ATI RN
Assess Vital Signs Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 30-year-old woman presents with a complaint of a red, painful, and swollen knee. She has a history of gout. On examination, the knee is warm, erythematous, and tender to touch. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The most likely diagnosis is gout (Choice C) based on the patient's presentation of red, painful, and swollen knee, with a history of gout. Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to acute flares of pain and swelling. The characteristic features of gout include sudden onset of symptoms, typically affecting one joint at a time, with warmth, erythema, and tenderness. In this case, the patient's history of gout and the classic presentation of an acutely inflamed joint support the diagnosis. Osteoarthritis (Choice A) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by gradual onset of joint pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. It typically affects weight-bearing joints and is not associated with acute inflammation as seen in gout. Rheumatoid arthritis (Choice B) is an autoimmune disease that causes symmetrical joint pain, morning stiffness, and joint deformities
Question 2 of 5
A 45-year-old man presents with difficulty swallowing. He reports that the difficulty has been getting worse over the past few months. He also has a history of smoking and heavy alcohol use. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Esophageal cancer. Given the patient's age, symptoms of progressive dysphagia, and risk factors such as smoking and heavy alcohol use, esophageal cancer is the most likely diagnosis. Further evaluation with imaging studies and endoscopy is warranted to confirm the diagnosis. B: Achalasia is less likely as it typically presents with dysphagia to both solids and liquids, not just worsening dysphagia over time. C: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause heartburn and regurgitation but is less likely to present with progressive dysphagia. D: Peptic ulcer disease typically presents with abdominal pain and may cause dysphagia if there is stricture formation but is less likely in this case.
Question 3 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient's cranial nerve function and asks the patient to shrug both shoulders. Which cranial nerve is being tested?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve). This nerve controls the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, responsible for shoulder shrugging. Cranial nerve V (A) controls facial sensation and jaw movement. Cranial nerve VII (B) controls facial expression. Cranial nerve IX (C) controls swallowing and taste sensation. By process of elimination, D is the only nerve related to shoulder shrugging.
Question 4 of 5
During a cardiovascular assessment, the nurse palpates the carotid pulse. Which action should the nurse take next?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action after palpating the carotid pulse is to auscultate for bruits. Bruits are abnormal sounds caused by turbulent blood flow, which may indicate vascular disease. Auscultating for bruits specifically at the carotid arteries is important in assessing for potential arterial blockages that can lead to serious complications like stroke. Palpating the femoral pulse (Choice A) is not the next immediate step in a cardiovascular assessment after assessing the carotid pulse. Comparing the pulse rate with the apical pulse (Choice C) is important but not the immediate action required after palpating the carotid pulse. Palpating the radial pulse (Choice D) is also an important part of the assessment, but in this scenario, auscultating for bruits takes precedence for further evaluation.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient's abdomen and notes that the patient has ascites. What physical examination technique should the nurse use next?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Percussion for shifting dullness. Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity leading to abdominal distension. By percussing the abdomen for shifting dullness, the nurse can identify fluid waves within the abdomen, confirming the presence of ascites. This technique helps differentiate ascites from other causes of abdominal distension. Auscultation for bowel sounds (B) is not directly related to assessing ascites. Palpation for tenderness (C) may be performed after confirming ascites to assess for underlying causes. Inspection for visible distension (D) can provide initial clues, but percussion for shifting dullness is needed for a definitive diagnosis of ascites.