ATI RN
health assessment in nursing test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is providing education to a patient with chronic liver disease. The nurse should educate the patient to monitor for signs of which of the following complications?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Jaundice. Patients with chronic liver disease are at risk for developing jaundice due to impaired liver function leading to the accumulation of bilirubin. Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. Monitoring for jaundice is crucial as it indicates worsening liver function. Incorrect choices: A: Hypoglycemia - Not directly related to chronic liver disease, more commonly seen in diabetes. B: Hyperglycemia - Not typically associated with chronic liver disease unless the patient has underlying diabetes. D: Anemia - Can be a complication of chronic liver disease, but monitoring for jaundice takes priority due to its direct association with liver dysfunction.
Question 2 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Respiratory failure. Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that can lead to respiratory failure if not managed properly. The nurse should monitor for signs of worsening asthma symptoms such as increased respiratory rate, accessory muscle use, and decreased oxygen saturation. Pneumonia (A) is a possible complication but is not directly related to asthma. Anemia (C) and Hyperglycemia (D) are not typically associated with asthma and would not be the primary complications to monitor for in this case.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse notices that the patient has a solid, elevated, circumscribed lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter. When documenting this finding, the nurse would report this as a:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Papule. A papule is a solid, elevated lesion that is less than 1 cm in diameter. It is circumscribed, meaning it has well-defined borders. Papules are often associated with skin conditions like acne or insect bites. A: Bulla is a large fluid-filled blister, not a solid lesion. B: Wheal is a raised, red area of skin that is typically transient and caused by an allergic reaction. C: Nodule is a solid, elevated lesion that is greater than 1 cm in diameter, not less than 1 cm.
Question 4 of 9
A nurse is assessing a patient's family history. Which of the following would be most relevant to include in the assessment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a family history of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes can provide crucial information about potential genetic predispositions and health risks for the patient. This information helps the nurse assess the patient's risk factors and tailor preventative measures or interventions accordingly. Choice B is incorrect as siblings' hobbies and interests are not relevant to the patient's medical history. Choice C is incorrect as the father's occupation does not directly impact the patient's health risks. Choice D is incorrect as the patient's favorite sports team is not relevant to assessing the patient's family history for health-related issues.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient about managing high cholesterol. Which of the following dietary changes would be most beneficial for lowering cholesterol?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreasing intake of trans fats. Trans fats are known to increase LDL cholesterol levels, which are considered "bad" cholesterol. By reducing trans fats in the diet, the patient can lower their cholesterol levels. Saturated fats (choice A) can also increase LDL cholesterol, so increasing intake is not beneficial. Dietary fiber (choice B) helps lower cholesterol by binding to cholesterol in the digestive system, so decreasing intake would not be beneficial. Processed sugars (choice D) do not directly impact cholesterol levels, so increasing intake would not help lower cholesterol. Overall, choosing option C is the most effective dietary change for managing high cholesterol.
Question 6 of 9
An Aboriginal woman who lives away from the reserve has come to the clinic to seek help with regulating her diabetes. In conducting an interview, the nurse's priority involves:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because determining if the patient can afford her medications is crucial in managing her diabetes effectively. Financial constraints can significantly impact a patient's ability to adhere to treatment, leading to poor health outcomes. By addressing affordability, the nurse can ensure the patient can access and comply with the prescribed medications. A, finding out why the patient is not compliant, is not the priority at this stage as addressing affordability comes first. B, reinforcing health teaching related to diet and exercise, is important but secondary to ensuring access to medications. D, sending the patient to the diabetic clinic for follow-up, is not as critical as addressing immediate financial concerns.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is providing education to a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should prioritize which of the following lifestyle changes?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Quitting smoking. Smoking is the most important lifestyle change for a patient with COPD as it is the primary cause of the disease and continues to worsen symptoms. Quitting smoking can slow down the progression of COPD, decrease exacerbations, and improve overall lung function. Summary of other choices: B: Increasing fluid intake - While staying hydrated is important for overall health, it is not the top priority for a patient with COPD. C: Increasing physical activity - Exercise is beneficial for COPD patients, but quitting smoking takes precedence as it directly impacts the disease progression. D: Taking over-the-counter cold medications - Cold medications may provide temporary relief for symptoms, but they do not address the underlying cause of COPD which is smoking.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is about to perform an assessment of a patient's lungs. Which of the following is the most appropriate action before auscultation?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the patient to lie flat and breathe normally. This position allows for optimal lung expansion, making it easier to hear breath sounds accurately. Asking the patient to lie flat also provides a consistent baseline for comparison across different patients. A: Asking the patient to take deep breaths before auscultation may alter their normal breathing pattern and make it difficult to assess baseline lung sounds accurately. B: Having the patient sit upright can be helpful for certain assessments, but lying flat is preferred for auscultating lung sounds. C: Examining for symmetry is important but not directly related to the optimal position for auscultation.
Question 9 of 9
The nurse knows that developing appropriate nursing interventions for a patient relies on the appropriateness of the:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Nursing interventions are based on nursing diagnosis, which identifies patient's unique health needs. 2. Nursing diagnosis focuses on patient's response to health problems, not just medical conditions. 3. It guides nurses in planning individualized care to meet patient's specific needs. 4. Medical diagnosis (B) focuses on disease pathology, not holistic patient care. 5. Admission diagnosis (C) is a temporary identification of patient's primary reason for admission. 6. Collaborative diagnosis (D) involves joint identification of interprofessional health problems, not specific to nursing care. Summary: The correct answer is A because nursing interventions are tailored based on nursing diagnosis, which considers patient's responses to health issues. Medical diagnosis, admission diagnosis, and collaborative diagnosis do not provide the same level of individualized and holistic care planning as nursing diagnosis.