ATI RN
Assessing Vital Signs ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is helping at a health fair at a local mall. When taking blood pressures on a variety of people, the nurse keeps in mind that:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because research has shown that on average, Black adults tend to have higher blood pressure compared to White adults of the same age. This is due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these differences to provide appropriate care and interventions. Choice A is incorrect because blood pressure readings in women after menopause actually tend to increase due to hormonal changes. Choice C is incorrect because being overweight is a risk factor for high blood pressure, so individuals who are overweight are more likely to have higher blood pressure readings compared to those at a normal weight. Choice D is incorrect because a teenager's blood pressure reading can vary, but it is not always lower than that of an adult. Teenagers can also have high blood pressure, especially if they have risk factors such as obesity or a family history of hypertension.
Question 2 of 5
A black patient is in the intensive care unit because of impending shock after an accident. The nurse expects to find what characteristics in this patient's skin?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, ashen, gray, or dull. In a black patient with impending shock, the skin often appears ashen or gray due to poor perfusion. This is a result of decreased blood flow and oxygen to the skin, indicating a serious condition. Choice A, ruddy blue, is incorrect as it suggests cyanosis, which is more common in Caucasians. Generalized pallor, choice B, is unlikely in a black patient due to the natural skin pigmentation. Patchy areas of pallor, choice D, are less indicative of impending shock compared to a more uniform ashen or gray appearance.
Question 3 of 5
A few days after a summer hiking trip, a 25-year-old man comes to the clinic with a rash. On examination, the nurse notes that the rash is red, macular, with a bull's eye pattern across his midriff and behind his knees. The nurse suspects:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lyme disease. The bull's eye rash, also known as erythema migrans, is a classic symptom of Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites. This distinctive rash pattern is a key diagnostic feature. Rubeola (A) presents with a different rash pattern and symptoms. Allergy to mosquito bites (C) typically results in localized redness and swelling, not a bull's eye rash. Rocky Mountain spotted fever (D) may present with a rash, but it typically does not have the characteristic bull's eye appearance seen in Lyme disease.
Question 4 of 5
While discussing the history of a 6-month-old infant, the mother tells the nurse that she took a significant amount of aspirin while she was pregnant. What question would the nurse want to include in the history?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Does your baby seem to startle with loud noises?" This question is relevant because exposure to aspirin during pregnancy can potentially lead to hearing loss in the infant. Aspirin is known to cause ototoxicity, affecting the auditory nerve and leading to hearing problems. Therefore, asking about the baby's response to loud noises can help identify any potential hearing issues related to the aspirin exposure during pregnancy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they focus on ear-related issues, such as surgeries, drainage, and infections. While these are valid concerns, they are not directly related to the potential hearing loss caused by aspirin exposure during pregnancy. Hence, these options are less relevant in this context compared to the correct answer, which directly addresses the possible consequence of aspirin intake during pregnancy on the infant's hearing.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is obtaining a health history on a 3-month-old infant. During the interview, the mother states, "I think she is getting her first tooth because she has started drooling a lot." The nurse's best response would be:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct response is D: "She is just starting to salivate and hasn't learned to swallow the saliva." At 3 months old, infants often start drooling due to increased salivation as their salivary glands develop. This response acknowledges normal infant development and provides an explanation for the observed behavior. Choice A (You're right, drooling is usually a sign of the first tooth) is incorrect because while drooling can be associated with teething, it is not the primary reason for drooling in a 3-month-old. Choice B (It would be unusual for a 3-month-old to be getting her first tooth) is incorrect because teething can start as early as 3 months, although it is more common around 6 months. Choice C (This could be the sign of a problem with the salivary glands) is incorrect as it jumps to a less likely conclusion of a salivary gland issue without considering the normal developmental process of salivation in infants