ATI RN
Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A college health nurse interprets the peak expiratory flow rate for a student who has asthma and finds that the student is in the yellow zone of his asthma action plan. The nurse should not base her actions on which of the following information?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the student being in the yellow zone indicates moderate symptoms, not severe enough to necessitate hospitalization. A: Using a quick-relief inhaler is appropriate for yellow zone symptoms. B: Yellow zone indicates asthma is not well controlled, supporting the need for action. C: Peak flow of 50% to 80% signals a reduction in lung function, requiring intervention but not immediate hospitalization. Thus, D is the incorrect choice because hospitalization is not warranted for yellow zone symptoms.
Question 2 of 5
A home health nurse visits a client who has COPD and receives oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula. The client reports difficulty breathing. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the client's respiratory status. This is the priority because the client is experiencing difficulty breathing, which could indicate a worsening of their condition. By assessing the respiratory status, the nurse can gather vital information to determine the appropriate next steps, such as adjusting the oxygen flow rate, providing respiratory treatments, or seeking further medical intervention. Increasing the oxygen flow without assessing the client's condition could potentially exacerbate the issue. Calling emergency services (choice C) may be necessary based on the assessment findings but should not be the immediate priority. Having the client cough and expectorate secretions (choice D) is important for airway clearance but is not the priority when the client is in distress.
Question 3 of 5
A client reports a headache and vertigo after turning on his furnace for the first time this season. The nurse should suspect which of the following conditions?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Carbon monoxide poisoning. When the furnace is turned on for the first time, it may release carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can cause headaches and vertigo. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen delivery to tissues, leading to symptoms. Heat stroke (B) is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Hypersensitivity reactions (C) involve the immune system's response to an allergen. Oxygen toxicity (D) occurs with prolonged exposure to high levels of oxygen.
Question 4 of 5
A client with tuberculosis is starting combination drug therapy. Which of the following medications should the nurse NOT plan to administer?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Acyclovir. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes infections, not tuberculosis. Rifampin, Isoniazid, and Pyrazinamide are all first-line drugs for tuberculosis treatment. Rifampin is a bactericidal agent, Isoniazid disrupts mycobacterial cell wall synthesis, and Pyrazinamide targets actively replicating bacteria. Therefore, the nurse should not plan to administer Acyclovir as it is not indicated for tuberculosis treatment.
Question 5 of 5
A client with asthma has developed viral pharyngitis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, negative throat culture. In viral pharyngitis, the infection is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Therefore, a throat culture would be negative as it tests for bacterial infection. Option A is incorrect as petechiae are more commonly seen in conditions like meningococcal sepsis. Option B is incorrect as a WBC count of 16,000/mm3 is more indicative of a bacterial infection. Option D is incorrect as severe hyperemia of the pharyngeal mucosa is more typical of bacterial pharyngitis, not viral.