ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 9
A 23-year-old woman comes to the free clinic stating I think I have a lump in my breast. Do I have cancer? The nurse instructs the patient that a diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed by what?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mammography. Mammography is the gold standard for diagnosing breast cancer as it can detect abnormalities such as lumps or tumors in the breast tissue. It provides detailed images that can help healthcare providers identify suspicious areas that may require further testing or biopsy. Supervised breast self-examination (choice A) is important for early detection but is not a diagnostic tool. Fine-needle aspiration (choice C) is a procedure used to obtain a sample of cells for further analysis but is not definitive for diagnosing breast cancer. Chest x-ray (choice D) is used to evaluate the lungs and heart, not the breast tissue for cancer.
Question 2 of 9
Which of the following nursing interventions would most likely facilitate effective communication with a hearing-impaired patient?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Reduce environmental noise and distractions before communicating. This intervention is most likely to facilitate effective communication with a hearing-impaired patient because it creates an optimal environment for the patient to better focus on the communication. By reducing noise and distractions, the patient can more easily concentrate on the conversation and lip reading, if needed. This approach demonstrates sensitivity to the patient's needs and enhances the chances of successful communication. The other choices are incorrect because: A: Asking the patient to repeat what was said may cause frustration and does not address the environmental factors that can hinder communication. B: Standing directly in front of the patient to facilitate lip reading may help, but it does not address the impact of environmental noise and distractions on communication. D: Raising the voice to project sound at a higher frequency is not effective as it can distort speech and may not necessarily improve understanding for a hearing-impaired patient.
Question 3 of 9
The labor nurse is admitting a patient in active labor with a history of genital herpes. On assessment, the patient reports a recent outbreak, and the nurse verifies lesions on the perineum. What is the nurse’s next action?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Use electronic fetal surveillance to determine a baseline fetal heart rate. This is important in assessing the well-being of the fetus during labor, especially in the presence of genital herpes lesions. Monitoring the fetal heart rate helps in detecting any signs of distress or compromise due to maternal infection. A: Asking about the patient's last intake is important but not the immediate priority when managing a patient with active genital herpes lesions in labor. B: Taking a culture of the lesions might be helpful but not the immediate action needed in this situation. C: Asking about unprotected sex is relevant but not as critical as monitoring the fetal well-being during labor in this scenario. Overall, the most critical action is to monitor the fetal heart rate for any signs of distress related to the maternal herpes infection.
Question 4 of 9
Which finding in the assessment of a patient following an abruption placenta could indicate a major complication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C - bleeding at IV insertion site. This finding could indicate a major complication following an abruption placenta, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or hypovolemic shock. Bleeding at the IV site suggests a systemic issue affecting the patient's coagulation status. Choices A, B, and D are not directly indicative of a major complication following an abruption placenta. Urine output, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important parameters to monitor but do not specifically point to a major complication in this context.
Question 5 of 9
A patient with genital herpes is having an acute exacerbation. What medication would the nurse expect to be ordered to suppress the symptoms and shorten the course of the infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Acyclovir (Zovirax). Acyclovir is an antiviral medication specifically used to treat herpes infections, including genital herpes. It works by inhibiting the replication of the herpes virus, thereby suppressing symptoms and shortening the course of the infection. Clotrimazole (A) is an antifungal medication used to treat yeast infections, not effective against viral infections like herpes. Metronidazole (B) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, not effective against viruses. Podophyllin (C) is a topical treatment for genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), not effective for herpes. Therefore, the correct choice is Acyclovir (D) for treating genital herpes exacerbation.
Question 6 of 9
Which patient ismostat risk for increased peristalsis?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Stress, like having three final examinations on the same day, can lead to increased peristalsis due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This can result in faster movement of food through the digestive system. The other choices are incorrect because: A - Ignoring the urge to defecate does not directly relate to increased peristalsis. C - Major depressive disorder is more likely to be associated with decreased peristalsis due to the effects of stress on the body. D - Elderly individuals tend to have reduced peristalsis due to age-related changes in the digestive system.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is a member of an interdisciplinary teamthat uses critical pathways. According to the critical pathway, on day 2 of the hospital stay, the patient should be sitting in the chair. It is day 3, and the patient cannot sit in the chair. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Document the variance in the patient’s record. By documenting the variance in the patient's record, the nurse can provide a clear record of the deviation from the critical pathway. This documentation is essential for tracking the patient's progress accurately and identifying potential issues that may require intervention. It allows for proper communication among the interdisciplinary team and ensures that everyone is aware of the deviation. Choice A is incorrect because adding data to the problem list may not provide a comprehensive record of the variance. Choice B is incorrect because focusing on charting using the DAR format does not address the deviation from the critical pathway. Choice D is incorrect because reporting a positive variance in the next team meeting may not accurately reflect the patient's actual progress and may lead to miscommunication within the team.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is designing a form for lesbian, gay,bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. Which design should the nurse use?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use parents rather than guardian. This is the most inclusive and respectful choice for LGBT patients as it acknowledges different family structures. LGBT individuals may have non-traditional family dynamics, so using "parents" instead of "guardian" is more appropriate. Option A is incorrect because not all LGBT individuals are in partnerships. Option B is incorrect as it assumes traditional gender roles. Option D is incorrect as not all LGBT individuals may identify with the terms "wife" or "husband."
Question 9 of 9
During the admission assessment of an HIV-positive patient whose CD4+ count has recently fallen, the nurse carefully assesses for signs and symptoms related to opportunistic infections. What is the most common life-threatening infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is the most common life-threatening infection in HIV-positive patients with low CD4+ counts. Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. The other choices, A: Salmonella infection, B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and C: Clostridium difficile, can also cause infections in HIV-positive patients, but they are not as commonly associated with life-threatening complications in this population compared to Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is crucial for the nurse to prioritize assessment for signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia in this patient to promptly intervene and prevent further complications.