ATI RN
health assessment in nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is about to perform an assessment of a patient's lungs. Which of the following is the most appropriate action before auscultation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the patient to lie flat and breathe normally. This position allows for optimal lung expansion, making it easier to hear breath sounds accurately. Asking the patient to lie flat also provides a consistent baseline for comparison across different patients. A: Asking the patient to take deep breaths before auscultation may alter their normal breathing pattern and make it difficult to assess baseline lung sounds accurately. B: Having the patient sit upright can be helpful for certain assessments, but lying flat is preferred for auscultating lung sounds. C: Examining for symmetry is important but not directly related to the optimal position for auscultation.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient with diabetes about self-management. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates the need for further education?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Taking insulin only when blood sugar is high can lead to uncontrolled levels. 2. Regular insulin dosing is essential for diabetes management. 3. Monitoring blood sugar regularly helps in adjusting insulin doses. 4. Eating a balanced diet and exercising are key components of diabetes management. 5. Reporting signs of infection is crucial due to diabetes-related complications.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who has been diagnosed with asthma. The nurse should educate the patient to avoid which of the following triggers?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Cold, dry air. Asthma patients are often triggered by cold, dry air, which can cause airway constriction and worsen symptoms. Warm, humid air can actually help alleviate symptoms by keeping airways moist. Excessive physical activity can also trigger asthma, but it varies among individuals and can be managed with appropriate medication and monitoring. Choice D is incorrect as warm, humid air is not a trigger for asthma.
Question 4 of 9
A 90-year-old patient tells the nurse that he is unable to remember the names of the medications he is taking or what they are for. An appropriate response would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because asking the patient's family to bring in the medications will ensure accurate identification and understanding of the medications. This step is crucial in ensuring the patient's safety and well-being. Choice A is incorrect as appearance alone may not provide accurate information. Choice B is dismissive and does not address the issue. Choice C focuses on duration rather than addressing the immediate concern of medication identification.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient about managing high cholesterol. Which of the following dietary changes would be most beneficial for lowering cholesterol?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreasing intake of trans fats. Trans fats are known to increase LDL cholesterol levels, which are considered "bad" cholesterol. By reducing trans fats in the diet, the patient can lower their cholesterol levels. Saturated fats (choice A) can also increase LDL cholesterol, so increasing intake is not beneficial. Dietary fiber (choice B) helps lower cholesterol by binding to cholesterol in the digestive system, so decreasing intake would not be beneficial. Processed sugars (choice D) do not directly impact cholesterol levels, so increasing intake would not help lower cholesterol. Overall, choosing option C is the most effective dietary change for managing high cholesterol.
Question 6 of 9
An Aboriginal woman who lives away from the reserve has come to the clinic to seek help with regulating her diabetes. In conducting an interview, the nurse's priority involves:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because determining if the patient can afford her medications is crucial in managing her diabetes effectively. Financial constraints can significantly impact a patient's ability to adhere to treatment, leading to poor health outcomes. By addressing affordability, the nurse can ensure the patient can access and comply with the prescribed medications. A, finding out why the patient is not compliant, is not the priority at this stage as addressing affordability comes first. B, reinforcing health teaching related to diet and exercise, is important but secondary to ensuring access to medications. D, sending the patient to the diabetic clinic for follow-up, is not as critical as addressing immediate financial concerns.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hyperkalemia. In CKD, kidneys struggle to excrete potassium, leading to its accumulation in the blood. This can result in dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. Hypokalemia (B) is unlikely in CKD due to impaired potassium excretion. Hyperglycemia (C) is more commonly associated with diabetes rather than CKD. Hypercalcemia (D) is not a typical complication of CKD; instead, patients with CKD often experience low calcium levels.
Question 8 of 9
A 45-year-old woman suffered a head injury in a car accident. A few months after recovering from her injuries, she is unable to differentiate between hot and cold and is unsure of how to dress for the weather. This is an example of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Agnosia. Agnosia is the inability to recognize or interpret sensory information, such as temperature or clothing. In this case, the woman's inability to differentiate between hot and cold and dress appropriately for the weather indicates a sensory processing issue, characteristic of agnosia. A: Mania is a mood disorder characterized by extreme excitement and impulsivity, not related to sensory perception issues. C: Dementia is a broad term for cognitive decline, which typically includes memory loss and impaired decision-making, but not necessarily sensory perception deficits. D: Amnestic disorder refers to memory impairment, not the inability to interpret sensory information.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with hypertension. Which of the following lifestyle changes would the nurse prioritize to help manage the patient's blood pressure?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Losing weight and increasing physical activity help manage blood pressure by reducing excess body weight, improving heart function, and enhancing blood flow. This leads to lower blood pressure levels. A: Increasing sodium intake would worsen hypertension by promoting fluid retention and raising blood pressure. C: Consuming more processed foods often includes high levels of sodium, unhealthy fats, and additives that can negatively impact blood pressure. D: Limiting fluid intake is not a primary lifestyle change for managing hypertension; adequate fluid intake is important for overall health and blood pressure regulation.