ATI RN
health assessment test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which of the following lab results would the nurse expect to be elevated in this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In CKD, the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products, leading to an increase in BUN levels. Elevated BUN indicates impaired kidney function. Calcium, potassium, and sodium levels may also be affected in CKD, but they are more likely to be imbalanced rather than consistently elevated. Calcium levels may be low due to impaired vitamin D activation, potassium levels may be high due to decreased excretion, and sodium levels can fluctuate based on fluid status. Therefore, while these lab values may be abnormal in CKD, BUN is the most consistently elevated marker of kidney dysfunction.
Question 2 of 9
A patient keeps saying, "I feel hot. Hot, cot, rot, tot, got. I'm a spot.' This is an illustration of:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clanging. Clanging refers to the phenomenon where words are chosen based on sound rather than meaning. In this case, the patient's speech demonstrates a pattern of words that rhyme or have similar sounds, despite lacking coherence or logical connection. This behavior is commonly seen in individuals with conditions like schizophrenia. Incorrect choices: A: Blocking - Blocking refers to sudden interruption or cessation of speech. This does not apply to the scenario described. C: Echolalia - Echolalia involves repetition of words or phrases spoken by others, not self-generated word patterns like in the scenario. D: Neologism - Neologism refers to the creation of new words or phrases with unique meanings, which is not reflected in the patient's speech pattern.
Question 3 of 9
Which intervention should be performed when assessing a client with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) for hemodialysis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Administer IV fluids Rationale: 1. Assess patient's fluid status and hydration level. 2. IV fluids help maintain adequate hydration during hemodialysis. 3. Prevents hypotension and ensures stable blood pressure during the procedure. 4. Improves overall hemodialysis efficiency and patient safety. Summary: A: Checking patency is important, but not the primary intervention for hemodialysis. B: Monitoring for bleeding is crucial but not specific to AVF assessment. D: Applying an airtight dressing is not necessary for AVF assessment.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following abdominal surgery. The nurse should prioritize which of the following in the immediate post-operative period?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises. This is prioritized in the immediate post-operative period to prevent respiratory complications like atelectasis and pneumonia. Deep breathing helps to expand the lungs and coughing helps clear secretions. Administering pain medication (A) is important but not the top priority. Monitoring for signs of infection (C) is crucial but usually done after ensuring respiratory stability. Providing solid food (D) is contraindicated initially to prevent post-operative complications like ileus.
Question 5 of 9
What is the priority nursing intervention for a client with a history of asthma experiencing wheezing?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with asthma experiencing wheezing is to administer oxygen. Wheezing indicates airway constriction and decreased oxygenation, making oxygen crucial for adequate tissue perfusion. Administering oxygen helps improve oxygen levels, alleviate respiratory distress, and prevent hypoxemia. Applying a bronchodilator (Choice B) may be beneficial after oxygen is administered. Applying a cold compress (Choice C) is not indicated for asthma exacerbations, and encouraging deep breathing (Choice D) may worsen respiratory distress in a client with wheezing. In summary, administering oxygen is the priority intervention to address the immediate respiratory needs of the client with asthma and wheezing.
Question 6 of 9
What is the most effective action for a client with suspected sepsis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer antibiotics. Antibiotics are crucial in treating sepsis as they help to fight the underlying infection causing the condition. Administering antibiotics promptly can prevent the infection from spreading and worsening. Fluids (choices B and C) are important for treating sepsis to maintain blood pressure and support organ function, but antibiotics are the primary intervention to target the infection. Administering oxygen (choice D) may be necessary to support respiratory function in septic patients, but it is not the most effective action to address the underlying infection.
Question 7 of 9
A newly admitted patient is in acute pain, has not been sleeping well lately, and is having difficulty breathing. How should the nurse prioritize these problems?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Breathing, pain, sleep. Prioritizing breathing is crucial as it is a life-threatening issue. Pain should be addressed next to ensure the patient's comfort and well-being. Sleep can be addressed last as it is a lower priority compared to breathing and pain. Prioritizing in this order ensures the patient's immediate needs are met first. Choice B is incorrect because sleep should not take precedence over pain when the patient is in acute pain. Choice C is incorrect because addressing sleep before breathing and pain can be detrimental to the patient's health. Choice D is incorrect because breathing should be the top priority over both pain and sleep.
Question 8 of 9
A patient is at the clinic to have her blood pressure checkeShe has been coming to the clinic weekly since her medications were changed 2 months ago. The nurse should:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: 1. Collecting a follow-up database ensures up-to-date information. 2. It allows for monitoring of medication effectiveness and any new symptoms. 3. Checking the blood pressure is essential but needs current context. 4. Asking the patient to read her record may not provide all necessary updates. 5. The complete health history is crucial but obtaining it first may delay urgent blood pressure check.
Question 9 of 9
Critique the following statement made by the nurse: "I know it may be hard, but you should do what the doctor ordered because he/she is the expert in this field.'
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the statement made by the nurse implies a power dynamic that can create dependency and inferiority in the patient, which is not conducive to a patient-centered approach. In a healthcare setting, it is important to empower patients to be active participants in their care decisions rather than being passive recipients. Encouraging patients to blindly follow orders without understanding or questioning can lead to poor outcomes and lack of patient engagement. Therefore, it is best to avoid making statements that reinforce hierarchical relationships and instead foster open communication and shared decision-making. The other choices are incorrect because: A: This choice focuses on bias, which is not the main issue at hand in this scenario. B: While healthcare team members are experts in their respective fields, the emphasis should be on collaborative decision-making rather than blind obedience. D: Using authority statements may be necessary in certain situations, but it does not address the potential harm of creating dependency and inferiority in the patient.