ATI RN
Use of Psychotropic Medications Questions
Question 1 of 5
A man who has had gout for several years comes to the clinic with a problem with his toe. On examination, the nurse notices the presence of hard, painless nodules over the great toe; one has burst open with a chalky discharge. This finding is known as:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Tophi. Tophi are deposits of uric acid crystals that accumulate in the joints of individuals with chronic gout. The presence of hard, painless nodules over the great toe that burst open with a chalky discharge is a classic presentation of tophi in a patient with gout. Tophi are not painful but can cause joint deformities and damage if left untreated. A: Callus is a thickened and hardened area of skin that forms in response to repeated pressure or friction. Calluses are not associated with gout or chalky discharge. B: Plantar wart is a benign growth on the sole of the foot caused by a viral infection. Plantar warts do not typically present with chalky discharge or nodules. C: Bunion is a bony bump that forms on the joint at the base of the big toe. Bunions are not associated with gout or chalky discharge. In summary, the presence of
Question 2 of 5
A 70-year-old woman tells the nurse that every time she gets up in the morning or after she's been sitting, she gets 'really dizzy' and feels like she is going to fall over. The nurse's best response would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the symptoms described by the patient suggest orthostatic hypotension, a condition where blood pressure drops when changing positions. Instructing the patient to get up slowly can help prevent dizziness and falls. Choice A is incorrect as tiredness does not directly address the dizziness upon standing. Choice B is incorrect as dehydration is not the likely cause of the symptoms described. Choice C is incorrect because a complete neurologic examination is not the first step for addressing orthostatic hypotension.
Question 3 of 5
During the neurologic assessment of a 'healthy' 35-year-old patient, the nurse asks him to relax his muscles completely. The nurse then moves each extremity through full range of motion. Which of these results would the nurse expect to find?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mild, even resistance to movement. In a healthy individual, when asked to relax muscles completely, there should be mild, even resistance to movement as the nurse moves each extremity through full range of motion. This signifies normal muscle tone and functioning. A: Firm, rigid resistance to movement would indicate increased muscle tone or spasticity, which is not expected in a healthy individual. C: Hypotonic muscles would be flaccid and weak, which is not expected in a relaxed healthy individual. D: Slight pain with movement is not a normal finding during a neurologic assessment in a healthy individual.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse is testing the deep tendon reflexes of a 30-year-old woman who is in the clinic for an annual physical examination. When striking the Achilles heel and quadriceps muscle, the nurse is unable to elicit a reflex. The nurse's next response should be to:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because asking the patient to lock her fingers and pull engages the upper motor neurons, potentially facilitating the reflex response. This technique, known as Jendrassik maneuver, can help in eliciting reflexes that were initially absent. It is important to try this before proceeding with further testing or documenting reflexes as 0. Choice B is incorrect as retesting immediately after the maneuver may yield a different result. Choice C is premature as further testing may not be necessary after trying the Jendrassik maneuver. Choice D is incorrect as documenting reflexes as 0 without attempting the Jendrassik maneuver could lead to an inaccurate assessment.
Question 5 of 5
While the nurse is taking the history of a 68-year-old patient who sustained a head injury 3 days earlier, he tells the nurse that he is on a cruise ship and is 30 years old. The nurse knows that this finding is indicative of a(n):
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Decreased level of consciousness. The patient's confusion about his age and location after a head injury indicates disorientation, a classic sign of altered mental status. This is likely due to the head injury affecting his brain function, leading to impaired cognitive abilities. This finding raises concern for decreased level of consciousness, as the patient is unable to accurately perceive his age or location. Summary: A: Great sense of humor - This choice is incorrect as the patient's response is not a deliberate attempt at humor. B: Uncooperative behavior - This choice is incorrect as the patient's response is not indicative of intentional noncompliance. C: Inability to understand questions - This choice is incorrect as the patient's response suggests more than just a simple misunderstanding of questions.