluating the presence of shadows in the anterior chamber angle, which can suggest a narrow or closed angle glaucoma. This technique is known as transillumination test and is important in detecting potential glaucoma cases.
A: Drainage from dacryocystitis is incorrect as it is typically assessed by pressing on the lacrimal sac area to observe for discharge.
B: Conjunctivitis over the iris is incorrect as conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, not the iris.
D: A scattered light reflex indicative of cataracts is incorrect as cataracts cause clouding of the lens, not scattering of light across the iris.
Question 2 of 5
A 17-year-old student is a swimmer on her high school's swim team. She has had three bouts of otitis externa so far this season and wants to know how to prevent it. The nurse instructs her to:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
1. Rubbing alcohol or 2% acetic acid eardrops help to maintain the pH balance in the ear canal, making it less conducive to bacterial growth.
2. These eardrops also help to dry out excess moisture, reducing the risk of otitis externa.
3. By using these eardrops after every swim, the student can prevent the recurrence of otitis externa.
Summary of other choices:
A: Using a cotton-tipped swab can push wax deeper into the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection.
C: Irrigating the ears can introduce water into the ear canal, potentially worsening the condition.
D: Mineral oil and hydrogen peroxide can be harsh on the delicate skin of the ear canal, causing irritation.
Question 3 of 5
During an examination of a 3-year-old child, the nurse notes a bruit over the left temporal area. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a bruit in a 3-year-old child, especially over the temporal area, is not a normal finding and could indicate a serious underlying issue such as an arteriovenous malformation or other vascular abnormality. Stopping the examination and notifying the physician is crucial for further evaluation and management.
A: Continuing the examination is not appropriate as the bruit should prompt further investigation.
B: Checking again in 1 hour is unnecessary delay in addressing a potentially serious issue.
C: Notifying the parents alone without medical intervention may delay necessary evaluation and treatment.
Question 4 of 5
The physician has diagnosed a tracheal shift in a patient. The nurse is aware that this means that the patient's trachea is:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because tracheal shift due to thyroid enlargement occurs when the thyroid gland enlarges and displaces the trachea to the opposite side. This is a common clinical finding in conditions like a goiter. Other choices are incorrect because: A is incorrect as tracheal shift is not related to systole; B is incorrect as tracheal shift is typically caused by a mass pushing the trachea; C is incorrect as pleural adhesions don't typically cause tracheal shift.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient with a history of intravenous drug abuse. While assessing his mouth, the nurse notices a dark red confluent macule on the hard palate. This could be an early sign of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The dark red confluent macule on the hard palate is known as Kaposi's sarcoma, a common manifestation of AIDS. This lesion is caused by Human Herpesvirus 8 and is often seen in patients with compromised immune systems. Measles (
B) typically presents with a rash, not a dark red macule. Leukemia (
C) does not typically manifest as a dark red macule in the mouth. Carcinoma (
D) refers to cancer and would present differently than Kaposi's sarcoma. In summary, the presence of a dark red confluent macule on the hard palate in a patient with a history of intravenous drug abuse is highly suggestive of AIDS, specifically Kaposi's sarcoma.