ATI RN
health assessment test bank Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient with diabetes about managing blood glucose levels. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates the need for further education?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Stopping insulin once blood glucose is normal is incorrect as insulin is crucial for managing diabetes even when blood glucose levels are within the target range. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels consistently, and stopping it abruptly can lead to hyperglycemia. Choices A, B, and D are correct statements indicating good diabetes management practices. Monitoring blood glucose levels, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet are essential for controlling blood sugar levels and overall health.
Question 2 of 9
Which nursing intervention should be prioritized for a client with congestive heart failure (CHF)?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): Promoting activity is the most prioritized nursing intervention for a client with CHF. Activity helps improve cardiac function, decreases fluid accumulation, and enhances overall cardiovascular health. It also prevents complications like muscle weakness and deconditioning. It is crucial in managing CHF symptoms and improving the client's quality of life. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Administering diuretics helps in reducing fluid overload but does not address the underlying issue of improving cardiac function through physical activity. B: Limiting fluid intake is important, but promoting activity takes precedence as it directly impacts cardiac function and fluid accumulation. D: Maintaining fluid balance is necessary but is a broad concept that includes various interventions, with promoting activity being more focused and critical in CHF management.
Question 3 of 9
Which technique should the nurse use to determine the presence of crepitus during a physical examination?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct technique to determine the presence of crepitus during a physical examination is palpation. Crepitus is a crackling or grating sensation that is felt when there is air trapped in the subcutaneous tissue. Palpation involves using the hands to feel for abnormalities such as crepitus. Percussion involves tapping on the body to produce sounds that can help assess underlying structures, not to determine the presence of crepitus. Auscultation is listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope, which is not relevant for detecting crepitus.
Question 4 of 9
When observing a patient's verbal and nonverbal communication, the nurse notices a discrepancy. Which of the following statements about this situation is true?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking someone who knows the patient well can provide valuable insight into the meaning behind the verbal and nonverbal communication discrepancy. This helps in understanding the context and potential reasons for the inconsistency. Option A is incorrect as ignoring nonverbal behaviors can lead to missing important cues. Option C of interpreting messages as an 'average' may oversimplify the complexity of communication. Option D is incorrect as while nonverbal behaviors can provide valuable information, solely focusing on them may not give a complete understanding of the situation.
Question 5 of 9
A nurse is assessing a patient who has a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following findings would be most concerning?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Shortness of breath and chest pain. This is most concerning because it could indicate a pulmonary embolism, a serious complication of DVT where a blood clot travels to the lungs. Shortness of breath and chest pain are signs of compromised respiratory and cardiac function. A: Pain and swelling in the leg are common symptoms of DVT but not as concerning as symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. B: Redness and warmth around the affected area are typical signs of inflammation associated with DVT but do not indicate a life-threatening complication like a pulmonary embolism. D: Pale skin and decreased pulse in the affected leg could be signs of compromised circulation due to DVT, but they are not as immediately life-threatening as symptoms of a pulmonary embolism.
Question 6 of 9
What is the priority action for a client who presents with symptoms of stroke?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Perform a CT scan. This is the priority action because it helps determine if the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic, guiding treatment decisions. Monitoring blood pressure (B) is important but not the priority. Administering aspirin (C) can be considered after confirming the type of stroke. Administering thrombolytics (D) is indicated for ischemic stroke but should only be done after ruling out hemorrhagic stroke with a CT scan.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should prioritize which of the following interventions?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administering bronchodilators as prescribed. Rationale: 1. Bronchodilators help dilate the airways, improving airflow in COPD patients. 2. Priority is to address the underlying respiratory issue. 3. Bronchodilators are a standard treatment for managing COPD symptoms. 4. Improving airway patency is crucial in COPD exacerbations. Summary: - B: Encouraging avoidance of physical activity is incorrect as it can lead to deconditioning. - C: Providing supplemental oxygen is important but not the priority in this case. - D: Monitoring for acute kidney injury is unrelated to COPD management.
Question 8 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following a lung resection. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of complications?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased respiratory rate and dyspnea. After a lung resection, complications like atelectasis or pneumonia can occur, leading to respiratory distress. Monitoring respiratory rate and dyspnea helps detect these issues early. Incorrect choices: B: Constipation and abdominal distension are not directly related to post-operative lung resection complications. C: Nausea and vomiting are more likely related to gastrointestinal issues rather than lung resection. D: Muscle weakness and fatigue are not specific signs of complications following a lung resection.
Question 9 of 9
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Which of the following lab results would the nurse expect to be elevated in this patient?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In CKD, the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products, leading to an increase in BUN levels. Elevated BUN indicates impaired kidney function. Calcium, potassium, and sodium levels may also be affected in CKD, but they are more likely to be imbalanced rather than consistently elevated. Calcium levels may be low due to impaired vitamin D activation, potassium levels may be high due to decreased excretion, and sodium levels can fluctuate based on fluid status. Therefore, while these lab values may be abnormal in CKD, BUN is the most consistently elevated marker of kidney dysfunction.