ATI RN
Adult Health Nursing Test Banks Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is preparing to perform an intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring procedure for a patient with traumatic brain injury. What action should the nurse prioritize to ensure procedural accuracy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize ensuring proper zeroing and calibration of the ICP monitoring system to ensure procedural accuracy and reliability of the measurements obtained. Proper zeroing involves setting the transducer at the level of the patient's external auditory meatus (ear), which serves as a reference point for accurate ICP readings. Calibration is necessary to establish accurate pressure measurements. Incorrect zeroing or calibration can lead to inaccurate ICP readings, which can impact clinical decision-making for patients with traumatic brain injury. Positioning the patient in a high-Fowler's position, administering prophylactic antibiotics, or placing the ICP monitor in the subarachnoid space via lumbar puncture are not directly related to ensuring the accuracy of the ICP monitoring procedure.
Question 2 of 5
A patient presents with a well-demarcated, hyperpigmented patch with irregular borders and asymmetric color distribution on the face. The lesion has increased in size over the past few months. Which of the following conditions is most concerning for this presentation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presentation described, including a well-demarcated, hyperpigmented patch with irregular borders, asymmetric color distribution, and increase in size over a short period, is concerning for melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, the cells that produce pigment in the skin. The irregular borders, color variation, and growth over time are classic signs of melanoma. Melanomas are potentially dangerous and should be evaluated promptly by a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. It is important to distinguish melanoma from other benign lesions like melanocytic nevus (mole), lentigo simplex, and seborrheic keratosis, as early detection and treatment of melanoma can significantly impact patient outcomes.
Question 3 of 5
A patient presents with well-demarcated, hypopigmented macules with fine scaling, affecting the trunk and proximal extremities. The patient reports a history of sun exposure and outdoor activities. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The presentation of well-demarcated, hypopigmented macules with fine scaling on the trunk and proximal extremities is classic for tinea versicolor. Tinea versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp., which leads to hypo- or hyperpigmented patches on the skin. The condition often occurs in individuals with increased sebum production due to factors such as hot and humid climates, sweating, and oily skin. History of sun exposure and outdoor activities is also commonly reported by patients with tinea versicolor. Treatment usually involves antifungal medications applied topically or taken orally to eliminate the fungus. Differentiating tinea versicolor from other skin conditions, such as vitiligo, pityriasis rosea, or seborrheic keratosis, is important for appropriate management.
Question 4 of 5
A patient presents with recurrent episodes of epistaxis, particularly after blowing the nose or during dry weather. Anterior rhinoscopy reveals a friable, vascular lesion in Little's area. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for managing this condition?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The clinical scenario described is consistent with a diagnosis of anterior epistaxis due to a prominent vascular lesion located in Little's area, which is an important site for nosebleeds. Silver nitrate cautery is the most appropriate intervention for managing this condition. Silver nitrate cautery is a commonly used method to chemically cauterize and eliminate the friable blood vessels responsible for recurrent epistaxis. It is a cost-effective and minimally invasive technique that can be easily performed in an outpatient setting. Nasal packing with anterior nasal tampons might be considered in cases of severe or refractory epistaxis, but in this scenario, where the source of bleeding is localized and identifiable, silver nitrate cautery is the treatment of choice. Endoscopic cauterization of the sphenopalatine artery and surgical excision of a nasal polyp are unnecessary and overly invasive for the described scenario.
Question 5 of 5
A patient presents with a sensation of a foreign body stuck in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and odynophagia. Flexible laryngoscopy reveals a submucosal mass arising from the posterior pharyngeal wall. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Zenker's diverticulum is a condition in which there is a pouch or sac that forms at the posterior pharyngeal wall above the upper esophageal sphincter. It can present with symptoms such as sensation of a foreign body stuck in the throat, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and odynophagia (painful swallowing). Flexible laryngoscopy can reveal a submucosal mass arising from the posterior pharyngeal wall, which is characteristic of Zenker's diverticulum.