ATI RN
Health Assessment Practice Questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A 45-year-old man arrives at the clinic and tells the nurse that he has been experiencing severe chest pain. Upon assessment, the nurse notes that his pain radiates to his left arm. The nurse's priority action would be:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess vital signs and oxygen saturation levels. This is the priority action because the patient's symptoms suggest a possible cardiac event. Assessing vital signs and oxygen saturation levels can provide crucial information on the patient's condition and help determine the urgency of the situation. Administering pain medication (choice A) should not be done before assessing the patient's vital signs. Having the patient walk around (choice C) could worsen the situation if it is indeed a cardiac event. Ordering an EKG (choice D) is important but should come after assessing vital signs to guide further evaluation and treatment.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is obtaining history for a 3-month-old infant. During the interview, the mother states,"I think she is getting her first tooth because she has started drooling a lot." The nurse's best response would be:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because drooling is a common sign of teething in infants. The nurse's response should validate the mother's observation to build trust and rapport. Choice B is incorrect because teething can start as early as 3 months. Choice C is incorrect as drooling is a normal developmental milestone in infants. Choice D is incorrect as infants do not consciously control saliva production.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is teaching parents of a newborn about feeding their infant. Which instruction should the nurse include?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer A: 1. Using the defrost setting on microwave ovens to warm bottles is safe because it ensures even heating without creating hot spots that could burn the baby's mouth. 2. This method helps to preserve the nutrients in the breast milk or formula. 3. It is important to warm the bottle to body temperature to mimic the natural feel of breast milk for the baby's comfort. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: Feeding the baby partially used bottles after 24 hours can increase the risk of bacterial contamination and foodborne illness. C: Mixing two parts water and one part concentrate for formula concentrate is incorrect as it may dilute the formula, leading to inadequate nutrition for the baby. D: Adding new formula to partially used bottles can alter the balance of nutrients and increase the risk of contamination, affecting the baby's health.
Question 4 of 9
A pregnant woman states that she is concerned about her gums because she has noticed they are swollen and have started bleeding. What would be an appropriate response by the nurse?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Swollen and bleeding gums during pregnancy can be a sign of gingivitis or pregnancy gingivitis. Step 2: Dental check-ups during pregnancy are important to prevent potential complications. Step 3: Referring the woman to a dentist ensures proper evaluation and treatment. Step 4: Dental care is safe during pregnancy, so timely intervention is crucial. Step 5: Option C is correct as it addresses the concern with a proactive approach.
Question 5 of 9
What is the primary goal for a client with newly diagnosed diabetes?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary goal for a client with newly diagnosed diabetes is to monitor their blood glucose levels (Answer B). This is essential to understand how their body responds to different foods, activities, and medications. Monitoring blood glucose levels helps in determining the effectiveness of the treatment plan and making necessary adjustments. Teaching the client how to manage their blood glucose levels (Answer A) is important, but monitoring comes first. Monitoring urine output (Answer C) is not as relevant for diabetes management. Administering insulin (Answer D) may be necessary in some cases, but it is not the primary goal initially.
Question 6 of 9
What is the first priority for a client with suspected sepsis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer IV fluids. In sepsis, early fluid resuscitation is crucial to prevent hypotension and organ dysfunction. IV fluids help restore perfusion and stabilize the client. Administering antibiotics (choice B) is important but comes after fluid resuscitation. Performing a blood culture (choice C) is essential but not the first priority. Performing an abdominal assessment (choice D) is not directly related to managing sepsis and should not be the initial priority.
Question 7 of 9
What nursing interventions are important for a client in Buck's traction?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step 1: Nutrition is important for overall health and healing in a client in Buck's traction. Step 2: Elimination is necessary to prevent complications such as constipation. Step 3: Comfort measures help alleviate pain and promote well-being. Step 4: Safety measures ensure the client's well-being during traction. Step 5: ROM exercises are not recommended to prevent displacement of traction. Transportation and isotonic exercises are not directly related to Buck's traction care.
Question 8 of 9
The papule on the nose of a 52-year-old woman has rounded, pearly borders and a central red ulcer. She tells the nurse that it has been present for several months and is slowly growing larger. Which of the following conditions does the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Basal cell carcinoma. The clinical presentation of a papule with rounded, pearly borders, central red ulcer, slow growth, and location on the nose is highly indicative of basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma commonly presents with these characteristics and is the most common type of skin cancer. It is locally invasive but rarely metastasizes. A: Acne is a common skin condition characterized by comedones, papules, and pustules, not typically presenting with the described features. C: Malignant melanoma usually presents as an asymmetric, irregularly bordered, multicolored lesion with rapid growth and potential for metastasis. D: Squamous cell carcinoma typically presents as a scaly, crusted lesion with potential for metastasis, not showing the described features.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of smoking. The patient reports a persistent cough that has worsened over the past few months. The nurse would be most concerned about the possibility of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patient's history of smoking, persistent cough, and worsening symptoms over months are indicative of COPD, a progressive lung disease commonly caused by smoking. Asthma (A) typically presents with intermittent symptoms, bronchitis (C) may cause cough but not necessarily worsening over time, and pulmonary embolism (D) is characterized by sudden onset symptoms and is less likely in this case. COPD is the most concerning due to the patient's smoking history and progressive symptoms.