ATI RN
foundation of nursing practice questions Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is teaching a group of women about the potential benefits of breast self-examination (BSE). The nurse should teach the women that effective BSE is dependent on what factor?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Effective breast self-examination (BSE) relies significantly on women's knowledge of their own breasts. Understanding how their breasts normally look and feel allows women to detect any changes such as lumps, dimpling, or discharge, which may be early signs of breast abnormalities like cancer. By being familiar with their breasts' normal appearance and texture, women can promptly seek medical attention if they notice any unusual changes. This self-awareness and familiarity with their breasts are crucial in enabling women to perform BSE effectively and to detect any potential issues early on.
Question 2 of 9
A patient has a history of drug use and is screened for hepatitis B during the first trimester. Which action is most appropriate?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A person who has a history of high-risk behaviors, such as drug use, should be retested for hepatitis B during the third trimester. This is because the virus can have a long incubation period before showing up in blood tests. Retesting in the third trimester ensures that if the infection was acquired after the initial screening, it will be detected in time to provide appropriate care and interventions. Retesting is important in high-risk individuals to ensure proper management and prevention of hepatitis B transmission.
Question 3 of 9
The nurse in the ED is caring for a 4 year-old brought in by his parents who state that the child will not stop crying and pulling at his ear. Based on information collected by the nurse, which of the following statements applies to a diagnosis of external otitis?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: External otitis, also known as swimmer's ear, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It is often characterized by aural tenderness, which means that the ear is sensitive to touch and can be painful, especially when pressure is applied to the area. This tenderness is a hallmark symptom of external otitis and helps differentiate it from other ear conditions. Other common symptoms of external otitis include ear pain, itchiness, redness, and swelling of the ear canal. External otitis is usually not accompanied by a high fever, and it is not typically related to an upper respiratory infection. Using cotton-tipped applicators to clean the ear can actually increase the risk of developing external otitis by disrupting the natural protective barrier of the ear canal.
Question 4 of 9
A male patient with a metastatic brain tumor is having a generalized seizure and begins vomiting. What should the nurse do first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a patient is experiencing a seizure and begins vomiting, the priority action for the nurse is to turn the patient onto their side. This position helps to prevent aspiration, which can occur when the patient inhales vomit into their lungs. Turning the patient on their side allows for the vomit to drain out of the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration and maintaining a clear airway. Performing oral suctioning would be necessary after turning the patient on their side, but it is not the initial priority in this situation. Paging the physician and inserting a tongue depressor are not appropriate actions during a seizure and vomiting episode.
Question 5 of 9
When planning care for an adolescent who plays sports, which modification should the nurse include in the care plan?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When planning care for an adolescent who plays sports, it is important to provide adequate nutrition to meet their increased energy needs. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy, providing fuel for physical activity. Adolescents engaged in sports require a higher carbohydrate intake and should aim for 55% to 60% of their total daily kilocalories to support their activity levels. Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy during exercise, building and repairing muscles, and promoting overall performance. Increasing carbohydrate intake in the diet is a key modification to support the energy demands of an active adolescent involved in sports.
Question 6 of 9
A nurse is providing care for a patient who has recently been admitted to the postsurgical unit from PACU following a transuretheral resection of the prostate. The nurse is aware of the nursing diagnosis of Risk for Imbalanced Fluid Volume. In order to assess for this risk, the nurse should prioritize what action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize closely monitoring the input and output of the bladder irrigation system to assess for the risk of imbalanced fluid volume in a patient following a transuretheral resection of the prostate. Bladder irrigation is a common postoperative procedure used to prevent blood clots and help with healing. Monitoring the input and output of the bladder irrigation system is crucial in assessing the patient's fluid balance. Changes in the output may indicate bleeding or retention, which can lead to imbalanced fluid volume. By closely monitoring the bladder irrigation system, the nurse can promptly identify any issues and intervene accordingly to prevent further complications. Monitoring the patient's level of consciousness, skin turgor, and scanning for bladder retention are important assessments, but for this specific situation, monitoring the bladder irrigation system is the priority to assess for imbalanced fluid volume.
Question 7 of 9
A female patient tells the nurse that she thinks she has a vaginal infection because she has noted inflammation of her vulva and the presence of a frothy, yellow-green discharge. The nurse recognizes that the clinical manifestations described are typical of what vaginal infection?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The clinical manifestations of inflammation of the vulva and the presence of frothy, yellow-green discharge are indicative of a vaginal infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan parasite. It commonly presents with symptoms such as frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, inflammation of the vulva, and sometimes a foul odor. Testing for Trichomonas vaginalis can be done through microscopic examination of the vaginal discharge or through nucleic acid amplification tests. Treatment usually involves the use of antibiotics such as metronidazole or tinidazole. It is important to promptly diagnose and treat trichomoniasis to prevent complications and further transmission.
Question 8 of 9
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been recently diagnosed with late stage pancreatic cancer. The patient refuses to accept the diagnosis and refuses to adhere to treatment. What is the most likely psychosocial purpose of this patients strategy?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient may be trying to protect loved ones from the emotional effects of the illness. This behavior could be a form of denial, a defense mechanism where the individual refuses to acknowledge the reality of the diagnosis in order to shield their loved ones from distress. By rejecting the diagnosis and refusing treatment, the patient may believe that they are preventing their family and friends from experiencing the emotional pain associated with the illness. This behavior is a common coping mechanism in response to overwhelming and distressing news like a terminal illness diagnosis. It serves a psychosocial purpose of trying to protect others from suffering, even though it may not align with the patient's best interest in terms of receiving appropriate medical care.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is assessing a patient with an acoustic neuroma who has been recently admitted to an oncology unit. What symptoms is the nurse likely to find during the initial assessment?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nurse assessing a patient with an acoustic neuroma would likely find symptoms such as loss of hearing, tinnitus, and vertigo. Acoustic neuroma, also known as vestibular schwannoma, is a noncancerous tumor that develops on the vestibulocochlear nerve, which carries sound and balance signals from the inner ear to the brain. The most common symptoms of an acoustic neuroma include progressive hearing loss, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and dizziness or imbalance (vertigo). Therefore, option A is the most appropriate choice for the symptoms that the nurse is likely to find in a patient with an acoustic neuroma.