ATI RN
ATI Detailed Answer Key Medical Surgical Questions
Question 1 of 5
A 64-year-old male client is admitted to the hospital with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The client has a history of adult onset diabetes mellitus and hypertension. He is scheduled to undergo a resection of the prostate. The most serious symptom that may accompany BPH is:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Acute urinary retention is a symptom of BPH, is serious, and requires urgent medical attention. Hesitancy in starting urination is a symptom of BPH, but it is not serious or life-threatening. Increased frequency of urination is a symptom of BPH, but it is not serious or life-threatening. Decreased force of the urinary stream is due to an obstruction, but it is not serious or life-threatening.
Question 2 of 5
A male client has returned to the Unit following a left femoral popliteal bypass graft. Six hours later, the client's dorsalis pedis pulse cannot be palpated and his foot is cool and dusky. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client is losing the blood supply to his left foot. Continuing to monitor will not restore the blood supply to the foot. The physician should be notified immediately because the client is losing the blood supply to his left foot and is in danger of losing his foot and/or his leg. It is the responsibility of the nurse caring for the client to notify the physician, not the head nurse. This would be giving the client false assurances, which is unethical, demeaning, and could have legal consequences.
Question 3 of 5
A female postoperative client has returned to the Unit following a pneumonectomy. In assessing the client's incision, twenty-four hours postoperatively, the nurse notices fresh blood on the dressing. The nurse should first:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dressing should not be reinforced without notifying the physician. The physician may decide to reinforce the dressing after assessing the amount of bleeding. Blood on the dressing is unusual, which should alert the nurse to do more than monitor the dressing. The physician should be notified immediately. If the bleeding persists, the client may need to return to surgery. The time and amount of blood needs to be recorded, but only after the physician is notified.
Question 4 of 5
A 35-year-old client is admitted for elective tubal ligation. During the preoperative teaching, the client states, 'The anesthesiologist said she was going to give me balanced anesthesia. What exactly is that?' The best explanation by the nurse is that balanced anesthesia:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A regional anesthesia does not produce loss of consciousness and is indicated for excision of moles, cysts, and endoscopic surgeries. Varying amounts of anesthetic agents are used when employing balanced anesthesia. The amounts used depend on the age, weight, condition of the client and the surgical procedure. General anesthesia is a drug induced depression of the central nervous system, which produces loss of consciousness and decreased muscle activity. Balanced anesthesia is a combination of a number of anesthetic agents that produce a smooth induction, appropriate depth of anesthesia, and appropriate muscle relaxation with minimal complications.
Question 5 of 5
A client is scheduled for a pneumonectomy in the morning. The client has had a previous negative surgical experience, is talking rapidly, and has an increased pulse and respiratory rate. Nursing interventions for this client should include:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Providing an opportunity for an open discussion will help to clarify any misunderstandings about the surgery and gives the client a chance to verbalize any concerns about the surgery. Distractions will not alleviate the client's preoperative anxiety; it denies the anxiety the client is experiencing. Giving false assurance is not appropriate and it denies that anxiety is a normal response to the threat of surgery. Psychological responses are not directly related to the severity of the surgery; they are influenced by the client's experience.