ATI LPN
LPN Fundamentals Study Guide Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client with heart failure says to the nurse, 'I don't see why I have to watch what I eat because my heart is already damaged.' Which nursing response promotes the client's health?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a heart failure client doubting diet's role, the nurse promotes health by explaining its benefits watching food intake, like limiting sodium, reduces fluid buildup, easing heart strain and cutting hospital trips. This tertiary prevention approach manages the condition, improving quality of life despite damage, aligning with nursing's focus on empowerment through education. Agreeing diet doesn't matter dismisses evidence low-sodium diets improve outcomes. Suggesting food freedom with meds ignores synergy between diet and drugs. Blaming past diet shames without motivating. The positive response ties behavior to tangible gains less dyspnea, more energy encouraging adherence. Studies show dietary control slashes readmissions, making this nursing reply a practical, hopeful nudge toward self-care, vital for chronic illness management.
Question 2 of 5
The low-exhaled volume (low-pressure) alarm sounds on a ventilator. The nurse rushes to the client's room and checks the client to determine the cause of the alarm but is unable to do so. Which would be the next immediate nursing action?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A low-pressure alarm suggests a leak or disconnection; manual ventilation with a resuscitation bag (B) ensures immediate oxygenation while troubleshooting continues. Calling teams (A, C, D) delays airway support. B is correct. Rationale: Manual bagging maintains ventilation, a life-saving priority per ACLS and ventilator protocols, addressing potential hypoxia swiftly.
Question 3 of 5
What action should the nurse take when caring for a client who has a possible skull fracture as a result of trauma?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For a possible skull fracture, monitoring for brain injury signs (A) is the priority, detecting neurological deterioration like altered consciousness or pupil changes. Checking hemorrhage (B) is secondary. Elevating the foot (C) risks increasing ICP. Observing decreased ICP (D) is incorrect; increased ICP is the concern. A is correct. Rationale: Brain injury monitoring identifies life-threatening complications like hematoma, guiding timely intervention, per trauma care protocols, over less immediate or contraindicated actions.
Question 4 of 5
A client is admitted with head trauma after a fall. The client is being prepared for a supratentorial craniotomy with burr holes, and an intravenous infusion of mannitol is instituted. The nurse concludes that this medication primarily is given to do what?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Mannitol (D) is an osmotic diuretic given pre-craniotomy to decrease brain fluid, reducing ICP. It doesn't primarily lower BP (A), prevent hypoglycemia (B), or boost cardiac output (C). D is correct. Rationale: Mannitol draws fluid from brain tissue into the bloodstream, lowering ICP, a key pre-surgical intervention in head trauma, per neurosurgical standards, targeting cerebral edema directly.
Question 5 of 5
A client with a traumatic brain injury from a motor vehicle crash is being monitored in the intensive care unit. The client's intracranial pressure (ICP) is $22 \mathrm{mmHg}$. Which nursing intervention is appropriate based on this finding?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ICP of 22 mmHg (elevated >20) requires mannitol (C) to reduce cerebral edema osmotically. Saline bolus (A) may worsen ICP. Flat bed (B) increases pressure. Coughing (D) raises ICP. C is correct. Rationale: Mannitol lowers ICP swiftly, a standard intervention in brain injury, per neurocritical care, preventing herniation unlike contraindicated actions.