ATI RN
Medical Surgical ATI Proctored Exam Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is assessing a client who has COPD. The nurse should expect the client's chest to be which of the following shapes?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Barrel. In COPD, the chest becomes barrel-shaped due to hyperinflation of the lungs. This results in an increased anterior-posterior chest diameter, giving it a rounded appearance. This shape is characteristic of COPD as the hyperinflation causes the rib cage to remain partially expanded at all times. A: Pigeon – This shape is not associated with COPD and is not a typical finding in respiratory conditions. B: Funnel – This shape is not associated with COPD and is more commonly seen in conditions like pectus excavatum. C: Kyphotic – This shape refers to an exaggerated outward curvature of the thoracic spine, not the chest shape itself.
Question 2 of 5
During an admission assessment of a client with COPD and emphysema complaining of a frequent productive cough and shortness of breath, what assessment finding should the nurse anticipate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased anteroposterior diameter of the chest. In COPD and emphysema, the lungs lose their elasticity, causing the chest to become barrel-shaped with an increased anteroposterior diameter. This occurs due to hyperinflation of the lungs. This finding is known as "barrel chest" and is a classic sign of advanced COPD. A: Respiratory alkalosis is not typically associated with COPD and emphysema. C: An oxygen saturation level of 96% is within the normal range and does not specifically relate to the assessment findings in COPD and emphysema. D: Petechiae on the chest are not typically associated with COPD and emphysema; they may be indicative of other conditions such as bleeding disorders.
Question 3 of 5
While assessing a client with pulmonary tuberculosis, which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lethargy. In pulmonary tuberculosis, lethargy is common due to systemic symptoms like fatigue and weakness. High-grade fever is also common but not specific to pulmonary tuberculosis. Weight loss, not weight gain, is a classic symptom due to decreased appetite. Dry cough is a common symptom, but not as specific as lethargy in pulmonary tuberculosis.
Question 4 of 5
A healthcare provider is assessing a client immediately after the removal of the endotracheal tube. Which of the following findings should the provider report to the healthcare provider?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stridor. Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh respiratory sound that indicates airway obstruction, which can be life-threatening post endotracheal tube removal. Copious oral secretions (B), hoarseness (C), and sore throat (D) are common after endotracheal tube removal but do not indicate immediate airway compromise. Reporting stridor is crucial for prompt intervention to prevent respiratory distress.
Question 5 of 5
While caring for a client who was injured in a motor-vehicle crash and reports dyspnea and severe pain, a nurse in the emergency department notes that the client's chest moves inward during inspiration and bulges out during expiration. The nurse should identify this finding as which of the following?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Flail chest. Flail chest occurs when a segment of the rib cage is detached from the rest of the chest wall, causing paradoxical chest movement. In this case, the inward movement during inspiration and outward bulging during expiration are classic signs of flail chest, as the detached segment moves in the opposite direction of the rest of the chest wall. Atelectasis (choice A) refers to collapsed lung tissue, not paradoxical chest movement. Hemothorax (choice C) is the accumulation of blood in the pleural space, which does not cause paradoxical chest movement. Pneumothorax (choice D) is the presence of air in the pleural space, which can cause chest pain and dyspnea but does not result in paradoxical chest movement.