ATI RN
health assessment practice questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A 60-year-old man is at the clinic for an eye examination. The nurse suspects that he has ptosis of one eye. Ptosis is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: drooping of the upper eyelid. Ptosis refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid, which may occur due to weakened eyelid muscles or nerve damage. In this case, the nurse suspects ptosis in the 60-year-old man, which is likely due to age-related muscle weakness. Choice A, a cloudy cornea, is incorrect as it refers to a different eye condition. Choice B, an unequal red reflex, is incorrect as it is related to abnormalities in the retina. Choice D, protruding and bulging eyes, is incorrect as it indicates exophthalmos, a condition typically seen in thyroid eye disease.
Question 2 of 9
During the assessment of an infant, the nurse notes that the fontanelles are depressed and sunken. Which condition does the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dehydration. Depressed and sunken fontanelles in an infant indicate dehydration due to decreased fluid volume. Dehydration causes a decrease in tissue turgor, leading to the fontanelles appearing sunken. Rickets (A) is a condition characterized by weak or soft bones due to vitamin D deficiency. Mental retardation (C) is a developmental disorder, not related to fontanelle appearance. Increased intracranial pressure (D) would cause bulging fontanelles, not depressed fontanelles. Therefore, the most likely condition in this case is dehydration.
Question 3 of 9
A patient comes into the emergency department after an accident at work. He had not been wearing safety glasses, and a machine had blown dust into his eyes. The nurse examines his corneas by shining a light from the side across the cornea. What findings would suggest that he has suffered corneal abrasion?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. A shattered look to the light rays reflecting off the cornea indicates corneal abrasion. When the cornea is scratched or abraded, light rays reflecting off it appear shattered due to irregularities on the corneal surface. This is a classic sign of corneal abrasion. A: Smooth and clear corneas (incorrect) - This would not indicate corneal abrasion as abrasions cause irregularities on the corneal surface. B: Opacity of the lens behind the cornea (incorrect) - This suggests a different issue related to the lens, not corneal abrasion. C: Bleeding from the areas across the cornea (incorrect) - This suggests a more severe injury like a corneal laceration, not a simple abrasion. In summary, choice D is correct as the shattered look of light rays is a characteristic finding in corneal abrasion, while the other choices do not
Question 4 of 9
Which of the following assessment findings is most consistent with clubbing of the fingernails?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Clubbing of the fingernails is characterized by an increased angle between the nail base and the nail plate (usually 180 degrees or greater) and a spongy texture at the nail base. This is due to underlying tissue changes associated with conditions like lung disease. Choice D is correct as it accurately describes the characteristic findings of clubbing. Choices A, B, and C do not align with clubbing features. Choice A describes tenderness and firmness, not sponginess and increased angle. Choice B mentions a convex profile and ridges, which are not specific to clubbing. Choice C includes an angle of 150 degrees, which is less than the typical angle seen in clubbing.
Question 5 of 9
A 52-year-old patient complains of seeing occasional"floaters or spots" in front of his eyes. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because floaters are a common and typically benign phenomenon caused by condensed vitreous fibers in the eye. A nurse should educate the patient that floaters are usually not significant and do not require immediate intervention. Option A is incorrect because counting the number of floaters is unnecessary. Option B is incorrect because presuming glaucoma without proper assessment is inappropriate. Option C is incorrect because seeing occasional floaters is a common and normal occurrence in many individuals.
Question 6 of 9
The nurse is conducting an eye clinic at the day care centre. When examining a 2-year-old child, if"lazy eye" is suspected, the nurse would:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because testing for strabismus by performing the corneal light reflex test is crucial in diagnosing "lazy eye" or amblyopia in children. Strabismus is a condition where the eyes are misaligned, leading to poor vision in one eye. By performing the corneal light reflex test, the nurse can assess if the child's eyes are aligned or if there is deviation, which could indicate lazy eye. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not specifically address the assessment of strabismus, which is the key indicator for lazy eye in this scenario.
Question 7 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 8 of 9
Which of the following about a newborn infant is true?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the frontal sinuses are indeed fairly well developed at birth. This is true as the frontal sinuses start developing around the age of 7-8 years but are present in a rudimentary form at birth. This is because the frontal bone grows rapidly in the first few years of life, allowing for the development of the frontal sinuses. Choice A is incorrect because the sphenoid sinuses are not at full size at birth; they continue to develop throughout childhood. Choice B is incorrect as the maxillary sinuses reach full size around the teenage years, not after puberty. Choice D is incorrect as the frontal sinuses are also present at birth, along with the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses.
Question 9 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.