ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is inserting a catheter into a female patient. When the nurse inserts the catheter, no urine is obtained. The nurse suspects the catheter is not in the urethra. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct choice is C because if no urine is obtained, it indicates that the catheter is not in the urethra. The nurse should remove the catheter, wipe with alcohol to maintain cleanliness, and reinsert after lubrication to ensure proper placement in the urethra. This step-by-step approach allows for a more accurate catheter insertion and prevents potential complications. Choice A is incorrect as discarding the catheter and starting over without addressing the issue does not solve the problem. Choice B is incorrect as filling the balloon with sterile water is not relevant to the situation of catheter misplacement. Choice D is incorrect as leaving the catheter in the vagina can lead to infection and is not a recommended practice.
Question 2 of 9
During the admission assessment of an HIV-positive patient whose CD4+ count has recently fallen, the nurse carefully assesses for signs and symptoms related to opportunistic infections. What is the most common life-threatening infection?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is the most common life-threatening infection in HIV-positive patients with low CD4+ counts. Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. The other choices, A: Salmonella infection, B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and C: Clostridium difficile, can also cause infections in HIV-positive patients, but they are not as commonly associated with life-threatening complications in this population compared to Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is crucial for the nurse to prioritize assessment for signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia in this patient to promptly intervene and prevent further complications.
Question 3 of 9
An adolescent is identified as having a collection of fluid in the tunica vaginalis of his testes. The nurse knows that this adolescent will receive what medical diagnosis?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hydrocele. A hydrocele is the collection of fluid in the tunica vaginalis of the testes. This condition is common in newborns and can also occur in adolescents. Cryptorchidism (A) is the absence of one or both testes from the scrotum. Orchitis (B) is inflammation of the testicles. Prostatism (D) is a non-specific term related to prostate issues, not relevant to the given scenario. Therefore, the correct diagnosis for an adolescent with fluid collection in the tunica vaginalis of his testes is hydrocele.
Question 4 of 9
Which finding would indicate concealed hemorrhage in abruptio placentae?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hard boardlike abdomen. In abruptio placentae, concealed hemorrhage can lead to blood accumulating behind the placenta, causing the uterus to become tense and rigid, resulting in a hard boardlike abdomen. This finding indicates significant internal bleeding and requires immediate medical attention. Rationale: A: Bradycardia is a slow heart rate and is not typically associated with concealed hemorrhage in abruptio placentae. C: Decrease in fundal height may indicate intrauterine growth restriction, not specifically concealed hemorrhage. D: Decrease in abdominal pain is not a typical indicator of concealed hemorrhage; in fact, pain may increase due to the increased pressure in the uterus from the bleeding.
Question 5 of 9
A patient has come into the free clinic asking to be tested for HIV infection. The patient asks the nurse how the test works. The nurse responds that if the testing shows that antibodies to the AIDS virus are present in the blood, this indicates what?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The patient has been infected with HIV. Antibodies to the AIDS virus in the blood indicate a past or current infection with HIV. This is because the body produces antibodies in response to the presence of the virus. A: The patient is immune to HIV is incorrect because antibodies indicate exposure, not immunity. B: The patient's immune system is intact is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not necessarily reflect the overall functionality of the immune system. C: The patient has AIDS-related complications is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not directly indicate the presence of AIDS-related complications.
Question 6 of 9
In general, when a patient’s energy requirements are completely met by kilocalorie (kcal) intake in food, which assessment finding will the nurse observe?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Weight does not change. When a patient's energy requirements are completely met by kcal intake, their weight should remain stable as there is a balance between energy intake and expenditure. This indicates that the body is receiving adequate energy for its needs, leading to weight maintenance. A: Weight increases - This would indicate an excess of energy intake over expenditure, leading to weight gain. B: Weight decreases - This would indicate a deficit in energy intake compared to expenditure, resulting in weight loss. D: Weight fluctuates daily - Daily weight fluctuations are normal and can be influenced by factors like hydration levels, food intake, and exercise, but a stable weight over time indicates a balance between energy intake and expenditure.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is preparing a patient for allergy skin testing. Which of the following precautionary steps is most important for the nurse to follow?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Having emergency equipment readily available is crucial during allergy skin testing as it can lead to severe allergic reactions. This precaution ensures prompt intervention in case of anaphylaxis. Other choices are incorrect because: A) Recent immunizations do not directly impact the skin testing process. B) Administering albuterol is not a standard pre-test requirement. C) Prophylactic epinephrine is not routinely given before allergy skin testing.
Question 8 of 9
You are caring for a patient, a 42-year-old mother of two children, with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer. She has just been told that her ovarian cancer is terminal. When you admitted this patient, you did a spiritual assessment. What question would it have been most important for you to evaluate during this assessment?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Does she have a sense of peace of mind and a purpose to her life? This question is crucial during a spiritual assessment because it addresses the patient's emotional well-being and coping mechanisms in the face of a terminal diagnosis. It helps assess the patient's spiritual beliefs, values, and sources of strength, which can impact their ability to find meaning and comfort during difficult times. It also provides insights into the patient's resilience and ability to navigate their emotions and find peace amidst uncertainty. Choice A is incorrect because it focuses on the patient's ability to deliver negative news to her family, which is important but not as central to the patient's spiritual well-being in this context. Choice C is incorrect as it assumes the patient needs to let go of her husband, which may not be relevant to her spiritual assessment. Choice D is incorrect as it centers on bargaining with God for a cure, which may not be reflective of the patient's spiritual beliefs or needs.
Question 9 of 9
The hospice nurse is caring for a 45-year-old mother of three young children in the patients home. During the most recent visit, the nurse has observed that the patient has a new onset of altered mental status, likely resulting from recently diagnosed brain metastases. What goal of nursing interventions should the nurse identify?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. The goal of nursing interventions in this scenario is to teach family members how to interact with and ensure safety for the patient with impaired cognition. This is the most appropriate response because it addresses the immediate need to provide the patient with appropriate care and support in their home environment. By educating the family on how to interact with the patient and ensure their safety, the nurse can help maintain a sense of normalcy for the patient and promote their well-being. Choice A is incorrect because sedating the patient may not be the best approach without considering other interventions first. Choice B is incorrect as moving the patient to an acute-care facility may not be necessary or feasible at this time. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on end-of-life care rather than addressing the immediate need of supporting the patient with altered mental status.