ATI RN
RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment A Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A fever of 101°F is the most concerning finding when assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Fever can indicate an inflammatory response to an infection, and in a postoperative patient, it can signal a surgical site infection or a systemic infection. Prompt attention is necessary to prevent complications such as sepsis. Mild redness at the incision site and increased drainage can be expected in the early postoperative period due to the normal healing process. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection as it can be influenced by various factors, and some infections may not initially cause a rise in white blood cells.
Question 2 of 5
A patient has just undergone a tracheostomy. What is the nurse's priority intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to suction the tracheostomy to maintain a patent airway. After a tracheostomy, the priority intervention is to ensure a clear airway to prevent respiratory distress. Administering pain medication, changing the tracheostomy dressing, and monitoring oxygen saturation are important but are secondary to maintaining a patent airway in a patient who has just undergone a tracheostomy.
Question 3 of 5
What is the priority intervention for a patient experiencing chest pain?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin as prescribed. Nitroglycerin helps relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels and improving blood flow, addressing the immediate concern of chest pain. Encouraging deep breaths may not be appropriate for chest pain, monitoring blood pressure, although important, is not the priority when the patient is experiencing chest pain, and while resting in a comfortable position is beneficial, administering nitroglycerin is the priority intervention to address the chest pain.
Question 4 of 5
Which nursing action will best help a patient with diabetes manage their condition?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Teach the patient how to administer insulin. This action is crucial in promoting self-management and control of diabetes. By educating the patient on administering insulin, they can actively participate in their treatment plan. Monitoring blood sugar levels (choice A) is important but doesn't empower the patient to take direct action. Encouraging a diabetic meal plan (choice B) is beneficial but may not directly address the need for insulin administration. Teaching about the complications of diabetes (choice D) is essential but may not be as immediately impactful as teaching insulin administration for day-to-day management.
Question 5 of 5
A patient is on contact precautions for an infection. What is the most important action for the nurse to take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most important action for the nurse to take when caring for a patient on contact precautions is to wear gloves when entering the patient's room. This is crucial in preventing the spread of infection from the patient to the healthcare provider and vice versa. Placing the patient in a private room may be necessary for airborne precautions but is not specifically related to contact precautions. Using a dedicated blood pressure cuff for the patient is important for preventing cross-contamination but is not the most critical action. Disposing of equipment in a biohazard bag is a standard procedure but is not the most important action in this scenario.