ATI RN
Assessing Vital Signs ATI Questions
Question 1 of 5
A nurse is taking complete health histories on all of the patients attending a wellness workshop. On the history form, one of the written questions asks, 'You don't smoke, drink, or take drugs, do you?' This question is an example of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Using biased or leading questions. This question is leading because it assumes that the patients don't smoke, drink, or take drugs. It may influence the patients to answer in a certain way to please the nurse. This can result in inaccurate information being provided. Talking too much (A), using confrontation (B), and using blunt language (D) do not accurately describe the nature of the question being asked.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old male patient. Which assessment findings would be considered normal?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips are common age-related changes in older adults. Kyphosis is the forward curvature of the spine, and flexion in the knees and hips can occur due to joint stiffness and muscle weakness. These changes are considered normal in older adults. Option A is incorrect because an increase in body weight is not necessarily normal with aging. Option B is incorrect as additional fat deposits on specific body parts may not necessarily be considered normal. Option D is incorrect because a change in overall body proportion with a longer trunk and shorter extremities is not a typical age-related change.
Question 3 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 4 of 5
The nurse is counting an infant's respirations. Which technique is correct?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct technique for counting an infant's respirations is to watch the abdomen for movement. This is because infants are obligate nasal breathers, so abdominal movement is a more accurate indicator of their breathing pattern. Watching the chest rise and fall (choice A) may not accurately reflect the infant's respiratory rate. Placing a hand across the infant's chest (choice C) may interfere with their breathing and is not recommended. Using a stethoscope to listen to breath sounds (choice D) is not necessary for counting respirations in infants.
Question 5 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.