ATI RN
health assessment in nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 of 5
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 2 of 5
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 3 of 5
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 5
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 5 of 5
During an interview, the nurse asks the patient to tell more about their shortness of breath. What is the verbal skill used?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Open-ended question. This verbal skill allows the patient to provide detailed information and express their feelings freely. By asking the patient to talk more about their shortness of breath, the nurse encourages a comprehensive response. Reflection (A) involves paraphrasing the patient's words, not eliciting more information. Facilitation (B) involves encouraging the patient to continue but does not necessarily prompt open-ended responses. Direct question (C) typically elicits a specific answer and limits the patient's response.