ATI RN
foundation of nursing practice questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is discussing the advantages of a nursingclinical information system. Which advantage should the nurse describe?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One of the key advantages associated with a nursing clinical information system is the reduction of errors of omission. By using an electronic system that prompts for required data entry and ensures completeness of documentation, nurses are less likely to miss important information, leading to improved patient care and safety. This advantage helps in promoting efficient communication among healthcare providers and contributes to better decision-making processes.
Question 2 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which action will the nurse take?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When caring for a patient receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), it is crucial to maintain strict aseptic technique to prevent infection. Wearing a sterile mask when changing the central venous catheter dressing helps to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the catheter site, which can lead to serious bloodstream infections. It is essential to use sterile gloves, a sterile mask, and to assess the insertion site for any signs or symptoms of infection during central venous catheter dressing changes. Additionally, to prevent infection, TPN infusion tubing should be changed every 24 hours, and no single container of TPN should be hung for longer than 24 hours, with lipids not running for longer than 12 hours.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse is part of the health care team at an oncology center. A patient has been diagnosed with leukemia and the prognosis is poor, but the patient is not yet aware of the prognosis. How can the bad news best be conveyed to the patient?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When delivering bad news to a patient, it is important to create an environment that is supportive, compassionate, and conducive to effective communication. Having the patient at eye level when discussing difficult information helps to establish a sense of equality and respect between the healthcare provider and the patient. This can increase the patient's comfort level and help them feel more connected and engaged in the conversation. Additionally, eye level communication allows for better non-verbal cues to be exchanged, such as eye contact and facial expressions, which are important for conveying empathy and understanding during such sensitive discussions. It is crucial for the patient to be met at eye level, both physically and emotionally, when discussing a poor prognosis like the diagnosis of leukemia.
Question 4 of 9
A patient with chronic open-angle glaucoma is being taught to self-administer pilocarpine. After the patient administers the pilocarpine, the patient states that her vision is blurred. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Blurred vision is a common adverse effect of pilocarpine, a miotic agent commonly used for open-angle glaucoma. It occurs due to the constriction of the pupil, which can affect the patient's ability to focus clearly. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to explain to the patient that blurred vision is an expected adverse effect of the medication. This reassurance can help alleviate the patient's concerns and improve their understanding of the medication therapy. Holding the next dose and notifying the physician is not necessary in this situation as blurred vision is a known side effect and treating the patient for an allergic reaction or suggesting that the patient put on her glasses would not address the underlying cause of the blurred vision.
Question 5 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient with an advanced stage of breast cancer and the patient has recently learned that her cancer has metastasized. The nurse enters the room and finds the patient struggling to breath and the nurses rapid assessment reveals that the patients jugular veins are distended. The nurse should suspect the development of what oncologic emergency?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a medical emergency that can occur in patients with advanced cancer, such as breast cancer with metastasis. SVCS is caused by the obstruction or compression of the superior vena cava, a large vein that carries blood from the upper body back to the heart. When the superior vena cava is obstructed or compressed, it can lead to symptoms such as difficulty breathing (dyspnea) and distended jugular veins.
Question 6 of 9
A patient who has AIDS is being treated in the hospital and admits to having periods of extreme anxiety. What would be the most appropriate nursing intervention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with AIDS experiencing extreme anxiety is to teach the patient guided imagery. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that can help the patient reduce anxiety levels, promote a sense of calm, and improve overall well-being. By teaching the patient how to use guided imagery, the nurse empowers the patient to manage her anxiety in a non-pharmacological way. This intervention promotes self-care and allows the patient to have a tool to use independently beyond the hospital setting. Giving the patient more control of her antiretroviral regimen may be beneficial for adherence but does not directly address the anxiety symptoms. Increasing the patient's activity level may be helpful for overall well-being but may not specifically target the extreme anxiety. Collaborating with the patient's physician to obtain an order for hydromorphone, a potent opioid medication, is not appropriate unless it is indicated for severe pain management, not anxiety.
Question 7 of 9
A patient has a history of drug use and is screened for hepatitis B during the first trimester. Which action is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A person who has a history of high-risk behaviors, such as drug use, should be retested for hepatitis B during the third trimester. This is because the virus can have a long incubation period before showing up in blood tests. Retesting in the third trimester ensures that if the infection was acquired after the initial screening, it will be detected in time to provide appropriate care and interventions. Retesting is important in high-risk individuals to ensure proper management and prevention of hepatitis B transmission.
Question 8 of 9
Which disease process improves during pregnancy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis shows marked improvement during pregnancy, although the reason for this is not entirely clear. The improvement is often significant, leading to relief from symptoms for many pregnant individuals with this condition. However, it's important to note that this improvement is temporary, as relapse typically occurs within 36 months postpartum. The exact mechanisms behind this temporary improvement are not fully understood, but hormones and changes in the immune system during pregnancy are believed to play a role in modifying the disease process.
Question 9 of 9
A 42 year-old patient tells the nurse that she has found a painless lump in her right breast during her monthly self-examination. She says that she is afraid that she has cancer. Which assessment finding would most strongly suggest that this patients lump is cancerous?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A nonmobile mass with irregular edges would most strongly suggest that the patient's lump is cancerous. Breast cancer lumps typically do not move easily and have irregular, poorly defined edges. These characteristics are concerning because they can indicate an invasive and aggressive growth pattern. Additionally, the fact that the lump is painless is another feature that raises suspicion for malignancy. It is important for the patient to undergo further evaluation, possibly including a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, to determine the nature of the lump and provide appropriate treatment.