ATI RN
foundation of nursing questions and answers Questions
Question 1 of 9
A nurse is teaching a patient with glaucoma how to administer eye drops to achieve maximum absorption. The nurse should teach the patient to perform what action?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because instilling the medication in the conjunctival sac allows for direct absorption into the eye tissues. This method ensures that the medication reaches the target area for treating glaucoma effectively. Maintaining a supine position (choice B) or keeping the eyes closed (choice C) after administration does not enhance absorption and may lead to wasted medication. Applying the medication to the sclera (choice D) is incorrect as it does not target the specific area needed for treating glaucoma.
Question 2 of 9
The patient is having lower abdominal surgeryand the nurse inserts an indwelling catheter. What is the rationale for the nurse’s action?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because anesthetics used during surgery can decrease bladder contractility, leading to urinary retention. By inserting an indwelling catheter, the nurse ensures proper drainage of urine and prevents bladder distention. This helps to maintain the patient's comfort and prevent complications such as urinary retention and potential bladder injury. Choice A is incorrect because inserting a catheter is not primarily to prevent uncontrollable voiding during surgery. Choice B is incorrect as local trauma does not promote excessive urine incontinence necessitating catheterization. Choice D is incorrect because the primary purpose of catheter insertion is not to prevent interruption of the procedure by bathroom breaks.
Question 3 of 9
A junior nursing student is having an observation day in the operating room. Early in the day, the student tells the OR nurse that her eyes are swelling and she is having trouble breathing. What should the nurse suspect?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Anaphylaxis due to a latex allergy. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be triggered by exposure to latex products such as gloves in the operating room. The symptoms of swelling of the eyes and difficulty breathing are classic signs of anaphylaxis. Rationale: 1. Swelling of the eyes and difficulty breathing are hallmark symptoms of anaphylaxis. 2. Latex is a common allergen that can cause severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. 3. The student's symptoms are occurring shortly after entering the operating room, suggesting an acute allergic reaction. 4. The other choices (A, B, D) do not align with the symptoms presented and are less likely in this scenario.
Question 4 of 9
Which finding would indicate concealed hemorrhage in abruptio placentae?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hard boardlike abdomen. In abruptio placentae, concealed hemorrhage can lead to blood accumulating behind the placenta, causing the uterus to become tense and rigid, resulting in a hard boardlike abdomen. This finding indicates significant internal bleeding and requires immediate medical attention. Rationale: A: Bradycardia is a slow heart rate and is not typically associated with concealed hemorrhage in abruptio placentae. C: Decrease in fundal height may indicate intrauterine growth restriction, not specifically concealed hemorrhage. D: Decrease in abdominal pain is not a typical indicator of concealed hemorrhage; in fact, pain may increase due to the increased pressure in the uterus from the bleeding.
Question 5 of 9
A patient, who delivered her third child yesterday, has just learned that her two school-age children have contracted chickenpox. What should the nurse tell her?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: She must make arrangements to stay somewhere other than her home until the children are no longer contagious. 1. The patient's newborn is at risk of contracting chickenpox from the infected children. 2. Chickenpox can be severe in newborns due to their immature immune systems. 3. It is crucial to protect the newborn by ensuring they are not exposed to the virus. 4. Staying elsewhere until the children are no longer contagious will prevent transmission to the newborn. Incorrect choices: A: Acyclovir is not recommended for prophylactic treatment in this situation. B: Immunity is not automatically transferred from the mother to the baby for chickenpox. C: Allowing the infected children to visit with precautions is not sufficient to protect the newborn.
Question 6 of 9
Which finding on a prenatal visit at 10 weeks might suggest a hydatidiform mole?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Fundal height measurement of 18 cm. This finding suggests a hydatidiform mole because it is larger than expected for a 10-week pregnancy due to excessive trophoblastic proliferation. A: Blood pressure is within normal range. B: Nausea is common in early pregnancy and not specific to a mole. D: History of bright red spotting is more indicative of a miscarriage or other complications, not necessarily a mole.
Question 7 of 9
A nurse is a member of an interdisciplinary teamthat uses critical pathways. According to the critical pathway, on day 2 of the hospital stay, the patient should be sitting in the chair. It is day 3, and the patient cannot sit in the chair. What should the nurse do?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Document the variance in the patient’s record. By documenting the variance in the patient's record, the nurse can provide a clear record of the deviation from the critical pathway. This documentation is essential for tracking the patient's progress accurately and identifying potential issues that may require intervention. It allows for proper communication among the interdisciplinary team and ensures that everyone is aware of the deviation. Choice A is incorrect because adding data to the problem list may not provide a comprehensive record of the variance. Choice B is incorrect because focusing on charting using the DAR format does not address the deviation from the critical pathway. Choice D is incorrect because reporting a positive variance in the next team meeting may not accurately reflect the patient's actual progress and may lead to miscommunication within the team.
Question 8 of 9
A patient with HIV infection has begun experiencing severe diarrhea. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention to help alleviate the diarrhea?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increase the patient's oral fluid intake. This is because severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous for patients with HIV infection. By increasing oral fluid intake, the patient can stay hydrated and prevent further complications. Administering antidiarrheal medications on a scheduled basis (Choice A) may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue of dehydration. Encouraging the patient to eat balanced meals (Choice B) and increase activity level (Choice D) may be important for overall health but do not directly address the immediate concern of dehydration caused by severe diarrhea.
Question 9 of 9
A 16-year-old has come to the clinic and asks to talk to a nurse. The nurse asks the teen what she needs and the teen responds that she has become sexually active and is concerned about getting HIV. The teen asks the nurse what she can do keep from getting HIV. What would be the nurses best response?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because it emphasizes the importance of consistent and correct condom use in preventing HIV transmission. Here's the rationale: 1. Abstinence is the most effective way to prevent HIV, but since the teen is sexually active, abstinence may not be feasible for her. 2. Using condoms consistently and correctly is the next best method for preventing HIV transmission during sexual activity. 3. Choice A is incorrect because it implies that using condoms is not effective, which is not true. 4. Choice B is incorrect because it only mentions female condoms, while both male and female condoms can be effective in preventing HIV. 5. Choice C is incorrect because while new prevention methods are being researched, the established method of consistent condom use remains the most effective.