ATI RN
nclex physical and health assessment questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A 40-year-old patient who has just finished chemotherapy for breast cancer tells the nurse that she is concerned about her mouth. During assessment, the nurse finds the following: areas of buccal mucosa that are raw and red with some bleeding, as well as other areas that have a white, cheesy coating. The nurse recognizes that this abnormality is:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: candidiasis. Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans, commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals like cancer patients post-chemotherapy. The raw, red, and bleeding areas indicate mucosal irritation, while the white, cheesy coating represents fungal overgrowth. Carcinoma (choice A) refers to cancerous growths, which typically present differently. Leukoplakia (choice C) is a precancerous lesion characterized by white patches, not raw areas with bleeding. Koplik's spots (choice D) are small, white spots seen in the mouth in measles, not indicative of the described findings.
Question 2 of 9
A father brings his 2-month-old infant to the clinic because the infant has had diarrhea for the last 24 hours. He says that his baby has not been able to keep any formula down and that the diarrhea has been occurring at least every 2 hours. The nurse suspects dehydration. Where should the nurse test skin mobility and turgor in this infant?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Over the sternum. When testing for skin mobility and turgor in infants, the sternum is the best location. This area is less affected by factors like fat distribution and muscle tone, providing a more accurate assessment of dehydration. The skin should be gently pinched and released to observe how quickly it returns to its normal position - delayed return indicates dehydration. The other choices are incorrect because testing over the forehead, forearms, or abdomen may not provide an accurate assessment due to variations in fat distribution, muscle tone, or skin elasticity in those areas.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is assessing a 3-year-old who has been brought to the clinic for"drainage from the nose." On assessment, it is found that there is a purulent, malodorous drainage from the left naris but no drainage from the right naris. The child is afebrile and has no other symptoms. What should the nurse do next?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Perform an otoscopic examination of the left naris. The rationale for this is that the child presenting with purulent, malodorous drainage from one naris may indicate a foreign body lodged in the left naris causing infection. By performing an otoscopic examination, the nurse can visualize inside the naris to identify any foreign body or signs of infection. This step is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment plan. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect: A: Referring the child for an antibiotic prescription without further assessment is premature and may not address the underlying cause. B: Having the mother bring the child back in 1 week delays the necessary examination and potential treatment. D: Telling the mother that this is normal without proper assessment could lead to overlooking a potential health issue that requires intervention.
Question 4 of 9
What would be a normal finding when assessing the lacrimal apparatus during an eye examination?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: The presence of tears along the inner canthus. This is a normal finding during an eye examination as tears are produced by the lacrimal gland and drain into the nasolacrimal duct, which exits at the inner canthus. This indicates proper tear production and drainage. Incorrect choices: B: A blocked nasolacrimal duct in a newborn infant - This would present as excessive tearing and discharge. C: A slight swelling over the upper lid and along the bony orbit if the patient has a cold - This could indicate inflammation due to infection. D: The absence of drainage from the puncta when the inner orbital rim is pressed - This would suggest an issue with the lacrimal drainage system.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse has discovered decreased skin turgor in a patient. In which of the following would this be an expected finding?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: In an individual who is severely dehydrated. Decreased skin turgor is a clinical sign of dehydration, indicating loss of skin elasticity due to fluid loss. Severe dehydration leads to decreased skin turgor as the skin loses its ability to recoil when pinched. In cases of severe obesity (choice A), skin turgor is usually normal or increased due to excess adipose tissue. During childhood growth spurts (choice B), skin turgor is typically unaffected. Connective tissue disorders like scleroderma (choice D) can lead to changes in skin texture and appearance, but not necessarily decreased skin turgor.
Question 6 of 9
While performing a voice test to assess hearing in a patient, which of the following would the nurse do?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Whispering two-syllable words ensures a low volume, requiring the patient to focus on clarity. 2. Asking the patient to repeat tests their ability to hear and understand the whispered words accurately. 3. Whispering helps eliminate the influence of lip-reading, ensuring accurate assessment. Summary: A: Shielding the lips while speaking would hinder the patient's ability to hear clearly. C: Placing a finger in the ear would not be appropriate as it could affect the accuracy of the test. D: Standing at a specific distance does not ensure accurate assessment of hearing ability.
Question 7 of 9
The tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth is the:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: frenulum. The frenulum is a small fold of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It helps to limit the movement of the tongue, preventing excessive movement that could lead to injury. The uvula (A) is a soft tissue dangling at the back of the throat, the palate (B) is the roof of the mouth, and papillae (C) are small raised structures on the tongue's surface. These structures are not involved in connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
Question 8 of 9
A mother brings her 2-month-old daughter in for an examination and says,"My daughter rolled over and hit her head on the wall, and now I have noticed that she has this spot that is soft on the top of her head. Is there something terribly wrong?" The nurse's response would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The "soft spot" on a baby's head, also known as the fontanelle, is a normal anatomical feature that allows for the growth and development of the baby's brain during the first year of life. It is a gap between the bones of the skull that eventually closes as the baby grows. Response A is incorrect because the fontanelle is not related to maternal dietary intake during pregnancy. Response B is incorrect as craniosynostosis is a condition where the sutures of the skull close prematurely, leading to abnormal head shape. Response C is incorrect as cretinism and congenital hypothyroidism are not typically associated with the fontanelle. Overall, the correct response, D, provides an accurate explanation of the normal function of the fontanelle in a newborn's development.
Question 9 of 9
While obtaining history for a 1-year-old from the mother, the nurse notices that the baby has had a bottle in his mouth the entire time. The mother states that"it makes a great pacifier." The best response by the nurse would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: "Prolonged use of a bottle can increase the risk for tooth decay and ear infections." This response is the best because it addresses the potential consequences of prolonged bottle use, which include tooth decay and ear infections. It educates the mother on the risks associated with using a bottle as a pacifier for an extended period. Rationale: 1. Tooth decay: Prolonged exposure to sugary liquids in the bottle can lead to tooth decay, as the sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth. 2. Ear infections: Bottle-feeding while lying down can increase the risk of ear infections due to fluid entering the Eustachian tube. 3. Education: The response educates the mother on the specific risks associated with prolonged bottle use, promoting informed decision-making. 4. Health promotion: By highlighting the potential negative outcomes, the nurse is advocating for the baby's health and well-being. Incorrect Choices: A: "You're right, bottles make