ATI RN
health assessment in nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 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 2 of 9
Which of the following questions would best assess a person's judgement?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking about future plans post-hospital discharge assesses judgment by evaluating the individual's ability to make considered decisions and anticipate consequences. Choice A focuses on paranoia, not judgment. Choice C assesses interpretation skills, not judgment. Choice D evaluates honesty or ethics, not judgment. Therefore, B is the best choice for assessing judgment.
Question 3 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient with diabetes about self-management. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates the need for further education?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct Answer: B Rationale: 1. Taking insulin only when blood sugar is high can lead to uncontrolled levels. 2. Regular insulin dosing is essential for diabetes management. 3. Monitoring blood sugar regularly helps in adjusting insulin doses. 4. Eating a balanced diet and exercising are key components of diabetes management. 5. Reporting signs of infection is crucial due to diabetes-related complications.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse preparing to conduct a prenatal class is aware that which of the following groups is at highest risk for infant mortality?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: First Nations people. First Nations people in Canada have historically faced systemic barriers to healthcare, leading to higher rates of infant mortality compared to other groups. This includes socio-economic factors, access to quality healthcare, and cultural differences impacting healthcare practices. European Canadians, Asian Canadians, and African Canadians do not face the same level of disparities and risk factors contributing to infant mortality rates as First Nations people. It is essential for healthcare providers to understand these disparities to address the health needs of First Nations communities effectively.
Question 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 of 9
Which of the following statements best describes the purpose of a health history?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because a health history aims to gather subjective information about a patient's past and current health. It helps in understanding the patient's health concerns, medical history, lifestyle factors, and other relevant information. By collecting this data, healthcare providers can make informed decisions regarding the patient's care. Option A is incorrect as the purpose is more than just interaction. Option B is incorrect as it focuses solely on biographical information. Option C is incorrect as it pertains to physical assessment findings, not subjective health information.
Question 9 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.