ATI RN
health assessment in nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 9
A nurse is providing education to a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should prioritize which of the following lifestyle changes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Quitting smoking. Smoking is the most important lifestyle change for a patient with COPD as it is the primary cause of the disease and continues to worsen symptoms. Quitting smoking can slow down the progression of COPD, decrease exacerbations, and improve overall lung function. Summary of other choices: B: Increasing fluid intake - While staying hydrated is important for overall health, it is not the top priority for a patient with COPD. C: Increasing physical activity - Exercise is beneficial for COPD patients, but quitting smoking takes precedence as it directly impacts the disease progression. D: Taking over-the-counter cold medications - Cold medications may provide temporary relief for symptoms, but they do not address the underlying cause of COPD which is smoking.
Question 3 of 9
Canada's population as a whole is aging, and for the first time in Canadian history, which age group has exceeded that of people aged 15 to 24?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 55-64 years. This age group has exceeded that of people aged 15-24 due to factors like increased life expectancy, lower birth rates, and the aging baby boomer population. This demographic shift impacts workforce, healthcare, and social services. Choice A is incorrect as it represents the youngest age group. Choice B is incorrect as it falls within the working-age group. Choice D is incorrect as it represents the elderly population, which is still lower than the 55-64 age group in this context.
Question 4 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.
Question 5 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 6 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of diabetes. The nurse should monitor for signs of which of the following complications?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hyperglycemia. Patients with diabetes are at risk for high blood sugar levels. Monitoring for hyperglycemia is crucial to prevent complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. Hypoglycemia (B) is low blood sugar, dehydration (C) is not directly related to diabetes unless it causes hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, and hypotension (D) is low blood pressure, which is not a common complication of diabetes. Regular monitoring for hyperglycemia helps in preventing diabetic complications.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient with diabetes about managing their condition. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates the need for further education?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because stopping insulin when blood glucose is normal is incorrect. Insulin is necessary for managing diabetes even when blood glucose levels are normal to prevent fluctuations. Monitoring blood glucose (A), exercising (B), and eating a balanced diet (D) are all important components of diabetes management. Stopping insulin abruptly can lead to hyperglycemia and potential complications.
Question 8 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 9 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.