ATI RN
health assessment in nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is assessing a patient who is post-operative following a hip replacement. Which of the following is the most important nursing priority after surgery?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is the most important nursing priority after hip replacement surgery because patients are at high risk for DVT due to immobility and altered blood flow. DVT can lead to serious complications like pulmonary embolism. Monitoring for infection (B) is important but preventing DVT takes precedence. Managing pain (A) is essential but not the top priority. Ensuring proper positioning (D) is important for preventing complications, but DVT prevention is more critical post-hip replacement surgery.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a knee replacement. The nurse should encourage which of the following to promote recovery?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ambulation as soon as possible after surgery. Ambulation helps prevent complications like blood clots and aids in circulation and muscle strength. Bed rest can lead to stiffness and decrease in range of motion. Limiting physical activity delays recovery. Prolonged use of a cast can hinder mobility and delay rehabilitation.
Question 3 of 9
A visiting nurse is making an initial home visit to a patient who has a number of chronic medical problems. Which type of database is most appropriate to collect in this setting?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: A complete health database because of the nurse's primary responsibility for monitoring the patient's health. In this initial home visit, the nurse needs to gather comprehensive information about the patient's medical history, current health status, medications, allergies, and lifestyle factors to establish a baseline for ongoing care. This complete health database will help the nurse make informed decisions and provide personalized care. Choice A (follow-up database) is incorrect as it is used to evaluate changes over time, not for the initial assessment. Choice B (episodic database) is incorrect because the patient's chronic medical problems require a more comprehensive approach. Choice D (emergency database) is incorrect as it is used for urgent situations, not for routine assessments.
Question 4 of 9
A patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. During a recent interview, he shows the nurse a picture of a man holding a decapitated head. He describes this picture as horrifying but laughs loudly when looking at it. This behaviour is a display of:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inappropriate affect. Inappropriate affect refers to emotions that are not congruent with the situation. In this case, the patient's laughing while describing a horrifying image indicates a disconnect between his emotions and the context. This behavior is commonly seen in schizophrenia, where there is a lack of appropriate emotional response. A: Confusion does not accurately describe the patient's behavior, as he is able to describe the picture and his emotional response to it. B: Ambivalence refers to conflicting emotions or attitudes, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. C: Depersonalization involves feeling detached from oneself or reality, which is not evident in the patient's behavior. In summary, the patient's inappropriate laughter in response to a horrifying image is indicative of inappropriate affect, a common feature of schizophrenia.
Question 5 of 9
While auscultating for heart sounds, the nurse hears an unfamiliar sounWhat should the nurse do next?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Document the findings on the patient's record. This is the appropriate action because documenting the unfamiliar sound ensures that the information is accurately recorded for future reference. Waiting 10 minutes (B) may not address the issue, as the sound could still be present. Asking another nurse to double-check (C) may lead to subjective interpretations. Asking the patient to take deep breaths (D) may not be relevant to identifying the unfamiliar sound. Recording the finding is crucial for tracking changes in the patient's condition and communicating with other healthcare professionals.
Question 6 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.
Question 7 of 9
The nurse is conducting a health interview with a patient named Salil. There is a language barrier, and no interpreter is available. Which of the following is the best example of an appropriate question for the nurse to ask in this situation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Does Salil take medicine?" This is the best question because it is simple, direct, and focuses on gathering important medical information. It is clear and easy to understand even with a language barrier. Choice B is irrelevant and not related to the patient's health status. Choice C assumes symptoms without context. Choice D is inappropriate as it refers to the patient in the third person and includes a leading statement. Asking about medication directly is the most appropriate approach in this scenario.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse is assessing a 75-year-old male patient. At the beginning of the mental status portion of the assessment, the nurse expects that this patient:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer C: - As individuals age, it is normal to experience a slight decline in cognitive abilities, such as response time. - However, general knowledge and abilities are usually well-preserved in older adults. - It is expected that the 75-year-old patient may take a little longer to respond due to age-related changes but should not have a significant decline in general knowledge. Summary of Incorrect Choices: - Choice A is incorrect because it is unrealistic to expect no decrease in any abilities with age. - Choice B is incorrect because while remote memory may decline with age, it is not a universal expectation for all older adults. - Choice D is incorrect as it inaccurately attributes language loss and a decrease in general knowledge to all older adults.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse notices that the patient has a solid, elevated, circumscribed lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter. When documenting this finding, the nurse would report this as a:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Papule. A papule is a solid, elevated lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter. It is circumscribed, meaning it has well-defined borders. Papules are often associated with skin conditions like acne or insect bites. A: Bulla is a large fluid-filled blister, not a solid lesion. B: Wheal is a raised, red area of skin that is typically transient and caused by an allergic reaction. C: Nodule is a solid, elevated lesion that is greater than 1 cm in diameter, not less than 1 cm.